A new Pew survey has it that one-third of Americans actually like doing their taxes. Perhaps more surprisingly, the prospect of free cinnabons and free curly fries on Tax Day has nothing to do with it.
Saving
Big Brother: How the Obama Budget Helps Ordinary Savers (at Some Risk)
Obama’s budget would give workers without a tax-favored savings plan at the office automatic access to an IRA. That is among other details in the budget that affect your pocketbook.
The Real Significance of the Bitcoin Boom (and Bust)
Online currencies like the Bitcoin are one day likely to alter government policy, just as the bond market did in the 1990s
10 Biggest 401(k) Mistakes—and How to Avoid Them
As traditional defined-benefit pensions become increasingly rare, more Americans instead are offered employer-sponsored 401(k)s, defined-contribution plans that require participants to be more proactive and educate themselves. …
Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day Is Today, April 9 – And More Freebies Coming
Everybody loves ice cream. And everybody loves freebies. And free ice cream? That’s almost too good to be true.
Why the Drugstore May Be the Last Place You Should Buy Prescription Drugs
When consumers need to get a drug prescription filled, they tend to turn to the neighborhood drugstore. Understandably so. But if drugstores were honest, some prescriptions would come with a special warning label: You May Be …
Boob Tube Saturation: After TV Sales Decline Worldwide, Will Price Drops Follow?
Consumers aren’t falling out of love with their TVs. More likely, they can’t justify replacing the big new TV they purchased not long ago, or they’ve run out of places to put yet another screen.
Financial Independence? Today’s Young People Don’t Expect It Anytime Soon
In a mere two years, the proportion of teenagers who expect to be financially dependent on their parents until their mid-20s has doubled. That gives us all another reason to feel sympathy for parents who have teenagers right now.
Dumpster Diver Café? ‘Underground Restaurant’ to Feature Discarded Foods – And No Prices
The practice of “dumpster diving” has been featured in reality TV shows and parodied on “Portlandia.” This summer, foods salvaged from supermarket dumpsters will play a central role in a very unusual Boston-area café.
Buy an Electric Car, Get a Gas-Powered Car Free
A buy-one-get-one-free special on cars? Not exactly. To ease consumer concerns about the limited driving range of electric vehicles, two automakers are giving buyers free access to traditional gas-powered rental cars and loaners throughout the year.
Savings Booster: Making it Simpler to Repay Your 401(k) Loan
The SEAL Act has undergone a facelift in name only. Maybe now lawmakers will do the right thing and cut strapped borrowers a break.
What’s the Key to Money Success: Behavior or ‘Mechanics’?
An Ohio school teacher sounds off on blogger’s assertion that personal finance is a waste of time unless it focuses on the psychology of spending.