Yesterday I was pleasantly surprised that Vodka Perfect's price went down from 20 shekel to 15 shekel (200 cc bottle). Has Israel entered a deflationary cycle? Deflation is linked to population aging (see graph). Probably we are importing deflation. That is no good for people in debt like me.
Follow Up: The TASE valuation of Israeli banks is 0.77 of their capital. The reason is that Bank Israel does not allow them to declare dividends. According to Leumi analysts, given the general low valuation of Israeli companies in this pre-Iran war times, the banking sector's price is correct. Is this reasoning right? Or bank shares are cheap?
In general, TASE is very cheap these days and one can find stock offered at less that its own capital. It is a classic Graham investment opportunity (BTW, Graham, they say, was Jewish). The problem is that foreign funds are not investing in Israel because their strategy is regional (and we are ... Middle East/Africa, pfuiiaa!) and we may attack Iran. But for a person who is decided to live or go down with Israel, like me, those considerations are irrelevant. For me, this is a buying opportunity.
8 comments:
That's still rather pricey for a domestic vodka. In the US, a 750ml bottle of domestic vodka is maybe $8 to $10. There are "deluxe" and imported brands that sell for many times more but basically you are paying for advertising and a fancy bottle.
What good is a 200 cc bottle? It's done before you know it. Even a 750 cc bottle is good for only a few evenings depending on the # of guests, etc. I find my best bet is what they call a "handle" in the US (because the bottle is in the shape of a jug with a handle) - 1.75 liters. And it's not because I'm some kind of shiker, it's just because the stuff tends to run out at inopportune times otherwise.
K
It is very expensive in terms of volume/price. But I think it is worth because in Israel, having vodka by the gallon at home may produce a bad impression.
In the US the "sweet spot" of respectability is the 750 ml bottle. A 200 cc flask is associated with shikers because it is implied that you need to carry the stuff around with you in your pocket. Also that you can't afford a regular bottle.
Hint - buy the large size and use it to refill the "respectable" size container that you put out before your guests.
K
K,
The 200 cc bottle is a small bottle and it is not for carrying around (I know what you are talking about: Once in Buenos Aires I ordered a suit made to measure and had this under the shoulder pocket for the hidden flask.) Confession: I buy this small bottle because my Russian born wife hates dry spirits at home. A quart bottle would be emptied into the sink in ten seconds followed by an hour of recriminations.
Aha...now we know who wears the pants in the J household...:-)
I know exactly what you mean. My wife likes to have a glass of wine now and then so if I drink wine she rarely says anything. But if I have any distilled spirits or even beer then she accuses me of "drinking too much", no matter that it is only 1 drink. Whatever little pleasure you get from 1 drink is outweighed by the pain of having to listen to the lecture (maybe this is the point - to make it so painful that you won't even try). I just hope that you are not forced to consume "on the road" - alcohol by itself is mostly harmless unless you are a very heavy drinker, but alcohol & vehicles are a bad mix.
K
Benjamin Graham's real name was Grossbaum.
Never drink on the road!
Such preoccupation with appearances. I have reached the stage in my life where I don't care, and what a wonderful feeling of freedom! I drink very little, almost zero, but if I wanted to, no woman would stop me. I own my life.
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