Search found 349 matches

by SPG8
Tue Oct 22, 2013 10:05 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Neurosleep - does it work?
Replies: 17
Views: 2946

Re: Neurosleep - does it work?

12345
by SPG8
Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:32 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Neurosleep - does it work?
Replies: 17
Views: 2946

Re: Neurosleep - does it work?

12345
by SPG8
Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Neurosleep - does it work?
Replies: 17
Views: 2946

Re: Neurosleep - does it work?

12345
by SPG8
Sun Oct 13, 2013 6:52 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Talk me down
Replies: 77
Views: 9518

Re: Talk me down

JoMoney wrote:I want to add that it's been a good 1 year period for stocks, and a "rising tide floats all boats".
Reminds me of the period leading up to 2000. Seem to recall a lot of people quitting their jobs to trade options.

If you're young and have modest funds it's better to learn early for a little rather than later for a lot. Probably better to skip that lesson altogether.

My interest is the methodology. With the amount of money and intelligence being thrown at this, I'd think the chance of successfully utilizing a commercial-based filter over the long-term is zero.

Good luck.
by SPG8
Thu Oct 10, 2013 9:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fair or not [Financially supporting one child over another]
Replies: 57
Views: 5863

Re: Fair or not [Financially supporting one child over anoth

swats wrote:We know its not fair but we feel we should spend our hard earned money on the kid who deserves it.
VictoriaF wrote:People respond to measures that follow their actions very soon and are clearly related to their actions.
ResearchMed wrote:It would probably help all of you - both parents, your daughter, and your son - if you were able to speak with someone about parenting, and how to minimize showing much of those negative feelings.
Hmmm.

Maybe if the dad had to set aside extra money for the daughter he'd start doing a better job?
by SPG8
Mon Oct 07, 2013 3:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: .....
Replies: 37
Views: 5605

Re: Getting prescription of old eyeglasses

pinecrest wrote:Since I know the title can be a bit controversial, let me say ahead of time that my reason for wanting to know an old prescription is NOT to use it for new frames. In my case, it's strictly for informational purposes. I'd like to use it as a benchmark to see how I am doing vision-wise
Tolerance is typically about an 1/8th, which can easily turn into a 1/4 by the time you walk out of the store. So if you're off in opposing directions on two pairs, could be up to a half.
by SPG8
Thu Sep 26, 2013 7:01 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Oracle
Replies: 6
Views: 1087

Oracle

Appears Vanguard's Investing Theory is that Oracle's executive-pay is excessive .
by SPG8
Tue Sep 24, 2013 8:11 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Weight Loss Plans?
Replies: 178
Views: 21983

Re: Weight Loss Plans?

SPG8 wrote:Why are fat people hungry?
Was fishing for blood sugar, but can't get a bite in this pond.

Good Luck
by SPG8
Sat Sep 21, 2013 6:01 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Weight Loss Plans?
Replies: 178
Views: 21983

Re: Weight Loss Plans?

"It's easy for people who have never been overweight to say "just eat less and exercise!" It's also easy for those who have never been in debt on a tight income to say "just spend less and invest!" I dunno. Either the proposition "eat less and exercise more --> weight control" is true or it isn't. I'm not sure it matters whether or not the person saying it has ever been overweight. It's not so much a question of whether it's true or not, but whether it's helpful. I used to think it didn't matter (simple thermodynamics), but it probably does. If you take a few extremes for middle-aged people; a. always fit/active/healthy b. sedentary/inactive/obese c. person b who has transformed into a fit/active/healthy ...
by SPG8
Thu Sep 19, 2013 7:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Weight Loss Plans?
Replies: 178
Views: 21983

Re: Weight Loss Plans?

