ConEd has just what you need in the middle of recession: a rate hike! Monthly bills are set to rise between $6-$8 as the energy monster tries to recoup a half a billion dollars to cover the cost of higher property taxes and the usual infrastructure maintenance that utilities never budget for in advance. The perennial optimists at the New York Post still somehow think you’ll still end up with a lower bill…
new york times
Gray Lady To Wall Street Failures: Why Not Become A Clown?!
By 2.22.09
Hey, Wall Street failures, have you considered an exciting new career as a document shredder? How about working as a butler? Ok, ok. Would you work as a clown? Seriously! According to the Times, it’s a perfectly valid “career option” for washed up investment bankers. “Even sad clowns are a hoot at a birthday party.” And the Times is full of other helpful suggestions…
Time To Bring Back The Consumer Czar
By 1.5.09
Last month, several consumer groups sent President-elect Obama a letter detailing a pro-consumer agenda for the new administration and Congress. One of those suggestions, supported by an editorial in today’s New York Times, is reinstating the position of special assistant to the President on consumer affairs, also known as the consumer czar.
By 12.29.08
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Academic and New York Times blogger Stanley Fish kicks off nominations for Worst Company in America 2009 with his account of frustrations—both consumer and grammatical—with AT&T.
New York Times, 1908: 100 Years Of Christmas Creep!
By 11.12.08 — Updated: 10.17.13
Reader Annie spotted this early Christmas ad while browsing through the New York Times Machine. It’s from November 11, 1908.
Those Damn Europeans Are Taking Over New York
By 8.3.08
Have you seen them? The Europeans? They’re everywhere! In our fancy bistros, on line at the Apple store, spending their fancy-pantzy valuable Euros while we suffer through this intolerable non-recession. The patriots at the New York Times finally sounded the warning call over this European “invasion” that’s transforming New York into the “Walmart of hip.”
Consumer Price Index Shows That Consumers Like Eating Out, Gasoline
By 5.7.08
The New York Times made a pretty cool graph out of the Consumer Price Index, which tracks changes in prices for many consumer goods over the past year. Turns out, gas prices went up.
Why You Fall For Dumb Things
By 4.10.08
The New York Times has an interesting series of tests and explanations that show why and how the human brain makes errors in estimating probability—and consequently, why we get suckered even if we think we’re overall pretty smart.
Government-Mandated Mutual Funds For Everyone! No Thanks.
By 2.25.08
There was a NYT op-ed last week, “Go On A Savings Spree,” suggesting that, as opposed to the tax-rebate stimulus, the best way to heal the economy is for the government to create universal mutual funds for every tax-payer. At one point, author Dalton Conley writes, “Some research suggests that asset-holders behave more responsibly and are more civic-minded than those without wealth. After all, they have a stake in the future of the economy and their community…Investing motivates people of all income levels to defer gratification and become knowledgeable about the economy and society.”
Breaking News: There Are Sweatshops In China!
By 1.5.08
Economists and politicians rant about China in terms of jobs lost, currency valuation, and trade gaps. But the New York Times reports that a new metric has been discovered: every year, Chinese workers manufacturing our toys, garments and electronic junk in the Peal River Delta collectively break 40,000 fingers.
Store Says It Can Prove There Is Seaweed In Its Clothing
By 11.16.07
The New York Times recently tested some “Vitasea” seaweed clothing from athletic clothing store Lululemon Athletica and could not find any evidence that there was any actual seaweed in the fabric. Lululemon disagrees.
Candy From Denmark Not As Filthy As Previously Reported
By 7.31.07
Remember when we said exports from countries not named China were also tainted and filthy? It turns out the exports aren’t as tainted and filthy as the New York Times originally reported. The Times explains that a “methodology problem was discovered” after the Danish Embassy complained that their candy was refused by FDA inspectors only 82 times, not 520, as the Times claimed. From the Gray Lady:
When the data was re-analyzed, it showed that the number of candy shipments rejected from Denmark had not been higher than the number of seafood shipments rejected from China, as the article stated. The number of shipments rejected from China was also misstated; it was 331, not 391.
Get Free Access To Times Select Using Your College Email Address
By 5.31.07
If you have access to your college email address, you can get access to the New York Times “Select” articles from their archive without those pesky five-dolla charges.
Tax Season: IRS Owes You $60 If You Own A Phone
By 2.11.07
The New York Times reports how our victory in the Spanish American War will save you $60 on this year’s taxes. Last year Congress realized that Cuba was no longer occupied by the Spanish Empire. The war, funded by a 3% tax on all long distance calls, is over. No more measly one or two dollar “Federal Excise Tax” on your monthly phone bill. With the empire unlikely to strike back, Congress decided to drop the tax and refund the excise taxes collected over the last three years.
Consumerist In Nice Little NYT Writeup
By 2.5.07
The Consumerist appeared on the front page of this Saturday’s New York Times Business section, in an article entitled, “Consumers Have Allies On The Web.”
Welcome New York Times Readers
By 12.30.06
Salutations. Here’s the Top 10 Biggest Business Debacles 2006 mentioned in, “The Lazy Top 10 Anything.”
Verizon Says Cellphone Ads Only For Users Who Want Them…
By 12.28.06
John called asking about the ads Verizon is poised to put ads on the internet services accessed by its cellphone users.
What’s Free with Free AOL
By 11.17.06
We all know AOL is crap, but now that it’s free crap, Mr. Pogue of the NYT has penned the requisite rundown of what’s good/bad/pointless about new FreeAOL.
