Shout Out: “The Best Places to Buy an Old House”
In its annual roundup, This Old House features some affordable neighborhoods—and not only in Detroit.
Articles from Contributor
What’s Up? Also, What’s Down
The economy has had its ups and downs—OK, mostly downs of late. Here, some statistics showing the economic fallout on all sorts of things, including cheap booze sales (they’re up), military recruits with college degrees (also up), and excuses for getting out of jury duty (way up).
How to Get Someone Else to Pay for Installing Solar Panels on Your Home
A woman renovating a 1902 farmhouse and barn in Connecticut explains how, thanks to various government incentives, she can have solar panels installed for $0 upfront and monthly lease payments that are lower than her current electric bills.
DVD Rentals: A 28-Day Test in Delayed Gratification
Redbox caved. The DVD rental kiosk company agreed that it would hold off on renting Warner Bros. movies for 28 days after they’re first released. So if you’re really itching to see a brand-new release right away, you’ll have to buy it for $20 or $30 or whatever. Or you can wait the four weeks and rent it for as little as $1.
The Problem with a Special One-Year Internet-Phone-TV Bundle for $85 a Month
While the introductory price lasts for 12 months, you have to sign a contract for two years—and during that second year, there’s an automatic price hike.
Lent as Money Saver
What are you giving up for Lent? Even if you’re not Christian, there are benefits to giving up something for 40 days—or for whatever period of time you please. Giving up meat and eating out for 40 days can save you $800. Giving up lattes might save you nearly $200.
Shout Out: “A.D.D. Men”
“Consumers are dumb. For decades, this has been the bedrock assumption of advertising. For obvious reasons, no one in the field wants to be caught voicing it out loud, but think about it: You endure an unwanted interruption in a TV show you’re watching or an article you’re reading, and somehow that annoyance causes you to spend money …
The Impatience of Patients, and How It Costs Us All
The doctor says, “Let’s wait.” You say, “Fix it now.” Who knows better?
No Job? 24 Quick Ways You Can Earn Some Cash
Sell your blood! Recycle scrap metal! Become an egg donor! Let your body be used in a clinical trial!
Blockbuster, on the Mat and Being Counted Out, Still Throwing Punches
Blockbuster has closed thousands of stores. It has offered DVDs by mail and free DVDs from new Redbox-style kiosks. Even so, it just can’t seem to cope with rental competitors Netflix and Redbox.
Cool New Black Lottery Ticket, Same Old Likelihood You’re Throwing Money Away
A sleek new jet-black lottery ticket was designed with ritzy images of Johnnie Walker Black, the elite American Express black card, and Lotus Formula One race cars in mind. The $5 lottery ticket is being introduced in ads with fancy script fonts, and on first glance you might think they’re marketing decadent chocolates or gourmet coffee.
Health Care Spending Rose 5.7% Last Year
But health insurance premiums? They rose 10%, 15%, even 39%. So where is the money going?