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

July 2011

Save Money While in College

by Luke Landes
Princeton University

Higher education has its benefits, both financial and not. A bachelor’s degree helps ensure lifetime earnings will be greater than someone with just a high school diploma. Aside from the financial benefit, the cognitive skills used in tackling tough academics are useful inside and outside of a career. Nevertheless, college students often start careers at ... Continue reading this article…

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The Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit, May 2013

by Luke Landes

For consumers with a poor credit history, the options for new lines of credit are limited. Far too often, lenders take advantage of people with poor credit by charging high interest rates and fees. Rather than improve their credit, the added debt only makes things worse. The world can be a much uglier place when ... Continue reading this article…

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Citigroup Accused in Death of Customer

by Luke Landes

Three months ago, a healthy 49-year-old business man walked into a Citibank office in Jakarta, Indonesia to discuss the matter of a $5,500 debt on his Citi Platinum credit card. The events that followed are unclear, but four hours later, the man left Citi offices in a wheelchair. Citi cars drove him to a nearby ... Continue reading this article…

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Personal Balance Sheet, June 2011 ($379,354, +1.4%)

by Luke Landes
Net Worth Balance Sheet, June 2011

Happy Independence Day to all Consumerism Commentary readers in the United States! I’m celebrating my financial independence, as I do every month, with my regular net worth updates. These monthly reports have been a mainstay of Consumerism Commentary, with only a few lapses early on in the history of this website. For the most part, ... Continue reading this article…

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Podcast 115: LaFoy Thomas, Generational Wealth

by Luke Landes

Today on the Consumerism Commentary Podcast, Tom Dziubek speaks with LaFoy Thomas, attorney, investor and author of the book Generational Wealth: Business & Investing Guide to Building an Empire. LaFoy discusses the concept of financial sophistication and many other topics such as economic indicators, REITs (real estate investment trusts) and how to understand financial statements. ... Continue reading this article…

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ING Direct Financial Independence Days Sale

by Luke Landes
Fireworks

Online bank ING Direct is offering some goodies in July in time for Independence Day. July 4 is a bank holiday in the United States, so this sale starts early. July 1 and July 2 are the only days this sale will be available, so this offer is only around for a very limited time. ... Continue reading this article…

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Citi Simplicity Card Review

by Luke Landes

The most popular feedback I receive when reviewing cards pertains to fees. Most users seem to be allergic to annual fees, balance transfer fees, and others, regardless of the quality of the rewards program or bonus offer. Even when the rewards overshadow the fees, consumers shy away. I do believe you shouldn’t pay any fee ... Continue reading this article…

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Life After Salary: I Am Selling 18 Months of Company Stock Today

by Luke Landes

My former employer has a generous company stock purchase plan for employees. Each quarter, the company offers the opportunity to buy stock at a discount of 15 percent off the share price at the close of the first day of the quarter or the last day of the quarter, which ever is lower. When I ... Continue reading this article…

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