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'Stingy Scoundrel' Spills His Secrets
Tweet Share on Facebook September 30, 2009 Comment (1)Today's guest post comes from Phil Villarreal, a contributing editor at the Consumerist, reporter at the Arizona Daily Star and film critic at OK! Magazine. His humorous money-saving book, Secrets of a Stingy Scoundrel, is now in stores.
Alpha Consumer readers, I’m sorry to report that you’ve been scammed. Instead of getting to benefit from the wise financial advice of Kimberly Palmer, you’re stuck with a guest writer. And the least trustworthy type of guest at that—one with a book to peddle.
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Audio: Why Renters Insurance Is Worth It
Tweet Share on Facebook September 29, 2009 Comment (1)Over the weekend, I spoke with WTOP about the benefits of taking out renters insurance. Most young adults don't have it, despite the fact that many value their belongings at over $10,000. Renters are also more at risk for theft than homeowners. In a big city, renters insurance for a one-bedroom can start at around $100 a year—less than $10 a month.
Why You Should Get Renter's Insurance
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John Bogle: Why We Have 'Enough'
Tweet Share on Facebook September 29, 2009 Comment (5)John Bogle, the founder of Vanguard, is frustrated not only with the financial world, but also with how many of us seem to focus too much on stuff, and not enough on the more important things in life. In his book Enough, he reflects on his career and life experiences to offer ideas on how to counter our culture of greed and complicated materialism. At 79, he sounds a bit like a wise grandfather gathering his readers by his side for a long, cozy chat.
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Getting 'Financially Naked' in Relationships
Tweet Share on Facebook September 28, 2009 Comment (5)In Manisha Thakor and Sharon Kedar's new book, Get Financially Naked: How to Talk Money with Your Honey, the authors argue that many women make the mistake of relying too much on the men in their lives to provide financial security. That's despite the fact that one-third of women earn more than their husbands and recent research from the Center for American Progress shows that 5.4 percent of working wives now have husbands who are unemployed, up from 2.4 percent in 2007. Thakor and Kedar say it's time for women to take more control, starting with honest conversations about finances. Here are excerpts from our recent conversation:
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Shopper's Dilemma: Is More Better?
Tweet Share on Facebook September 25, 2009 Comment (6)Fast Retailing, the Japanese company that's been getting a lot of attention lately for its cheap but trendy clothing, raises the classic shopper's dilemma: Is it better to buy fewer, more expensive items, or a larger selection of cheaper ones?
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The Cost of Getting Married
Tweet Share on Facebook September 24, 2009 Comment (7)Marriage has long been advocated as a way to counteract poverty, since something about making a lifetime commitment seems to help generate wealth. That's one reason some people advocate public policies that encourage walks down the aisle, from subsidized marriage counseling to tax credits. But recent research by professors at Saint Mary's College and the University of Notre Dame found that in some cases, current tax policies penalize marriage, especially among low income couples.
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Audio: Strategies for Successful Maternity Leave
Tweet Share on Facebook September 23, 2009 Comment (1)Over the weekend, I spoke with WTOP in Washington about how to plan ahead for a successful maternity leave. Experts say that delegating tasks ahead of time, checking back in every few weeks while you're out, and working hard when you return to the office can help to ease the transition.
Strategies for Successful Maternity Leave
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Gen Y: Influenced by Parents and Materialism
Tweet Share on Facebook September 22, 2009 Comment (3)Today's post contains part two of my interview with Kit Yarrow, consumer psychologist and co-author of Gen BuY: How Tweens, Teens, and Twenty-Somethings are Revolutionizing Retail. In yesterday's post, she explained what makes Gen Y different from previous generations, and how they are being affected by the recession. Today, she defends young shoppers against charges of materialism and tells brands how they can make themselves popular with Gen Y. Excerpts from our conversation:
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Gen Y: Empowered, Engaged, Demanding
Tweet Share on Facebook September 21, 2009 Comment (6)In Gen BuY: How Tweens, Teens, and Twenty-Somethings are Revolutionizing Retail, consumer psychologist Kit Yarrow and reporter Jayne O'Donnell argue that today's young shoppers differ from their predecessors. They've come to expect top-notch customer service such as free shipping and easy-to-navigate websites, and they're drawn to lifestyle brands that help them define and project who they are. While their tendency to constantly update their wardrobes and own the latest gadgets can sometimes seem materialistic, the authors say it is more a function of having so many choices. I recently spoke with Yarrow about the book's findings. Excerpts: (Full disclosure: I am briefly quoted in the book.)
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"Frugalista" Debate: One Blogger Stakes Claim
Tweet Share on Facebook September 18, 2009 Comment (26)The term "frugalista," which is so widely used that even the Oxford English Dictionary defines it, has now been trademarked by Natalie P. McNeal, a Miami Herald blogger, causing a brouhaha in the world of personal finance bloggers. McNeal's lawyer has been sending letters to other bloggers who call themselves "frugalistas," informing them that they must immediately stop doing so.
