The main selling point for Groupon, LivingSocial, and other daily deal vendors is how much the consumer saves through the use of discounted vouchers. But a couple of new studies demonstrate a point that should be obvious, but …
Saving
How Shopping Is Good for the Economy—And Your Soul
Forget about diligent saving, careful spending, and avoiding debt. Forget about tax cuts and private investment. For the economy to blossom, it is essential—and morally, the right thing to do—for consumers and the government …
News Flash: Longer Lives Require More Retirement Savings
Pre-retirees finally seem to be coming to grips with the financial strain caused by increased longevity. Here’s what they are doing about it.
Is Cell Phone ‘Bill Shock’ Going Away?
An estimated 30 million Americans have been hit with “bill shock”—the unexpected, unpleasant scenario in which a consumer unknowingly exceeds his cell phone plan limits and incurs extra charges. Sometimes, these charges are …
How to Break Up With Your Hairdresser: ‘It’s Not You, It’s the Economy’
Spending less isn’t all that complicated. First, find expenses that are unnecessary, which isn’t difficult for most people. Next, trim or eliminate these expenditures, typically by finding cheaper alternatives or going without. …
Raise Prices in a Slow Economy? Nice Try
Falling diaper sales and the mess at Netflix point up the risks that big banks are taking by boosting fees in a recessionary environment.
Suze Orman Offers 4 Tips on How to Save (and Spend) Your Money
“Are you afraid?” asked Suze Orman. “Are you afraid when it comes to your money? Well, you should be.” The lively personal finance expert and host of CNBC’s The Suze Orman Show appeared at Chicago Ideas Week (CIW) last night, …
Struggling for Investment Answers? It Helps To Reframe The Question
Tom ran a public opinion survey a while back where some of the respondents were asked if they believed they could save 20% of their income. Only half said yes. But when the other respondents were asked if they thought they could …
Save for Retirement or Pay Tuition? Most Parents Are Making the Wrong Choice
With all the hand wringing over the high cost of college and amid an increasingly loud debate as to whether the expense is worth it, parents by a wide margin see saving for tuition as equally or more important than saving for retirement.
99 Money Tips: Save on Concerts, Smartphone Plans, Auto Expenses, DIY Projects, and Debt Collector Confrontations
Also, learn from the mistakes of others: Check out lists of foolish (and wasteful) assumptions consumers make all the time, the dumbest money moves during one’s college days, and incredibly stupid things people do when shopping online.
Born to Spend (or Save): It’s All in Your Genes
When it comes to personal spending and saving habits, it’s all in the genes, a new study says. Is it true that we really can’t help ourselves?
If American Consumers Won’t Save the Economy, Maybe Foreigners Will
Consumer spending accounts for 70% of all economic activity in the U.S. So in order for the economy to fully recover, consumers need to be willing to part with their cash frequently and in large quantities. The problem is that …
