When you get laid off, someone inevitably tells you that you’ll soon be telling people that being fired was the best thing that ever happened to you. Your knee-jerk reaction to such a statement might be, “Easy to say from somebody who has a job,” or perhaps “Go away before I cram your face in the paper shredder.” But for some people, …
movies
Avoiding “America’s Biggest Rip-offs”
CNNMoney put together a list of “America’s Biggest Rip-offs,” which include things like text messages (marked up 6500% with some cell plans), college textbooks (which cost the average student $900 a year), and popcorn at the movies (no surprise here, they charge nine times what it costs to make it). But for every rip-off, there’s usually …
Is Blu-ray Technology Worth Paying a Premium For?
The marketplace seems to be saying absolutely not. A couple years ago, Blu-ray players cost like $1,000. Until very recently, Blu-ray DVDs cost $40 and up. But after pathetic sales trickled in, Blu-ray players have been knocked down to under $100, and new DVDs go for under $10.
Top Swaps: The Year’s Most Popularly Traded DVDs, CDs, Books, and Video Games
In a year when a barter economy got new life, when consumers became more comfortable trading services or goods for everything from health care to a new wardrobe, some items switched hands a lot more than others. Among the most popular goods to swap were “The Dark Knight” on DVD, Taylor Swift CDs, Wii Fit, and books from the Twilight series.
The Top ‘Recession Porn’ Stories of 2009
With an apparently resurgent economy, the media genre known as recession porn may be gone for good. What, exactly, is recession porn? You know it when you see it. Basically, it’s the fascination with all the weird ways the recession has affected different groups of people—the rich and privileged especially, because everyone knows the …
Glyde: An eBay that’s ‘Easy Enough for My Mom to Use’
Simon Rothman, a former eBay executive, discusses his new venture called Glyde. It’s an online marketplace that aims to make life easy for buyers and sellers alike by automatically formatting listings and setting prices. Sellers don’t have to upload images, and they’re even given pre-stamped, pre-addressed packages, so that all they have …
Harvard Free for All: Course Notes Free for Anybody, Anywhere
“I’m a big believer that educational resources should be free, or as free as possible, and in a sense I would like to do it not only at Harvard but at every top institution in the world.”
And the Best Website for Shoppers Is …
Amazon vs. eBay vs. Wal-Mart: A WSJ and SmartMoney columnist who usually writes about investing pits the three giant shopping sites against each other in a price-comparison cage match—and also chimes in with insight on which are worth investing in.
Movie Theaters Make 85% Profit at Concession Stands
You knew movie theaters made a killing selling popcorn, candy, and soda, but wow, 85%! And now that another major movie house chain has announced it is officially banning patrons from bringing in outside snacks, movie goers will face the choice of either paying up or struggling to hear the film over the sound of their rumbling stomachs.
Are Redbox DVD Prices Increasing to $2 a Night?
The ubiquitous DVD kiosk company, which made its name by offering movie rentals for just $1 a night, has been testing higher prices in about two dozen markets around the country.
Amazon vs. Wal-Mart: Which One is Godzilla and Which One is Mothra Again?
It’s a Deal: Up to 75% Off During Amazon.com’s Black Friday Week
Dozens of DVDs are being discounted by 50% to 75% this week at Amazon, which is obviously celebrating Black Friday on more than a single day. Some of the deals are offered for an entire day or several days, while others are being sold during specific hours only.
