To the uninitiated, Pinterest.com is kind of a peculiar website. It’s one social network, one part digital scrapbook and one part browser bookmark bar. What’s more, this “virtual pinboard,” as the site describes itself, might be …
Odd Spending
How Random Companies Desperately Try to Attach Themselves to All the Super Bowl Hoopla
The Super Bowl is obviously a big deal for business. Advertisers are paying an average of $3.5 million per 30-second commercial aired during the game, and they’re spending millions more to promote online contests and viral video …
Why We’re Now Paying More For Generic Groceries
When the economy hit the skids a few years ago, we responded with tactics that have gotten us through previous recessions: We stopped eating out and traveling as much, curbed our discretionary spending and chose generic items for …
Can a Car Cost $95K and Still Be Considered a ‘Best Value’?
By all accounts, Porsche makes some pretty amazing automobiles. But do cars that sell for $80K and $95K belong on a list naming the best values for consumers?
McDonald’s Drops ‘Pink Slime’ From Hamburger Meat
For years, the world’s leading fast-food chain used a “pink slime” as beef filler for its burgers in the U.S. After a campaign by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, McDonald’s has abandoned the goo.
The Business of Super Bowl XLVI, By the Numbers
The Super Bowl is a big game for NFL fans and players, and it’s arguably an even bigger day for business interests surrounding the event. Here’s a look at some of the stats that have nothing whatsoever to do with what happens on …
Cheers! Increase in Liquor Sales Bodes Well for Economic Recovery
Pop open a bottle of your favorite spirits. It’s time to celebrate. Liquor sales rose by 4% last year, and growth was particularly strong in terms of exports of American spirits (up 16.5%) and sales in the pricey “super premium” …
Study: Poor People Pay More for Auto Insurance
Low-income drivers are routinely charged higher auto insurance premiums than well-heeled car owners. But why should the poor pay a premium when it comes to premiums? Is the system inherently unfair? Or are there valid reasons why …
Celeb Schwag: Famous People Get $100K Worth of Free Stuff Annually
Designer clothes, iPads, car leases, vacation packages, baby clothes, diapers … If you’re a celebrity, you’ll receive all of this and more for free, without ever having to endorse or even request anything.
Consumers Expected to Spend $11 Billion on the Super Bowl
The numbers show that, shaky economy or not, Americans are sparing no expense in order to be festive: We collectively dropped $7 billion on Halloween last year, and another $6 billion on Christmas decorations. And the Super Bowl? …
Why Do Consumers Avoid One Car and Buy Another? Often, for No Good Reason at All
A new study shows that when many drivers are shopping for cars, they don’t winnow their searches by researching vehicle quality and reliability reports. Instead, they often make their decisions based on preconceived notions and …
Why Aren’t Patriots Fans Paying Up to Go to the Super Bowl?
It’s the game that everyone wanted. (Well, everyone not rooting for the Ravens or 49ers, that is.) The New England Patriots will play the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI, a “Super Rematch” of the epic Tom Brady vs. Eli Manning …