Black Friday is a huge day for retail sales, so naturally, stores want to milk the sensation for all its worth. Every year, retailers try to make the day bigger than the last. This year, the decision makers at many national …
Smart Spending
Takeout’s Attempted Takeover of Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving has a long-standing tradition as the ultimate home-cooked holiday. But 14 million Americans are expected to dine out on Turkey Day, and another 16 million households will use ready-to-eat takeout foods for some or …
Think Black Friday Has the Cheapest Prices? Think Again
The only rational explanations for lining up outside the mall before the sun rises and putting up with monster crowds to go shopping on Black Friday are: 1) You just love the crazed, festival-like atmosphere; and/or 2) you assume …
Jennifer Lopez Drives Fiat on Stage: Most Brazen Product Placement Ever?
At the American Music Awards last night, Jennifer Lopez shed her clothes, strutted back and forth on stage in a nearly nude body suit, and simulated sex with the rapper Pitbull. But because the performance featured a Fiat 500 at center stage for no sensible reason, JLo probably won’t be remembered for being raunchy, but for being a sell-out.
6 Black Friday Secrets Those Deal Sites Won’t Tell You About
How to Save For Your Dream Vacation
I just returned from a six-week vacation to Bolivia and Peru. Since the beginning of October, I’ve been climbing mountains, exploring ancient ruins, and sipping pisco sours. Many folks dream of taking trips like this, but few …
Why Orange Juice is More Expensive on Saturday
A few weeks ago, when I was in Tokyo, I happened upon a camera store selling just what I was looking for, at a price that was simply too good to refuse. However, the more advanced model was also on sale. This left me with a …
Angie’s List IPO: So Maybe a Paid-Membership Business Model Can Work?
The initial public offering of Angie’s List, the membership-only site offering consumer reviews of contractors, mechanics, and other local businesses in hundreds of communities around the country, is being viewed as an enormous …
Black Friday: Skip the Mall, Head to the Car Dealership?
Everybody knows that Black Friday (or perhaps Black Thursday, since sales now start on Thanksgiving) has a reputation for terrific deals on electronics, clothing, and other holiday gifts. Is next Friday also the best day of the …
Black Friday Thursday: Will Shoppers Really Show Up at Stores on Thanksgiving Night?
One of the biggest stories to emerge this holiday shopping season is the expansion of Black Friday. In years past, retailers pushed the envelope by opening at 4 a.m., or even 3 a.m. the morning (if you want to call it that) after …
Gas Prices Sit at All-Time Highs for This Time of Year
While the price at the pump has fluctuated in recent months—falling sharply one week, creeping back up the next—drivers are paying less for gas than they did in the spring and summer of 2011. They’re also paying much less …
What Separates A Pro Athlete From His Money?
When Michael Vick declared bankruptcy, it raised our eyebrows. Sure, we knew his legal defense against dogfighting charges would have cost a lot of money, but not THAT much money. He, like a host of other visible athletes, made …