Groupon, the runaway leader in the enormously popular group daily deals concept, is aiming to once again upend the way consumers leap for tempting, limited-time offers.
food
10 Questions: What Makes a Pasta Worth $26? Do Health Insurers Owe You a Refund? What Is Money Anyway?
For thoughtful, insightful answers—or at least discussions with some funny comments—about these and other pressing consumer issues, here’s a roundup of recent posts and stories. The list even includes a special bonus question: What’s the difference between a collection and junk?
Why, On Second Thought, Maybe You Shouldn’t Start Eating Bugs
Not because, well, because they’re bugs—but because it turns out they’re as expensive as beef or caviar.
The Frothy Fast: Giving Up Food (But Not Beer) for Lent
A man in Iowa is going the full monk. Following the lead set by German monks—who 300 years ago fasted throughout the entire season of Lent, and who sustained themselves solely by drinking water and hearty, calorie-packed beer—he explains the mission at hand: “Getting drunk is the last thing on my to-do list at this time. This is an …
Why Retailers Prefer “Ship to Store” Over Plain Old Shipping to the Customer’s Home
During the past winter holiday shopping season, free shipping was a big trend. Retail giant Walmart, for instance, offered free shipping on some 60,000 items. Now, instead of continuing to expand free shipping services, Walmart is ramping up its “ship-to-store” program, in which shoppers order merchandise online that they’ll later pick …
The Fine Art of Cooking with Whatever’s Already in the House
A woman in Oregon teaches one very unconventional cooking class.
Gardening Pro: It’s Wise to Start Small, on the Cheap
Growing vegetables in your own backyard can be enormously rewarding, with payoffs including delicious super-fresh foods and a decreased grocery bill. To get started the right way, take the advice of an expert who considers costs at every turn.
134 Money Tips: Help with Old Furniture, Old Wedding Dresses, Old Yard Sale Junk, Old Bread, and More
Also, why you should forget about self-help gurus—and follow the lead set by leprechauns instead.
It’s a Deal: Free Fries on Friday at Chick-fil-A
To help promote a new Heinz ketchup product, Chick-fil-A restaurants are giving away Waffle Potato Fries from 2 p.m to 4 p.m. on Friday, March 4. All customers get one medium order of fries for free when mentioning Heinz’s new Dip & Squeeze ketchup.
It’s a Deal: Free Pancakes at IHOP on March 1
Tuesday, March 1, is National Pancake Day, when all IHOP customers receive one free short stack between 7 a.m and 10 p.m. Donations for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals are welcomed.
What Stuff Costs
You probably spend more on beer, cable, pets, day care, and health insurance than you think. And you wouldn’t believe what some couples will spend on their wedding day.
143 Money Tips: Deal with ‘Financial Haters,’ Take on DIY Projects, Talk Your Way Out of Traffic Tickets, and More
Also: What your trash says about how efforts (or failures) to save money.