Black Friday: What We Know So Far

Before heading out to the mall during the pre-dawn hours with a post-Thanksgiving hangover, arm yourself with some shopping strategy and knowledge—like that a “sold out” sign may be just a marketing ploy, and that you don’t have to wait for Black Friday for great Black Friday-esque deals.

Time to Pull the Plug on Paid Cable TV?

There’s a lot of grumbling among consumers and media types that cable TV is not only overpriced, but that it should be free—and what with the growing number of free alternatives on the web, it might have no choice but to be free.

This Just In: Cable TV Is Not a Necessity

When people are beating the rugs hunting for little ways to improve their financial statements, cable TV is generally considered untouchable. Why?

Stuff You Won’t Be Buying this Holiday Season

This could be a very, very long list.

Electronics and Toys: Cheap and Getting Cheaper

Flat-panel TVs, laptops, camcorders, GPS devices, and video-game consoles are all being sold at record-low prices. As we head into the heart of the holiday shopping season, Wal-Mart is planning on big price reductions on toys too.

Ten Odd Economic Indicators: Hot Waitresses, Men’s Underwear, Blacked-Out Football Games, and More

It’s hard for the lay person to wrap one’s brain around the rise or fall of GDP, new residential sales, money supply, and other traditional economic indicators. What do those numbers really mean? Well, here are some other indicators that do as advertised, truly indicating in simple terms how people are living, what they’re doing [...]

It’s Football Season! Bring Your Family to the Stadium for a Mere $759

In light of the way NFL team owners are treating fans—subjecting them to absurd seat license fees that cost tens of thousands of dollars, jacking up ticket prices as much as 90 percent despite the ongoing recession, suing fans who try to get out of multi-year ticket contracts—cheering on a team is starting to feel [...]

Strictly Business: How Emotions Screw Up Your Investments

Why do many competent, smart people make mistakes with their investments? It turns out that their feelings have been hurt, or they’re trying to save face, or they’re cocky enough to think they’re faster and smarter than the masses. Basically, they get emotional.

It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! It’s … a Cartoon Warren Buffett Teaching Kids About Finance?

An Internet cartoon starring Warren Buffett is expected to be released sometime later this year. It’ll be called “Secret Millionaires Club,” starring America’s most lovable 2-D billionaire, along with four cartoon kids who cover the range of ethnic makeup and skin color in Benetton-ad fashion.

What Will a Cheapskate Spend Good Money On? Part VII

Even a cheapskate has to spend money sometimes. I’ve asked various frugal folks—bloggers, writers, money-saving and consumer experts—to compile a list of the products, services, experiences, and other “things” they’re willing to shell out good money on. Because if a cheapskate is willing to drop cash on something, you know it’s worthwhile.

What Will a Cheapskate Spend Good Money On? Part III

Even a cheapskate has to spend money sometimes. I’ve asked various frugal folks—bloggers, writers, money-saving and consumer experts—to compile personal, totally subjective lists of the products, services, experiences, and other “things” they’re willing to shell out good money on. Because if a cheapskate is willing to drop cash on something, you know it’s worthwhile.