Today’s consumers are increasingly likely to pay off credit card bills in full, skip vacations, dine out less, hold off on buying big-ticket items like new cars, and even trim everyday expenses by, say, subbing a generic cereal …
Is the Greek bailout falling apart?
Only a bit more than a month ago, the leaders of the euro zone were happily congratulating themselves on overcoming their differences and cobbling together a second bailout of troubled Greece. The package, which includes 109 billion euros ($157 billion) in fresh loans from an EU/IMF bailout fund, was supposed to rebuild investor …
Travelers Charged $1,000 by Hotel in Irene’s Wake
While Hurricane Irene didn’t do as much damage to major cities like New York as forecasters had feared, some unlucky travelers found that the storm packed a hefty wallop to their wallets, thanks to some hotels that saw the storm …
Nordstrom: Free Shipping on All Orders, No Minimum-Purchase Required
Nordstrom used to offer online shoppers free shipping—if (and this is a big if) they ordered at least $200 worth of merchandise. But the high-end retailer just announced it is joining the ranks of L.L. Bean and Zappos, which …
Housing Prices: Case-Shiller Index Rises, but Rebound Still Far Away
For the third time in three months, housing prices are up. Don’t expect that to continue.
Housing Prices: Case-Shiller Index Rises, but Rebound Still Far Away
For the third time in three months, housing prices are up. Don’t expect that to continue.
According to the latest numbers from the Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller home price index, which was released on Tuesday morning, house prices in 20 large metro areas around the country rose an average of 1.1% in June. Chicago had the biggest …
Do EVs Save Drivers Money in the Long Run?
Electric cars and gas-electric hybrids have bigger sticker prices than their conventional-engine and hybrid-engine counterparts. But does the cheaper price of “fueling up” by simply plugging in result in savings for electric …
How Daily Deals Are Losing Their Allure — For Businesses and Consumers Alike
Two big names are dropping out or seriously scaling back their interests in the daily deal marketplace, an oversaturated field with hundreds of competitors that’s still mostly dominated by dominated by Groupon and LivingSocial. …
Italian Town Prints Its Own Currency to Fight Austerity Measures
If you’re a small-town mayor unhappy with your national government, there’s one thing you can do: declare independence and start issuing currency with your face on it. Just ask the mayor (or should we say, prince?) of …
New Hybrid Card Convenient But Potentially Expensive
Fifth Third bank has debuted a hybrid credit-debit card called Duo, which is linked to both a checking account and a line of credit. But beware: Using the card could be costly.
Why Vintage Housewares Are a Smart Buy
Everyone wants to save money in the kitchen these days, perhaps spurred on by the hit reality show Extreme Coupononing. But how can you save on things likes plates and silverware? Think old school.
Will Asia “buy up” America?
Those of us old enough to remember the 1980s – and I unfortunately include myself in that category – will probably recall how terrified Americans became about Japan “buying up” the U.S. The fears were sparked by Japanese purchases of American real estate, most notably famed Rockefeller Center in New York City, and other assets, …