Wise Bread (Paul Michael)

10 Smart Things to Do With $25

Paul Michael — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:36:26 +0000

So, you’ve got $25 burning a hole in your pocket. Or, you just found it in an old pair of jeans. Maybe it represents the contents of your piggy bank, or a check you got from an aunt in another state for your birthday. However you came by this $25, you’re trying to figure out how to spend it without blowing it.

Here then are 10 ideas, some fun, some serious, that will help you make the most of your 25 buckaroos. (See also: 15 Fun Things to Buy for Under $5)

1. Go on a Goodwill Shopping Spree

The bargains I find at Goodwill never cease to amaze me. I recently purchased a mint-condition, sealed Sopranos jigsaw puzzle for $2. I sold it for $10 just a few days later. OK, not a lot in the grand scheme of things, but if you could do that with $25 worth of Goodwill stuff, you turn it unto $125. Rummage through the collectibles and glassware, and check out all the pictures, CDs, and garments. Every Goodwill store holds gems, you just have to know where to look. And remember, the money you spend in there goes to a very good cause. It’s win-win.

2. Adopt an Animal That Needs a Good Home

We recently adopted two kittens from our local animal shelter. We were shocked at how cheap it was to do this. They had so many cats, dogs, and other animals to care for that they were almost giving them away. It was sad to see a sign like “buy a kitten, get a grown up cat free,” but I guess tough times call for new ideas. The price for the adoption of the two kittens, plus inoculations and spaying/neutering, came in at less than $25. We gave the shelter double that because we know how much they rely on donations. But, if you want to do some good with your $25 and make a friend, spending it on a new pet could be just for you. As always, don’t do it on a whim, and don’t buy a pet as a gift for someone else (unless they come with you). Animals need loving homes. If you can provide one, get down to your local shelter.

3. Buy Previously Viewed Movies and Games

DVD rental stores have hit on hard times. It doesn’t bother me too much, because I remember being charged ridiculous prices for new releases and having to pay horrendous late fees. The rental stores had to adapt, and they also had to find a way to make extra money. By selling off previously viewed DVDs and pre-played games, they’re recouping some of their losses; and you get yourself some sweet bargains. I picked up movies including A Serious Man and A Nightmare on Elm Street for just 99 cents. I also recently bought Blu Ray copies of Inception, Horrible Bosses, Machete, and Predators for around $7 a piece. That’s way below the price of a new copy, and they play just as well. Some discs look untouched. These stores have dozens of copies of the popular movies, so many of the discs are played just a few times. And they all come with at least a seven-day guarantee. Bring it back if it’s scratched or doesn’t play, they’ll replace it for you. Now that’s smart.

4. Start a College Savings Plan

With $25? Well, it’s $25 dollars more than if you don’t have a plan right now. And if you have young children, the price of college by the time they reach 18 will demand every penny you can amass. By investing $25 a month for 18 years with a 7% rate of return, you’ll have over $11,000 in that account. True, it’s probably not going to cover a lot by then, but it’s better than nothing at all.

5. Hit the Sales at the Grocery Stores

If you want to grab yourself some real bargains, go and buy the food that is “going off” in the stores. It’s often heavily discounted because it has reached its sell-by date. But that’s an arbitrary date set to protect stores from lawsuits and ensure you get the freshest food. So much of that food is still very good, and you can get it really cheap just before it hits the dumpster. Your $25 could easily get you $75-$100 worth of food. Pop whatever you can in your freezer, and bring it out when you need it.

6. Loan It to a Farmer or Entrepreneur in a Third-World Country

One of the best non-profit ideas I’ve seen in a while is Kiva.org. It’s based on the principles of “microfinancing,” which basically means you can donate a sum as small as $25 to the fund. The borrower will make a request for funds, and if successful, he or she will get a loan funded by the more than 500,000 lenders around the world. The borrower then makes repayments, so if you put your money in, you will get it back at a later date. But in the process, you have helped someone realize a dream who normally wouldn’t have a chance to.

7. Hop the Farmers Markets

An article I wrote in the past warned of things to avoid at farmers markets, and that resulted in a lot of angry letters and comments wondering why I was against them. That, I am happy to tell you, is not true at all. I love farmer’s markets; I simply wanted to point out a few pitfalls. But when it comes to fresh fruit and vegetables, these markets can’t be beat. So take your $25 to a local farmers market, get some good quality food for less than supermarket prices, and support a local farmer.

8. Buy Some Original Art

You may think $25 will not buy you much of a work of art, but you’d be mistaken. Yes, granted, if you’re looking for a 6 ft. canvas by a well-known painter, you’ll be out of luck. But if you are willing to look around local art shows, search on Craigslist, or even peruse the walls of local eateries and record shops, you will find amazing prices on original works. These are from artists who want to be discovered and also want to cover the costs of materials. Who knows, in the future that piece you buy for $25 could be worth six figures.

