Consumer World Blog by MrConsumer

This Travel Protection Plan Does Not Refund Cash

2009-06-28T10:39:00.002-04:00

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.

Testing Travel Websites for Low Fares, Hotel Rates

2009-06-21T12:06:00.001-04:00

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.

Competitors, FDIC Gang Up on Ally Bank's "High" Rates

2009-06-13T11:39:00.003-04:00

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.

The Other Digital TV Conversion: Cable

2009-06-06T11:41:00.001-04:00

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.

Be Careful of High Deductible Medical Insurance Plans

2009-05-30T12:58:00.002-04:00

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.

Sunscreen Claims Deceptive; Rules in Limbo

2009-05-23T07:02:00.002-04:00

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.

How a NY Times Economy Writer Got Up to His Eyeballs in Debt

2009-05-16T19:08:00.002-04:00

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.

NY Times Starts Help Column: The Haggler

2009-05-10T13:16:00.003-04:00

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.

Beware the Fine Print in Student Loans

2009-05-02T21:36:00.002-04:00

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.

How to Tame Your Medical Bills

2009-04-25T14:17:00.002-04:00

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.

How a Financial Writer Almost Was Defrauded

2009-04-19T15:43:00.001-04:00

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.

High-End Retailers Opening More Outlets

2009-04-11T08:17:00.002-04:00

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.

The High Cost of Beauty (and Vanity)

2009-04-03T13:07:00.002-04:00

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.

Chase Backs Down on $10 Monthly Fee

2009-03-29T06:57:00.002-04:00

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.

Going Back to Houses You Can Afford

2009-03-22T08:00:00.002-04:00

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.

You Can Bargain Down Your Medical Bill

2009-03-14T08:33:00.001-04:00

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.

Buyers Snap Up Foreclosure Bargains

2009-03-08T20:30:00.001-04:00

At auctions around the country, bargain hunters are snapping up foreclosed home at discount prices. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

Lost Your Cellphone? Carriers May Have Backup of Your Address Book

2009-03-01T12:25:00.004-05:00

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.

Not All CDs are Plain Vanilla, or Safe

2009-02-22T09:06:00.002-05:00

There are some new-fangled certificates of deposit out there... but be warned, some are uninsured. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

In Tight Times, Bartering Makes a Comeback

2009-02-14T09:20:00.001-05:00

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.

Home Prices to Bottom at End of 2009

2009-02-07T12:49:00.001-05:00

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.

Track Friends' Whereabouts w/Google Latitude

2009-02-04T11:26:00.003-05:00

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.

Pack the Right Credit Card to Avoid Overseas Surcharges

2009-01-31T18:23:00.001-05:00

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.

Wal-mart Pressuring Mfrs. to Lower Prices

2009-01-27T08:44:00.002-05:00

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.

Why is it so Hard to Refinance?

2009-01-24T11:14:00.002-05:00

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.