Top single-serve coffeemakers

One of the hottest trends in small appliances is single-serve coffeemakers. Not only can you make everyone their own special blend of coffee but the perky machines come in interesting shapes and bright colors so they look good on your counter too. Of the two dozen tested by Consumer Reports, three made our list of top-picks and a few others deserve honorable mention including the new entry from Starbucks. Here are our top five.
DeLonghi Nescafé Dolce Gusto Circolo, $150, recommended.
Why we like it: This recommended DeLonghi single-serve coffeemaker uses a manual joystick-like control for quick filling of the first and subsequent cups, which makes for quick servings if you're in a hurry. The unit can also supply unheated water for cold drinks, and you can position the drip tray to one of three levels for varied cup sizes. In addition, it maintained temperatures consistently across multiple cups and allowed flexibility in adjusting brew strength.
Drawbacks: On the minus side, this model requires so-called "flavor capsules" available only from the company, and you can use only one at a time no matter how large a serving you want. And because of the joystick control, cup-size consistency can be a challenge. Also, you must turn off dispensing manually.
Type of pod: Uses Nescafé-brand capsules.
Total score: 75

Smart Café My Invento, $120, recommended.
Why we like it: Flexibility of which beverage packets you can use is one of the Smart Café pod coffeemaker's main attractions and one of the reasons we recommended it. The manufacturer sells pods, but Senseo pods—available from numerous sellers—work as well. You can also use two pods at once for a larger or stronger serving, or to brew two servings at once. The reservoir is removable for filling and cleaning.
Drawbacks: Two caveats—the first cup took longer than we expected, and most other single-serve models brewed at a more consistent temperature.
Type of pod: Uses Senseo-like pods.
Total score: 72
DeLonghi Nescafé Dolce Gusto Piccolo EDG200T, $100, recommended.
Why we like it: This recommended DeLonghi Nescafé single-serve coffeemaker shares some features with other tested models of the same brand, down to the convenient operation and consistent temperatures. The penguin-shaped unit, however, costs less. We found it fairly easy to use, refill, and clean, and it delivered both the first and subsequent cups with little delay. The unit maintained temperatures consistently across multiple cups and allowed flexibility in adjusting brew strength.
Drawbacks: On the minus side, the DeLonghi's joystick-like lever for delivering hot or cold water made size consistency an issue. It holds less water than other DeLonghi units. And, like other DeLonghi Nescafé models, it requires so-called "flavor capsules" (only 16 in all) available only from the company. In addition, you must turn off dispensing manually.
Type of pod: Uses Nescafé-brand capsules.
Total score: 72
DeLonghi Nescafé Dolce Gusto Creativa Plus, $200Why we like it: This pricey single-serve coffeemaker from DeLonghi looks less like a coffeemaker than it does some alien creature, but this model is more friend than foe. We found it fairly easy to use, refill, and clean, and it delivered both the first and subsequent cups with little delay. This model allowed much flexibility in adjusting brew strength and dispensed consistently the same amount of coffee across multiple cups.
Drawbacks: On the minus side, the DeLonghi did not maintain temperatures consistently from cup to cup, and it requires so-called "flavor capsules" (only 16 in all) available only from the company.
Type of pod: Uses Nescafé-brand capsules.
Total score: 70

Starbucks Verismo 580, $200Why we like it: If you're a die-hard fan of both Starbucks and the single-serve coffee experience, you can appreciate this model—though other models offer more selection and convenience for less. First-cup delivery was speedy as was the second, even accounting for the unit's recommendation to run a rinse cycle before each cup. And each cup was of uniform size. It also maintained temperatures consistently across multiple cups.
Drawbacks: Where the Starbucks falls short, though, is in its limited options for varying the strength of what you brew. The selection of Starbucks capsules is also so far limited to eight. And it requires extra space above the machine to insert and remove pods.
Type of pod: Uses Verisimo pods.
Total score: 62

Ways to control your home insurance costs

Home insurance costs seem to go up every year. But going without insurance is too risky. So, we grit our teeth and pay the bill each year. Of course, we could competitively shop the policy every year, but that's onerous. It takes a lot of study to understand the difference between policies. Often it's easier to stay with the policy that has the appropriate coverage. And longer-term policyholders can earn discounts for longevity. Here are 10 ways that you can control your home insurance costs:

Increase deductibles. Insurance isn't meant to cover the small stuff. Set deductibles as high as you can afford. For example, a $150,000 house could have a $1500 or 1% deductible.

