The fact that so many people are up in arms about a Michigan woman facing jail time for planting a garden in her front yard is an obvious indictment of meddling local code officials gone off the deep end. The case also serves as …
Working More, But For Less Pay?
Higher unemployment isn’t the only thing putting the American dream at risk.
Americans live by the idea that each generation can do better than the last and that, for those who have a job, working hard leads to more success. But that’s not panning out, according to a new paper by the Brookings Institution. Since 1975, two-parent …
Odd Consumer Behavior Files: When Stuff Is Free, We’re More Likely to Buy
Slurpees are free today at 7-Eleven. And, oddly enough, if consumers act like they have on previous Free Slurpee Days, the number of customers paying for Slurpees will soar today.
It’s a Deal: Free Slurpees Today at 7-Eleven
In honor of July 11 (i.e., 7/11), all 7-Eleven stores are hosting Free Slurpee Day, in which each customer receives a free 11 oz. Slurpee. Approximately five million free Slurpees are expected to cool off customers today.
Ugh! Back-to-School Shopping Started Already. Double Ugh! So Has Christmas Shopping
You’ve barely gotten used to the kids being off from school, and you probably haven’t even taken a summer vacation yet. So the fact that back-to-school shopping season has begun may seem annoying. And the idea that stores are …
How Much Do Your Choices Cost You?
To save money recently, I’ve been walking and biking for short trips in my neighborhood instead of driving. Suddenly I have a lot more time to think. And because I make my living by writing about personal finance, it turns out I …
What Would a U.S. Government Default Feel Like For the Average American?
A compromise between the budget proposals being batted around by President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner will, hopefully, be reached before the federal government defaults on any debt.
But what if the August 2 deadline to …
Why Real Estate May Be The Buying Opportunity of the Decade
There’s a convincing argument that real estate is today’s best long-term buy.
Why Dodd-Frank Hasn’t Fixed CEO Pay
Back when the financial crisis hit, there were few things more irritating to Americans than seeing huge bonuses go to the top dogs at big corporations. Two years later, and apparently nobody cares.
98.5% of companies that put their executive pay plans up for a vote by shareholders have received a resounding ‘a-ok’, the Wall Street …
Social Networking Gone Wild: Foreclosure via Facebook
The most distressing content most of us have ever seen on Facebook falls within the realm of the overshare: your boss’s Vegas stag party pics, or your new boyfriend’s status change from single to “it’s complicated.” But …
Even in the Struggling U.S. Economy, It’s Still Only Money
Listening to an interview with an Iranian-American journalist about being detained in jails in Damascus and Tehran, I was struck by the contrast between the extremis of those experiences and the daily drumbeat of high emotions …
60 Money Tips: Cheap Dates She’ll Love, Spending Sins, Smart Tips for Saving at the Mall
One suggestion that may make financial sense, but that’ll probably make for a seriously uncomfortable conversation around the dinner table, will begin with you asking: “Hey dad, I was thinking of taking a life insurance policy on …