Eat, Drink, and Be Miserly
The holiday season is a classic time to check the national mood and reflect. So how are we doing? Let’s just say you shouldn’t expect to see a new car with a bow on top in your driveway anytime soon.
Articles from Contributor
Checkout Line Conundrums: Should You Get the Extended Warranty? What about the Store’s Credit Card?
Be on guard at the checkout line: In all the chaos of holiday shopping season, you can easily get talked into paying extra for some sort of extended service plan you don’t want, or into signing up for a credit card that saves you 10% upfront—and then hammers you with fees down the line.
The Unemployment Bowling League
Once a week, a bowling alley in Michigan (where else?) welcomes about 150 unemployed workers, along with some hiring companies and employer reps, to try to throw some strikes and get their careers out of the gutter. It’s all free too.
Amazon vs. Wal-Mart: Which One is Godzilla and Which One is Mothra Again?
A Doctor Walks into the ER. The Punchline? A $5,000 Bill
File this under the category of Shoe on the Other Foot. A doctor gets hurt while playing soccer, needs some stitches on his head, and learns what it’s like to be on the other side of the health care system.
Must-See Recession-Era TV: “The Card Game” and More
PBS’s “Frontline,” which features journalist Lowell Bergman on camera and that awesome, ultra-serious voiceover dude who has the ability to make everything sound like there’s some nefarious conspiracy afoot, takes on the credit card industry—again. Also, TV shows on how to sell your stuff for quick cash, and how to endure financial …
Shopping Insight: Don’t Expect Last-Minute Discounts
Is it smarter to buy now or wait for bigger discounts down the line? Some observers are saying the best deals will disappear as the holidays come closer.
Are People Killing Themselves Because of the Recession?
Some statistics indicate a recent rise in suicide rates, and the economy is being blamed as a prime factor.
Mall Wonder: To Attract Shoppers, Stores Host Aerial Performers and Window Displays Kids Can Crawl Inside
Apparently, some flashy entertainment and interactive fun are likely to put shoppers in the mood to buy.
The $4.29 Thanksgiving Dinner
We’re not talking about using coupons or tricks to throw together a random cheapie meal. We’re talking about the typical Thanksgiving feast, with turkey, cranberry sauce, rolls, stuffing, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie.
The $25 Smartphone
The Palm Pixi has only been on the market for a few days, but it’s already being sold for $24.99—or 75% off the list price.
Black Friday: Also the Best Day to Buy Cars and Invest in CDs?
The biggest shopping day of the year is not only about snagging discounted toys and plasma HDTVs at the mall. Car dealers and online banks also want in on the action.