Everything has two prices. One price is for people who just pay whatever the sticker says. The other is for the ones who have the gumption to ask for a discount. You want the second one. NYT Bucks Blog shows you how to get it: [More]
money
Kardashians Terminate Krap Kard
By 11.30.10
After just 3 weeks, the Kardashian Kard is canceled. Lawyers for the K sisters sent a termination letter to the bank that had licensed their likenesses and slapped them on its hidden fee-laden debit card targeted at children. Seems they don’t want to be associated with a card that was almost immediately after it launched the source of an AG investigation. See the full letter, after the jump. [More]
An Animated Takedown Of The Kardashian Kard
By 11.29.10
Those wascally NMA folk took a swing at the Kardashian Kard with a new comedic animated video. They waste no time skewering the fee-laden prepaid debit card marketed towards children. My favorite part is when Kim runs away laughing as her tween fans paw ineffectually towards her, their feet shackled to balls and chains of debt. [More]
My Ex Ruined My Credit And Jamie Dimion Doesn't Care
By 11.24.10
Lawrence has been in two bad relationships, first with his ex and now with Chase. He and the woman had shared expenses. He was on her credit card. They broke up but he was still on her card, which she continued to run up to $15k. Lawrence escalated his request to get taken off the card all the way up to CEO Jamie Dimion, who promised to sic one of his secretaries on it. And since this is a letter being posted on Consumerist, you can imagine how well that worked out… [More]
Buy Your First Car
By 11.24.10
Never bought a car before? Here’s a good guide that covers the basics, from going into the dealership with your price beforehand, the importance of doing all your researcher and resources for doing so, and the best tactic of all: always be prepared to walk away from a bad deal. [More]
List Of Sick Banks Rise To 17-Year High. Is Yours On It?
By 11.24.10
The number of banks on the FDIC’s “in danger of failing” list grew to 860 in July-September, a 17-year high. That number is up from 829 the previous quarter. The list is secret but even if your bank was on it, it doesn’t mean that it’s going to fail, only that it might. So what’s a good way to give your bank a checkup? [More]
Scammed In A Refi, Woman Loses Home
By 11.23.10
A woman who thought she was doing a simple refi for $50,000 and became the victim of an elaborate swindle was just dealt her final savage blow: her house is getting foreclosed on. [More]
Paying With Credit? App Shows You The True Cost
By 11.23.10
(Android-only) Inspired by our coverage, Consumerist reader Rick came up with a nifty app to show you the true long-term cost of putting that latte on the credit card. [More]
Personal Finance Roundup
By 11.23.10
Seven Smart Money Moves for the Holidays [Wall Street Journal] “Here are seven smart money tips to get the most bang for your (diminished) bucks this holiday season.”
Top 10 myths about job interviews [CNN Money] “Here is his list of the top 10 job interview myths, and how to deal with them.”
8 Ways Convenience is Screwing Your Finances [Wise Bread] “Here are a few reasons why we can’t seem to keep our budgets in check even though we keep getting huge raises.”
8 great Black Friday bargains [MSN Money] “Here are our 8 picks of the most awesome Black Friday deals.”
7 DIY Holiday Gift Ideas [Money Watch] “Here are seven out-of-the-box DIY ideas to get your creative juices flowing.”
Foreclosures Are Hurting The Children
By 11.22.10
Children are an overlooked victim in the mortgage meltdown. Experts are growing concerned about the negative social, emotional and academic impact foreclosure turmoil is having on kids. Everything from forced relocation, moving to a new school, seeing your parents at each other’s throats over money, to coming home and finding all your belongs in the trash takes its toll, and there isn’t currently a public policy response to address the issues. [More]
Figure Out How Much Your Scrap Gold Is Worth
By 11.19.10
If you have a bunch of broken gold chains and necklaces and want to try selling them to a jewelry store, it’s important to know how much they’re worth first. Here’s how to calculate their value like the pros do. [More]
Don't Use A Debt Settlement Agency
By 11.19.10
Steer clear of debt settlement agencies. A good deal charge unnecessary fees and there’s really nothing they can do legally that you can’t do on your own. Some of them are even outright fraudsters. [More]
Strapped To A "Rocket Docket" Built For Max Foreclosure Speed
By 11.19.10
Florida has special high-velocity courts presided over by retired judges that process foreclosures at the rate of 25 per hour. That’s potentially one evicted family every 2.4 minutes. Rolling Stone reporter Matt Taibbi sat in on one of these “rocket dockets” to show what goes on, marveling at the shoddy and fraudulent paperwork the banks are cramming through the courts. [More]
Remember To Reward Yourself For Paying Off Debt
By 11.17.10
Getting out of a debt can be a long slog. It demands willpower and making sacrifices. It’s usually not very fun. So to make it easier, it’s a good idea to give yourself a little treat along the way to reward yourself for sticking to the path. [More]
Debt Collectors Exploit Facebook To Embarrass You To Friends And Family
By 11.17.10
A woman has filed suit, the first of its kind, to get a debt collector to stop harassing her, her friends, and her family through Facebook and other social networking sites. [More]
Keeping Up With The Kardashian Kard's Hidden Fees
By 11.17.10
Keeping up with the Kardashians comes at a cost. The reality show star is pimping a new prepaid debit card targeted at kids that is as bursting with hidden fees as Kim’s shirt, featured prominently on the plastic, is bursting with integrity. Yeah, I think using sex to sell hidden fees to kids is pretty messed up. Just take a look at all these fees: [More]
Man Lets House Go Into Foreclosure Over $25 Fee
By 11.16.10
I think this qualifies as cutting off your face to spite your nose.
UPDATE: It seems our reader may have the last laugh, letting the house go into foreclosure, then buying it back at a discount.
TD Bank Charges Non-Customers 6% Fee For Coin Counting
By 11.16.10
Sad day. TD Bank’s coin counter machines used to be free to all, but within the past month they’ve changed it so now non-customers will get levied a 6% transaction fee. [More]
