A Fortune story gives hope to those yearning to one day retire in peace and comfort. Apparently, it’s still possible. Saving—saving A LOT—helps your cause. One interesting fact: Much has been made about the fact that people are actually saving nowadays. The savings rate is now at about 4 percent, compared to zilch in the …
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Commercials: Be Entertaining, Not Informative
The Today Show did a segment this morning on the best commercials of 2008, as awarded last night by the Association of Independent Commercial Producers. The commercials were fun to watch—some dazzling special effects that made kids’ eyebrows dance in hilarious fashion, a display of iconic images from the past juxtaposed to similar …
It’s a Deal: $9 Garnet Hill Bikinis
Girls bikinis, normally $36, are selling for $9 via Garnet Hill’s Sale of the Day.
Q&A with Consumer Psychologist Kathleen Vohs
Kathleen D. Vohs, associate professor of marketing at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management, is an expert in self-regulation, problems with spending, and the psychology of money. Among other things, her work reveals how people feel when they’re reminded of money they’ve spent (not so good), and how you can practice …
Cash for Clunkers: What Might It Really Mean to Car Buyers?
Yesterday, the House approved a plan that’ll give electronic vouchers up to $4,500 to car owners who trade in their old gas guzzlers for more fuel-efficient models. Similar “cash for clunkers” programs are already in place in Europe, and various bills have been discussed in the U.S. for months. Originally, the plan was offered as a …
When in Doubt, Shop Like Your Grandparents
Everybody’s heard about the last few months representing the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. But look around you. And talk to people who actually lived through the 1930s for a reality check. They’ll tell you that folks today—even ones who have “scaled back” of late—are living quite extravagantly by comparison. How …
Healthcare: Where’s Dr. Kevorkian When You Need Him?
“Nowhere else in the world is so much money spent with such poor results.” The lead of a Washington Post story about healthcare pretty much sums it up. Getting bureaucrats, doctors, hospital administrators, pharmaceutical companies, and the American public (remember them?) to agree on how to fix things is the problem. Healthcare is sorta …
It’s a Deal: Up to $150 Back at IKEA
Through June 14, IKEA is handing out gift cards worth $25 (if you spend over $100) up to $150 (if you spend over $600). Check out the offer, valid through this Sunday for purchases of select furniture,
Meet Joey and Freddy, Financial Geniuses
Jean Chatzky and Suze Orman better watch out. Joey and Freddy, hosts of their very own YouTube show, promise they can help you “Save a Dime in ’09.” Their advice? Steal sugar packets and toilet paper from fast-food restaurants, and consider having yourself incarcerated. Check out the video for these and other tips that are authorized by …
Cheapskate Wisdom from … John D. Rockefeller
“I believe that thrift is essential to well-ordered living.”
Banks Are Fun, Not Greedy Evil Money Sucks
A new slew of advertising campaigns clears things up the misunderstanding. (And that Bernie Madoff guy? What a prankster!)
Message to Congress: COBRA Bites
I am a statistic, one of the millions of Americans laid off in early 2009. And thus, my family is currently insured through COBRA, the federal program that guarantees continued health coverage for people who have left full-time jobs. The acronym stands for Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, but that’s just gobbledy gook. …