Monthly Archives: April 2012
At Rent-to-Own Stores, Low Monthly Payments Obscure High Costs
In 2001, Isaac Cole was in the market for a big-screen television, but after shopping around, he realized his options were limited. “I didn’t have enough money to buy what I wanted, and I wanted a big-screen TV,” Cole, a 44-year-old resident of San Antonio, Texas, said. At the time, Cole had no bank account [...] Continue reading
Mosquito Season: Brace Yourself for the Onslaught of Blood-Suckers
If you’re not already hearing the high-pitched buzz and feeling the itch from the vampire of the insect world, just wait a few more weeks. Americans should brace themselves for an itchy spring and summer, because experts are predicting a heavy mosquito season due to the combination of drought in some parts and warmer winters [...] Continue reading
Harvard Poll: Young Potential Voters See Nation Going in Wrong Direction
As the presidential election nears, the voice of potential voters is becoming louder and clearer — at least according to polls. Before the Democrat and Republican presidential candidates take to their respective platforms, the Harvard University Institute of Politics gave young, potential voters their own platform to voice their concerns about American politics and issues. [...] Continue reading
Consumer 101: Is Pet Insurance Worth the Investment?
Like health insurance for humans, pet insurance exists to ease some of the financial burden that pet owners incur when their pets are sick or injured. Pet insurance has stipulations that are similar to human health insurance — pre-existing conditions are not covered, and pet owners must meet deductibles and co-pays. The market for pet [...] Continue reading
I’ll Be Back! Netflix CEO Claims Quarterly Loss Temporary
Netflix reported a quarterly net loss of nearly $6 million in revenue today in comparison to its previous quarter. The company’s first quarter report of 2012 showed the decline in revenue and a decrease of 1 million DVD subscriptions. Possibly the most important number the quarter showed was the 3 million new global streaming subscribers. [...] Continue reading
Nielsen: Hispanics Dominate in Mobile and Online Media Usage
More than 52 million Latino consumers will have an estimated buying power of $1.5 trillion by 2015, so naturally, Latino consumer behavior is of significant interest to marketing professionals. Nielsen, the research group known for their television ratings, recently released the State of the Hispanic Consumer: The Hispanic Market Imperative Report . Examining smartphone, television, [...] Continue reading
Unholy Cow! USDA Discovers Mad Cow Disease in California
The USDA reported today it discovered a California dairy cow infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BES), commonly known as mad cow disease. The milk from the cow was tested and shown not to be infected. The infected cow was discovered when it died on a farm during a pre-rendering inspection, according to a report by [...] Continue reading
Use It or Lose It: Study Shows Weight Training for Seniors Strengthens Body and Mind
Remember Jack LaLanne, the fitness expert and juice machine guru who died last year at 97? That guy knew the secret to the fountain of youth. LaLanne was faithful to his fitness regime and was sharp as a tack until the day before he passed away. We all know the key to long life is [...] Continue reading
Handmade in the USA: Small Businesses Offer an Alternative to Mass Produced Amps and Effects
In the past decade, there has been an increase in small companies that build and sell “boutique” music gear, that is, high quality, handmade amplifiers and effects designed for musicians and listeners with discerning ears. In an article for the Massachusetts-based Cue Acoustics blog, writer and musician Will Ragano compared these companies, which may consist [...] Continue reading
Erectile Dysfunction Drug Recalled Due to Drug Interaction
You know those fast-talking, nearly unintelligible disclaimers at the end of pharmaceutical ads? Turns out you should probably pay attention to those disclaimers, especially when they warn against possible drug interactions. But what happens if you are taking supplements or over-the-counter drugs that don’t require listing lengthy disclaimers? Men using the over-the-counter erectile dysfunction supplement [...] Continue reading