The National Retail Federation expects a rise in Mother’s Day spending this year: The average celebrant will spend $140.73 on mom, up from $126.90 last year. Consumers are expected to drop billions on restaurants, flowers, greeting cards, and candy—and interestingly enough, much of this spending goes against the wishes of Mother’s Day …
It’s a Deal: 25% Off Schwinn Bikes & Helmets
Through May 7 (and just in time for warm weather), Toys R Us is discounting all Schwinn bicycles and helmets by 25%. This 18-inch boys’ bike, for instance, is selling for $59.99, down from the original price of $79.98.
Retailer Loyalty Reward Programs Mean Never Having to Pay Retail
Store reward programs seem like a great deal for shoppers, with instant discounts and special offers not available to non-members. But there are tradeoffs to all these deals. Retailers haven’t designed and instituted these programs out of pure kindness and the generosity of their bottom-line hearts, and at some point the savvy consumer …
Mortgage Fraud: Will Wall Street finally have to pay for its misdeeds?
Wall Street may soon have to finally pay for its folly. Earlier this week, the US Attorneys office of the Department of Justice sued Deutsche Bank for allegedly tricking a government insurance program into backing mortgage loans that were much riskier than they were portrayed. Many of those loans have defaulted causing nearly $400 …
More Big Players (AT&T, Amazon) Enter Daily Deal Market and Offer an Easy $10 Off
Despite some indication that interest in Groupon and other daily deal sites is on the wane, the flash deals market keeps getting more and more crowded—with bigger and badder competitors. Facebook rolled out its deals service last week, and now Amazon and AT&T are jumping into the daily deal mosh pit as well.
It’s a Deal: Free Admission to Public Gardens This Friday
Follow this link to sign up for a coupon granting free admission to public gardens around the country this Friday, May 6. The promotion comes thanks to a partnership of Better Homes and Gardens with the American Public Gardening Association, to celebrate National Public Gardens Day.
Chase’s Pilot Program Testing $5 ATM Fee Crashes and Dies
In March, Chase ATMs in Texas and Illinois began charging jacked up ($4-$5) fees for each non-customer transaction. The fee hike has already proven to be a failure, however, and the charges are now back to $3 a pop (which is still sorta ridiculous, but by this point is basically the standard). One insider, commenting on Chase’s initial …
Thinking About Buying a New Car? There’s Good Incentive to Wait
Sales incentives from car markers are at their lowest levels in years, and the average buyer can expect to pay more at the dealership for months to come.
Economic Indicators: Is Three a Trend?
For the past year, the economic signs have been decidedly mixed. One week consumer confidence would go up, but manufacturing production would drop. The stock market would go up, but retail purchases would go do. Recently, the job market has been showing signs of life, but the economy in the first quarter, as measured by gross domestic …
Housing Studies: Rent Is Too Damn High, Mortgages Too Damn Confusing
A new study from the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies reveals that one out of every four American renters—10.1 million households in total—spends more than half of its income on rent and utilities. Another 26.2% spends between 30% and 50% of household income on rent and utilities.
Method Home Cleans Up With Style and (Toxic-Free) Substance
A small San Francisco-based company finds success by figuring out that the package matters as much as what’s inside — even when you’re talking about eco-friendly hand soap
It’s a Deal: More Than 50% Off at Levi’s
During Levi’s Spring Sale, select men’s, women’s, kid’s, and baby merchandise is marked down by up to 50%. Use the coupon code EXTRA25 and you’ll get an extra 25% off. Offers are in effect through Sunday, May 8.