Then get on the phone and get busy. Here’s some evidence that it’s worth the time and effort to call up your pay-TV service, wireless provider, and credit card company and demand better terms.
SEC: Goldman Is Actually a Vampire Squid
A few weeks ago, I did a blog post questioning whether the mega-profitable, much-hated investment bank Goldman Sachs really methodically set about putting together mortgage-backed securities that would fail. I pointed to a Michael Lewis endorsed college thesis that seemed to suggest Goldman’s mortgage CDOs had actually done better than …
Round-up: 82 Money Saving Tips
Strategies for saving at the supermarket and the warehouse membership store, for cutting expenses in retirement and returning items that aren’t up to snuff—and also for snooping on your spendthrift spouse.
Morning Must Reads: Bank of America Surprises, Geithner still hates Volcker
–It’s Springtime for financials. Bank of America continues the good news for banks. Profits bloomed to a tune of $3.2 billion in the first quarter. That handily beat analysts expectations. Goldman and the rest report next week.
–The so-called Volcker Rule has been gaining some traction recently. It’s in the Senate bill and has gained …
It’s a Deal: 10% Off and Free Shipping at eBags
With the exception of a few brands that aren’t participating in the sale, all backpacks, handbags, messenger bags, and other products are available with free shipping and 10% discounts for orders of $50 or more placed today at eBags. The offer includes free shipping and an extra 10% off items already discounted in the clearance section.
The BRICs: Plotting a New World Order?
Whenever the BRICs have a powwow, as they did during their second summit this week in Brasilia, I can’t help thinking about the future of the global economy. After all, the BRICs – that’s Goldman Sachs-speak for the four great emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China – in many ways represent that future. There’s …
Can a better business model save 6-day delivery?
Everyone from the Government Accountability Office to the Postmaster General has argued that the Postal Service may need to cut six-day mail delivery back to five. The move would save the Postal Service some $2 billion to $3 billion a year. That’s a big deal for an organization that is saying it might be insolvent come October.
But …
Could the Tea Party be Right About Taxes?
Today is Tax Day, so cue the inevitable griping. One story making the rounds is that nearly half of all America’s don’t pay taxes. This is silly stuff. The magazine I used to work for MONEY examined the suppossed free-tax rider issue nearly two years ago and found this: Yes, there are 50 million people who pay nearly no income taxes each …
It’s a Deal: Free French Fries on Friday, April 16
This Friday is Free Fryday at Jack in the Box, when the fast food chain is giving each customer one order of its new fries free of charge.
Mid-Morning Must Reads: Joblessness and Foreclosures rise, Fortune 500 Reveal
–Stuart Schweitzer, a JP Morgan strategist, was in earlier in the week making the case that the recovery could be better than expected because of the recent quick dip in new jobless claims, effectively dubbing this the jobless-less recovery. Well that argument seems a little compelling this morning. The government is out with new data …
Meet the Guy Who Absolutely, Totally Does Not Love Paying His Taxes
“Why should I have to carry so many people on my back? Call me cruel. I don’t care. I give to whom I choose—but since so much is confiscated (and wasted in the process) I have little left I wish to give.”
Meet the Guy Who Says He Absolutely, Totally Loves Paying His Taxes
Nothing seems to make him happier than doing his duty and paying his share to Uncle Sam. Which is quite patriotic, perhaps even noble. Funny thing, though: He apparently doesn’t even have gripes that the tax system is too complicated, and yet he needs a tax accountant to help him figure out the amount he’s all too happy to fork over.