Archive for September, 2009
Intuit’s Purchase of Mint.com Shows Generational Rift
It’s no secret that Intuit has struggled to break into the online finance market with their software offerings even though they have moved to an Internet based model. Why is that? It appears that the answer lies in the foundational basis for the Quicken software. It is an all encompassing, feature rich financial program. It [...]
The Fine Print on the U-Return Plan by GM
In an effort to spur sales after the wildly successful “cash for clunkers” program, GM unleashes a new promotion: ifyou don’t like the car you just bought, you can bring it back. It’s called the U-Return plan. But, as with anything that sounds too good to be true, there are a few caveats of which [...]
Studies Show Consumers Learning From Recession
It may not be big news that consumers have learned some valuable lessons from the recession, but it might be surprising at how quickly they have adjusted to economic conditions. A recent report shows that people have learned to take charge of their finances more aggressively. Consumers are now saving more and cutting spending across [...]
Dump the Flexible Spending Account for an HSA
Just a few years ago the flexible spending account was all the rage. It allowed you to set aside pre-tax money fromyour payroll check and place it into an account from which you could use to pay for medical expenses. The shine is off of the apple and so the flexible spending account has to [...]
Consumers Beware- Worst Email Virus Ever
There is a vicious email virus going around that can drain your bank accounts if you incorrectly open the file contained in it or click on the link that sends you to a malicious webpage. All of this is done by sending out an email pretending to be from IRS. If you see a message [...]
Child Safety- Preparing For Flu Season
Parents who send their young children to day care or preschool have more concerns than normal as this years flu season approaches. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention these concerns are not without validity. The addition of H1N1 (swine flu) to this years regular flu season has many parents wondering what they [...]
Consumer Debit Card Use Getting Expensive
If you have had a debit card for any length of time, you know the benefit and ease of use that they offer. They are just like writing a check, but without the check. And, they are processed as either a debit transaction with your PIN or as a credit card. In short, they seem [...]
Buyer Beware: Computer Warranty Blues
Now that two-thirds of Americans own a computer (and many share a home machine) the recent settlement in New York against Dell is getting a lot of well deserved attention. Last week, New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo (yep, that’s the ex-governor’s son) announced a settlement with Dell regarding false and misleading warranty claims. Also [...]
Whole Foods Grocery Stores Considering a Ban on Personal Check Use
Once upon a time, in the not so distant past grocery stores accepted and processed personal checks and cashed payroll checks in a an effort to provide service and cash to their customers. That’s changing. Whole Foods is considering banning the use of personal checks in all stores. Two Los Angeles locations have already stopped [...]
Mobile Phones Battle Making Best Deals for the Consumer
It seems now days cell phones are a way of life. Almost every adult and teenager has one. The issue is to know which service to choose from. Many times the decision depends on who offers the best plan and which one has the best signal in the area in which you live. This judgment [...]
Top Issues of Consumers
The results of a national survey in August and September provide additional confirmation that economic concerns are the top worry on the minds of consumers in America. The Center for Food Integrity released their findings on the top eleven issues. The mean scores are between zero and 10 with the higher scores being of the greatest [...]
COBRA Stimulus Benefits: Recently Unemployed Eligible to Continue Full Health Benefits
For so many of us today the threat of unemployment is very real. With the unemployment rate hovering near all time highs, it is a fact of life, and something many of us worry about on a day to day basis. Thoughts of how will I feed my family, pay my mortgage and other bills [...]
Car Insurance Scams on the Rise
Many people who over-leveraged themselves are finding themselves in tough financial situations because of pay-offs and the lack of good financing for people who don’t have good credit. Many people have had to get an extra job, others have sold some of their possessions and some others commit insurance fraud by starting their vehicles on [...]
Driving Green May Save You $500 to $4,000 Annually
While gas prices have declined from the heights they were during 2008, it is unlikely that they will continue on their downward spiral. Most places will see prices falling but then stabilizing at a higher level than before they rocketed last year. What does this mean for drivers? In the past few months, the combination [...]
