Articles on Consumer Affairs

New Credit Card Legislation Buzz: An Interview with Wall Street Journal’s Mary Pilon

The AP just announced that new credit card rules have passed legislation and are headed to President Obama for final approval. Much speculation can be made on how this new set of

How will the new credit card rules affect consumers?

Today a new bill was passed by the U.S. Senate with the intent of restricting abusive practices in the credit card industry. A House bill was passed on May 12th and will be reconc

Five quick and simple scams that could happen to you today

A US version of the UK show The Real Hustle has been trying out some very simple but effective cons on the American public, and they’re getting away with some serious money. Watch,

Postal Dis-Service?

The cost of sending packages and letters by Priority and Express Mail will set you back more than regular mail, but are you really getting the service you’re paying for?

Conspicuous Spending: Fading to Black

In the black community and many other communities there is a sense that material possession and flair denotes character, accomplishment and power. It's a poor dad mentality and a

How to Get Free Shipping and Online Discounts Across the Web

Many online retailers across the web offer free shipping and online discounts, but you have to know where to go to get these offers. Here's a place you can go.

Should you skip a mortgage payment to get a bank's attention?

The Obama administration announced a foreclosure prevention and mortgage reduction program about two months ago, and as of April less than 1000 loans have been refinanced under th

Do You Live In One Of America’s Most Foreclosure-Ridden Towns?

I’ve seen several houses in my area go into foreclosure over the last 12 months. The economy and over-inflated housing prices, coupled with predatory lenders and some very bad deci

Debit Or Credit? Which One Should You Choose At The Checkout?

Debit or credit? Although the outcome seems the same, it’s a different process with different consequences.

Stay Healthy, Live Longer, Spend Wisely: Making Intelligent Choices in America's Healthcare System

How can you be sure that your next doctor's office visit goes really well? Author and leading medical expert Dr. Davis Liu joins Wise Bread on Blog Talk Radio tonight to give advi

How To Get A Customer Service Phone Number, Fast!

What do you do when you can't find a company's customer service info? You can do an online search for the phone number, or you can keep two handy sites bookmarked.

Beware, The Nasty Secret Of The Craigslist Free Section

If you love Craigslist, and use the free section to either post products or get great deals, you really need to read this. Because there’s a dirty secret to Craigslist that most pe

Financial Literacy Month Project: Setting Your Financial Goals

The latest report on U.S. savings didn’t look very encouraging. As the average savings rate dwindles (to almost zero in some demographics), it may see a bit overreaching to give ad

Protecting Yourself from Medical Billing Mistakes

By some estimates, up to 80% of medical bills out there have mistakes on them, so it’s in your best interest to know what you’re being charged for.

iStopOver: Earn Extra Income or Travel on the Cheap, and a Special Promotion for Wise Bread Readers

Many people have put their vacation on hold with the current economic downturn, or are searching for alternative ways to travel on the cheap. Other people yet are looking to earn s

Medical Tourism 101: Listen Live for Big Savings

Have you ever wondered what the phrase “medical tourism” really meant? Are you looking for ways to cut back on healthcare costs (both at home and abroad)? We chat candidly with A

Swoopo - great auction deals or great scam?

Today I stumbled upon a site called Swoopo. It is touted as a new auction site that combines shopping with entertainment. I took a quick look and it seemed like many items were s

How to Survive (And Perhaps Thrive) On a Teacher's Salary

In today’s economic climate, many people would be grateful to have any kind of salary, but it’s a fact that many teachers and other service professionals have always been strugglin

Obama Eases Treasury Costs with At-Home Money Printing Stimulus

Everyone is feeling the economic crunch these days, and that includes the Treasury department. It’s no news to anyone here that there has been increasing unhappiness with President

Will these car buying incentives get you to buy a new car?

This week President Obama rolled out an initiative for the failing American automakers to restructure. The plan proposes several consumer incentives to jumpstart auto sales. Her