Consumerism Commentary

Can Tipping Change a Waiter’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… Read more...

Working From Home: A Benefit or a Distraction?

Marissa Mayer, the CEO of Yahoo, is looking to improve her company's performance. In a memo from the company's human resources department to all employees, Mayer… Read more...

The Wrong Reason To Become An Entrepreneur

I don't have the statistics pertaining to this, but I have a strong impression that many people dream about starting their own business, and many who do have this… Read more...

Credit Card Checkout Fees Are Here

I'm currently in California, visiting my mother, who as I mentioned in a previous article is in the hospital. While articles this week will likely be slow on Consumerism… Read more...

A New #Cut4Bieber: Justin Bieber’s Prepaid Debit Card

There's apparently a celebrity of some sort called Justin Bieber. I don't know much about him, but I might have heard a song of his one time. He might have been… Read more...

Plan for the Payroll Tax Cut Expiring in 2013

Missing from discussions about the so-called fiscal cliff is the option to continue the payroll tax cut. To boost the economy, President Obama and Congress introduced… Read more...

Year-End Personal Balance Sheet, December 2009

by Luke Landes

At the end of every month, I review my personal finances, including bank account balances, investment performance, income and expenses, and I share some of those details here. This was the original purpose of Consumerism Commentary: to track my own finances publicly and hold myself accountable for my financial decisions. I wasn’t aware at that ... Continue reading this article…

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Podcast 37: Financial Foul-Ups With Brian Scheur

by Luke Landes

On today’s episode of the Consumerism Commentary Podcast, Tom Dziubek speaks with blogger Brian Scheur who created the website My Next Buck. Every Friday, My Next Buck features a financial foul-up or mistake. Some of these personal stories are drawn from Brian’s own experiences while others feature other personal finance writers presenting their own stories. ... Continue reading this article…

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Smithee’s Goals for 2010

by Smithee

My one goal from the beginning of 2009 was to do at least one creative thing a week. When I thought of it, it seemed pretty ambitious, then I started writing twice a week for this site, and it was automatically taken care of, so any other creative thing I did was just metaphorical gravy. ... Continue reading this article…

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Start the Decade Off Right: Pay Off Debt

by Luke Landes

Welcome to the 10s! It is unlikely this year will resemble Arthur C. Clarke’s classic science fiction novel. Rather than preparing for contact with intelligent life from another world, we could prepare for the coming years by making sure we have the tools and attitude for financial success. Here is one way to start the ... Continue reading this article…

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Flexo’s Goals and Resolutions for 2010

by Luke Landes

Although I’ve been tracking my finances publicly on Consumerism Commentary since 2003, this is only the fourth year I’ve outlined specific financial goals for the new year. The next year is a bit of a mystery for me. I feel like some changes are necessary, particularly in my day job. Although I have some big ... Continue reading this article…

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New Year’s Eve on a Budget

by Kelly Whalen

This article is presented by Kelly Whalen, Consumerism Commentary staff writer. At midnight people around the world will be celebrating a new year with celebrations, parties, or a quiet evening at home. You may already have plans to party like it’s 2009, but if you don’t here are a few ways you can celebrate without ... Continue reading this article…

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Evaluating My Progress Against My 2009 Goals

by Luke Landes

At the beginning of the year, I set a few financial goals and resolutions representing what I would like to accomplish by the end of 2009. Like last year, my progress is mixed. I’ll get to that in a moment. I’m not a big fan of the concept of financial goal setting. Goals or targets ... Continue reading this article…

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Mostly Clean and Mostly Sober

by Smithee

If I were to tell you that I think I drink too much liquor, you’d likely conjure up some images of alcoholics you’ve seen, maybe picturing some guy falling down, abusing the people he loves, making terrible decisions and driving like an idiot. So I want to be clear right from the start that I ... Continue reading this article…

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Should All Amazon Shoppers Pay Sales Tax?

by Luke Landes

I almost participated in a boycott of Amazon.com. This was almost a decade ago when Amazon filed for a patent for its 1-Click ordering process. The patent was struck down in 2007 but I didn’t notice. In the face of Amazon’s low prices and, in my state, exemption from sales tax, my convictions didn’t stand ... Continue reading this article…

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Podcast 36: Being Financially Secure in Today’s Economy, Jane Bryant Quinn

by Luke Landes

Today’s episode of the Consumerism Commentary Podcast features Jany Bryant Quinn, author of Making the Most of Your Money Now: The Classic Bestseller Completely Revised for the New Economy. The book will be released this Tuesday, December 29, 2009 and here is a review. Tom Dziubek, Flexo, and Jane Bryant Quinn discuss the author’s revisions ... Continue reading this article…

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