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

May 2012

New York Community Bank Adding Fees For Former Aurora Customers

by Luke Landes
Central Park New York

Last month, I received the news that Aurora Bank deposits would be assumed by New York Community Bank. Aurora Bank is yet another online bank that increased its marketing efforts leading up to a sale. For a while, Aurora Bank was a branch of Lehman Brothers, and part of that company’s bankruptcy proceedings required the ... Continue reading this article…

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Wealthy Families Apply for Private School Financial Aid

by Luke Landes

There is a perception among many families that private elementary and high schools are worth the costs of tuition even though public school is comparatively free to attend (not including taxes and bake sales). That’s a debate that will never end. Parents, who always want what’s best for their children, will take advantage of every ... Continue reading this article…

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How to Work Out Without Over Working Your Budget

by Guest Author

This is a guest article by Jennifer Calonia, Junior Editor at GoBankingRates. In the article, the author offers suggestions for staying fit without breaking the bank. It’s that time again: Beach season is fast approaching and franchise gym promotions are in full swing to lock you and your checking account into a pricey workout regimen. ... Continue reading this article…

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British Airways Visa Signature Card from Chase Review

by Joe Taylor Jr.

The offer you are interested in has expired. Read our review of airline and travel cards.

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Consumers Want Easier Online Payments

by Luke Landes
MasterCard credit card

Yes, it’s frustrating to need to reach for my wallet and type in my credit card number every time I want to complete a purchase online. According to a recent MasterCard and Harris Interactive survey, 58 percent of consumers agree with me. Consumers even abandon their online shopping carts when the check-out process requires too ... Continue reading this article…

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Podcast 159: The 7% Solution

by Luke Landes

Today on the Consumerism Commentary Podcast, Jay Frosting speaks with John Graves, author of The 7 percent Solution: You Can Afford a Comfortable Retirement. They discuss the unique challenges baby boomers face when planning for retirement. Consumerism Commentary Podcast The 7 percent Solution: S07E03 / 159 Download – RSS – iTunes Table of contents [00:00] Introduction from ... Continue reading this article…

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Facebook IPO Approaching: Will You Buy Shares?

by Luke Landes
Facebook

A few weeks ago, a Consumerism Commentary reader asked me on Facebook whether it would be a good idea to purchase shares of Facebook at $48 a piece. I do not give stock buying advice, but I mentioned that shares had recently been sold for $44.10 on the secondary market, so if someone were to ... Continue reading this article…

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Art Is Not a Good Investment

by Luke Landes
The Scream - Edvard Munch

A few months ago, art and money were connected in the news when Andreas Gursky’s “Rhein II,” a photograph depicting a still river and walkway, became the highest-valued photograph sold at auction. The buyer paid $4 million to walk away with the larger-than-life print. Art is in the news again today, with one of Edvard ... Continue reading this article…

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Get to Work If You Want to Be Rich

by Luke Landes
Movie marquee

How much time do you spend in front of the television, socializing with friends, or watching movies? I freely admit that I spend too much time watching television. There are certain television programs that entertain me, and particularly during stressful times in my life, I need some type of outlet that makes me laugh, raising ... Continue reading this article…

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Thanks to the Consumerism Commentary Community

by Luke Landes

In just a short period of time, Consumerism Commentary will be entering its tenth year of existence. The site’s ninth anniversary is approaching, and I’ve been involved with the website longer than I’ve been involved with any other commitment in my life. Jobs and relationships have come and gone, but Consumerism Commentary remains. I started ... Continue reading this article…

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The Next Credit Crunch

by Luke Landes
Captain Credit Crunch

There are signs that the economy might be in more trouble in the near future. One of the symptoms of the recession was the credit crunch. Banks and other lending institutions tightened up their previously loose standards for extending credit, and in order to prop up their own organizations financially, banks held on to the ... Continue reading this article…

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