These carefully-phrased services sound quite nice, don’t they? But if you read the fine print carefully, you’ll discover that these programs are strategies for banks to collect fees on customers who are careless with their account balances.
AIG Bailout Saved Goldman Billions, Or Not
The New York Times, it seems, can’t make up its mind on l’affaire Goldman and AIG. In the past week the Grey Lady has had dueling articles on whether Goldman would have or wouldn’t have lost billions if the giant insurer had failed back at the height of the financial crisis. On Saturday, Gretchen Morgenson wrote that newly released …
It’s a Deal: Buy One, Get One Free Crayola Products at Toys R Us
When you buy a set of Crayola crayons, markers, paints, or pencils, you’ll get a second set free. The offer is available at Toys R Us, good for purchases made by July 31.
Today’s GDP Report: Getting Real About the Recession
So it was a humdinger, after all. Friday morning’s GDP report, which is the first stab at estimating growth in the just completed second quarter of 2010, also provides some significant revisions to prior quarter growth estimates. The latter news is perhaps bigger than the 2nd quarter’s 2.4% gain—a bit below the consensus expectation of …
The Something-for-Everyone List of Money-Saving Lists
Obama, Jobs and that Durable Goods Report
While watching President Obama talk about the jobs on The View—he should do more of that stuff, he’s good at it— my other eye was taking in all the commentary on Wednesday’s durable goods report. The latest news on durable goods orders is not encouraging, not just because it shows a monthly decline for June when we were hoping for a …
‘Sitewide’ Discounts That Aren’t Really Sitewide
The promotion says everything is discounted. Everything, that is, except for a long list of excluded brands, styles, and special items. Which means that not everything is discounted.
Cheapskate Wisdom … About the Lack of Customer Loyalty to Pay TV and Phone Companies
“The problem for cable, satellite and phone companies is that they expect to get credit for things they’re expected to be doing … If you want me to be a loyal customer, you have to go beyond the things you’re supposed to do.”
It’s a Deal: Free Iced Tea Today at McAlister’s Deli
Thursday, July 29, is Free Tea Day at McAlister’s Deli, when the chain with nearly 300 locations around the country is giving out free 32-oz. sweet teas all day, no strings attached.
Hey, Frequent Overdrafters! The Banks Want You!
You’re not supposed to spend money you don’t have. But this is what you’re doing when you buy something with a debit card and don’t have enough in your bank account to cover the tab—in other words, an overdraft. Since banks make money when their customers spend money they don’t have, the banks basically encourage customers to do …
The Guy Who Leads Hikes Foraging for Edible Weeds: “It’s All Salad to Him”
Out in the woods, in parks, meadows, and backyards, and often right on the side of the road, there are foods that grow naturally, and that are yours for the taking.
In China, Pabst Blue Ribbon is Pure Gold
Another post from Ruchika Tulshyan:
Recession got you down? There’s a new way to reach a 1.3 billion-strong market. Rebrand your run-of-the-mill American product, launch a “luxury” ad campaign and sell it in China for 20 times what you sell it for in the U.S.
Don’t trust me? Pabst Blue Ribbon did it. The PBR beer that has …