9. Get a Free Massage or Haircut, and Tip $25

Students who are enrolled in massage or haircutting courses will often give away their services for free (or very cheap) to practice. You’ll find ads for free massages or haircuts on Craigslist and in newspaper classified ads. But while they are free, or very cheap, these people do deserve a tip. So, for the complete price of $25, you help a student with their studies and get a service for at least half of what you’d regularly pay.

10. Take a Music Lesson

So many of us have guitars, old pianos, or other instruments just lying around. Maybe we bought them decades ago and gave up on them, or they were gifts. They could be hand-me-downs. Either way, why not see if it’s really something you want to do. Playing an instrument is a great way to release stress, and it’s a wonderful hobby. For $25, you can usually get a 30-minute to 1-hour lesson for a variety of instruments. Some charge as little as $10 for a 30-minute lesson.

Written by Paul Michael and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

What Is SOPA, and How Will It Affect You?

Paul Michael — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:10:16 +0000

You may have heard a lot of talk lately about SOPA (which stands for the Stop Online Piracy Act). It started out as whispers between people on the Internet, now it’s getting major pushback from sites as large as AOL, Yahoo!, eBay, LinkedIn, Craigslist, and Reddit. And today, January 18th, many sites are planning to “strike” to show their disapproval of the bill, including Wikipedia, Imgur, and even the mighty Google. But what is SOPA? And if it passes in its current form, how will it change life as you know it? Here’s a quick SOPA 101.

[Please note, at the time of writing this article, some elements of the SOPA bill are supposedly being shelved. Many say this is simply a tactic to draw heat away from the subject, but nothing is concrete yet. And while SOPA may be going away, it may come back again under a different name. You can read more here.]

What Is SOPA? Here’s a Very Simple Rundown

The Stop Online Piracy Act (bill H.R. 3261) was introduced by Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX) to the House of Representative on October 26th 2011. The premise of the bill is that it will stop copyright infringement (pirated music, videos, games, and so on) with the use of massive penalties and criminal proceedings. These include prison terms (up to five years), website shutdowns, barring search engines from linking to sites, and cutting off payment methods like PayPal.

On the surface, it seems like a good idea. I don’t like piracy — I buy my movies on Blu-Ray, I pay for music, and I download games legally through sites like Steam. But if this were just about piracy, there wouldn’t be such a huge uproar about it. The sad fact is, if this legislation is passed in its current state, it would be like stopping every ship from sailing in the oceans because 0.00001% of them are carrying illegal cargo. (See also: New, Legal Ways to Listen to Music for Free or Cheap)

Is This the Same as PIPA?

No, although they are very much related and the consequences are similar. PIPA stands for the Protect IP Act, and was introduced way back in May of 2011. PIPA itself is a rehash of an older, failed legislation from 2010 called COICA (Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act).

Like SOPA, PIPA gives U.S. corporations and the U.S. government enormous power over the Internet. With PIPA in place, they would have the power to force your Internet service providers (ISP) to block access to any websites “they believe” are infringing copyright. And as this is all a very grey area, the ISPs will always err on the side of extreme caution. Which equates to “Oh, you don’t like that? No worries, it’s gone.”

But that’s just the beginning. They could also forcibly remove advertising from those sites (their primary source of income), sue websites that link to them, and sue websites that have not done a good job of enforcing the strict new regulations.

In a nutshell, so many websites are going to be so afraid of being sued, they will simply block content from almost every source. In conjunction with SOPA, it’s a double-whammy that aims to give corporations and the government complete control of the Internet. Talk about Big Brother is watching you.

The Deeper Ramifications of SOPA

Unlike PIPA, which is more targeted, the building blocks of SOPA are very broad. It will make it possible to clamp down on an enormous chunk of the Internet, destroying the free exchange of information that has made the Internet what it is today. Many organizations, like The Guardian, are calling it “The Great American Firewall.”

Sites like Google, Yahoo!, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Reddit could cease to exist as you know them today. Right now, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) provides a safe harbor for these sites. They remove content if it is found to be infringing upon copyright. It’s the honor system, and they honor it. But if SOPA passes, there will be no good faith system. Websites will be monitored and could be shut down instantly when an infringement occurs. No business could operate like that.

And due to the far-reaching legal liabilities they are being opened up to, many popular sites could cease to exist, period. It just wouldn’t be possible to monitor the kind of content they have coming in from millions of people, daily.

Any type of content that is believed to be an infringement of copyright could result in court orders, fines, and jail time. At the very least, videos and images that you now have access to, even something as harmless as a link to a funny clip from the Golden Globes or a music video you like, could be immediately pulled due to copyright infringement.

So, What’s the Worst That Can Happen?

