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Government-Reported Inflation

by Flexo
Helium balloon inflation

Over the twelve months ending with March 2012, the increase in the consumer price index (CPI-U) as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, often referred to as the inflation rate, is 2.7 percent (2.3 percent if you exclude food and energy). While these numbers are below the historically-cited norm for inflation, 3 percent, the ... Continue reading this article…

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Men Choosing Fatherhood Over Careers

by Flexo
Child and father

Last week, I acknowledged recent survey findings from the Pew Research Center showing that women are beginning to value success in their careers more than men value their own. It’s a historical twist, brought about by the idea that women entering the workforce is no longer related to a necessity, but an innate desire. Women, ... Continue reading this article…

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Podcast 158: Kimberly Palmer, Palmer’s Planners

by Flexo

Today on the Consumerism Commentary Podcast, Jay Frosting and Luke Landes talk with Kim Palmer, author of Generation Earn and creator of Palmer’s Planners. Consumerism Commentary discussed Palmer’s Planners recently. In the interview, Jay, Luke, and Kim discuss household financial planning for right-brained thinkers and money issues for young people and women. Consumerism Commentary Podcast ... Continue reading this article…

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Citizens Bank Settles Overdraft Fee Class Action Lawsuit

by Flexo

Banks are still struggling with the decisions executives made to maximize profit from overdrafts by rearranging the order of withdrawals to customers’ detriment. By December last year, Bank of America settled a class-action lawsuit related to overdrafts and was expected to pay $410 million. That decision is being appealed by a plaintiff, so it will ... Continue reading this article…

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Review of ING Direct’s Remote Deposit

by Flexo
ING Direct

Several readers contacted me yesterday with this piece of good news. After months of promising its customers to launch the new feature soon, ING Direct now offers remote check deposit. The delay was likely caused by the efforts that resulted in Capital One purchasing ING Direct USA. Previously, in order to deposit a check into ... Continue reading this article…

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Student Loan Interest Rates Set for Increase

by Flexo
College students

Unless Congress acts soon, student loans subsidized by the government will become significantly more expensive. Mandated interest rates on subsidized student loans will jump from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent for the 2012-2013 school year. With unemployment still high for recent graduates, increased interest rates will add to the debt burden. Tuition costs are still increasing as ... Continue reading this article…

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The Rich and the Rest of Us

by Flexo
Cornel West and Tavis Smiley

Dr. Cornel West is a Princeton University professor and author. Tavis Smiley is a television and radio talk show host and author as well. The two have known each other for a long time, and last year they toured the country to hear from citizens and talk about the issue of poverty in America. After ... Continue reading this article…

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Money Basics: Investing

by Flexo
Money investing

April is National Financial Literacy Month in the United States. This brings attention to the lack of a financial education young people receive in this country, both from their parents and from the education system. I disagree with most people about how to solve this issue. Many call for mandatory high school courses in personal ... Continue reading this article…

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