If there’s one thing Americans would seem to hate more than regulations, it’s regulations that directly result in them spending more money out of pocket. So why are so many consumers fans of new government-mandated automobile …
Smart Spending
Bait and Switch: Beware Low-Price Guarantees
Retailers love that price-matching guarantees attract shoppers. At the same time, they hate it when customers actually try to take advantage of these policies.
Nissan Leads the Way in Auto Price Wars
The 2014 Nissan Versa starts at a sticker price of $12,780, giving it the title of cheapest new car in the U.S. for three straight years. The automaker boasts the lowest-price electric car in the U.S. as well, after dropping the base price of a Nissan Leaf by $6,400 earlier this year. Look for plummeting MSRPs on seven other Nissan …
Too Cold for a Cold One? Big Beer Companies Blame Mother Nature for Slumping Sales
Does bad weather correlate with less drinking? Well, perhaps it does with certain kinds of drinking. Unseasonably cold weather in Brazil, Europe and the U.S. is being blamed as one of the reasons sales are down in early 2013 for …
$1.50-Per-Day Challenge: How Chefs, Celebs and TV Anchors Are Getting By
Celebrities and political figures are among the thousands of people living on daily food budgets of $1.50 during the Live Below the Line challenge, a campaign to raise money and awareness for global poverty
JC Penney Reintroduces Fake Prices (and Lots of Coupons Too, Of Course)
In early 2012, JC Penney promised the end of “fake prices”—ones that were inflated just so that shoppers could be tricked into thinking the inevitable discounts represented amazing deals. Well, it’s already time to welcome back …
Forget the Dollar Menu: 25¢ Burgers at White Castle Throughout May
Got a dollar? That’ll buy four sliders at White Castle in May. Even though the special deal is available throughout the month, you’ll have to time it carefully to take advantage.
The Splurge Surge: Luxury Spending on the Rise
Wealthy Americans don’t really think that good times are here again for the economy. But they’re going on shopping sprees anyway, with increasing sales seen for luxury hotel stays, high-end automobiles, and more.
Forget Lowballing: Bidding Wars Return in Hot Housing Markets
Are buyers being manipulated into overbidding for the relatively few attractive homes on the market?
10 Steps to Spring Clean Your Finances
When it comes to spring cleaning, you probably haul the junk out of your garage, scrub your fridge, and wash the rugs and drapes. But don’t forget about your personal finances. Just after tax season is the perfect time to perform …
New Game for Baseball Fans: Go to the Ballpark Without Spending a Dime
Watch any Major League Baseball game on TV. More often than not, when a view of the “crowd” pops onto the screen, you’ll see more empty seats than people. And the fans who did actually show up may be spending little or nothing to …
Can Frozen-Food Companies Make TV Dinners Cool Again?
American diners have been giving frozen food the cold shoulder lately. Aging boomers are put off by high sodium and calorie counts in many frozen dishes, while many young adults would rather stop by Subway, Chipotle or Domino’s …