Average interest rates have hit a new 9-year high of 14.7%, and we have credit card reform to thank for that. Por-kay? Unable to keep soaking you on the backend with hidden fees, tricks, and traps, issuers now have to push their profit-taking to the fore. [More]
Government Policy
Federal Court Rules Recording Your Own Conversations Ok As Long As It's Not For A Crime
By 8.24.10
In a heated dispute over how to handle a woman’s estate, the son secretly set his iPhone to record a conversation that happened between him and the other members of his family days before she passed. The stepfather tried to get it tossed out by saying it violated the Wiretap act, but the case was dismissed and also lost on appeal. This has important implications for people who are interested in recording their customer service calls. [More]
Tax Lady Roni Deutch Sued For $34 Million By California AG
By 8.24.10
Last week, when we asked for nominations for really horrible TV ads, self-described “Tax Lady” Roni Deutch’s name was mentioned more than a couple times. Adding insult to injury, Roni is now being sued for over $34 million by the California Attorney General over allegations that her heavily advertised tax relief service doesn’t actually live up to its promises. [More]
190 Tons Of Walmart Deli Meat Recalled Over Potential Listeria Contamination
By 8.24.10
A New York company called Zemco Industries has recalled 380,000 pounds of deli meat that it distributed to Walmart under the Marketside label, because it might be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Although nobody has reported any illness and healthy people aren’t usually in danger, listeriosis can kill old people, infants, and others with weak immune systems. [More]
Seattle Libraries To Close For A Week To Save Money
By 8.23.10
If you live in Seattle, make sure you don’t plan any library outings between August 30th and September 6th, when all branches will be closed. As it did last year, the library system is shutting down services and not paying employees for a week to cut about $650,000 from its budget. Fortunately, you’ll still be able to access several electronic services that week, including ebook checkout and online databases. [More]
What A Salmonella Outbreak Looks Like To The CDC
By 8.21.10
The CDC has released a graph that compares the recent salmonella outbreak associated with eggs to the number of cases of the disease that would be expected without an unusual amount of tainted food on the market. [More]
Rap Video Pimps Elizabeth Warren For CFPA Head
By 8.20.10
A lot of folks are rooting for the smart, fierce and uncompromising Elizabeth Warren to head up the new Consumer Financial Protection Agency. And now the cowboy rappers have thrown their 10-gallon hats in the ring. [More]
Read Egg Carton Codes
By 8.20.10
For those who are visual learners, this graphic breaks down how to read an egg carton’s codes. Useful for telling if your eggs were part of the 228 million recalled for salmonella, for instance. [More]
Family Drinks Milk Containing Dead Mouse For 3 Days, Sues Walmart
By 8.20.10
I’ve never tasted milk that contained the corpse of a dead mouse, so I can’t say whether or not it would be noticeable, but a couple in Kentucky claim they drank three days’ worth of moused-up milk they’d purchased at Sam’s Club before ever noticing the rotting rodent inside. Now, as happens in these situations, they have filed a lawsuit. [More]
TSA Screeners Check Luggage, Investigate Your Marriage & Personal Finances
By 8.19.10
You have to hand it to the TSA screeners at Philadelphia International Airport. Not only will they look through your stuff to make sure you’re not going to go all explosiony on the plane, they’ll also bring in the cops to call your husband to double check you haven’t embezzled money from him. [More]
$400 Strollers Recalled Because They Might Unexpectedly Collapse
By 8.19.10
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a recall of Zooper Tango Double Strollers, manufactured by Lan Enterprises LLC, over concerns that a latch on the stroller’s frame could fail and cause the stroller to collapse. [More]
Should Towns Be Able To Block Fast Food Joints From Opening?
By 8.18.10
Last week, we brought you the story of an Illinois town that rejiggered its zoning regulations to keep an upscale tattoo parlor from opening. This drew several jeers from readers for the village council that made the decision. And yet, there are several municipalities around the country that have effectively banned fast food and chain restaurants from opening within town limits, and there’s barely a peep from dissenters. [More]
Your Credit Card APR Might Fall Starting This Sunday
By 8.18.10
Some Americans might be getting a break on their credit card interest rates very soon. [More]
"Up To" Broadband Speeds Are BS, FCC Study Shows
By 8.18.10
Just like you’ve suspected/known all along, the “up to” broadband speeds providers offer – “up to 10 mbs!” – are nigh unattainable. A new FCC report finds that broadband users are, on average, only getting half of the advertised “up to” speeds. [More]
13 Brands Of Eggs Recalled For Possible Salmonella Contamination
By 8.18.10
Hey, before you crack that egg into your morning hair-of-the-dog, you might want to take a look at the brand on the carton. An egg producer in Iowa has issued a massive recall that affects 13 brands of chicken eggs sold nationwide for fear they might be tainted with salmonella. [More]
Mom Sues NYC Chocolate Shop Over Breastfeeding Argument
By 8.17.10
Bringing together two of our favorite topics — lawsuits and chocolate — a new mom in New York City has filed a lawsuit against the chocolate store she says gave her the boot for attempting to nurse her child. [More]
Broadcasters, Labels, Want To Force FM Radio Into Your iStuff
By 8.17.10
The National Association of Broadcasters and the Recording Industry Association of America, which have often bickered over royalties rules, have agreed that your iPhone and iPod need to have built-in FM radio capabilities via special microchips and want to push laws to make it happen. [More]
Should Seat Belts Be Required On The Bus?
By 8.17.10
Riding the bus is a relatively safe way to get from point A to B, but a new proposal under consideration by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration would seek to make it even safer by requiring new motorcoaches — as opposed to municipal or school buses — to provide seat belts for all passengers on board. [More]
