WHAT'S NECESSARY?

Throughout history, luxuries have become necessities. It may have even happened to you.
The Pew Research Center did a study recently and asked Americans what they deemed a "necessity."
* In 2006, 70 percent deemed air conditioning a necessity. This year the figure was down to 54 percent.
* Dishwashers, clothes dryers, microwave ovens and television sets are also seen as necessities by fewer people now than in 2006.
* 52 percent of us think a television is a necessity. That is the lowest figure since that question was first asked in 1973. The older you are, the more likely you are to view it as a necessity.
* Similarly, the young are more likely to view a cell phone as a necessity, and less likely to see a need for a landline.
* There’s been no significant change in the number deeming a computer for home use to be a necessity (50 percent this year, 51 percent in 2006).
* The proportion who deem high-speed Internet service to be a necessity also showed no significant change (31 percent this year, 29 percent in 2006).
* 4 percent of Americans think an iPod is a necessity

What "luxury" is absolutely "necessary" to you?

Hi!

I just wanted to thank everyone who particapated in our "C" is for cookie contest for tickets to Seasame Street Live's "Elmo's Green Thumb." They were all winners!

Thanks to you for listening! Have a great weekend!

Tim

Click here to see the video replays of the "C is for Cookie" contest!

TAX DAY SPECIALS!

The following restaurants are offering April 15th tax specials.
- Select McDonald’s: Buy one Quarter Pounder with Cheese or Big Mac and get a second sandwich for just one penny.
- P.F. Chang’s is offering a 15% Tax Day discount on Wednesday
- T.G.I. Friday’s is giving guests $5 Bonus Bites cards for purchases between $15 and $25, and $10 Bonus Bites cards for purchases of more than $25. The cards will only be available at participating restaurants in the United States.
- Cinnabon bakeries will offer free Classic Bites from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on April 15th. The offer is not valid at airport or travel plaza locations.
- McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants will offer a $10.40 entree menu on Wednesday.
- Taco Del Mar is giving away a free taco on Tax Day to each customer who comes in with a printable coupon. Coupons can be found at http://download.tacodelmar.com/email/2009Tax/Tax2009.htm and are good only on April 15th.

SOCIALLY UNACCEPTABLE

In this day and time its pretty easy to find someone experiencing online sociability fatigue.
As social networking grows, from stream-of- consciousness Twitter to buttoned-up LinkedIn, even some of the very young people who've helped drive these sites' growth are asking for a break.
A recent survey from the Pew Internet & American Life Project found that 45 percent of us are enthusiastic about socializing via computer and mobile devices. Meanwhile, 48 percent are indifferent to Internet social networks, overwhelmed by gadgets or often avoiding Internet use altogether.

MOST BEAUTIFUL

When asked what the most beautiful region of the Unites States was:
-37 percent said the West
-16 percent said the Northeast
-16 percent said the South
-13 percent said the Midwest

Where do you think the most beautiful spot of the country is?

MORE FREE FOOD

Denny's gave away some 2 million Grand Slam breakfasts on Feb. 3. Now they're at it again with the "Pass Along Grand Slam Kindness" promotion.
From 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, you can get a free Grand Slamwich for a friend when you order a Grand Slam for yourself.

**FYI: The Grand Slamwich consists of scrambled eggs, seasoned sausage, bacon, shaved ham, mayonnaise and American cheese grilled on potato bread with a maple spiced spread. It is served with hash browns, and normally costs $4.99.

MORE PRODUCTIVE?

A new University of Melbourne study reveasls that surfing the Internet for fun while at work increases productivity. Researcher Brent Coker says those who spent time on Facebook and Twitter, among other sites, were 9% more productive that those who didn't surf. "Short and unobtrusive breaks, such as a quick surf of the Internet, enables the mind to rest itself, leading to a higher total net concentration for a days' work, and as a result, increased productivity."
Other findings:
- 70% of people who use the net at work engage in "WILB" or "workplace Internet leisure browsing." - most popular WILB activities are searching for information about products, reading online news sites, playing online games and watching videos on YouTube.