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avatar You are viewing an archive of articles by Luke Landes. Luke Landes, also known as Flexo, is the founder of Consumerism Commentary. He has been blogging and writing for the internet since 1995 and has been building online communities since 1991. Find out more about him and follow Luke Landes on Twitter. View 's Google Profile.

Luke Landes

Higher Home Ownership Linked to Higher Unemployment

by Luke Landes
Home ownership

American culture has long promoted the idea that home ownership is key to the fulfilling middle-class lifestyle. You can be sure the National Association of Realtors will continue to do its darnedest to keep this interpretation of the American Dream alive; whether you’re buying or selling, it’s always a good time for Realtors to earn ... Continue reading this article…

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Mint.com Tracks Two Million Users to Create Spending Index

by Luke Landes
National Average Monthly Spending

When staff writer Sasha introduced Consumerism Commentary readers to Mint.com in 2007, I began to think about the power of massive consumer financial data. As more people signed up for this online service that connects directly to users’ credit card accounts and bank accounts, Mint.com, or any other similar services, would be able to analyze ... Continue reading this article…

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8 Scientifically Proven Principles of Happiness

by Luke Landes
Happiness - 8 scientifically proven principles

There is a link between wealth and happiness, but it’s not that having more of the former results in more of the latter. The Journal of Consumer Research published a study involving a scientific analysis of the link between money and happiness designed and analyzed by researchers at the University of British Columbia, Harvard University, ... Continue reading this article…

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Will an Internet Sales Tax Change How You Shop?

by Luke Landes
Internet sales tax - shopping bags

After a rocky beginning to the relationship, I’ve grown to appreciate Amazon.com. For the most part, the online retailer still boasts the best prices, shipping can be free, and if your purchases are delivered to New Jersey or one of several other states, Amazon doesn’t add sales tax to the purchase. Lobbyists that represent all ... Continue reading this article…

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Three Psychological Barriers: Taking the First Step

by Luke Landes
Psychological barriers

Everyone starts their path to financial independence from a different position. The popular belief that everyone born in this country has an equal opportunity for financial success is a Utopian myth. It may be an ideal foremost in early European settlers’ minds as they escaped a society where wealth was determined by little more than ... Continue reading this article…

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Can Tipping Change a Waiter’s Behavior?

by Luke Landes
Can tipping change a waitress's behavior?

A friend of mine once lamented publicly: “When did the standard restaurant tip change from 15 percent to 20?” Sure, I remember paying typically 15 percent for a tip when I first started dining out with my friends. That was when I gained my first sense of independence from my parents twenty years ago, as ... Continue reading this article…

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Kathleen March 2013 Net Worth

by Luke Landes
Kathleen Net Worth, March 2013, Naked With Cash

Naked With Cash is the year-long series on Consumerism Commentary where seven readers’ households share their financial progress on a monthly basis. I’ve partnered with financial planners who will offer some guidance along the way. This month, the participants and experts are discussing, among other things, tax planning. Read this introduction to learn more about ... Continue reading this article…

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SteveDH March 2013 Net Worth

by Luke Landes
SteveDH March 2013 Net Worth - Naked With Cash

Naked With Cash is the year-long series on Consumerism Commentary where seven readers’ households share their financial progress on a monthly basis. I’ve partnered with financial planners who will offer some guidance along the way. Read this introduction to learn more about the series. This month, the participants and experts will be discussing tax planning ... Continue reading this article…

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Anonymous S March 2013 Net Worth

by Luke Landes
Anonymous S Net Worth - Naked With Cash - March 2013

Naked With Cash is the year-long series on Consumerism Commentary where seven readers’ households share their financial progress on a monthly basis. I’ve partnered with financial planners who will offer some guidance along the way. Read this introduction to learn more about the series. This month, the participants and experts will be discussing tax planning ... Continue reading this article…

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JW March 2013 Net Worth

by Luke Landes
JW March 2013 Net Worth - Naked With Cash

Naked With Cash is the year-long series on Consumerism Commentary where seven readers’ households share their financial progress on a monthly basis. I’ve partnered with financial planners who will offer some guidance along the way. The participants and experts are discussing tax issues among their commentaries this month. Read this introduction to learn more about ... Continue reading this article…

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