The Energy Department admits it doesn’t properly track how and when manufacturers put Energy Star labels on products. The labels’ ratings, which are supposed to indicate a product’s energy efficiency, were “not accurate or verifiable,” according to the agency. In other words, products that are supposed to save you money, and that are …
It’s a Deal: 20% Off at FootLocker.com
Use the coupon code LKS19355 to get an easy 20% off of all purchases at FootLocker.com. The code should work until November 2.
Shopping Withdrawal: Are You Bound to Binge?
For some people who have tried to go cold turkey and stop making unnecessary purchases, being good is getting boring. They’re experiencing “frugal fatigue,” and many shoppers out there are bound to crack.
Saving’s Double-Edged Sword: Good for You, Bad for the Economy
Economists say the only way you can get your finances in better shape is to save more and spend less. Economists also say that the way to get our national economy in better shape is to have people spend more—and therefore save less. So basically, right now, we should all be spending more and saving more. Right …
The Latest in Innovative Cost-Saving: Goat Landscaping
A town in the suburbs of Boston needs an overgrown meadow cleared. Rather than hiring a landscaping service to mow it, the town has “employed” some workers who will do the job only in exchange for food. A pilot program has half-a-dozen goats chomping away at the meadow.
It’s morning in Chicago
And I’m not going to have time for much of any blogging today. So enjoy the view from my window:
The New American Way of Death: No More Cemeteries?
Death is inevitable. Being buried in a nice cemetery plot—or any plot for that matter—is not.
New column (and video): From macro to freako
My column this week is about Steven Levitt, who together with his co-conspirator Stephen Dubner has a sequel to Freakonomics coming out next Tuesday. It’s called Superfreakonomics. We’ve also put together this lovely video:
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Strange things in the BofA and Citi earnings statements
Back in April, I wrote about the odd way in which investor concerns about potential defaults at Citigroup and Bank of America were boosting the banks’ earnings. I quoted commenter sulliclm‘s explanation:
they have to mark their liabilities to fair value, and in the case of their own debt (or in this case liabilities on derivative
…
Downloadable Books: Another Reason to Love the Library
Public libraries are obviously great: Books, DVDs, and more are there for the borrowing, free of charge. Now there are ways to get more out of the library without actually going to the library.
Big-Box Bestselling Book Battle Begins
Forgive the alliteration. Wal-Mart is squaring off against Amazon.com in a price war that has brought new books by best-selling author like Stephen King and Sarah Palin (OK, she doesn’t have a best-seller yet, but will soon) below the $10 mark.
It’s a Deal: Spend $50 and Get $10 Off at Sears
From October 16 to 24, use the coupon code TENOFFSDB to receive $10 off purchases of $50 or more at Sears.com.