Stop doing the activities that cause weight loss in order to lose weight and do them because you enjoy them. This is obviously great advice, but just note that it can be hard to practically implement on it's own. It's good to also have some go-to activities that you may not like, but which you've made peace with. For me it was the stationary bike at home. I hate it as much as anyone, but once I put a TV in front of it (rarely watch TV otherwise) and strapped on a heart rate monitor, it became manageable. My take is that long-term success can really be bolstered by eliminating processed foods. These foods are designed to make you want to consume more, and they are extremely effective. The companies that make them aren't evil, they're busine...
by SPG8
Wed Sep 18, 2013 7:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Weight Loss Plans?
Replies: 178
Views: 21983

Re: Weight Loss Plans?

As you can see, there are many ways to successfully lose weight and keep it off. 1. I wouldn't recommend a plan either, because I'm not sure what you'd do once it was over. That's the hard part. You're not trying to eat differently just to lose weight, you're trying to eat differently for the rest of your life. 2. Just commit to it today. Commit to losing weight and being healthy, and don't worry about how long it will take. For most it took a while to build the belly, shouldn't be surprising if it takes a while to tear it down. (Optional material follows) 1. Healthy low-carb is interesting (tons and tons of vegetables) because it eliminates hunger. A natural response is lower T3, and you can become symptomatic if you overcook it by not eat...
by SPG8
Mon Sep 09, 2013 8:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tennis racket recommendation for beginner (tennis elbow)
Replies: 27
Views: 5554

Re: Tennis racket recommendation for beginner (tennis elbow)

porcupine wrote:Thanks for advice!
Soliciting advice on the internets can result in eccentric responses.
by SPG8
Fri Sep 06, 2013 7:28 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: PenFed Visa card for Gas program changing, now with a fee.
Replies: 132
Views: 143151

Re: PenFed Visa card for Gas program changing, now with a fe

dbltrbl wrote:Money Market Certificate
What is the qualifying Money Market Certificate?

I got my letter last night and was resigned to cancelling, but another poster suggested a $1,000.00 CD qualifies (is this the Money Market Certificate?).

We probably get $200 cash-back annually, which is directly credited to the account. If I can cough up a grand to avoid the $25 annual fee and keep the 5% back on gas, that still seems like a pretty good deal.

Thanks
by SPG8
Fri Aug 23, 2013 10:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Boglehead Beer
Replies: 1071
Views: 203037

Re: Boglehead Beer

12345
by SPG8
Fri Aug 23, 2013 3:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Boglehead Beer
Replies: 1071
Views: 203037

Re: Boglehead Beer

House Blend wrote:
roymeo wrote:
masteraleph wrote:One place of note- Trader Joe's. They're pretty cheap and the house brand has decent, if not exceptional, examples of many types of beers (the hefeweizen and dunkelweizen in particular are pretty good).
And they're made by other breweries, most which are pretty premium craft breweries:
http://frenchoaktv.com/2010/10/the-brew ... abel-beer/
Their annual Belgian style Vintage Ale (made by Unibroue, the LaFinDuMonde/Maudite people) is top notch, and a bargain at something like $4-5 for 750ml.
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/10707/86743
Top notch?

It scores below the mean on that site.
by SPG8
Thu Aug 22, 2013 8:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Boglehead Beer
Replies: 1071
Views: 203037

Re: Boglehead Beer

magician wrote:
masteraleph wrote:One place of note- Trader Joe's. They're pretty cheap and the house brand has decent, if not exceptional, examples of many types of beers (the hefeweizen and dunkelweizen in particular are pretty good).
Amen!
Neither in Top 50 (click on style, then on "View the Most Popular").

Hefeweizen

Dunkelweizen
by SPG8
Sun Aug 04, 2013 7:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tipping
Replies: 101
Views: 12473

Re: Tipping

bUU wrote:It is okay to not like how things are. It isn't okay to be irresponsible in protest of it.
This is probably the bottom line (far afield of the OP, but where all the tipping threads ultimately end up). Staying with restaurants for the sake of simplicity...if you object, don't go. Can't go and stiff the staff in protest, that's showing poor quality.

