The skyrocketing price of gas has everyone complaining when they go for a fill-up, but this pain at the pump also threatens to put a serious crimp in Americans’ summer vacation plans. Some major airlines are already raising their …
Smart Spending
Stores Confront Extreme Couponers’ Tactics With Policy Changes
For extreme couponers who pay only a few bucks for an entire shopping cart’s worth of goods, or even earn money on their shopping trips by reimbursing coupons with a higher value than the item’s price, couponing practically …
Monster Month for Car Sales: Auto Purchases Rise 20% in February
It has been an especially good month for car sales from two American automakers, Ford and Chrysler. The latter’s sales are up 27%, compared with February 2011.
Maybe Pet Spending Isn’t Recession-Proof After All
Throughout the worst of the economic crisis and a post-recession era bogged down by uncertainty and high unemployment, consumer spending on pets remained strong. In surveys, owners said they refused to spending on their dogs …
Free Pancakes Today at IHOP, and More Freebies (Pretzels, Ice Cream) Coming Soon
Tuesday, Feb. 28, is Free Pancake Day at IHOP, when each customer is welcome to a short stack of buttermilk pancakes on the house.
How the Warm Winter Is Mother Nature’s Mini Stimulus Program
It Was a Bad Year for Movies—and a Worse Year for ‘Oscar Movies’
Last year saw the fewest tickets sold at movie theaters since 1995. Ticket sales were down during the “blockbuster” season of summer, and the year’s “best” films—in terms of critical acclaim and awards like last night’s
When Gas Prices Are High, High Car Prices Follow
Three states have already passed the $4-a-gallon mark for gas: Alaska, California, Hawaii. Three more—New York, Connecticut, Oregon—look like they’ll be next. By springtime, $4 is expected to be the average price for a gallon …
At Panera’s Pay-What-You-Want Cafes, Customers Usually Pay Full Price
Who knew asking people to pay whatever they wanted for a sandwich or a cup or soup would prove to be a successful business model? Panera Bread’s nonprofit arm generated some buzz in 2010 when it announced an unusual concept: …
Free Video Game Rentals This Week at Redbox
Out of the blue (err, red, I suppose), the ubiquitous DVD- and video game-rental kiosk service Redbox has announced five days in a row of free video game rentals.
Lintinis? Spiced Chicken ‘Lings’? The Latest in Marketing Jeremy Lin & ‘Linsanity’
Don’t feel bad for Knicks’ sensation Jeremy Lin just because he played poorly in the team’s Thursday night loss to LeBron James and the Miami Heat. Lin will be the most discussed player during the NBA All-Star weekend in Orlando, …
