Flying to the West Coast today and reflecting on my travel experience thus far, I can’t help but wonder…..  On a $300-$500 ticket, why do they charge an extra $15 to check a bag?  Or $25 for a second bag?  As a frequent flyer I don’t actually get charged the fee (which might upset some of you – remember that I am just the messenger - try to focus your anger elsewhere, perhaps towards the airlines).  I do, however, still experience watching the definition of “carry on” expand in the minds of passengers.  It is quite a spectacle watching my fellow passengers fighting with each other, the flight attendants and the overhead bins as they attempt to make bags of all sizes and shapes fit on the plane (I have to admit it can be quite entertaining).  Flights are delayed, people are unhappy, overhead bins are destroyed and all for what…… an extra 15 bucks!  What a nuisance the airlines have brought on themselves.

Who likes to be nickel and dimed (is that actually a verb??).  How many corporate taxpayers have received a property tax bill for under a dollar?  How about $.11?  Why do jurisdictions do that?  Last time I checked it cost the average company $25-30 to cut a check.  If that is how much it costs a corporation to cut a check, I shudder to think of how much it costs the average jurisdiction to process a bill!  Let’s wrongly assume that it is a similar cost for the jurisdiction.  That means it collectively costs $50-60 to cut a check and process that $.11 property tax bill.  What is wrong with this picture?

Just for fun, let’s find out who has received the lowest property tax bill.  If you have received a bill for less than $1, tell us about it by commenting on this blog (for those of you who have never commented on a blog, congrats! for having the courage to try something new).  And what the heck we’ll even throw in a prize for the lowest bill submitted (or most interesting story).  I’ll make sure it’s worth more than a buck… so you don’t feel nickel and dimed. Click here to leave your comment