Shoppers aren’t being bashful about throwing money around this holiday season: Americans spent $52 billion at stores over Black Friday weekend alone. While the holidays are long known for charity, one of the newest traditions …
Which Country Is the Stingiest With Christmas Gifts? Who’s the Most Generous?
To no surprise, the U.S.’s legendary consumer culture hits the roof during the holiday season, with average per-person spending on gifts among the highest levels in the world. Americans aren’t the biggest Christmas spenders, though.
A New Job for Christmas? Why The Holidays Can Be a Great Time to Look for Work
People seeking work often take a break around the holidays — which is exactly why some experts say it’s a great time to find a job.
Why Europe’s Downgrades Matter
Rating agencies have just downgraded the economic outlook for seven European countries. Does that really matter, or is it just acknowledging problems that everyone already knows about?
5 Things That — Surprisingly — Don’t Hurt Your Credit Score
There are a whole host of things that can wreak havoc on your credit score, from maxing out a credit card to having a home foreclosed on or declaring bankruptcy. But people often worry about situations or events that actually …
Feds Charge ‘Rudy’ — Yes, That ‘Rudy’ — With Stock Fraud
This time, Rudy got sacked.
Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger, best known as the indomitable underdog who realized his dream of playing football at Notre Dame, was charged with deceiving investors Friday by the Securities and Exchange …
Why the Smell of Cinnamon Makes You Spend Money
Every December, you vow it’s not going to happen and yet, without fail, you return home from your Christmas shopping with far more than you intended. Do you ever wonder why? The answer might surprise you, because you’ve …
Zynga Pops 10% Then Drops Below IPO Price in Lukewarm Debut
Online game-maker Zynga went public Friday, raising $1 billion in the biggest Internet IPO since Google in 2004. The company’s shares opened at $11 — 10% above the $10 offering price — before quickly falling as low as $9.50, …
A Tax Hike is a Terrible Thing to Waste
For weeks, Democrats and Republicans have been locked in a bitter dispute over the so-called “millionaires tax” – an income tax surcharge targeting wealthy taxpayers. Democrats want to use it to pay for an extension of the …
Best Holiday Shopping Discounts That Coincide with Free Shipping Day
Today is Free Shipping Day, when over 2,500 e-retailers offer free shipping on at least some purchases. Considering that free shipping promos have been fairly standard throughout the holiday season, and that free shipping is offered after Free Shipping Day has passed, the reaction to today’s shopping event may be: big whoop. But what if …
Financial Scams Target Boomers
Baby boomers are still looking out for their parents, even as they have fallen into the crosshairs of financial con artists themselves. It’s a bona fide boomer nightmare: they are becoming their mom or dad—at least as it …
Black Friday Remorse: Consumers Already Returning Holiday Purchases
Many of us rushed out to take advantage of the countless “holiday shopping events” around Thanksgiving weekend. Now, we’re slinking back to those same stores — except this time, we want our money back.