Consumer

Setting Unrealistic Expectations to Commemorate Earth Day

Joan Michelson | Posted 04.23.2012

Joan Michelson

This progress is too slow and not audacious enough. We need Big Hairy Audacious Goals (BHAG). What has to happen to flip the current energy paradigm, where oil is 3.6 percent of our energy consumption?

Robocaller Made 27 Calls A Second!

The Huffington Post | Catherine New | Posted 03.28.2012

The phone calls came from "Stacey with account holder services." She prompted consumers to "press 1" to get more information. Waiting on the other end...

Healthy Pull-Back?

Michael Farr | Posted 05.07.2012

Michael Farr

The media were all abuzz following yesterday's much-anticipated sell-off in stocks. Prior to yesterday's 1.5 percent drop, the S&P 500 had gone 44 st...

Card Hub's 6 Credit Predictions for 2012 Offer Glimpse of Future for Consumers' Wallets

Odysseas Papadimitriou | Posted 02.25.2012

Odysseas Papadimitriou

The credit industry affects all facets of personal finance and being ahead of the curve when it comes to credit issues could certainly help you save money and thereby lower stress. At the very least, you might learn something new!

Prospects for Progressive Politics: A July 4th Interview With Activist Jeff Blum

Peter Dreier | Posted 09.04.2011

Peter Dreier

This year, Americans celebrated their independence at a time when almost 10 percent of the workforce is officially unemployed, millions more are underemployed, and millions of families are losing their homes. Under these circumstances, why isn't the left gaining momentum?

The Greek Tragedy: Could a 'Haircut' Help?

Gemma Godfrey | Posted 08.13.2011

Gemma Godfrey

Debate has been raging as to whether the Greek economy can avoid bankruptcy. Just how big is the problem, what are the options and how is this impacting financial markets?

How Consumers Would Benefit From the AT&T/T-Mobile USA Merger

Rick Carnes | Posted 07.04.2011

Rick Carnes

The interests of music suppliers and wireless consumers coincide -- content protection is in everyone's interest. This makes the AT&T acquisition of T-Mobile something to be glad about.

Soaring Prices No Match for Empowered Consumers

Kit Yarrow, Ph.D. | Posted 06.19.2011

Kit Yarrow, Ph.D.

Consumers shop differently now than they did before the recession. What might have started as a desperate hunt to get more for less turned into greater mastery of the marketplace.

How (or if) You Wear Underwear May Provide Insights to Wine Preferences

Tim Hanni | Posted 06.11.2011

Tim Hanni

Individual sensory sensitivity manifested in strange ways. My research colleague, Dr. Virginia Utermohlen MD, and I are proposing that the range and...

The 'Surprises' of the Japanese Crisis and the Investment Lessons to Learn

Gemma Godfrey | Posted 10.26.2011

Gemma Godfrey

Surprise consequences to the earthquake in Japan have revealed significant weaknesses in both the worlds of politics and business and from an investment point of view, there are lessons we can learn.

In The Public Interest: A Sneak Preview for Supporters of U.S.PIRG of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's New Publicly Available Consumer Product Safety Information Database

Elizabeth Hitchcock | Posted 05.25.2011

Elizabeth Hitchcock

For the last two years, the CPSC has chosen to prioritize making the agency more open to the public and to families. In just a few weeks, the CPSC will launch its biggest open-government project.

How To Defend Yourself Against The Media’s Fear Tactics

Judith Acosta | Posted 11.17.2011

Judith Acosta

Has it really become that hard? Is there no place quiet in the world? Have the media and the golden arches made their presences felt everywhere?

Prediction: 2011 to Become the "Year of the Wine Consumer"

Tim Hanni | Posted 11.17.2011

Tim Hanni

I love the adage, "If I ask you what time it is don't tell me how the watch works." And I confess that I am as guilty as any wine expert for launching...

iPad Killer: Truly, Really, I mean It

Jim Louderback | Posted 05.25.2011

Jim Louderback

CES 2011: I'm the first to admit that I fall victim to shiny objects at trade shows, and I regularly call every new tablet an iPad Killer. But now, really, I've found it.

Six tips for happy returns

Kit Yarrow, Ph.D. | Posted 11.17.2011

Kit Yarrow, Ph.D.

One out of three American shoppers will head to the mall this week to return a holiday gift. That amounts to nearly 50 billion dollars worth of reject...

Happy Buy Nothing Day!

Waylon Lewis | Posted 05.25.2011

Waylon Lewis

13 Posters: Buy Nothing Day. 13 Things to Do instead of "Black Friday." Here are three things I suggest you do on Buy Nothing Day/Black Friday. It'...

A Challenge to the Wine Industry

Tim Hanni | Posted 05.25.2011

Tim Hanni

There are many positive factors that have parlayed wine into the adult beverage most associated with good taste, sophistication and style. Wine qualit...

Simple Mortgage Mess Fix Ideal for New Political Realities

W. David Stephenson | Posted 05.25.2011

W. David Stephenson

Two years ago I wrote in this space that a simple technological tool, automated, "structured" data feeds, could allow for "smart" regulation of banks...

Sales Skills or Ben Bernanke?

Grant Cardone | Posted 05.25.2011

Grant Cardone

Do you want to continue to trust your economic future to Ben Bernanke and the Fed, or on the abilities of you and your people to sell your products an...

The Watchman's Rattle: Thinking Our Way Out of Extinction

Geri Spieler | Posted 05.25.2011

Geri Spieler

If there were a "Watchman" to protect us from danger he would be shaking his rattle vigorously right now. We are in danger of becoming extinct as the...

Friday Talking Points [139] -- Three Years Of FTP

Chris Weigant | Posted 05.25.2011

Chris Weigant

Last week was a busy one, and also a pretty good one for Democrats, all around. But we'll get to all of that in a moment. First, though, we simply mu...

eBay: The World's Marketplace [Infographic]

Brian Clark Howard | Posted 05.25.2011

Brian Clark Howard

Due to editorial consideration, the infographic and accompanying text have been removed from this post....

Citizens, Resist the Squeeze Play on Your Minds

Rev. Chuck Freeman | Posted 05.25.2011

Rev. Chuck Freeman

Sharpen your eyes and ears to the noun the corporate media uses to reference you. Every time you are referred to as a consumer (which is virtually every time), say resolutely to yourself, "Citizen."

Cancer Panel Warning: Babies Born Pre-Polluted

Wendy Gordon | Posted 05.25.2011

Wendy Gordon

According to a new report by the President's Cancer Panel, researchers have found 300 contaminants -- industrial chemicals, pesticides and pollutants -- in the umbilical cord blood of babies.

Could You or a Loved One End Up Like Elizabeth Smart?

Janet Kinosian | Posted 11.17.2011

Janet Kinosian

Do you know who enters your home to install a stove-top, carpet, re-model a kitchen, retro-fit your windows? Think about it for a moment. To whom are ...