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

Random Acts

by Luke Landes

Do you perform random acts of money kindness? Have you ever been the recipient of something unexpected? Besides always tipping generously at restaurants, I try to help people out when they’re in dire need. I’m going to try to keep that article in mind and do more when I can.

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Monthly Update?

by Luke Landes

Some readers have been curious about my monthly status. Some are concerned because I haven’t been posting regular updates over the last few months. Here’s the issue, for some background… In March, I decided to leave my corporate job to teach in a high school. This is what my college education was geared to, and ... Continue reading this article…

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Looking Forward to Raises

by Luke Landes

Raises next year will supposedly be higher than this year, but not by much. Employees who aren’t entitled to overtime pay will see their salary increase an average odf 3.6 percent, and those who are entitled to overtime pay will see an increase of 3.5 percent. Executives, on the other hand, will see an increase ... Continue reading this article…

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Popular Day

by Luke Landes

There were many interesting articles on CNN/Money today. Here are a few summaries. The majority of Americans claim they would continue working if they were to suddenly come into lottery winnings of $10,000,000. 59 percent of people under the age of 50 said they would continue along their career path. If this statistic is ever ... Continue reading this article…

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5 Cent Piece Designs

by Luke Landes

The designs for the 2005 nickel have been released to the public, and here they are. You can click on the thumbnail to view a close-up of each design. Obverse Reverse 1 Reverse 2 It’s interesting to note that the quotation from William Clark’s journal on the discovery of the Pacific Ocean on the second ... Continue reading this article…

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Options for Pulling In a Six-Figure Salary

by Luke Landes

Jeanne Sahadi introducers her readers to some interesting career options if you want to nab that six-figure salary. First off is a general manager of a casino. There is a ton of money in Vegas (or Atlantic City, or even Connecticut) as long as you’re on the right side of the card table. Don’t gamble ... Continue reading this article…

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More Changes for the Nickel

by Luke Landes

You may remember my entry from last November announcing the 2004 reverse designs for the five cent piece. On Thursday, the U.S. Mint will reveal a new design for the obverse of the nickel. Jefferson is getting a makeover. If I get a chance, I’ll post an update as soon as possible after the release ... Continue reading this article…

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How To Excessively Spoil Your Kids

by Luke Landes

F.A.O. Schwarz (website, like the company, being restructured) is a children’s toy retailer. Perhaps you have heard about their bankrupcy. The company’s new strategy is to market toys to the children of the superrich. This item on the right is a toy Mercedes, with the price tag of $15,000. My Honda Civic didn’t cost much ... Continue reading this article…

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Making Money in Real Estate

by Luke Landes

“Get an education and buy real estate.” That was the advice given to Stan Taflaw. He is one of CNN’s Tycoons in the Making. With his high salary as a nurse and hospital administrator, and help from his rental properties and real estate sales, he’s been able to put three of his daughters through college ... Continue reading this article…

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Live Well But Spend Less

by Luke Landes

Donna Dratch reminds us to pay more attention to the way we spend and save. More importantly, the author reminds me to start getting back on track. It’s been a crazy summer of dating, going to shows, and just spending more money than I should have. I even “upped” the available minutes on my cell ... Continue reading this article…

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