The Unthinkable!

An empty glass of wine?!! Stain on your new outfit? No, it's worse... a missing or stolen laptop. According to Entrepreneur Magazine, business travelers lose 12,000 laptops annually while on the road. I know of three people to whom this has happened. A former Vice President and boss left one in a bar in NYC and luckily got it back. A colleague deplaned without his laptop and thankfully remembered after a few moments. And a small business owner left hers on a plane -- and unfortunately, it was never recovered.

While these three instances represent a mistake on the part of the laptop owner (probably due to the exhaustion of business travel lifestyle or too much beer), theft is another problem. Losing business data, exposing your personal information and major psychological and financial hassle all result. So what's a tired traveler to do? Prevent it -- there are a few good choices:

1. Adeona is a free open source software developed by WSU that can be installed on your system to track it. It's free of charge and they are about to launch a new version incorporating improvements.

2. Companies like Absolute Software and Brigadoon offer paid tracking services with annual fees.
3. Manufacturers like PCLocs sell actual leashes that may be used when in a hotel or cafe.

Wine pairing: Hmm... a safe wine? A technological wine? Nothing really comes to mind so I'll splurge on a Gigondas from France's Rhone Valley. Peppery, fruit forward, and deliciously complex. It can be a little on the pricier said, say around $20 or so, but you've potentially prevented a loss of $1000+ with laptop security so go for it!

Purchasing Power

My how we all wish we had more of it! Unfortunately, there's no quick fix for enhancing your purchasing power -- doing so requires good old fashioned hard work (education or performance for a raise or better job) or a windfall like an inheritance. There is, however, one concept every LMF4HMW reader should understand with regard to her purchasing power: inflation.

Have you ever heard people talk about the "good old days" when bread was $1 and gas was 90 cents? Even if they don't realize it, these folks are discussing inflation, or the increase in general price levels. When price levels rise, your purchasing power falls. So if you continue to make the same amount next year, but your rent or food prices rise by 3%, your purchasing power will decrease accordingly. What's most important is the relative rise in wages, not the price level per say. So if you get a 5% raise and inflation is at 3%, you're actually ahead by 2%.

Inflation is measured by an annual percentage rate and is reported in the consumer and producer price indexes. (Both are available on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website.) You might think that inflation is "bad", but it's normal in a growing economy. If there is none, there is either economic stagnation or weakening.

In addition to affecting your current purchasing power, inflation is an important factor in your future ability to spend. If your investments do not outpace inflation, you'll have decreased purchasing power. Most people make the mistake of forgetting about inflation entirely when looking at their portfolio -- the key is to look at the real rate of return (net of inflation), not the nominal rate.

Wine pairing: Gruet sparkling wine from New Mexico (yep!) is a steal at $13!

A Tech Tool that Will Save You Time & Money!

A loss of data is not only frustrating, it can be debilitating. In my business, losing all my client files and documentation would create a major and irreversible problem. Parting with my personal files would also mean the loss of cherished photos, tax information, writing, and not to mention, all the business school files I kept. (Since grad school cost me $40k, it would not be a small loss!)

So I follow a very careful protocol to secure my data that includes weekly transfers to an external hard drive, monthly disc burns for off-site storage, and now, online file storage. I searched extensively for a simply, easy to use and cost effective provider and I'm thrilled with the SOS online back up service I chose. (So is PC Magazine, which has given the company two awards of excellence.) It's simple, easy to use and cost effective.

In the event of a computer crash, fire or complete melt down, I know my data is protected. Check it out today. For $50 or less per year, it will save you sleep and money in the event of a melt down.

PS - hmm, which wine would pair with technology? I'm thinking about the clean branding of Apple, SOS, and many other tech companies. How about a clean tasting, floral and fruity Riesling Kabinett?

Online Coupons

I know, I know -- "coupons?!!" The image that comes to mind is the frumpy woman at the grocery check out with a change purse counting pennies while simultaneously digging through her large coupon bill fold. Very annoying, especially when you're trying to dash out of the store with the evening's dinner.

No worries -- the coupons I write about today are in the e-form, so you won't be "that guy" (or LMF4HMW reader as it were). So many of us are into online shopping -- it's easy, there's no parking, no wondering around, no lines, and it can be done in the comfort of your own home (or office - ha!).

Shopping online with coupons is super simple. Let's say you're looking for a birthday or baby shower gift. STEP 1: Go to one of the popular e-coupon sites like DealCatcher or CoolSavings to see if there are any deals at the moment that fit your needs. (A simple Google search will provide you with numerous coupon sites.) STEP 2: either decide to shop at e-tailers based on available deals or at least know that you've tried to save on your purchase.

Either way, you're a savvier shopper and you might save precious money which may be invested for your future!

WINE PAIRING: How about a nice fun variety like Semillon, which has lemon and fig flavors with a hint of acidity -- perfect for online shopping after brunch. The grape is best known in France and Australia. In the former, it's typically blended with Sauvignon Blanc for a very special treat.