The stimulus package was supposed to get people working—in the short- and long-run alike. But based on unemployment figures released last week, the stimulus bill seems to be a lot less stimulating in the real world than it was when drawn up on paper. Has the money been poorly misspent? In terms of job training, that seems like the …
New column: Let someone else buy
Recent Recession Porn: NBA Star Faces Foreclosure, Queen Begs for Cash, and More
Here’s a top ten of recent stories that dwell upon how the economic downturn is affecting rich and poor, famous and obscure alike—a.k.a., recession porn. Because who isn’t fascinated with the impact of hard times lately?
Cheapskate Wisdom from … Humphrey Bogart
“A hot dog at the ball park is better than steak at the Ritz.”
It’s a Deal: Go to a First-Run Movie for as Little as $4
Head to the movies before noon for $4 to $6 at AMC Theatres across the country. Prices vary depending on location. Check out details and movie times in your area here.
Has the Stimulus Bill Stimulated Much of Anything?
Are you feeling stimulated? With the jobless rate approaching 10 percent, many observers are saying the stimulus bill isn’t working like it was advertised. As a WSJ editorial notes, all the stimulus money was supposed hold unemployment under 8 percent.
Job losses in the Great Recession vs. in the Great Depression
Okay, now I remember why I don’t do this every month. It took me a while:
Cheapskate Wisdom from … Thomas Jefferson
“Never spend your money before you have earned it.”
“Recession Obesity”: Economic Woes Make People Sick and Fat
Here’s the scenario: People lose their jobs and health insurance. They don’t have money to pay for gym memberships. They hold off on medical care because they’re worried about the costs. They’re depressed, and eat more than they should. They also eat more fast food to fill up on the cheap. And the net result is that a lot of people have …
Who Sells the Cheapest Eyeglasses?
The WSJ’s Cranky Consumer shops for spectacles at Costco, Sears, online retailers, and a mom-and-pop glasses store. (Sidenote: Why are these stories always written with the plural “we,” yet there’s typically only one writer doing the testing? Were two people really trying on eyeglass frames at the same time?) The verdict? Online seems …
It’s a Deal: $10 or $25 Off at Sports Authority
Through July 4, Sports Authority customers can get $10 off purchases of $50 or more, and $25 off purchases of $100 or more. You can shop online or print out a coupon to bring into the store. More info here.
When Buying Cheap is Dumb
A quick shout-out to a Time.com Q&A with Boston University professor Ellen Ruppel Shell, who has a new book out titled Cheap: The High Cost of Discount Culture. The author is right on the money, excuse the pun, that, when it comes to saving, just plain buying less is a much smarter approach than buying lots of cheap stuff. Also, it’s …