A regulation requiring proof of personal income in credit card applications has justly been described as “anti-housewife”. The rules hurt the ability of nonworking spouses to access credit and build their own independent credit standing. There is a smart solution to the problem—but it’s not the one currently being proposed by the …
families
It’s Not Your Imagination: Rent Prices Really Have Been Rising
Thanks to cheap home prices and mortgage rates at historic lows, it’s easy to argue that now is the ideal time to buy a home. But many would-be buyers are worried the market hasn’t yet reached bottom, and years of plunging home …
How to Go to the Movies for $1 This Summer
The average movie ticket sold for around $8 last year, and that figure is expected to rise to $8.15 by the end of 2012. But all summer long, it’s possible to go the movies—yes, to the movies, not only watch a Redbox DVD rental …
Hey Airlines, Do You Really Want to Split Families Up on Planes?
In a purely business sense, it’s easy to understand why airlines are more or less forcing passengers to pay fees for seat reservations on planes: more fees equal more profits. But the scheme is hated by families — and is likely …
The Theme Park That’s Raised Admissions Prices—Twice in Less Than 12 Months
Right now, the theme park with the most expensive basic admission ticket in the U.S. is located, unsurprisingly, in Orlando. What may be surprising is that it’s not a Disney park.
Last-Minute Mother’s Day Gifts: 8 Tips for Making Mom Happy
What does mom really want for Mother’s Day? The results of recent surveys offer some indication. (Hint: A nice dinner might be better than a taser—even a pink taser.)
Why Seniors Don’t Deserve the Senior Discount
On average, citizens who earn the most money and have the most net wealth are 50 and over. So why is it this group that’s entitled to discounts at the movies, supermarkets, hotels, and nearly everywhere else you turn, while the …
Should You Buy a Toddler a Tablet? How About a $480 Tablet?
This year’s “it” gift for the holidays seems to the tablet. Apple‘s iPad has remained in strong demand from the get-go, and the rest of the tablet and e-reader market has gotten hot because so many affordable options have hit the …
Why Some Experts Say the Best Toys Are Free
How’s this for a justification to spend absolutely no money on toys this holiday season?
A Bank Account for Teens—That’s Custom-Made for Helicopter Parents
The online bank ING Direct is introducing a new debit card and e-banking account designed specifically for teenagers. But considering how the product works—daily spending is limited, there’s no possibility of overdrafts, and …
Comcast’s Internet Essentials: $10-a-Month Service for Low-Income Families
If you live in an area served by Comcast and your kids receive free lunches at school through the National School Lunch Program, you may qualify for a new Internet service from Comcast, which costs just $9.95 a month.
How to Care for an Aging Parent
My mother drove her car through the back wall of her garage on Tuesday. Mom is widowed, lives alone, and struggles with mental illness. In the past few years, she’s become less and less functional, to the point where even the …
