Most of us would prefer to call ourselves prudent, disciplined, consistent investors. We at Sherpa know well that investing must be for the long term.

Dozens of articles came out in 2010, stating that from the year 2000 to the end of 2009, was a “Lost Decade in Stocks”. If we look at the S&P 500, they are correct! The S&P 500 did minus 9.3% over the decade, or minus .95%, annualized.

Unfortunately, many believe the “market” means only the largest 500 companies in the USA (S&P 500).

What the rest of the World did over the Decade 

Click Equity Market Indices to see what the return of all other as well as US large companies was, ranging from 12.5%, to 175.6% cumulative return.

For more information click here

If you haven’t already switched your electricity-generation company, do it. As many as 300,000 PECO customers already have. And remember, PECO doesn’t care if you switch because they don’t make money on the generation portion of your bill. And you’ll still call PECO when the lights go out. Visit papowerswitch.com.

Also … Are you thinking about some “new” furniture to spruce up your home this spring? A lot of people are turning to consignment stores to buy—and sell—old furniture. Even Home Furnishing Consignment in Wayne says its business has increased 25 percent in the past two years. It’s becoming quite a trend. Visit hfconsignment.com.

Main Line Today “In the Know” Blog by Tracy Davidson

I received an honorary degree from Neumann University on May 14, and had the privilege of speaking to the Class of 2011. Bill Giles, chairman of the Philadelphia Phillies and G. Michael Green, Delaware County district attorney, also received honorary degrees and shared their words of wisdom with the 2011 grads. It was such a humbling honor and a true joy to speak to a talented class of up and coming leaders! What’s more? Neumann graduated their 10,000th student! At the end of the ceremony, every graduate at the 2011 commencement received a t-shirt with the message “I Walk with 10,000”.

Thanks to EnergyWorks (energyworksnow.com) and the Energy Coordinating Agency (ecasavesenergy.org), a free mobile app now makes saving energy and money easy for Philadelphia-area residents.

With the “Light Bulb Finder,” you just plug in your zip code and choose the kind of bulb you’re looking for (shape, base size, wattage). The app then tells you what kind of bulb is available, the average cost, how long it’ll take you to recoup your cost, and how much money it’ll save you over the life of the bulb versus an incandescent bulb.

There’s more! You can also buy the bulb right through the app, or it’ll tell you what stores around you sell it. This could not be simpler. And the Energy Coordinating Agency suggests that switching to CFLs could save you $120 annually.

It’s free, so why not try it? Save the environment, and save some green.

Main Line Today “In the Know” Blog by Tracy Davidson

So how do you spot pumps that are less than accurate? For some advice, I went to Michael Bannon, head of Bucks County’s Department of Consumer Protection/Weights and Measures.

1. When you pull up to the pump, make sure you can see the inspection stickers and that they’re not out-of-date.
2. Make sure the prices on the pumps match the prices on the signs.
3. Watch for something called “pump jump.” That’s when you pick up the handle and the amount owed sneaks up a few pennies before any gas has flowed.
4. “Creeping” happens when you stop pumping but the pump numbers keep moving, gas filling up the hose.
5. Get a receipt so you can compare the price on the sign with the price you actually paid.
6. Maybe the easiest way to check whether or not you’re getting what you paid for is to pump exactly 10 gallons. Obviously, the amount owed should read 10 times what the price per gallon is. If it doesn’t, report it to the weights and measures department listed on the pump. FYI: There are only three local counties that still have weights and measures offices: Bucks, Delaware and Northampton. Gas stations in other areas are inspected by the state.

Main Line Today “In the Know” Blog by Tracy Davidson

MasterCard reports that gas sales have fallen for five straight weeks. Finally, drivers are starting to feel the long-term pain. According to AAA Mid-Atlantic, for every 25-cent increase in price per gallon, the average family ends up spending an additional $333 in its yearly gas budget. Knowing that, do the math. The Philadelphia area’s average gas price hit $3 back in November 2010. Prices are now 75 cents higher than that $3 mark, which means families are spending an additional $1,000 annually. No wonder drivers are cutting back.