Opponents to the bill, and there are many, say that this is going to destroy freedom of speech on the Internet and also sabotage the information superhighway that makes the Internet possible. That all sounds like pie-in-the-sky language without examples, so let’s bring it down to Earth.

Here are some possible outcomes of SOPA and PIPA, based on the language of the current bill:

Posting clips of TV shows, movies, or music videos would be a criminal offense! So would sharing them. That would destroy sites like YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, and many more. They would simply become a framework for “officially licensed” videos, and corporations cannot possibly provide the same amount of usable content that people all over the world can.
Streaming copyrighted content could put you behind bars for five years. So, if you stream ANYTHING on your own website that could be considered a copyright infringement, you’re in big trouble. And remember, this is all open to interpretation. The song "Happy Birthday to You" is owned by Warner Music Group (they earn $2 million per year in royalties). Streaming a video of you singing to your one-year-old will be punishable by law. That’s not a joke.
Karaoke videos and clips would also be illegal, as they are technically cover versions of songs that have a copyright.
Many thousands of jobs will be lost. With sites shutting down to avoid petty litigation and lawsuits, jobs will vanish in record time. The affect this could have on the economy, which is already in a rotten state, could be devastating.

What Can You Do to Stop SOPA and PIPA?

Vote with your dollars, and pressure your elected officials. There’s a massive list of companies here that support the bill. Stop buying their products and services. And then let people in government know how bad this will be. This is an election year, no one wants to get on the wrong side of voters.

Hopefully, this will really go away and we can find another way to stop the real problem — genuine pirates who cost the movie, music, and television industries millions of dollars. But as sure as night follows day, they will adapt to any new legislation quickly and everything will be business as usual for them. It’s us, the regular Joes, who will suffer.

10 Things You Do to Save Money That End Up Costing You More

Paul Michael — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 11:36:16 +0000

Have you heard of the expression “Penny Wise, Pound Foolish?” It’s something I heard a lot growing up from my parents, and it can have multiple meanings:

You are very careful with small amounts of money, but throw caution to the wind with large amounts. This is akin to someone who eats from the dollar menu every day but then blows a hundred dollars every month on a gym membership that’s never used.
You do things to save money now, only to have those savings cost you more further down the road.

The second definition is what I’m focusing on today, because it’s a lot easier to fall into the trap of saving money only to have it bite you later on. Here then are 10 ways that you may be doing to save money that could actually cost you a lot more in the weeks, months, or years to come. (See also: The Case for Expensive Shoes)

1. Avoiding Regular Check-Ups With the Doctor, Dentist or Optician

It’s something I did in college when money was tight. “Ahh, who needs to pay money to a dentist to have him tell me I should floss more?” Well, after leaving the dentist alone for a few years, I paid the price. Avoiding the regular cleanings and check-ups left me facing a hefty bill later on when I needed a bunch of costly fillings. I was lucky that I didn’t need root canals or replacement teeth. Now I have a dental plan that covers free check-ups twice a year, but even if you don’t, get to the dentist and doctor for health checks. It’s a lot better to pay a co-pay now than pay for major surgery later on. And worse still, it could even cost you your life, especially as so many conditions can be treated if they’re caught early enough.

2. Taking Store Credit Card Offers for Discounts, but Paying the Minimum

You are probably asked this all the time — “Would you like to sign up for our credit card today and save 30% instantly on your purchase?” It’s a good deal, IF you actually pay off the credit card in full when you get the first statement. Sadly, when that first statement arrives, many people find it way to easy to avoid the pay-off amount and instead pay the much smaller minimum payment. Before long, you’re paying the minimum every month, adding more to the store card, and you’re suddenly a credit card revolver who is paying hefty interest charges. That initial 30% you saved can cost you so much more if you’re not careful. Pay it late, just once, and you can add late fees and interest rate hikes to your burden.

3. Doing Your Own Taxes

Many people use software like TurboTax and TaxCut, and they do save a bunch on an accountant. These software programs are OK for very basic tax preparation. But if you have anything slightly more complex, it’s well worth your time to hire a tax professional to file your return. These people are trained in the minutia of the lengthy tax codes, and they can find deductions are tax exemptions that you have no idea about. And while the software may be able to take these into consideration, you need to know what you can actually legally deduct before entering it. I have a tax accountant, she charges around $250 to prepare my taxes, and she has saved my thousands over the years. She asks questions that the software doesn’t, and she knows how to get me the biggest possible refund. I would never trust tax software over her for my situation, despite the massive initial saving. And remember, tax preparation fees are also tax deductible the following year!

