By the time 2011 ends, the typical U.S. household will have spent $4,155 gassing up their vehicles. That’s one out of every $12 of median household income—the highest proportion for filling up in three decades.
You’re Paying $100 a Year to Watch Sports on TV—Even If You Don’t Watch
As a rule, consumers don’t like paying for things they don’t enjoy. Even so, despite the widespread consumer desire for an a la carte model, in which pay TV customers could select (and be charged) only for the channels they want, …
Psych Experts: There’s Nothing Crazy About Giving Christmas Presents to Pets
Wanna hang a stocking for your cat? Or wrap a new rhinestone collar and place it under the tree so your dog can open it on Christmas morning? Knock yourself out, say psychologists.
5 Most Surprising Findings From the 2010 Census
Over the past 10 years, our population growth has slowed, we’ve found it increasingly hard to leave home to start a career, and our salaries have decreased for the first time on record. But, it’s not all bad news.
Lead by Example? Hardly — Boomer Kids Out-Saving Their Parents
Boomers have never been great at putting money in the bank. Maybe they should listen to their kids.
Why Europe’s Back Door Bailouts Won’t Work
Watching the euro zone crisis is like watching a dysfunctional family come together at the holidays. They gather with the best of intentions and the highest of hopes, yet every meal or touch football game in the backyard presents …
Bank of America Shares Fall Below $5 to New 2011 Low
Bank of America, the second largest U.S. bank by assets, fell more than 5% on Monday to below $5 per share for the first time in 2011, and the lowest level since March of 2009. The $5 threshold is more than just a psychological …
Stop Changing the Oil Every 3,000 Miles Already!
The idea that the oil must be changed in a car every 3,000 miles or three months is a myth that even Jiffy Lube admits is not true. Nonetheless, the majority of drivers still insist on changing the oil more often than necessary, …
Saudi Prince Gains Another U.S. Media Foothold With $300M Twitter Stake
Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, one of the richest men in the world and a prominent shareholder in several major Western corporations, has purchased a $300 million stake in Twitter, the increasingly influential microblogging …
Season of Giving: More Secret Santas Pay Off Strangers’ Layaway Accounts
Shoppers aren’t being bashful about throwing money around this holiday season: Americans spent $52 billion at stores over Black Friday weekend alone. While the holidays are long known for charity, one of the newest traditions …
Which Country Is the Stingiest With Christmas Gifts? Who’s the Most Generous?
To no surprise, the U.S.’s legendary consumer culture hits the roof during the holiday season, with average per-person spending on gifts among the highest levels in the world. Americans aren’t the biggest Christmas spenders, though.
A New Job for Christmas? Why The Holidays Can Be a Great Time to Look for Work
People seeking work often take a break around the holidays — which is exactly why some experts say it’s a great time to find a job.