But how do you make up $1,000 in your budget? Here are a few ideas:

• Check out billshrink.com. This site helps you literally shrink some of your bills, including cell phone, cable service and credit cards. You just plug in your zip code and usages, and it shows you how much you could possibly save.
• Another resource, gazelle.com, offers big bucks for trading in used tech items, like cell phones, computers and even iPads.
• And don’t forget about group-buying websites like groupon.com. Oftentimes, you’ll get more than 50 percent off things like museum admissions, restaurant meals, cleaning services and even vacation offers.

Main Line Today “In the Know” Blog by Tracy Davidson

Revivals Boutique in Narberth has high-end prom dresses in sizes 0-14 that range from $100 to $300. Pennywise Thrift Shop, located at 57 E. Lancaster Ave. in Ardmore, also has beautiful dresses, priced $6-$15.

On the flip side, if your daughter has prom dresses that you know she’ll never wear again, visit donatemydress.org. You’ll find a list of local programs that are taking donations so teenage girls can experience their magical, memorable night.

I also love what some shops are doing for “After Prom.” Media’s Sorella Boutique has a contest where they’ll donate $500 to the After Prom committee of the school that buys the most prom dresses. And Kennett Square’s Growing Tree Consignment Store has a program where you can donate some of your consignment earnings to the After Prom at the school of your choice. Visit thegrowingtree.com.

Main Line Today “In the Know” Blog by Tracy Davidson

Maybe you’ve already been “smished,” and don’t know it. The scam has been around since 2006, but it’s just erupted because of the recent upsurge in wireless devices, says professor Glenn Booker of the iSchool at Drexel University. The scammers usually tell you you’ve won a prize, or maybe something has happened to your debit card and you need to respond a.s.a.p.

The goal is to get your personal information (and make money)—so don’t respond. At the end of the text, there’s usually a message that says to text back a word like “STOP,” if you’re not interested in this or future offers. Don’t do it!That just lets them know they’ve hit an active phone. The best advice from the experts: Hit delete.

For Tracy Davidson’s Consumer Watch video on this subject, click here.

Main Line Today “In the Know” Blog by Tracy Davidson

Goodwill Industries of Southern New Jersey & Philadelphia is pleased to offer JOB CLUB, a free community service, at its Maple Shade headquarters and training center. The purpose of JOB CLUB is to provide local job seekers with the resources needed to conduct a successful job search—at no cost to them. Located at 2835 Route 73 in Maple Shade, JOB CLUB is open every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Staffed by employment specialists and job developers, Goodwill’s JOB CLUB offers computerized career assessments and assistance in developing resumes, preparing for interviews and overall, creating successful job search plans. Participants also have free and unlimited access to Internet-ready computers for conducting online research and job searches; to local job postings and career fair information; and to phone lines and fax machines. Referrals to local job training programs can also be made through JOB CLUB for qualified individuals. Goodwill’s JOB CLUB is just one way in which Goodwill fulfills its charitable mission of putting people to work.

“With layoffs making headlines on a weekly basis during this tough economy, Goodwill is pleased to offer JOB CLUB,” said Goodwill Director of Mission Services Cheryl Miller. “We encourage local job seekers to take advantage of this free weekly service.

A nonprofit, community-based organization, Goodwill Industries of Southern New Jersey & Philadelphia’s mission is to put people with special needs to work. The mass collection and resale of donated goods in Goodwill’s 19 area retail stores fund career services that prepare individuals with disabilities and disadvantages for competitive employment while contributing to America’s recycling efforts. Currently, Goodwill operates employment training centers in Maple Shade, Pennsauken and Stratford. For more information on Goodwill, please visit www.goodwillnj.org or call 856-439-0200.

You may have left it behind in an old bank account. You may have forgotten about a stock you owned. Maybe you moved and didn’t change your address with the post office. It’s all unclaimed money, and it could be yours.

Every year, the Pennsylvania Treasury Department has unclaimed property turned over to its office. The challenge is finding the rightful owners. Who doesn’t know they have money out there? Apparently, a lot of Main Liners.

Right now, the state has more than $1.5 billion. Included in that amount is $27.5 million due to people who had last-known addresses in Chester County, while $46.6 million is owed to hundreds of people with last-known addresses in Delaware County. And for Montgomery County: $65.2 million.

Even if you think there’s no way you have any money coming, it takes two seconds to check. Visit patreasury.org or call (800) 222-2046.

Main Line Today “In the Know” Blog by Tracy Davidson