4. Building an Emergency Fund, but Not Contributing to a Retirement Plan

It’s essential these days to have an emergency fund. The finance experts say you need six months to one year of expenses (although how anyone does that in this dire economy, with pay raises not meeting inflation and massive unemployment, is something of a miracle). But experts also agree that you need to look after your financial future, as you cannot rely on any kind of state pension. If you’re squirreling away money now into an emergency fund or savings account, but you’re not putting money into a 401(k), IRA, or other long-term savings plan, you’re not prepared for something you know is coming — old age. And with compound interest being what it is, every day you put it off is thousands of dollars wasted. If your employer has a 401(k) match, that’s also additional money you are throwing away. Be smart, think long term. Once you have that in place, by all means build your emergency fund.

5. Buying the Cheapest Products to Save Money

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again — buy cheap, buy twice. Now, being a Wise Bread blogger does not mean I don’t like quality items; I just don’t like to pay retail for them. Almost everything I buy is well below the RRP or MSRP, but it’s usually a well-made product with a good rating. That goes for clothes, shoes, electronics, tools — you name it. However, if you buy a screwdriver set for $1 at a dollar store, or get your shoes for a few bucks at a flea market stall, the chances are you’ll be buying them again real soon. Cheaply made, poor-quality items may save you a few bucks in the short term, but you’ll only have to pay more later to replace them. And if you replace them with more cheap junk, you’ll be repeating the cycle. You get what you pay for. The only time I would say that this is not true is buying generic brands in the grocery stores. In that case, you’re usually buying the same product that’s in the name-brand tin or packet but for half the price.

6. Putting No Money in the Parking Meter Because “I’ll Be Back Quick!”

You may be a world-class speedy shopper or errand runner, but you just aren’t that lucky. Sooner or later, and probably sooner, if you try and dodge the parking meters, you will get a ticket. These days, a parking ticket can run you anywhere from $10 to $50, depending on which city you live in. Is it worth gambling that 25 cents for a ticket?

7. Getting Suckered Into BOGO Deals and Other Sales

BOGO, when it’s genuine, is hard to resist. But even then, whether it’s BOGO free or BOGO half price, you have to stop and ask yourself “would I really have bought this much of this item at this price anyway?” For instance, if you go to a store looking for jam, and you see BOGO free on jam, that’s probably a great time to stock up. But if you’re looking for a new pair of sneakers and see BOGO half off, stop and think. You went out looking to spend $60 on sneakers. Now you’re spending about $100 after taxes. Did you even want two pairs? Will you wear them both? Do you even like the second pair you’re buying? Sure, it can be a great deal, but if you really only want, and need, one pair, you should only buy one pair.

Also, be careful when exploring the sales. It’s easy to see those 75% off stickers and go crazy, thinking you’re saving money. If you are planning to resell the item for a profit, go for it. But don’t think that you’ll get anything near full price for it somewhere else; there’s a reason it’s on sale. And if you are just tempted to buy it because it’s cheap, ask yourself "would I have bought this if it were more expensive?" I see so many people buying bargains that just gather dust in the basement. And they would happily sell them for the price they paid just to have that money back.

8. Driving Miles and Miles for Cheaper Gas or Other Bargains

At the time of writing this article, the average cost of a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.28. And the average vehicle MPG is around 23. That gives you around 7 miles for every dollar you spend on gas. Do the math. For example, if you want to put 10 gallons of gas in your car, and drive four miles out of your way to buy gas that is five cents cheaper per gallon, you have spent 57 cents to save 50 cents. And you’ve wasted your time, put more wear on your tires, and used up oil life as well. True, it’s not a lot, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s just not worth it. I’ve also talked to people who traveled 30-40 miles, one way, to buy something used from Craigslist. So right there, you’re adding up to $10 to the cost of the item you’re buying.

9. Avoiding Routine Car Maintenance

Most of us use a car to get to work. It's something that we need to make money. It’s also something that needs regular maintenance, just like your own body. But many of us like to save that money and do only the basics. We’ll take it in for an oil change, run it through the car wash, and that’s about it. Of course, then the time comes to get your next oil change, and the mechanic has to inform you that your tires are worn on one side because you didn’t rotate them. Or you discover that little knocking sound you ignored needs a major repair. When it comes to cars, the old adage “a stitch in time saves nine” couldn’t be more true. Take care of your car, and it will take care of you.

10. Buying Food in Bulk and Then Throwing Half of It Away

I’m guilty of this one from time-to-time because bargains are so hard to pass up. When you see a whole bunch of bananas on sale for less than half the price, you grab them. But then you watch them turn black because you bought too many. I have lost count of the food items I have bought over my lifetime that I never got a chance to use. Ironically, when I was a poor student, it didn’t happen. I would shop from day to day, buying fresh produce and cooking it that night. It would last two or three meals and then I’d start again. The fridge was bare. These days, I have so much stuff in the fridge I don’t know what’s in there, and I think that’s a big problem. We load up on cheap bulk items and then have no way of using it all. So, while buying in bulk is good for lots of things, be careful when buying perishables. It’s not a bargain if you throw it away.

Well, that’s my top ten list, based on a lot of my own personal experiences. Do you have any stories of being penny wise, pound foolish? Chime in.