Since this topic is all over the place...

I am amused by the discretionary element. If you could objectively define acceptable performance by staff, I'd be very interested to see what percentage of docked tips can actually be justified by substandard service.
by SPG8
Sat Aug 03, 2013 12:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tipping
Replies: 101
Views: 12473

Re: Tipping

Abe wrote:It is the restaurant owners who are cheap.
The cost doesn't change, only who's handing servers the money, so what's the difference?

The servers actual compensation is a different conversation.
by SPG8
Sat Aug 03, 2013 12:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tipping
Replies: 101
Views: 12473

Re: Tipping

mickeyd wrote:Brees should have one of his people pick up the chow next time...
Correct.

Or if he has to go, throw them $200 on the $75, it will only help his bottom line. His income stream stems directly from public interest. Why not keep the animals at bay by throwing them a few bones?

If I was a successful entertainer/athlete, I'd be throwing down at least 100%, and making sure everybody saw it. Buy the love, may boost my advertising rate.
by SPG8
Sat Aug 03, 2013 11:34 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tipping
Replies: 101
Views: 12473

Re: Tipping

Niko wrote:Where do we draw the line?
Fair point.

I guess you know the line when you see it.

If I hit the line, I always assumed I'd just stop participating.
by SPG8
Sat Aug 03, 2013 10:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tipping
Replies: 101
Views: 12473

Re: Tipping

Niko wrote:I, too, abhor the practice of compulsory tipping. While back in the US I usually give no more than 15% -- less for subpar service. Not because I care to reward the wait staff for bringing me my food (that's what their salary should cover), but rather because tipping has become so ingrained in our culture that NOT tipping is considered extremely rude and distasteful.
Except their salary doesn't cover it, right? At 15% in a nice restaurant, the other customers are definitely picking up the slack.

If I could snap my fingers and eliminate all tipping, I would. However, if it that happened I wouldn't expect the cost of anything to change, just that I'd see it on the bill.
by SPG8
Tue Jul 30, 2013 7:53 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What happens to stock prices if everyone index invests?
Replies: 42
Views: 6256

Re: What happens to stock prices if everyone index invests?

IlliniDave wrote:It's an interesting question
+1

I am interested from an oversight standpoint. I wasn't aware that Vanguard even voted, but it was pointed out that they do. Still, I'm very interested in whether oversight is changing with regard to increased indexing (positively or negatively).

Then you have to consider whether the increase will accelerate. Montgomery County, PA is turning their pension funds over to Vanguard. Apparently they realized they weren't getting a premium for the management fees and would rather save the fees and settle for market returns. It's easy to see how more public money could follow.
by SPG8
Tue Jul 16, 2013 6:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: NYC, Philly, Boston, or Chicago?
Replies: 102
Views: 14480

Re: NYC, Philly, Boston, or Chicago?

SGM wrote:"If there was anything good in Philadelphia, they would have brought it to New York." Anonymous.
Everything runs it's course eventually...
by SPG8
Sat Jul 13, 2013 6:11 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: NYC, Philly, Boston, or Chicago?
Replies: 102
Views: 14480

Re: NYC, Philly, Boston, or Chicago?

These cities are all wonderful and you may find that the life up north is far more fulfilling than in Florida. Maybe not. The areas differ a lot in what they offer. The problem with Chicago and Philadelphia is that poor leadership and fiscal problems are creating very high crime situations including homicides at alarming rates. NY and Boston are better now. This could change dramatically in NYC depending on the outcome of the mayoral election this November. Without getting political there is a great controversy on how police can operate which may have great repercussions. I know less about Boston but lived there for about 10 years once. It was great, but is signficantly colder than NYC. As Calm Man mentioned, you might want to check the cr...
by SPG8
Fri Jul 12, 2013 12:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Deleted
Replies: 161
Views: 18425

Re: A spectacular movie, and a terrible movie

Chan_va wrote:I outsource my picks
First post...1) a spectaculkar movie 2) a terrible movie

Two movies, lets heve 'em.
by SPG8
Fri Jul 12, 2013 12:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Deleted
Replies: 161
Views: 18425

Re: A spectacular movie, and a terrible movie

Chan_va wrote:This thread is quickly going to turn into a "who can name the most obscure" movie contest. Extra points if it was in black &white, silent or international.

