Sunday, June 28, 2009
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.This Travel Protection Plan Does Not Refund Cash
You buy "travel protection" for an expensive trip and expect if you get sick and can't go, you'll get a refund, right? That's not the case with this travel company. See why. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Testing Travel Websites for Low Fares, Hotel Rates
A NY Times blogger decided to test various travel sites to see which offered the lowest fares. See who won! For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Competitors, FDIC Gang Up on Ally Bank's "High" Rates
Last week, MousePrint.org told you about Ally Bank, the renamed GMAC Bank, that was offering very attractive interest rates. Guess what? Competitors and the FDIC got involved, and that may explain the lowering of some of their rates. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.The Other Digital TV Conversion: Cable
While over the air broadcasts will all be converted from analog to digital on June 12, there is a second digital conversion going on that few people talk about. Your cable company is going all digital... and that means you may have to rent a settop box for each TV in your home. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Be Careful of High Deductible Medical Insurance Plans
If you have a high deductible medical insurance plan, you are more likely to skip doctor visits if you have to pay out of pocket for those services. You may also be getting less than you think in coverage. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Sunscreen Claims Deceptive; Rules in Limbo
The federal government promised to require better labeling on sunscreens two years ago to prevent consumers from being misled, but that hasn't happened. Watch video. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.How a NY Times Economy Writer Got Up to His Eyeballs in Debt
You may have thought that smart people didn't get caught up in the current mortgage mess, but they did. Witness this New York Times financial writer who got in way over his head. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.NY Times Starts Help Column: The Haggler
The NY Times has launched a consumer complaint column where the reporter will try to right the wrong your experienced. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Beware the Fine Print in Student Loans
Students may get their first lesson in finance the hard way -- when it comes time to repay their student loans. It seems rates for private student loans vary widely -- from 7 to 12%, and some of the lenders have adapted some of their credit cards tricks for the student loan market. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.How to Tame Your Medical Bills
The NY Times offers suggestions on how to lower your medical bills. Sometimes you only have to ask. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.How a Financial Writer Almost Was Defrauded
Ron Lieber, a personal finance writer for the New York Times, got a disturbing letter that his financial adviser may have appropriated funds from his account. Learn how you can protect from yourself. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.High-End Retailers Opening More Outlets
Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Saks are opening almost as many outlet stores as they are their full price department stores. And those outlets, in some cases, are doing better than their full-priced siblings. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Friday, April 03, 2009
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.The High Cost of Beauty (and Vanity)
Newsweek says a typical woman may spend close to half a million dollars on beauty (hair, body, nails, face, etc.) over her lifetime. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Chase Backs Down on $10 Monthly Fee
After a number of class action lawsuits were filed against it, Chase has now rescinded its recently announced $10 month account fee for some customers who are receiving low-rate balance transfers. They cite customer feedback as the reason. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Going Back to Houses You Can Afford
Some say that we need to go back to the good old days where the most house we could buy should cost no more than 28% of our gross income per month (including insurance and a few other home-related expenses.) For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.You Can Bargain Down Your Medical Bill
In tight times, some hospitals and doctors may let you negotiate on the price of your hospital charges. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Buyers Snap Up Foreclosure Bargains
At auctions around the country, bargain hunters are snapping up foreclosed home at discount prices. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Lost Your Cellphone? Carriers May Have Backup of Your Address Book
If you lose your cellphone, you have also lost a list of your most frequently called numbers. Or have you? Most carriers have a backup, and it could even be free. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Not All CDs are Plain Vanilla, or Safe
There are some new-fangled certificates of deposit out there... but be warned, some are uninsured. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.In Tight Times, Bartering Makes a Comeback
More and more people are swapping what they have (or can do) for something they want, and they are saving a ton of money in the process. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Home Prices to Bottom at End of 2009
In many parts of the country, Moody's predicts that home prices will bottom out by the end of the year (36% lower than in 2006). In other parts of the country, it may take until 2010 or 2011 to hit the bottom of the real estate market. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Track Friends' Whereabouts w/Google Latitude
Google has just unveiled a new application for your cellphone that lets friends know exactly where you are. (You must give permission for people to track you.) For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Pack the Right Credit Card to Avoid Overseas Surcharges
Before going abroad, you better find a credit card that does not charge you an extra three percent for purchases made overseas. Here are two, plus tip on finding the best travel insurance policy. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Wal-mart Pressuring Mfrs. to Lower Prices
Now that oil prices have dropped, Wal-mart is coming to the consumer's aid by pressuring manufacturers of packaged goods to lower their prices (that they had raised last year due to higher costs). For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Why is it so Hard to Refinance?
Many people are going to banks to refinance now that mortgages are around 5%. For two-thirds of them, the bank says no. Here's why. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Latest on the Peanut Butter Recall
Check the FDA's website for the latest information on what peanut butter products have been recalled. Generally speaking, peanut butter in jars is NOT being recalled. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.$50 All You Can Talk Plan May Spur Price War
Sprint's Boost Mobile brand has just introduced a $50 unlimited talk and text plan, and it might trigger a price war. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Deceptive Ads Disguised as Windows Alerts
Is it a real Windows alert message or is it an advertisement? Some marketers try to trick you into thinking it is a legitimate alert message. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Should You Prepay Your Mortgage?
The Wall Street Journal says that prepaying your mortgage today may not be the best use for your money. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.High Bank Overdraft Fees Hit Depositors
Now, even the FDIC says that banks are charging too much to customers when they overdraw their accounts. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
