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Alpha Consumer is on Maternity Leave
Tweet Share on Facebook December 19, 2012 CommentAlpha Consumer, a.k.a. Kimberly Palmer, will be on maternity leave until June 2013. She looks forward to answering your personal finance questions when she returns. In the meantime, be sure to follow our personal finance stories.
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Is Gen Y a “Lost Generation?”
Tweet Share on Facebook December 10, 2012 CommentIn today’s Washington Post, columnist Robert J. Samuelson writes that this “is not a good time to be starting out in life.” He points to the high unemployment and underemployment rates and the fact that more young people appear to be putting off marriage and parenthood. While he says 20-somethings could still bounce back as the economy does, he asks: “Could this become a lost generation?”
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How Gen Y Is Overcoming the Economic Blues
Tweet Share on Facebook December 6, 2012 CommentIn her new book, Mission: Adulthood: How the 20-Somethings of Today Are Transforming Work, Love, and Life, journalist Hannah Seligson discovers that despite the challenges Generation Y has faced, including a sluggish job market and steep student loans, they are finding their own, often unconventional, paths to success. She profiles seven 20-somethings who deal with job loss, single motherhood, and unexpected career twists, often relying on their own optimism and entrepreneurial spirit to find their footing.
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How to Buy Gifts Men (and Women) Really Want
Tweet Share on Facebook December 4, 2012 CommentOne of the most frustrating aspects of the holiday season can be the waste involved: What if you buy people presents they don’t really want, or that they already have? How can you go about finding your significant other that perfect gift that shows how much thought you put into it, without over-spending?
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7 Items You Should Buy This Winter
Tweet Share on Facebook November 30, 2012 CommentWinter is known for its indulgences, and as a result, we’re bombarded with messages on how to scale back: How to avoid holiday weight gain, bloated credit card bills, and over-stuffed suitcases. But there are a few splurges you might want to consider embracing, because they can help boost your overall financial health.
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8 Holiday Shopping Winners and Losers
Tweet Share on Facebook November 27, 2012 CommentShoppers have already launched themselves with gusto into the holiday season, driving up early sales figures and taking advantage of Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. This year, they started buying gifts earlier than ever (with some checking off their lists back in October) and focused on Thanksgiving deals and weekend sales, along with the more traditional Friday and Monday discounts. Here’s who benefited—and who lost out—as a result of those shifts:
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Why You Should Stay Home on Black Friday
Tweet Share on Facebook November 21, 2012 CommentWhere will you be the morning after Thanksgiving? Will you hit the stores before dawn for Black Friday sales, like so many other Americans, or do you plan to shop the night before, when stores open on Thanksgiving evening?
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How to Stay Safe While Shopping Online
Tweet Share on Facebook November 19, 2012 CommentWith the rise of mobile and online shopping, shoppers are gaining plenty of convenience—and also taking on extra risks. Hackers are poised to steal the funds and identities of shoppers who don’t take steps to protect themselves.
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Why the Hottest Gift of 2012 Is a Gift Card
Tweet Share on Facebook November 14, 2012 CommentGift cards will be more popular than ever this year, thanks largely to rule changes that make them more consumer-friendly. Still, gift givers, and recipients, should be aware of some key differences between various types of cards.
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Is the Economy Destroying Love?
Tweet Share on Facebook November 12, 2012 CommentFor recent college graduates, the post-recession economy has meant a challenging job market, lower earnings, and a greater chance of moving back home with parents. As they progress through their twenties, it also means they’re more likely to push off traditional milestones such as getting married and starting a family.