All of you who think blockbusters are awful, and your taste/intellect/refinement/sophistication is better than the average moviegoer, I wonder how you justify investing in index funds.
You forgot your picks. What are your picks?
by SPG8
Fri Jul 12, 2013 12:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Deleted
Replies: 161
Views: 18425

Re: A spectacular movie, and a terrible movie

floydtime wrote:Almost anything by Kevin Smith
How about...everything besides Clerks?
by SPG8
Fri Jul 12, 2013 10:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Deleted
Replies: 161
Views: 18425

Re: A spectacular movie, and a terrible movie

HomerJ wrote:Fearless
The opening scene is really well done and not from the book.
by SPG8
Fri Jul 12, 2013 8:31 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Deleted
Replies: 161
Views: 18425

Re: A spectacular movie, and a terrible movie

This is a great post. I'll fill in the disclaimers, then my selections... Oscar I'm OK with the Oscars for what they are, they just have little value for me in terms of evaluating films. Crash - bad Man On Wire - good Will Ferrell - extremely funny (I'm in a good spot here, because I'm the only one who still thinks that, and that's good company) James Spader - Secretary - good American Beauty - good Spectacular Movie = The Chaser (2008) - kind of a throw away selection because I'll take any chance to push people towards modern Korean cinema, valid though. Terrible Movie = This takes thought, because you don't want to just pick a bad movie, you want to pick a terrible movie that many (most) think is good, and I have many choices for purely a...
by SPG8
Tue Jul 09, 2013 3:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Alaskan Cruise
Replies: 27
Views: 2622

Re: Alaskan Cruise

What else should we be aware of? In about a month and a half it will probably be raining. Everybody had gortex parkas and boots, but no rain pants. The towns are kind if kitschy. Plenty of expensive art galleries(?) and expensive jewelry shops(?) besides all the junk. The side-trips made it for us (part of tour on land - all through ship); 1. drove jeeps through Denali State Park on flooded and washed out roads 2. white water rafting on ice-melt swollen river (guides pre-positioned on shore at intervals and holding ropes) 3. zipline (black bear eating a fish at finish) 4. salmon fishing (about a dozen fish, got half smoked, half frozen, and all mailed home) 5. fly fishing (one trout for the whole group) 6. guided hike through Denali State ...
by SPG8
Tue Jul 09, 2013 2:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Why does my instant coffee overflow?
Replies: 39
Views: 7137

Re: Why does my instant coffee overflow?

Sam I Am wrote:
Any easy solution?

Sam I am
Throw some grains of something in there (boiling beads), a few oatmeal flakes maybe, or scratch up the bottom of bowl/cup.
by SPG8
Tue Jul 09, 2013 2:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Why does my instant coffee overflow?
Replies: 39
Views: 7137

Re: Why does my instant coffee overflow?

Escaping O2?

Bubbling may vary during heating leading to different results or different nucleation from different cups?
by SPG8
Sun Jul 07, 2013 11:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Long Distance Walking
Replies: 143
Views: 23949

Re: Long Distance Walking

Appalachian Trail in the US. It is on my bucket list. http://www.appalachiantrail.org/ I walked all of PA and NJ, but that was many years ago. I have considered completing the entire trail, but have ruled it out due to the risk of tick-bourne diseases. It's an individual decision that I don't expect anyone else to agree with. However, the risk requires some due diligence, and there are many easy entry points, such as the article in the July 1 New Yorker. Reading personal accounts can be helpful as well. 1. Most thru-hikers rely, at least in part, on the shelter system, and these areas are infested with mice. 2. The primary defenses are surveillance and barrier clothing, both of which are difficult to implement successfully. 3. A responsibl...
by SPG8
Sun Jul 07, 2013 11:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Long Distance Walking
Replies: 143
Views: 23949

Re: Long Distance Walking

duplicate
by SPG8
Fri Jun 28, 2013 5:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Premium Products That Are Worth It To You
Replies: 368
Views: 65084

Re: Premium Products That Are Worth It To You

snyder66 wrote:Maybe, I have the problem...
You're probably winning the game.

