Big sale at fivecentnickel - everything must go!

Actually, Nickel over at fivecentnickel.com is having a contest. To celebrate his 2nd blogging anniversary, he's giving away iPods, USB Microdrives, and other great prizes. This is very sporting of him! Do yourself a favor - please proceed directly to his site and enter today.

Nickel is enjoying his Blockbuster Total Access service so far. I don't watch movies all that often (sports, sports, sports!), so I don't think I'd get my money's worth out of such a service. But, I received an email from a friend yesterday inviting me to try Netflix for one month free. He has been a member since Xmas 2006 and can't say enough good things about it. Netflix is allowing him to give away one month free to his friends, so I may give it a try.

I have actually been contemplating investing in Netflix (NFLX). The price has been oscillating between $20 and $30 for almost two years now, and it looks attractive at its current price. But then I talked with another friend of mine who has Blockbuster Total Access. He is a fellow investor - we trade stock picks and advice all the time. He cautioned me against investing in Netflix, as he thinks Blockbuster Total Access has them beat. Netflix has introduced a new download service, but it has not been enough to entice me to invest. Peter Lynch once said, "Buy what you know." I use neither service, but it seems Blockbuster has a huge competitive advantage now. The winds seem to be blowing Blockbuster's way.

Thanks again to Nickel for throwing a great second birthday party!