I’ve been busy the last few days, and so haven’t had the opportunity to do my normal lunchtime news chum. That doesn’t mean I haven’t been collecting stuff, so here’s something to chew on…
- Credit Card Protection. Credit cards have been on my mind of late, primarily because we’ve gotten two fraud catches on two different cards, with no seeming connection. I mention this because of a timely Bargain Babe post on how to opt-out of those unsolicited credit card offers. Given we get at least 4-5 of those per week, this is certainly something I’ll take advantage of. As a reminder, you should also be requesting a free credit report from each of the three agencies annually (I suggest staggering the requests to do one agency every four months).
- Signs of the Times. The economy is bad. We know that. A number of articles I’ve seen relate to ways companies are trying to deal with this:
- Spirit Airlines has added new luggage fees: travelers who pay for checked or carry-on bags within 24 hours of departure online will be charged an extra $5 (an extra $10 for travelers who pay over the phone). These are the same folks that charge for carry-ons: Paying for carry-on bags at the airport now will cost $40 at the airport check-in counter or kiosk and $45 at the gate.
- Food companies are not increasing the price of their food, but silently shrinking how much is in the package. That bag of sugar that used to be 5lbs? It’s now 4lbs. Those vegetable cans are a few ounces lighter. They thought you wouldn’t notice.
- Theaters are particularly feeling the pinch, with attendance being way down. Of course, they make their money from overpriced concessions… so naturally, they don’t want you to really know how bad it is for you.
- Dealing Drugs. An enterprising cancer survivor has come up with a solution to her high prescription drug costs: She makes jewelry from her leftover medicine. She coats it so that it isn’t usable. Her best seller are the pieces made from viagra.
