Jul
29
Playstation, LCD TVs help Sony hit $294 million in profit
July 29, 2010 | 1 Comment
I've been watching Sony do just about everything right in regards to the consumer and what the consumer wants for awhile now. It is paying off. Sony is back in profit last quarter and raised its full-year earnings forecast, fueled by stronger demand for its PlayStation 3 gaming consoles, personal computers and televisions. Sony said [...]
Jun
24
$11-a-pack cigarettes
June 24, 2010 | Leave a Comment
It's not a good time to be a smoker. New York City smokers already pay the highest cigarette taxes in the nation, but a new state law will push those taxes even higher this summer. The state legislature approved a bill adding a state tax of $1.60 to every pack sold, effective July 1. The [...]
May
21
Dell profit jumps on strong sales to businesses
May 21, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Things are looking good for Dell. Strong demand from business customers helped drive Dell's profit up 52% in its most recent quarter. The company reported net income of $441 million, or 22 cents per share, for the quarter ended April 30. That's up 52% from $290 million, or 15 cents per share, in the same [...]
Nov
2
Debit cards have their downside
November 2, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Credit cards are no longer the fashionable plastic to use. Debit cards are in now. As more Americans shun traditional credit cards, they're turning to debit cards. But there are downsides to debit cards as well. Security: If your credit card is stolen, you're not responsible for unauthorized charges over $50. But if your debit-card [...]
Oct
16
Now even churches take credit cards
October 16, 2009 | Leave a Comment
So you're light on cash. No worries. These days, everything from Salvation Army kettles and churches to DVD rental machines and subway systems will take your plastic and more are coming on board every day. It used to be that for some things you just had to use cash. Not anymore. Retailers and service providers [...]
Sep
10
Find a cheap, but good restaurant
September 10, 2009 | Leave a Comment
When traveling in a new city, the urge is to find restaurants that are comfortable and familiar. But you actually want to do the opposite. You won't find great food at low prices in a place full of tourists like you. Time to rethink your approach. One of a restaurant's biggest costs is rent. So [...]
Sep
3
How Do You Handle Your Child's Allowance
September 3, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Everyone has different ways of handling their child's allowance. Some just don't give it. Some of you require certain chores to be done in order for the child to get his or her allowance. And some just give a certain amount per week with no requirements at all. We were curious how our readers handle [...]
Aug
28
Toys ‘R’ Us launches "cash for cribs"
August 28, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Baby products are being recalled left and right. Now Toys "R" Us is offering a financial incentive to parents to trade in used cribs, bassinets, play yards, car seats etc. Fewer than 30% of recalled baby items are actually turned in. So many unsafe baby items are still being used. Toys R Us wants to [...]
Jul
30
More Retailers Accepting Food Stamps
July 30, 2009 | Leave a Comment
More retailers are accepting food stamps these days, as more consumers are turning to government aid to pay for groceries. Almost 39 million people received food stamps or Electronic Benefit Transfers in April 2009. That's up 20% over April 2008. Retailers like Costco, 7-Eleven and Target are jumping on the payment method as they know [...]
Jul
24
Don't Pay For White Teeth
July 24, 2009 | Leave a Comment
In this economy people need to pull out all the stops to save money, by getting creative. Take teeth whitening, something that will cost you hundreds of dollars at the dentist. Don't throw your money away and buy your dentist a new Mercedes. Save some money and buy yourself a little something nice. Like Alicia. [...]