You are viewing an archive of articles by Flexo. 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 Flexo on Twitter. View Flexo's Google Profile.

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Are Online Banks Safe?

by Flexo

Anyone who is accustomed to being able to walk into the local bank branch, access accounts through a teller, and discuss banking options with an account manager on-site might still have reservations about moving money to an online-only bank. The benefits are big. Usually, online-only banks offer higher interest rates on savings and certificate of ... Continue reading this article…

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Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: Earn 40,000 Bonus Points

by Flexo

The Chase Sapphire℠ Preferred Card offers 40,000 bonus points for new cardholders who manage to spend a total of at least $3,000 during their first three months of membership. This translates into $500 worth of travel rewards. Previous promotions for this card had offered a slightly sweeter deal for new cardholders, but the Chase Sapphire℠ ... Continue reading this article…

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Win a Free iPad Today

by Flexo

I am excited to have PT Money as a partner for today’s giveaway, because together, Phil Taylor and I are offering an Apple iPad 2 Wi-Fi to the winner. This giveaway is the latest in the Giveaway May series, wherein Consumerism Commentary is offering giveaways every weekday this month. PT Money is a blog whose ... Continue reading this article…

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Car Dealers Pass Loan Acquisition Fees to Buyers Without Disclosure

by Flexo

If you have less-than-stellar credit, you’re at a significant disadvantage when you go to a dealer to purchase a car and seek financing through the dealer. Banks or intermediary loan brokers charge dealers a fee to extend credit to a risky customer. Rather than denying someone credit, the company that finances the loan charges risky ... Continue reading this article…

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Newark Liberty International Airport Has the Highest Fares

by Flexo

The same day I purchased airfare from New Jersey to California for what I thought was one of the better rates I’ve found in the past decade or so, I came across statistics showing that New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport sports some of the highest fares in the country for the past two years, ... Continue reading this article…

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Today’s Giveaway: $50 and The Gift of Stock

by Flexo

While the forecast is calling for rain all week where I live, the free gifts are raining down at Consumerism Commentary. Giveaway May continues right now with the twelfth freebie of the month. Today, with the help of Glen from Free From Broke, I will be giving away ING Direct and ShareBuilder’s “Gift of Stock.” ... Continue reading this article…

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How to Buy Precious Metals Including Gold and Silver

by Flexo

There are two main reasons to head towards precious metals as a major investment. One reason one might significantly invest in metals is the belief that the value of gold and silver will increase more than other types of investments like stocks and bonds, or that the investment in metals will provide a certain type ... Continue reading this article…

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Are You On the Credit Bureau VIP List?

by Flexo

If you’re a celebrity, politician, or otherwise in the public eye, you may be on VIP lists maintained by the credit reporting bureaus, granting you a different level of customer service. According to lawyers who have sworn testimony from employees, this two-tiered system favors the well-connected by granting them access to immediate corrections on erroneous ... Continue reading this article…

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Giveaway: $150 in Amazon Gift Cards

by Flexo

Today begins the third week of giveaways as part of Giveaway May at Consumerism Commentary. To start this week, I’ve partnered with Adaptu, an online financial planning service. You can find out more about Adaptu by listening to episode 98 of the Consumerism Commentary Podcast. If selected as today’s winner, you will receive a $100 ... Continue reading this article…

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Podcast 108: Extreme Couponing

by Flexo

On today’s Consumerism Commentary Podcast, Donna Freedman returns to the show. Donna Freedman is a columnist for MSN Money and staff writer for Get Rich Slowly. Donna also writes for her own blog, Surviving and Thriving. Today, Bryan, Donna, and Flexo discuss extreme couponing. Consumerism Commentary Podcast #108 Extreme Couponing: S05E04 / 132 Download – ... Continue reading this article…

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