As featured in The Wall Street Journal, Money Magazine, and more!

May 2011

Federal Government Sues Deutsche Bank for Mortgages

by Luke Landes

As the real estate market was starting to crumble, more banks were using the Federal Housing Authority’s guarantees to continue offering mortgage loans, when Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were tightening the reins on their guarantees. This was common practice among banks. With loans fully backed by the FHA and therefore the United States government, ... Continue reading this article…

6 comments Read the full article →

Citi Diamond Preferred Card Review

by Luke Landes

When looking for a new credit card to place in your wallet, there are a variety of factors you should always consider. First of all, credit cards are not for everyone. In order to take advantage of the rewards that some credit cards provides, you should honestly evaluate whether increasing your use of credit cards ... Continue reading this article…

7 comments Read the full article →

May 4 Giveaway: $50 Amazon Gift Card

by Luke Landes

This is the third giveaway for Giveaway May at Consumerism Commentary, and I’m just getting started. I have a pile of Amazon.com gift cards to offer to readers and I’ll be doing so every weekday this month. The giveaways are short, though. To reward those who visit every day, the giveaways are announced at 6:00 ... Continue reading this article…

49 comments Read the full article →

US Bank Offers Free Rewards Account, Then Cancels Offer

by Luke Landes

Xenocid is having a frustrating experience with US Bank. A customer service representative moved his account into a new tier, offering a free account with cash back rewards when using his debit card. Xenocid promptly received a letter saying they would start charging $25 per month for this free account. Here’s his side of the ... Continue reading this article…

10 comments Read the full article →

Goal Progress After April 2011

by Luke Landes

I last evaluated my progress towards my goals at the end of January, so it may be time to have another look. At the beginning of 2011, I set financial and personal goals for the year to keep me focused on improving not only my finances but other aspects of my self. Goal 1. I ... Continue reading this article…

13 comments Read the full article →

Giveaway: $50 Amazon.com Gift Card

by Luke Landes

Don’t fret if you didn’t win yesterday’s giveaway. This is Giveaway May at Consumerism Commentary, so every weekday this month, I will have something new to giveaway. Yesterday, I selected a winner randomly from among those who properly entered by leaving a comment answering the question within the allotted time frame. Today’s challenge will be ... Continue reading this article…

2 comments Read the full article →

Concierge Medicine: Differentiated Healthcare for the Rich

by Luke Landes

Earning or having more money might not universally increase happiness or health. Wealthy people can be sad or sick just like those who are less financially fortunate. More money does provide more access to “stuff,” though, and people often like that “stuff.” Businesses that cater to the rich with services for which they might be ... Continue reading this article…

16 comments Read the full article →

Personal Balance Sheet, April 2011 ($761,127, +15.0%)

by Luke Landes
Net Worth Balance Sheet, April 2011

In 2003, I started Consumerism Commentary to teach myself more about personal finance and to track my progress as I strove to be financially secure. This was already a few years after my personal “rock bottom.” At the turn of the century, after a few years of letting my net worth as well as other ... Continue reading this article…

18 comments Read the full article →

Your Earliest Money Memory ($50 Giveaway)

by Luke Landes

Today is the first day of Giveaway May at Consumerism Commentary. Every weekday this month, I will be giving away a prize to a Consumerism Commentary reader. Keep reading this article to find out how you can win a $50 gift card from Amazon.com. Yesterday, Kate Levinson appeared as a guest on the Consumerism Commentary ... Continue reading this article…

70 comments Read the full article →

Podcast 106: Emotional Currency, Kate Levinson

by Luke Landes

Today’s guest on the Consumerism Commentary Podcast is Kate Levinson, author of Emotional Currency: A Woman’s Guide to Building a Healthy Relationship with Money. Among the topics discussed, Kate talks about the differences between masculine and feminine approaches to money as well as the importance of emotions in financial decisions. Consumerism Commentary Podcast #106 Financial ... Continue reading this article…

4 comments Read the full article →

Giveaway May at Consumerism Commentary

by Luke Landes

This coming month is going to be “Giveaway May” at Consumerism Commentary. Every weekday, I will feature a new giveaway for readers. It will be simple to enter, usually just requiring a comment and one other action (such as subscribing to the RSS feed, following me on Twitter, or liking Consumerism Commentary on Facebook). Each ... Continue reading this article…

37 comments Read the full article →
Page 4 of 41234