Browse by Tags

• The 12 duds of Christmas 2007

  Posted Dec 28 2007, 08:47 AM by Karen Datko
  Filed under: Housing, Spending, Giving, Consumer Affairs
  Rating:

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

  Some items under the tree bring joy and satisfaction. Others produce a heartfelt "bah, humbug!"

  In the latter category you'll find "the 12 duds of Christmas," our annual roundup of the year's worst consumer products. Some are good products poorly produced. Some were simply ill-conceived to begin with. And for some reason, China seemed to play a recurring role in this year's list.

  Oh, by the way, we consider only U.S.-based consumer products and services for the duds dishonor. And, no, government agencies and elected officials are not eligible. Good thing, too.

  Here, then, are our picks for "the 12 duds" for 2007.   Read More...

  Discuss ( 8 comments) 13,468 Views Digg this | Email this | Link to this

• Stay-at-home mom walks a frugal path

  Posted Oct 17 2007, 10:47 AM by Karen Datko
  Filed under: Housing, Spending, Family, Giving
  Being Frugal quit her job when her first child was born, and the small family lived on her husband's $19,000 income. So began her trip down the thrifty-living highway. She has learned to budget, accept help, and donate time for those less fortunate than her family. You'll find no pity-me tone in this no-nonsense account . She admits that their apartment, with its ugly kitchen cabinets and "rental-cream-colored" walls, "gets on my last nerve from time to time." But, she writes, "I have learned that money isn’t the most important thing in life. Relationships are ...."
  Discuss (no comments) 309 Views Digg this | Email this | Link to this