Written by Paul Michael and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

The Gift Card Scam of 2011: Don’t Be a Victim

Paul Michael — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:36:10 +0000

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…for scam artists. When the shopping craze hits us after Thanksgiving, the thieves come out in droves and this year, they are targeting one of the biggest gift items we both give and receive — gift cards. (See also: Why I Love Gift Cards)

It’s a multi-million dollar industry, so it’s no surprise that scammers and con artists have put gift cards on their own wish list this year. And because of them, you could be in for a nasty surprise when you go to spend a gift card you received. In fact, your gift card could already be worthless.

That’s right, a gift card you have received or bought someone else could already have a zero balance. It’s a problem even U.S. Senator Charles Schumer is trying to warn people about.

Here’s how the thieves are picking your pocket without you even realizing it.

How the Gift Card Scam Works

Every gift card you buy has a magnetic strip on the back, similar to the one on your debit or credit card. This strip is basically there to record the running balance, the card number, and the PIN number if it has one.

The gift card thief has found a way to retrieve the information contained in that magnetic strip using a simple reader that can be bought very cheaply on the internet. The thief will then go to one of those racks filled with cards and read the information from them. Usually, they will target the cards with larger dollar amounts printed on them (even though they are not yet activated) as well as blank cards and lower denominations.

You may think that the packaging on the gift card can prevent that, but it’s no barrier. Most of the time the card can be lifted from the packaging, read, and replaced. Sometimes, the strip is visible in spite of the packaging. And many cards aren’t even placed into a wallet or gift card holder until after they’ve been activated.

Once the thief has the numbers, he/she waits patiently and checks the balances online. And it’s not long before those cards are activated in store by someone like you or me. Then the thief can use the gift card numbers to spend that money quickly, either online or in store, and run the balance down to zero. You, or most likely your gift recipient, won’t even realize it until weeks or months later. When the theft is noticed, it could not only be very embarrassing and frustrating, but also too late to do anything about it. The best chance you have to get your money back is as soon as the theft has occurred.

What Can You Do to Protect Yourself?

There are several steps you can take to make yourself less vulnerable to gift card scammers. Unfortunately, nothing is 100% fool proof (other than refusing to buy or receive, gift cards), but these tips should help you avoid their traps.

1. Carefully Examine Any Gift Card You Are About to Buy or Receive

When buying a card, be alert. Look for any obvious signs of tampering with the card holder, the scratch-off panel, the magnetic strip or any other wear and tear. Gift cards and the holders should be in pristine condition. If you see a PIN, put it back. The PIN should always be covered. When you receive a card, do the same thing, but be tactful; you don’t want to upset the person who just gave you a gift, so do it out of sight. If you see anything suspicious, it may be time to check that card out.

2. Don’t Buy Cards From Public Display Racks in Grocery or Retail Stores

The first place gift card scammers look is those big racks filled with cards. They aren’t protected or policed because they are not activated yet and thus are considered worthless. But those racks are easy picking for thieves, who can scan dozens of cards at one time.

3. Use Gift Cards Immediately

Don’t just pop them in the junk drawer until the day comes that you want something from that store. That just gives thieves plenty of time to use the card and leave you high and dry. Go and spend that money. You should also register your card online if you can. Most retailers have that option, and you can instantly see the balance and track your usage.

4. Discourage Friends and Relatives From Buying You Gift Cards

Yes, they are a great way to give a gift, especially for people who live far away and don’t want to pay for big parcels or risk buying an unwanted gift. If people want to send you money from far away, they can always wire the money. For people who live close, it may be time to put money in an envelope again. It’s not ideal, especially if you want to encourage kids to spend their money at a book store, but at least they’ll have money to spend when the shopping day comes.

5. Never Buy Gift Cards Via eBay, Craigslist, or Other Non-Retailer Websites

Sadly, that’s just too easy for the thieves. Your best bet if you are going to buy gift cards is to get them directly from the retailer’s website. If you want a Barnes & Noble gift card, get it from barnesandnoble.com. If you want a Home Depot gift card, homedepot.com is the place. There may be cheaper deals elsewhere, but they’re just not as reliable.

6. If You Buy the Card in a Store, Get the Cashier to Double-Check the Balance

There is no shame in asking the cashier to give you a print out of exactly what is loaded onto the card at that time. You’ll see the current balance instantly, and it will also protect you from another gift card scam, where thieves swap out worthless, used cards and pocket the ones ready to be loaded with money.

7. Get a Receipt, and Keep It With the Card

When we bought our home, our real estate agent gave us a Home Depot gift card, and he gave us the receipt to go with it, just in case. We were glad to have it. The gift recipient already knows the amount put on the card, so there is no reason not to hand it over with the gift card. It’s just a little extra protection.

What If You’re a Victim?

