Browse by Tags

Sort by: Date | Rating | Most viewed | Most commented

• Survey: Americans cut back on credit cards

  Posted Jul 31 2008, 11:40 AM by Karen Datko
  Filed under: spending, credit, saving, Consumer Affairs
  Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money

  This post comes from Martin H. Bosworth at partner blog ConsumerAffairs.com.

  In the face of high gas prices, stagnant wages and a moribund housing market, Americans are using credit cards less and less. A new study by Javelin Strategy & Research found that all ages of Americans, across all income levels, are cutting back on discretionary spending with cards, buying only necessary items, and often having trouble with the balances they maintain.

  "The sharp decline in credit card spending challenges the popular belief that more Americans are charging basic goods in order to sustain their quality of life," said Javelin president James Van ***. "Consumers are making deliberate cutbacks like shopping at superstores, eating out less and watching what they charge."   Read More...

  Discuss ( 1 comments) 1,387 Views Digg this | Email this | Link to this

• How to squeeze $500 out of your monthly budget

  Posted Jul 01 2008, 11:46 AM by Karen Datko
  Rating:
  Filed under: spending, credit, saving, Consumer Affairs
  Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money

  This post comes from partner blog ConsumerAffairs.com.

  When large corporations face tough times, they often hire "efficiency experts" who come in and tell them how to save money. Households, struggling under the strain of higher gasoline prices, could use the same kind of service right about now.

  Playing the role of an efficiency expert, Consumer Reports magazine says it has looked for and found ways for the average consumer household to trim up to $500 a month from its budget. Even at $4 a gallon, that buys a lot of gas.   Read More...

  Discuss ( 767 comments) 353,529 Views Digg this | Email this | Link to this

• No exit? Consumer finds way out of Columbia House

  Posted Mar 28 2008, 11:33 AM by Karen Datko
  Rating:
  Filed under: spending, credit, saving, Consumer Affairs
  Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money

  This post comes from Mark Huffman at partner blog ConsumerAffairs.com.

  Unauthorized charges and negative-option marketing traps continue to plague consumers, judging by the number of complaints received at ConsumerAffairs.com. One company in particular, Columbia House, seems to get under consumers' skin, producing 41 complaints in the last 30 days.

  Will, of Locust Grove, Ga., says he has no idea how he became a member of Columbia House, but now says he is receiving a steady stream of DVDs -- and bills.

  "I canceled my account, but nothing happens," he told us. "You can't call and talk to anyone. I fear they are going to ruin my good credit for something I never signed up for."

  Columbia House is one of the oldest "record of the month" clubs in the U.S., offering its members inexpensive CDs or DVDs in exchange for an ongoing commitment to keep buying its products.

  Book and record clubs like Columbia House pioneered "negative-option" marketing, where a lack of response from a consumer is taken as implied consent. But while some negative- option plans are well-run, many others are questionable.   Read More...

  Discuss ( 18 comments) 4,452 Views Digg this | Email this | Link to this