Will the Christmas Buying Season Be Better This Year?
Some financial handicappers are predicting a lack-luster Holiday buying season. These predictions are based upon overall prevailing consumer attitudes, which are not likely to change in the next few months. Compared to last year, a prediction of a similar buying season is not good for retailers who went all out to produce some of the [...]
Consumers Living in the Moment and Spending Time at Home
Discussion about the recession may be on the decline but that doesn’t mean consumers have brightened their outlook. Recent consumer surveys show that stress is still high as consumers try to weather the financial storm. Consumers have trimmed spending where they can; taking advantage of coupons, purchasing store brand over national brand and eating at [...]
Auto Repair Bill Seeks to Level Playing Field
Most vehicles contain computers that help run the essential systems. Electronic ignition, anti-lock brakes and other functions use the computer in a vehicle. Also the computer serves as the central repository for data about which systems are operating correctly and which are not. This makes the following story very important to car owners. In [...]
Studies Show a Job Struggle Between Older Workers and New Graduates
A recent study reveals that there is a struggle occurring between those in their upper years of their careers and those who have just graduated from college who are looking to enter the work force. Workers are Retiring Later in Life Older people have lost a lot of their retirement savings in the financial meltdown [...]
New Reports Point Out More Toxins In Products
HealthyStuff.org, a nationwide environmental group have conducted tests and recently released a report that shows more and more common household items and products for children are full of toxins, including lead and arsenic. Items that include lunch boxes, pencil bags, and backpacks are chock full of unhealthy toxins, especially when children are being exposed continuously [...]
Consumers Not Yet Feeling Good About Economy
American Consumers are not yet experiencing warm and fuzzy feelings about the economy and more importantly their own finances. Even though there have been some small signs that the economic crunch is ending, it has not taken off so as to trickle down to consumers at this point. In fact, some say they are worse [...]
Economic Recovery is Here, But Slow Moving
Looking at economic numbers that are presented to us every day, we see evidence that a recovery is beginning to take root. But, the bad news is that a few key indices show little improvement. Some parts of the economy will hold any recovery to a slow crawl. Maybe a slow and sure recovery is [...]
Consumers Seek Full Disclosure From Lending Institutions
The economy is headed toward a recovery but the problems consumers have faced for the past two years have left a lasting mark on American memories. According to a recent poll where consumers where asked questions about credit cards, mortgages and other bank practices, Americans are seeking full disclosure from lending institutions. In addition to [...]
Product Recalls– Stay Up to Date and Keep Your Family Safe
In August 2009 there were 49 product recalls announced by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Do you know what items have been recalled? Do you own any of these products? Do you know how to find this information? Funds are tight and Christmas is approaching which means consumers are looking for the good deals, [...]
GM Takes Bold Step To Reassure Nervous Consumers
For the first time in the US, a car maker is making the extra effort to make consumers feel more comfortable with the purchase of a new vehicle. Those who purchase a new Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac or GMC vehicle will have the option to return the vehicle back to the deal within 31 and 60 [...]
Consumers Have Learned from the Recession
It may not be big news that consumers have learned some valuable lessons from the recession, but it might be surprising at how quickly they have adjusted to economic conditions. A recent report shows that people have learned to take charge of their finances more aggressively. Consumers are now saving more and cutting spending across [...]
Credit Card Overcharges Happening Frequently
This is a warning about watching the charges that go onto your credit cards. Not just because of fraud and identity theft, but now, apparently, there are a lot of overcharges that are happening because of simple errors. These overcharges occur most frequently at gas stations and restaurants and even hotels. There are varying [...]
Prepare for Wi-Fi In the Skies
For consumers who find themselves traveling more and more for work, there is good news on the horizon for passengers flying on American Airlines. In the past, traveling on long flights meant no phones, no emails, no internet from take off until landing, making for loss of productivity in the skies. However, it is all [...]
This was a great article. I was just trying to figure out how my family could set up a budget ...
I find that I can nickle and dime myself to death! 
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