Sadly, there’s not a lot you can do. Unlike credit and debit card fraud, there are few protections offered by the gift card issuers. If you lose your card, you can simply report it as lost or stolen, and the card will be voided. You will receive the remaining balance on another card. However, by the time you know your card has been compromised, the balance will most likely be $0. And there’s not much you can do to reclaim that stolen money.

If you have the receipt that came with the gift card, you may be able to get compensated for the loss. These days, many retailers can track the usage of a gift card, including where it was bought and where it was used. If you, or the person who bought it, picked the card up in Colorado, but it was used in New York, then that could be proof. Of course, people send gift cards all over the country, so it’s not concrete evidence.

Have you been the victim of a gift card thief? Let us know, and tell us how it happened. Remember, with every passing year thieves get more sophisticated, and that means you have to be more vigilant.

Written by Paul Michael and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

The Psychology of Free, and Its Power Over You

Paul Michael — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 11:24:23 +0000

I was told in college, and in most ad agencies I’ve ever worked in, that two of the most powerful words available to any advertiser are FREE and NEW. Of course, over the years, the word free has been abused and perverted by advertising jargon and now comes in many forms, including:

Free* (The * is a list of conditions that most people never read but wish they had.)
Free Trial (Sometimes it’s genuine; sometimes you get sucked into some nasty monthly payment.)
Risk-Free (This one’s just odd; it implies that there may actually be a risk.)
BOGO (buy one, get one) Free (Genuine enough, although lately it’s become BOGO half-off.)
Free and Clear (Often used in conjunction with buying large products.)

However, despite the various incarnations of free, it remains an incredibly powerful word, and its influence over us as consumers is magnetic. Who doesn’t want free stuff? But how, where, and why "free" is used is all part of an equation that can either draw you in or push you away. (See also: Advertising Jargon That Aims to Mislead)

Genuinely Free Deals Are Irresistible — If There’s a Good Reason

People love free, but they are clearly skeptical of it. They want to feel like they've earned the item, or that there's another good reason for it to be free.

If something really is free and there's a good reason for it, consumers love it. Free samples of food in the aisles of grocery stores always go like wildfire. People know they get a free sample to lure them into buying a full box or package. That’s a fair exchange.

If someone puts a fridge on Craiglist for free (more on that later) because they want it gone ASAP to make space for a new fridge, then that’s fair. There’s a good reason for the giveaway.

If you get free products for spending a certain amount of money, that’s acceptable. Spend $75 and get a free tote or bottle or perfume. Yes, that's a good deal. The thought is, “I spent more than I wanted to, so I get a reward.” That’s why genuine BOGO offers are so big.

The Reverse Psychology of Free

As much as we love the idea of free, we're also suspicious of its value. The following story may be an urban legend, but even if it is, it proves a good point.

A man had just purchased a new refrigerator for his home, and did not want to go to the hassle of selling his old fridge or hauling it away. So he put a sign on it saying “FREE to Good Home” and left it on the curb.

It sat there for days. No one wanted it. So, he put another sign on it saying “Fridge For Sale, $50.”

The same fridge that no one paid attention to was stolen within a day.

This is the reverse problem with free. Either people don’t trust it, or it diminishes the value of something to worthlessness. There’s this attitude of “why is it free; what’s wrong with it?” In the case of the fridge, people clearly thought it was a broken, old, or unusable object, otherwise it would have had a value. By attaching a value to the fridge, that problem was alleviated, and it was stolen.

Overall, Free Ain’t What It Used to Be, but It’s Still Great

Sadly, marketing and advertising firms have stripped a lot of the meaning away from free. It’s a shame, because when companies really do want to give away free products to increase awareness, they have a hurdle to jump over. But there are amazing free deals out there every day, you just have to keep your eyes open and remember to ask the right questions — Why is it free? What’s in it for them? What’s in it for me? Is there a hidden catch? Is it really free at all?

Written by Paul Michael and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

13 Cheap Beers to Keep Your Holiday Season Hoppin’

Paul Michael — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:00:53 +0000

Hands up — who likes beer?

Both my hands would be up, but that would make typing this a tad tricky. I have to say, though, this is one of the tastiest assignments I’ve ever done in my blogging career. And I may have to follow it up with a sequel at some point. (See also: 21 Great Uses for Beer)

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been sampling beers for you, the Wise Bread readers. Yes, it’s a tough job, but someone had to do it. At least, that’s what I told my wife. What follows is a list of the best 13 beers that are cheap and cheerful. There are so many good beers on the market, but I wanted to find drinkable beer that costs you $1 per 12 oz. bottle or less. Some come in at just 67 cents per bottle or can, others slightly tip the $1 scale. But they’re all worth your money, in my honest opinion.