Maybe they aren't?
by SPG8
Fri Jun 28, 2013 6:32 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: I love the smell of fear in the markets
Replies: 34
Views: 6062

Re: I love the smell of fear in the markets

does anyone else get giddy when the news on the the markets is bad? No, I do not. I lost my job in October of 2008 when my employer's business dropped 70% month-over-month. And it was a manufacturing business, not anything financial or market-related. ("Your job is a bond" my foot. My bonds coasted straight through 2008-2009, my so-called "human capital" went to zero). When the news on the markets is really bad it is usually because other news about the economy is bad, too. I am not sure just how smelly the fear is or should be right now-- http://i44.tinypic.com/2mdgebo.jpg Incidentally, I hope everyone recognizes that "the smell of fear" is not a figure of speech. I have been fortunate never to be in any situ...
by SPG8
Thu Jun 27, 2013 7:55 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is "buying organic" food worth it?
Replies: 89
Views: 8676

Re: Is "buying organic" food worth it?

I'm a pediatrician and our professional group (AAP) recently did a big literature review on this topic as it relates to kids. Here's a brief summary of the findings: 1. Nutritional differences between organic and conventional produce appear minimal, but this hasn't been really well studied. Looks like there's more vitamin C and phosphate in organics as a whole, but no clear health benefits. 2. Organic produce does contain fewer pesticide residues, unclear if there's a health benefit. 3. With respect to meat, it's been shown that when antibiotics are used non-therapeutically resistance increases which can affect human health. 4. There's no difference between organic and conventional milk. Here's a link to the study, which is free in pdf for...
by SPG8
Thu Jun 27, 2013 7:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is "buying organic" food worth it?
Replies: 89
Views: 8676

Re: Is "buying organic" food worth it?

VictoriaF wrote:Decisions about food are far more important than decisions about any other consumptions items including houses and cars. Yet, many people would readily overpay for the bathroom tile or leather upholstery than for pesticides-free produce.
Irrespective of the current debate, I generally strive to not save money on food. Food is objectively the best medicine the average person will consume, and far more cost effective than actual medicine.
by SPG8
Thu Jun 27, 2013 7:17 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What did you give your wife on your wedding day?
Replies: 81
Views: 8819

Re: What did you give your wife on your wedding day?

camoaero wrote:I understand the consensus is against giving my bride-to-be a gift, but I've already made that decision.
No sweat. Most of the nays are probably old-timers, well before this was vogue. You're jumping on the bandwagon, with the first of all these newfangled gifts, have at it.

Incidentally, I keep waiting for the current economic climate to engender some anti-consumerism, yet we persevere.
by SPG8
Thu Jun 27, 2013 6:34 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: what you should know about the recent market drop
Replies: 27
Views: 6733

Re: what you should know about the recent market drop

I though housing prices were up but home ownership was flat?

Anyway, hard to believe anyone needs hand-holding right now. The S&P dropped to 800 only five years ago. If you are nervous now, a look at that chart should take you out of the game.

(and just for laughs, is there such a thing in the technical world as a triple top? Pull up a long-term S&P chart and it looks pretty terrifying to me, but the game is the game, what are you going to do?)
by SPG8
Wed Jun 26, 2013 1:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is "buying organic" food worth it?
Replies: 89
Views: 8676

Re: Is "buying organic" food worth it?