Make improvements. Install a backup generator, a whole house surge protector, and smoke/CO2 detectors. Refit roof trusses with strapping.

Opt for hip roofs. Hip roofs offer the most slippery shape in high wind settings or storms. You don't want areas that can catch the wind and are prone to damage.

Locate intelligently. Stay away from flood prone areas. Look for brick or stone houses in high wind areas and wooden frame houses in earthquake-prone areas. Locate in communities with professional fire departments. Have your home inspected before purchase. Also check the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange report of your home before purchase to see insurance claim history.

Don't make small claims. Frequent claims can drive up rates. Don't sweat the small stuff. Insurance is meant to protect from catastrophic loss.

Reinforce your home. Install storm shutters, reinforce the roof, retrofit older homes for earthquake resistance, and modernize heating, plumbing, electrical to reduce risk of fire and water damage.

Improve home security. Add smoke detectors, burglar alarms, and deadbolts.

Exclude land value. It's unlikely the land beneath your home will be stolen or burned in a fire. Insure the value of the home only.

Combine policies with one insurer. Most insurance companies offer discounts for multiple policy households. Combine home and auto insurance. Then buy an umbrella liability policy over both to optimize cost.

Eliminate unnecessary coverage. Don't buy coverage you don't need: earthquake coverage is unnecessary in most zones; don't schedule jewelry if it's inexpensive, etc.

Talk to your agent about other discounts. Sometimes there is a discount for good drivers, or retirees, or people with good credit ratings. Conversely, be sure you have enough insurance. Don't be penny-wise and pound-foolish. Saving a few dollars a year will seem silly if you find out you've skimped on coverage that later costs you thousands. Be sure to read the policy and ask your agent a lot of questions so you understand what coverage you do and don't have. Paying attention to your home insurance can ensure that you have the optimal coverage with the right risk/cost balance. That's smart.

Celebs who dislike the Oscars

While most actors dream of winning a little gold statue and some even admit to rehearsing their speeches into hairbrushes there are a few holdouts who want nothing to do with the Academy Awards

Joaquin Phoenix recently slammed the Oscars, calling them out for being "bull----" and adding "I don't want to be a part of it. I don't believe in it." He likened the prestigious statue to a carrot. "But it's the worst-tasting carrot I've ever tasted in my whole life," he said. "Pitting people against each other. It's the stupidest thing in the whole world." Phoenix, who has been nominated multiple times, called his "Walk the Line" Oscar race one of the most uncomfortable periods of his life. But perhaps someone asked Phoenix to change his attitude now that "The Master" is generating award show buzz. He softened during a recent interview and said that being nominated for a movie "has probably helped my career tremendously." 

 

"Fast and Furious" star Michelle Rodriguez fired up the critics recently for comments she made against the Oscars. "One of my friends said, ‘[Nicole Kidman] is going to get nominated for an Oscar for [her role in 'The Paperboy']. I was like, ‘Nah, man. She's not black!' I laugh, but it's also very sad," Rodriguez told Vulture. "It makes me want to cry. But I really believe. You have to be trashy and black to get nominated. You can't just be trashy." 

 

Anthony Hopkins, who has already won an Oscar for "Silence of the Lambs" and has critical buzz for "Hitchcock," knocked the actors who play nice with Hollywood bigwigs to improve their award show chances. "I can't stand all that. I find it nauseating to watch, and I think it's disgusting to behold. People groveling around and kissing the backsides of famous producers and all that. It makes me want to throw up, it really does. I've seen it so many times," he told the Huffington Post. "I think, ‘What are they doing? Don't they have any self respect?'" 

 

Seth Rogen slammed the Oscars for hanging 2011 host James Franco out to dry, adding that now he would consider hosting the ceremony only if better writers were hired. "I think when you agree to do something like that, you put a certain amount of faith in the institution, knowing that they'll take care of you, and I feel like they didn't," he said. "Why hire James Franco and then give him Billy Crystal's monologue?"

 

Another previous nominee and co-star of “The Artist”, James Cromwell, is also unenthusiastic about the Oscars. "The Academy Awards were basically created by the industry to promote pictures. They weren't really to acknowledge the performances," he said. "Then it became sort of this great popularity contest, and now it's an incredible show and it's seen all over the world. But the strain on us to put ourselves up against other people to think that it's some sort of contest -- and it isn't a contest -- we're all in this together. Listen, the Academy Award is just a crapshoot." 

