Consumerist
Videos
-
Jobs
Get Inspired To Go From Unemployed To Entrepreneur
If you're out of work right now, consider hiring yourself. One ex-mergers and acquisitions guy with an MBA is spending 20-25 hours a week, in addition to his overnight job at FedEx, developing his idea for a blind bidding website for bulk team equipment. Matthew Vuturo says:
One thing I’ve certainly learned is that great ideas really do need to start somewhere. If I don’t pull the trigger and take some fliers based on nothing but faith in my own ability, great dreams won’t ever be realized
Recessions are a good time for innovations to take root.
Launching a Business While Unemployed [Laid Off And Looking] (Photo: Matt McGee)
-
Taxes
Get One Free Tax Answer
Got a Federal tax question you can't figure out? Input your question at FreeTaxQuestion.com now through Jan 31st and they will call you back within 24 hours with an answer or guidance. Limit one question per person. -
Gm
Graphic: Why GM Will Still Fail
Not that you necessarily need convincing that GM is doomed no matter how much cash is thrown at it, but here's a cool graphic that shows all of the auto company's problems as piles of shipping containers. The designer points out that "many aspects of this graphic can apply to the rest of the Big Three but I focused on GM since they are in the most dire position." More » -
Stern talking to
Consumers Union Asks Nancy Nord, CPSC To Do A Better Job Explaining These New Toy Testing Rules
In this letter (PDF) sent to CPSC chair Nancy Nord, and released to the public, Consumers Union and a bunch of other consumer interest groups ask the CPSC to please do its part to clear up all the confusion over the coming Toy Testing Apocalypse. Don't want to read the whole thing? Here's a much shorter summary: More » -
dtv transition
Consumers Union Asks Congress To Delay Digital Broadcast TV Switch
Consumers Union, the non-profit publisher of Consumer Reports and, um, brand-spanking-new owner of Consumerist, the blog that you are reading right now, is asking Congress to delay the DTV switch until "until a plan is in place to minimize the number of consumers who will lose TV signals, particularly by fixing the flaws in the federal coupon program." Why are they doing this? Well, the coupon program has already run out of money. Read the letter inside. More » -
Economy
13 Companies That Are Hiring This Year
You know the economy is bad when 7-Eleven's hiring plans are national news. More » -
The DTV transition coupon program has, indeed, run out of money. Anyone who requested a coupon after Jan 4 has been placed on a waiting list, says MSNBC. [MSNBC]
-
Seemingly invulnerable Toyota will shut down its Japanese factories for 11 days as it too deals with the global economic slowdown. Previously, the company had been unable to keep up with demand for its fuel efficient cars. [NYT]
-
-
-
Deals
Get An Employer Discount With Any Cellphone Company
Save money on your cellphone bill by checking out to see if you can get an employer discount! Here's the necessary info for every major cellphone provider: More » -
Drunks On A Plane
News Flash: "Shoe Bomb" Jokes Are Not Appropriate Airplane Banter
Ah yes, alcohol and planes mix together once again — resulting in three days of jail for one St. Louis man who thinks "shoe bombs" are funny. More » -
pharmacy
Target's Pharmacy Will Not Answer Questions One Minute After Closing?
If you're picking up your prescriptions close to closing time at Target's pharmacy, you might want to make sure you don't have any questions after closing time. Reader Kathy says she realized that she had a question about her son's prescription immediately after picking up the prescription, but when she turned around to ask it — she was too late. More » -
PSAs
Nominate Consumerist For 2009 Bloggies
Nominations are open for the 2009 Bloggies. Gosh darnit, I think Consumerist deserves consideration for some of these categories. Despite severe staff cutbacks in the 4th quarter, we kicked some serious ass. And now, thanks to Consumers Union buying us, we're back and better than ever. If you agree, put our name in over here.
(Yes, these are different (and more prestigious) than the one we told you about yesterday).
-
Pre paid cellphones
Pre-Paid Cellphones Aren't Just For Losers Anymore!
Hey, did you know that people who don't use their cellphone very often can save money by switching to a pre-paid cellphone plan? They're not just for people who can't get regular cellphones anymore! In fact, many smart, frugal people avoid contact hassles and save money by getting a pre-paid phone. More » -
Adolf Merckle
94th Richest Man In World Kills Self
Adolf Merckle, the 94th richest man in the world, committed suicide this week. Stock speculation is hazardous to your health. [NYT] -
Monster Cable
Monster Cable Drops Suit Against Monster Mini Golf
Monster Cable has decided to stop pursuing a trademark infringement against Monster Mini Golf. Judging by the post-settlement letter Noel sent the MiniGolf people, it seems that after both parties kicked their lawyers out of the room and talk directly, they were able to come to an amicable solution. Monster Cable will stop opposing the MiniGolf trademark and will cover MonsterMini Golf's attorney fees. Noel's letter, inside: More »
-
Apple
Apple: Give Us Money And We'll Remove DRM From Your Music
Apple has dropped DRM from iTunes — and is offering to remove their DRM from music you already bought for the low, low fee of $0.30 per song. More » -
Free Stuff
Giant, Stop & Shop And Wegmans To Offer Free Antibiotics
The grocery store chains Giant and Stop & Shop have announced a plan to offer free prescription antibiotics in their pharmacies. The program will last through March 21st, and will cover amoxicillin, penicillin and ciprofloxacin among others. The program is similar to one offered by Midwestern superstore Meijer. More »
