Got an in-box clogged with ads from retailers? You’re not alone. In recent months, many stores have been sending customers promotional e-mails at a pace of more than one per day. Spam-happy retailers such as Neiman Marcus deluged …
Personal Finance
Solutions to 9 Puzzling Financial Frustrations
What Will Replace the 401(k)?
The venerable 401(k) has been under fire since the recession. Here’s what could replace it.
Where Gas Prices Have Soared Even Higher Than California
California tends to get a lot of the attention in terms of rising gas prices. The state does have the highest prices in the Lower 48, now averaging $4.35 per gallon, up from $3.83 in mid-February. But over the last five or so …
Lawmakers Try to Ban Facebook ‘Shoulder Surfing’ by Employers
Even in a marketplace where people routinely trade access to their personal data for small freebies like online games and coupons, some employers have provoked outrage by demanding to see job applicants’ private Facebook pages. Now, lawmakers are wading into the fray with legislation that would prohibit the practice of “shoulder surfing” …
You’ll Never Guess the New Big Thing in Housing (Think: Not Big)
The next big thing in residential real estate isn’t big at all. It’s small. Because of cost and aesthetic considerations, a strong “anti-McMansion attitude” has surfaced among home designers and buyers, according to one of the …
What, You Only Have 100K Miles on Your Car? That’s Nothing
Once upon a time, a driver could get some form of pride, and perhaps even bragging rights when his car reached into the six figures for mileage. A consumer who owned a car that hit 100,000 miles without the need for any major …
Being 30 and Living With Your Parents Isn’t Lame — It’s Awesome
Just how much of a bummer is it to be well past the age of adulthood and still living under your parent’s roof? As this living arrangement grows increasingly common, the perception is that it’s not so bad after all. In fact, …
Students, Your Loan Interest Rate Is About to Double
Prepare yourself: on July 1, as many as 8 million college students will see their interest rates on federally subsidized student loans double, from 3.4% to 6.8%. According to the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, that increase …
Amazon-Sized Daily Deal: $5 for $10 Amazon Gift Card, from AmazonLocal
On Tuesday, March 20, the daily deal space will be buzzing with a special offer from Amazon‘s surging flash sale site, AmazonLocal. A $10 Amazon gift card can be yours for the sum of just $5.
Movie-Theater Owner Tries to Justify $4 Fountain Sodas
It’s been estimated that movie theaters make an 85% profit at the concessions stand on overpriced soda, candy, nachos, hot dogs and, of course, popcorn. Movie-theater popcorn has been called one of America’s biggest rip-offs, …
Now There’s a Daily Deal Site for Underwear
You have to give the daily deal industry some credit: It’s never short on new—and often, unorthodox—ideas. Groupon has been trying out $30 VIP memberships and creepy carnival-style games promising extra discounts in recent …