A nostalgic “back to basics” movement has taken root in the world of product marketing, and the result is that everything from soda to fabric softener and Doritos to Ding Dongs now come in vintage-looking packaging with …
food
Mini Meals: Paying a Premium for Less Product
Chains like Dairy Queen and Starbucks have come up with new treats that appeal to health-conscious customers because they have fewer calories. Actually, “new” isn’t the right word—because these items already exist on the menu, …
Which Came First: Cheap Fast Food, or the Desire for Cheap Fast Food?
“People don’t like cheap, tasty, high-calorie fare because McDonald’s offers it. McDonald’s offers it because people like it.”
Insane Clown Controversy: Deep Thoughts on the Movement to Retire Ronald McDonald
Firing a clown isn’t going to end the childhood obesity problem. I actually sorta think that kids are scared of clowns, so the presence of that creepy white-faced clown face may keep them away from McDonald’s. But obviously, based on the recent outcry to get the Golden Arches to stop marketing to kids, there are plenty of people who want …
Are Fast Food Chains Turning Kids into Fat Gamblers?
Chuck E. Cheese and McDonald’s have come under fire not only for marketing heavily to kids, but for causing obesity and encouraging gambling.
It’s a Deal: Buy One, Get One Free Dinners at Old Country Buffet
When you like Old Country Buffet on Facebook, you’ll receive a coupon for one free adult dinner buffet and beverage when you buy one adult dinner and beverage.
PBR, the Quintessential Cheap Hipster Beer, Goes Hollywood
The headquarters for Schlitz, Old Style, and Pabst Blue Ribbon beers is moving from the Midwest to Los Angeles. Could this make the favorite swill of hipsters unhip—or even worse, expensive?
83 Money Tips: Get Half Off All Your Purchases, Get Out of Speeding Tickets, and More
This week’s tip roundup also includes lessons learned from taking on DIY projects, from observing the business model of discount supermarkets, and from not shopping for 127 days in a row.
It’s a Deal: Free Sweet Potato Fries Today at Chick-fil-A
Here’s yet another quasi-holiday: Friday, May 13, is Free Sweet Potato FryDay, and Chick-fil-A locations are giving away its newest menu item—sweet potato waffle fries—from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
With the McDonald’s Makeover, Yuppies Are Welcomed
It wasn’t pretty when Walmart underwent an identity crisis. Take that back. Actually, it was pretty—neat, orderly, attractive—in terms of the consumer shopping experience when Walmart began emptying overflowing store shelves and pushed more upscale merchandise. What wasn’t pretty was the backlash among blue-collar shoppers who felt …
134 Money Tips, Special Mother’s Day Edition
In this week’s link roundup: wisdom, tips, and lessons about money and family from moms everywhere—and tons of affordable, heartwarming gift ideas that’ll show much Mom is appreciated.
Good Reads: Fancy (but Worthless) Kitchens and College Degrees, and More
Here’s some recommended reading, inquiring into issues like: Why do consumers keep paying top dollar for huge, high-end kitchens and designer appliances they almost never use? Why do students keep buying into the idea that college is the only path to success, and that racking up tens of thousands in loans is a good idea? And how the heck …