Remember, these are not the kind of beers that make you sit back in your armchair and praise the brewmasters who concocted them. Those beers usually run you a few bucks per bottle wholesale, and even more in a bar. But hopefully, these beers will not want to make you convert to a glass of iced water with your holiday meal.

1. Boddingtons Pub Ale

Average price: $6.49 for 4 cans (16 oz.)

Some may say I’m breaking the price barrier with this one; it’s often considered a pricier selection due to having just four cans in the box. But these are 16 oz. cans, so it’s almost the same amount of beer as you’d get in a six pack (6 x 12 = 72 oz., 4 x 16 = 64 oz.). And trust me, although you get a little less, the flavor is phenomenal. Being a Brit, I spent many a night sipping Boddingtons, and I still love it now. Known as the Cream of Manchester, it’s a smooth pint of ale that goes down easy and leaves you wanting more. Yes, you’re not going to get a bunch of this in, but for those who like ale, it’s a real crowd pleaser.

2. Yuengling Premium Beer

Average price: $5.99 for 6 bottles

I tried several beers for the first time when writing this article. Yuengling was one of them. I was a little hesitant — the reviews weren’t stellar. But I found it to be quite a pleasant brew. It’s a basic pilsner, pours clear and golden, and has the usual flavors of corn and grains, plus a slight buttery aftertaste. Not unlike PBR, it’s very easy to drink, although it doesn’t leave you thirsting for more. Again, something to help you stock up for parties without busting open the piggy bank.

3. Newcastle Brown Winter IPA

Average price: $6.99 for 6 bottles

I’m a HUGE fan of Newcastle Brown Ale (aka "Dog" in Newcastle and surrounding areas, where I grew up). So I was really surprised to see a Winter IPA from the Newcastle brand. I’ve sampled several other varieties in the past, including Summer Ale and Werewolf, and they were so-so, so I was hoping for at least a little better. What I found was a very drinkable pale ale. My palette’s not as developed as professional beer tasters, but I did detect notes of tea, caramel, and some spice in the mix. And it’s got a creamy finish. For the price, it’s well worth the money. You may even find it under $6 in your area.

4. Pabst Blue Ribbon

Average price: $8.99 for 12 cans

Despite what a lot of the beer snobs will say, I like Pabst, and I think it’s got a crisp, clean taste. Plus, the price is rocking, coming in at well under 80 cents a can. It pours well, has a good head, smells malty with a touch of corn, and has a sweet aftertaste. Admittedly, it’s no killer beer for the winter season; it’s a much better summer drink. But if you like lighter beers and are on a very tight budget, this is a top choice.

5. Simpler Times Lager

Average price: $3.99 for 6 cans

If you shop at Trader Joes, you’ll know Simpler Times Lager all too well. It comes in a gold can with red and green type, and it’s cheap. Like 67 cents a can cheap. But don’t let the price fool you, although it’s no award winner, it’s very similar to Pabst, but a little lighter. With a crisp, sweet flavor, lots of carbonation, and only a very slight metallic taste, it’s a good “chugging” beer for holiday parties when money is tight. Give it a try. If you don’t like it, it’s a great beer to cook with.

6. Samuel Adams Winter Lager

Average Price: $13.99 for 12 bottles

You should always expect to pay a little more for the seasonal beers, but this winter variety of Sam Adams is priced the same as, and is a delicious variation on, the original. Pop the cap, and you’ll be greeted with hoppy, malty, nutty aromas and a definite hint of Christmassy spices. You may even spot a little ginger, caramel, and cinnamon in there. It’s very palatable, especially on a cold day when you want a beer but don’t want the crisp sensation of a regular lager. Definitely one to have in the garage or basement for any occasion this holiday season.

7. Butternuts Beer & Ale Moo Thunder Stout

Average price: $5.99 for 6 bottles

I had to include at least one stout — after all, I much prefer dark beers. This one’s a charmer. Brewed by Chuck Williamson in a converted dairy farm in upstate New York, it drinks like a much more expensive beer. As he says on the Butternuts Beer & Ale website, “no pretense, no snotty attitudes or haughty prices.” Right on! Not as heavy as other stouts I love to imbibe, it’s got plenty of malt and a dry finish. Do yourself a favor. Look for the label, a dancing cow being struck by lightning, and pick up a very flavorful six pack.

8. Budweiser American Ale

Average price: $5.99 for 6 bottles

I have a confession to make. I don’t really like Budweiser. Maybe it’s because I tasted the far superior Budweiser Budvar (now known as Czechvar) first. However, a friend told me about American Ale, and I gave it a try. Not bad. Not bad at all. This is not in the same camp as Bud Light. With a nice copper color, a good head, and a sweet, malty flavor, it’s got way more body than a typical bottle of Bud. With less carbonation than Bud, it’s also easier to drink. And the price is definitely right.

