Eric Hagen may be the nicest cab driver ever. Perhaps he’s the smartest too. A full-time employee at the American Red Cross in Burlington, Vermont, Hagen recently started a new business: Recession Ride Taxi. He printed some business cards, and put the words “Pay What You Want!” on the back of the SUV that doubles as his taxi.
cars
Cash for Clunkers: Cash In While You Can
The Cash for Clunkers program has worked all too well, burning quickly through the initial $1 billion allotted to consumers trading in old cars for more fuel-efficient models. Another $2 billion appears to have been approved for the program. But is this is a success for the economy? Or just for some car buyers who are basically getting a …
What Will a Cheapskate Spend Good Money On? Part VIII
When a cheapskate drops cash on something, you know it’s worthwhile. After a brief hiatus in the series of posts that explore what seriously frugal folks will spend good money on—and when cheap is the way to go—here’s another entry, from Gary Foreman, editor of The Dollar Stretcher.com.
Finally, a Modest Limo for the Newly Less Rich
A new Rolls-Royce limo model called the Ghost is $135,000 less than an older model, the Phantom. The “cheaper” and “less ostentatious” model that’s being called a “recession-ready limousine” can now be yours for a mere $245,000.
What Will a Cheapskate Spend Good Money On? Part III
Even a cheapskate has to spend money sometimes. I’ve asked various frugal folks—bloggers, writers, money-saving and consumer experts—to compile personal, totally subjective lists of the products, services, experiences, and other “things” they’re willing to shell out good money on. Because if a cheapskate is willing to drop cash on …
Small Car of Your Future? Small Home of Your Future?
One thing the recession has made clear: Living large is totally not necessary. The waste and added expenses of huge cars and enormous homes seem silly right about now. For many people, downscaling may literally mean shrinking the size of those two mainstays, cars and homes.
Are Luxury Goods Goners?
Within a single section of today’s WSJ, there are stories lamenting the steep declines of sales in the luxury wine and luxury car markets, and another piece noting that haute couture label Christian Lacroix recently filed for bankruptcy protection.
Big Discounts on Home Furnishings, Cars, Clothing, and More
SmartMoney lists five types of stores where business is bad this summer—and where therefore, consumers have their pick of steeply discounted merchandise. In the home furnishings category, for example, more than 1,000 items at Pier 1 are currently being sold at discounts of at least 50 percent. There are also deals to be had on …