I love food talk, everybody knows everything.
by SPG8
Mon Jun 17, 2013 8:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What did you give your wife on your wedding day?
Replies: 81
Views: 8819

Re: What did you give your wife on your wedding day?

investingdad wrote:Is this a new trend? My wife and I married in 2002 and didn't give each other anything. We had a smallish wedding (about 50 guests) and an intimate (but top notch) reception dinner at a gorgeous Inn. We took a short honeymoon trip that weekend and our 'real' honeymoon two months later.
This was my experience (without the 'real' honeymoon). Not to hijack, but the trend is far more ridiculous...

1. Newlyweds exchanging wedding gifts
2. The babymoon
3. The male (for the dad) babyshower??
4. The push present
5...
by SPG8
Sun Jun 16, 2013 11:09 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Poll: How much cash do you carry?
Replies: 103
Views: 9857

Re: Poll: How much cash do you carry?

I am having some difficulty in personally responding to the poll, because I typically get between $100 to $200 from an ATM when I need cash and usually don't replenish my walking around money until I am down to $30 to $40. I guess the $100 to $199 best describes it. Same here. Ditto. Usually $40 to $50, but usually $200 from the ATM (like you). +1 1) CC have ruined the convenience store. Remember the TV commercial with the American Indian shedding a tear looking at all the litter? That's me now in line at Wawa trying to get a coffee. 2). I'm beating the man. If I want a beer after work or some Elevation Burger for dinner, it satisfies me to know that I operate in relative anonymity. They may know plenty about me, but they know a lot more a...
by SPG8
Tue Jun 11, 2013 7:46 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lets get rid of car dealerships
Replies: 58
Views: 7117

Re: Lets get rid of car dealerships

I hate buying cars, but we did the Costco thing last time, and it was a really pleasant experience at the dealer.

- eliminate car dealers
- eliminate real estate agents
- eliminate college professors (Harvard MOOCs)
- eliminate Optometrists (have opticians refract)
- eliminate construction workers (hire low-wage illegals with fake SS#s)
- eliminate family practice physician (physician assistants and general cost control)
- eliminate software engineering (Google et al lobbying for expanded H1B)
- eliminate...
by SPG8
Sat Jun 08, 2013 10:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do I really need a Smartphone?
Replies: 433
Views: 46380

Re: Do I really need a Smartphone?

matjen wrote:Say la vie....
"la vie"
by SPG8
Thu Jun 06, 2013 10:45 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Japanese financial crisis
Replies: 48
Views: 6248

Re: Japanese financial crisis

*if* the BOJ can create that inflation. I suppose that's the question. Is it wrong to say that creating inflation isn't going so well? I'm interested in what might be considered macro contrarian plays (I'll say for investments sake, but I'm lying, it's more for fun and personal edification, and cocktail parties, even though I've never been to one); 1. The Japanese Demographic problem - without looking at the numbers, I'm wondering if it's not ultimately advantageous to digest the demographic problem and arrive and a stable number that rolls along like a conveyor belt with each succeeding generation. Is it utterly ridiculous to envision this in a positive fashion, a stable population and reliance on increased productivity for growth? The al...
by SPG8
Wed Jun 05, 2013 7:42 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Japanese financial crisis
Replies: 48
Views: 6248

Re: Japanese financial crisis

Valuethinker wrote:If the world comes to believe Japanese Central Bankers mean it when they say 2% inflation (and the whole Euro Crisis would be a lot easier if the ECB was credibly targetting 4% inflation) then the market will move accordingly. And it will become self-fulfilling.
I need some help with the basics, here.

Just say that Japan's target was 2%, and the EU did target 4%, and for fun, assume that the US was targeting 3%.

Every time somebody makes a move, do the others have to respond to continue to try and hit their targets in a cyclical fashion? Is inflation relative? Absent government spending, are you left at the mercy of the private sector, waiting for animal spirits (how many goofy terms are there?).