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 Luke Landes's Google Profile.

Luke Landes

Give Me More Money, Boss

by Luke Landes

How to ask your boss for more. You may notice many of my links come from CNN/Money. It’s their fault for being good. In any case, this article presents raise-negotiating tips to help persuade your tight, wimpy, intimidating, and/or passive-aggressive boss to give you that money you deserve. Here are some of my own—Flexo’s tips ... Continue reading this article…

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Financial Update – October

by Luke Landes

Below you’ll see the charts for the month. I still have one paycheck left to receive, so that should add to the month’s tally, but since I’ve done the last few months on the 23rd, I didn’t want to break that habit just yet. I guess it would make more sense to do this count ... Continue reading this article…

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Not-So-Good Realization

by Luke Landes

Remember when I was happy to realize I would be receiving three paychecks in December? I miscalculated. However, I will be receiving three paychecks this month, with the third one coming in next Friday. It’s a good thing, too, since I’ve been feeling financially strained lately. It would have been nice to have that “surprise” ... Continue reading this article…

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Salary Increase Disparity

by Luke Landes

News item from CNN/Money: CEO pay rose, worker wages fell. The disparity not only makes it tougher for workers to make ends meet, analysts said, but also threatens the overall health of the economy, which depends on consumer spending for two-thirds of its strength. Costs of the basic living necessities, like food and gas for ... Continue reading this article…

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My Name is Flexo, and I Approved This Message

by Luke Landes

Last week, I received the following email. I have changed the name of the firm for the safety of the author: Flexo- I enjoy reading the posts on your blog ‘Consumerism Commentary’. It is a well put together site. I was reading a post on 9/29 about your brokerage recently charging you an annual fee. ... Continue reading this article…

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Financial Advisors and Predators

by Luke Landes

Before you make any decisions regarding a financial advisor, read this commentary. The article, from The Motley Fool, gives the reader some tips on how to determine what your potential advisors true motivations are and why this is something important to consider.

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Good Realization

by Luke Landes

I looked at the calendar this weekend and realized that I have three paychecks coming to me in both October and December. That will definitely help ease my money issues since I budget for two paychecks monthly.

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Honda Civic Hybrid Has Best Gas-Mileage

by Luke Landes

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the Honda Civic Hybrid beats out the Toyota Prius for best gas-mileage (61 mpg city/66 mpg highway versus 60/51). The non-hybrid Civic is the best gasonline-only vehicle with 36/44. In my driving experience with my manual-transmission 2004 Honda Civic LX, I usually get between 32 and 37 mpg, and ... Continue reading this article…

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Heard on NPR Today

by Luke Landes

With oil prices up (though lower than inflation-adjusted 1980s prices) and a possibly colder-than-average winter in the US Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions predicted, home heating costs are going to be high. Start budgeting… wait for it… now.

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Auto Insurance – Yikes!

by Luke Landes

When I had my 1997 Honda Civic, and with an excess of points from my “wild and crazy” days that I’m waiting to drop off my record, my auto insurance premium was already high. I don’t have the policy in front of me, but it was around $3,400 per year. In June, I purchased a ... Continue reading this article…

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