The Times brings us the sad story of Brandy McDowell and Kezia Chandler, two longtime friends whose relationship was shattered when they signed up with rival cellphone companies. The prospect of free mobile-to-mobile minutes has baited many friends groups to sign up or stick with the same carrier, ruining some friendships in the process. The Times article is rife with accounts of people who lost contact with friends banished to wilderness of nights and weekends. Are you loyal to your friends or your wallet? Tell us in our poll, after the jump.
spending
Basic Costs Have Increased Dramatically In The Last Decade
By 7.31.07
The Center for American Progress has a article explaining how costs have risen since the last minimum wage increase. According to their numbers, “dinner” has gone up 39.72%, electricity is up 25.02%, and gasoline up 135.20%.
Easy Money Drying Up, Taking The Economy With It?
By 7.27.07
What happens when easy credit, the lifeblood of our economy for the past few years, dries up? Consumer spending slows and people start mouthing the word “recession.”
Starbucks Raises Prices
By 7.24.07
Starbucks has announced that they’re raising prices on most of their “freshly made” drinks, including coffee, Frappuccinos, some “tea-based” drinks, and yes the much-loved latte.
Use This Worksheet To Create A Spending Plan
By 7.17.07
If you’re not one to budget, you probably spend whatever you think you can afford. This might be more (or less!) than it really should be.
Are You Addicted To Debt? Take This 15 Question Quiz
By 7.12.07
If you answer yes to at least of these eight questions, you may be addicted to debt, according to Debtor’s Anonymous.
Video Game Spending To Overtake Music As Soon As This Year
By 6.25.07
Spending on video game products is poised to surpass the music industry as soon as this year, according to Ars Technica.
PricewaterhouseCooperss released the data in its annual “Global Entertainment and Media Outlook” report covering 2007 through 2011, which outlines expected growth in the entertainment, film, music, and video game industries, among others.
Saving Tips For Recent Graduates
By 6.3.07
Could You Stop Buying New Things For A Year?
By 4.26.07
A group of friends decided to try an experiment in frugal “earth-friendly” living. They wouldn’t buy anything new for an entire year. Since the idea was to save the planet, not their pocketbooks, they were allowed to buy things secondhand, and of course, to buy food and toilet paper etc. So what happened?
How To: Stop Impulse Shopping
By 4.18.07
I knew my spending was out of control, but I didn’t know how to stop it. If only I had been aware of the following strategies:
If The US Government Were The Average Household, What Would Its Budget Be?
By 4.18.07
If the government made $1,000 a week (about the median household income in the US) what would its budget look like? MSNBC took last year’s budget and calculated the “household” budget of the US Government.
Cingular Spends 1.8 Million Dollars A Day Upgrading The LA Area. Just The LA Area.
By 2.22.07
“The past two years were unprecedented — investing almost $1.3 billion to deliver a quality wireless experience to our customers here,” said Andy Shibley, vice president and general manager for the company’s Greater LA market. “Our wireless network is world class and second to none. The major expansion we completed was an extraordinary achievement that enables us to provide exceptional service for our customers today and into the future.”
According to the press release they’ve concentrated their efforts, in part, on Pismo Beach, which we remember from a Bugs Bunny cartoon. Now Bugs can talk on his cell phone if he forgets to take a left at Albuquerque. —MEGHANN MARCO
Savings Rate Worst Since 1933
By 2.1.07
If you saved money this year, you’re one of the few. According to the Commerce Department, the savings rate fell to -1%, meaning that not only did people spend all the money they earned in 2006, they borrowed some as well.
Walmart Predicts Flat Sales In November
By 11.2.06
Walmart dampened our holiday spirit today with a forecast of flat sales throughout November at stores open longer than one year. What’s the problem?
What You Bought in January and How It Hurt Millions
By 3.1.06
Yo, lured out to the stores by the warmest January in more than a century, you blithely spent at a rapid clip that outpaced your income.
