One of the cornerstones of my belief system is to not live in the present day. Garth said "live in the now" but look where it got Garth. Thinking in the future is fine, as long as you predict it rather than anticipate. Accurately predicting future events is both fun and profitable too but today we're concentrating on the past. Living in the not-too-distant past is a great way to save time and money.

I live about 3-4 years in the past to maximize my dollar along with my consumer knowledge. This enables me to purchase consumer electronics with a discerning eye and a light wallet. For all the talk of exchange rates and the falling dollar I think it's my duty to let you in on my secret; there's a great exchange rate between American dollars and technology from 2003. Not only are things much cheaper but if you do your shopping in 2003 your choices are clearer. Don't know if you should buy a HD-DVD or blu-ray? Me neither, but luckily I won't have to make that choice until 2010. The choice will be clear by then and cost a third the price.

It's not all about saving money and rocking out to a PS2 though, this is a way of life not a consumer movement. Along with dodging such things as the BETAMAX, the Ford Edsel and the power glove you could have avoided something far far worse. You could have not seen Godfather 3. We're talking hundreds of boozed soaked nights and dozens of eye bleachings that needn't had been. This isn't just about saving money, it's about; Godfather 3, The Matrix 2 and 3 and all Episodes besides 4, 5 and 6. By living in the past these abominations of man could have been easily side stepped, our childhoods not ruined.

And you don't need to live 4 years in the past really, 6 months is a good place to start. That alone would have saved you 200 bucks on your iPhone, 20% off a new car and 5$ off a movie ticket. In fact I recommend no more than 5 years, at that point you're experiencing diminishing returns and the negatives of living in the past start to outweigh the benefits. There's a butter zone between buying unproven goods and living like a reenactor, the trick is finding what works for you.