 

Seth Rogen wasn't the only one who was unhappy with the Academy that year. James Franco also blamed the "not funny" Oscar writers for his panned hosting attempt. "I felt kind of trapped in that material," he said, adding that was especially true of a number where they wanted him to dress in drag as Marilyn Monroe. "I was so pissed about that I was deliberately going to fall onstage and hopefully my dress would fall off or something -- they couldn't blame that on me; I was in high heels." 

 

There were rumors that "Precious" star Mo'Nique refused to be a presenter at the Academy Awards (traditionally, Oscar winners return the following year to present). However, her manager insists that her BET talk show shooting schedule was to blame.

 

Howard Stern hit back at the award show when Brett Ratner stepped down as producer after making an inappropriate comment about rehearsals. "The Oscars are the same place where Charlie Sheen-types can go and get applauded. This is the same industry, by the way, that wants Roman Polanski to be forgiven for raping a 13-year-old, that it's time he be let back in the United States," said Stern. "There's a lot of confusing morality here." 

 

Oscar winner Michael Moore has made a career out of speaking his mind. He is currently the governor of the Academy's Documentary Branch and called out filmmakers for buying their way into the race and spending money to get their film played in the theaters. "Dozens of TV movies & ‘vanity projects' spend $20K or more to buy a screen for a week to ‘qualify.' This favors only those with big bucks," he tweeted.

 

Stephen Colbert trash-talked the Oscars the night after the 2010 award show, calling it "Hollywood's biggest stroke-fest" and "the one day of the year you have to give a crap about what a sound editor does." 

Sant Chatwal to invest Rs.300 crore in Kerala resorts

Kochi, Jan 8 (IANS) Indian-American businessman Sant Singh Chatwal is thinking of investing Rs.300 crore in setting up resorts in Kerala.

"I am planning to enter the business of resorts and one of the locations that I have zeroed in is to have a plush resort in the capital city of Kerala," Chatwal told IANS ahead of a session at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas being held here.

The owner of the Hampshire Hotels and resort has a plush hotel here that he set up in 2008, investing Rs.200 crore.

"Your state has impressed me a lot with its abundant natural beauty besides lovely people. I am planning a few resorts in Kerala and the first in line is in Thiruvananthapuram. I have found a few other locations also," added Chatwal.

Car sales growth heads for nine-year low

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's car sales are expected to post their weakest growth in nine years, if any at all, as automakers such as Tata Motors (NSI:TATAMOTORS) and Maruti Suzuki (NSI:MARUTI.NS - News) battle with falling demand due to high interest rates and rising car ownership costs.

Slumping GDP growth, rising fuel prices and expensive credit have slashed car sales in India, a market that was the toast of the industry two years ago and has attracted billion-dollar bets from global manufacturers hungry for growth.

"Negative sentiment among lower-end customers by virtue of interest rates not coming down, high fuel charges; all these put together is hurting sentiments," said S. Sandilya, president of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).

SIAM cut its car sales growth forecast for the year that ends in March to 0-1 percent on Wednesday, its third downgrade this financial year from an initial estimate of 10-12 percent.

Car sales in India, where major players include Tata, Maruti and South Korea's Hyundai Motor Co, have grown every year since the financial year that ended in March 2004.

Lobby group SIAM will appeal to the government for industry-boosting measures including cutting taxes on larger cars in March's federal budget, Sandilya told reporters at a quarterly press briefing in New Delhi.

"Going by current trends, we do not think the industry will be able to recover in the fourth quarter (January-March) unless government extends full support," said Sandilya, who called on the central bank to reduce "extremely high" interest rates which currently stand at 8 percent.

Most of India's large and rapidly-growing middle class, largely responsible for powering car sales growth, depend on loans and credit for big purchases.

SIAM also cut its forecast for motorcycle sales growth this financial year to 3-5 percent from 5-7 percent previously, and for commercial vehicles to 0-2 percent, again citing high interest rates and slowing economic growth.

Car sales in December fell 12.5 percent year-on-year, SIAM said, their second straight monthly decline and fourth in five months. Sales so far this financial year are down 0.33 percent on the same period a year ago.

After a 30 percent expansion in sales in the financial year 2010-11, a slew of global carmakers including Ford, General Motors, and Nissan invested billions of dollars in building up their Indian operations.

But a series of interest rate rises by the inflation-wary Reserve Bank of India combined with a slowdown in India's once-breakneck GDP growth saw sales growth fall to just 2.2 percent last year.