I’m a big believer in knowing the enemy. It’s the only way to mount a proper challenge when conflict arises. So one of my favorite guilty pleasures is to meander through the world of those who conspire to take our money. There’s no better place to meander than late-night TV. [Keep reading]
It’s stunning that just as Microsoft is emerging from a decades-long mistake in how it manages employees, Yahoo is voluntarily diving into the same rat hole. When, oh when, will U.S. corporations stop using 18th Century techniques for managing workers? And when with HR departments stop getting fooled into paying [Keep reading]
Angry about that $3,500 “fine” levied against a woman who wrote a negative review against a company? You should really be angry at America’s credit bureaus. Here’s why. You probably saw the story last week about a couple that was hit with a $3,500 “fine” for writing a negative review about [Keep reading]
Do you find credit card rewards programs confusing? Are your points easy to spend? Or are they like airline miles, so laden with restrictions that they seem, well, pointless? Federal regulators say they are looking into the issue, which is making card issuers nervous. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau chief Rich [Keep reading]
What happens to student loan debt when the borrower dies? The answer: It depends, based on the type of loan. Federal student loan debt can be discharged through a relatively simple process; private loan debt, however, can shift to parents or other co-signers. As the families of many deceased borrowers [Keep reading]
How much do people hate going to auto repair shops? A new survey says 41% of Americans would rather do their taxes — by hand! — than head to a garage for car repairs. And why not? About 60% say they think they’ve been ripped off by an auto repair [Keep reading]
If you like rising prices, less competition, crowded planes, and decreased service, you’ll love the deal announced this week that gives US Airways and American Airlines the right to merge. Sure, the airlines made a small, novel concession that will give a boost to low-cost airlines flying in and [Keep reading]
Kevin Trudeau made millions telling U.S. consumers he was an outsider sharing secrets the government or corporations “don’t want you to know.” The famous late-night pitchman appears to have been silenced now. He was found guilty of contempt of court on Tuesday after a week-long trial in a Chicago courtroom [Keep reading]
It’s getting harder to tell what’s an advertisement and what’s “real” content online. For example: Google has been testing a new background color for its sponsored search results for a while. I just noticed it this week, when Googling with a laptop on battery power caused my display to be [Keep reading]
Gotcha capitalism means companies lurk until you make a tiny mistake, then punish the heck out of you — such as a $39 overdraft fee for a $5 mistake. That’s sinister enough. But you know what’s worse? Gotcha governing. It’s epidemic in America. Local and state governments are hurting for [Keep reading]
Bob Sullivan