9. Schaefer Beer

Average Price: $4.49 for 6 cans/bottles

For a cheap beer, Schaefer’s has quite the heritage. Basically, two German brothers started making this beer way back in 1842, and in 1981 it was bought out by Stroh’s. As you’d expect from such a cheap beer, it’s weak on the nose and sweet-tasting. You’ll detect corn, grassiness, and sometimes a metallic, minerally aftertaste. But let’s not forget, you’re getting a really cheap brew (it’s been found as low as $2.99/six pack in some states) and for a party or cookout, it does the job when you’re on a budget. I’d still rather drink this than a light beer from one of the big manufacturers.

10. Lionshead Pilsner

Average price: $7.99 for 12 cans

Brewed in Pennsylvania by Lion Brewery, Lionshead beer is not ideal if you like a good head on your brew. It has minimal carbonation and is very light in color. Having said that, it goes down real easy. You’ll detect barley, corn, sweetness, and a little malt. Lionshead has a slightly bitter aftertaste, but nothing you’ll really care about. It goes down smooth, the price is terrific (around 67 cents a can), and because it’s not so well known, you may well be treated with “Lionshead? What’s that?” See if the newbies can figure out if it’s a pricey beer or a cheap guzzler.

11. Genesee Cream Ale

Average price: $4.49 for 6 bottles

A few bucks cheaper than Boddingtons, I wasn’t expecting it to come close to one of my favorite ales. I was rather pleasantly surprised. It has a really good head, good carbonation, and it even smells creamy. Genesee has a hoppy aroma, a crisp, clean taste and finishes well. I didn’t get any bitter aftertaste. The price is killer too, and many liquor stores will have it available in a 30-can pack for $17.99 or less. Well worth the money in my opinion.

12. Sierra Nevada Celebration

Average price: $11.99 for 12 bottles

The price of this one varies quite a bit it seems. In my area, one store is selling a 12-pack for $9.99, another for $13.99. I asked a few people, they all seem to be picking it up for around $12-13 per 12 pack, but you may find it for $10. And if you do, grab it. This is one of the best-tasting beers on the list, and as a seasonal beer, it’s the perfect time to drink it. Robust and rich, it’s dry-hopped for a more intense flavor and aroma. What’s more, it’s got a kick, with a 6.8% alcohol content. Highly recommended.

13. Mississippi Mud Black & Tan

Average price: $2.99 for a 32 oz. bottle

This is the only single-serving (although it’s quite the serving) beer on the list. I first discovered this a few years ago when I was buying beers to mix my own black and tan (stout and pale ale). Now, this is nowhere near as good as a hearty mix of Guinness and Bass Ale, I’ll put that out there right now. But if you want something similar and don’t fancy buying a bunch of beer to mix at home, this does the trick. It has a bit of a skunky smell, but it’s easy to drink. It has some chocolate overtones, and the bottle is cool, too. You may well find it cheaper than $2.99; it’s not a big seller.

Well, those are my top 13 recommendations for cheap, drinkable beer this holiday season. If you have any that are well worth a try, and come in at around $1 a bottle, then please share. And as always, I’d like to remind everyone not to drink and drive; be a responsible beer-lover, please.

Written by Paul Michael and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

The 25 Best Things to Buy on Craigslist

Paul Michael — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 10:36:32 +0000

Craigslist continues to be one of the go-to places for people to buy and sell used (and sometimes brand-new) goods. Not only is it simple and free to use (thanks, Craigslist, for staying true to your word) but it also has a vast reach, with sites across the United States and the rest of the world. (See also: Get a Deal Every Time You Shop With These Tools)

There are plenty of articles out there about what to avoid on Craigslist. (The big ones are used infant seats, cell phones, and high-end electronic goods.) But there aren’t nearly as many articles about what you should go to Craigslist for. Well, here (in no particular order) are the 25 best things to buy off Craigslist. You may agree, disagree, or want to add to the list. By all means, use the comments box as a way to inform our other Wise Bread readers.

1. Exercise Equipment

Why? Quite simply — human nature. Every year people make New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, get fit, and stay in shape. And for a while, they make good on those resolutions, going out and buying some shiny new equipment to make it happen. However, most people soon realize that the infomercials and ads made this “easy-peasy workout” look a lot easier that it actually is. It takes effort. And soon the exercise bikes, elliptical trainers, and treadmills are gathering dust in the basement. When the time comes to sell the equipment, you can usually snap up an almost brand new piece of machinery for less than half the price. Sometimes they’ll be almost giving it away to get it out of the house, because no one likes a reminder of a failed resolution.

2. Bed Frames

Not mattresses. Yikes. But the bed frame itself, that’s a different story. You can pick up some terrific deals on bed frames, including four-poster beds, and all you have to do is arrange for pick up if you don’t have a truck large enough to do the job. Craigslist actually has a section called “services” where you can quickly find people to help you move large items for a nominal fee. Some people make good extra money doing it.

3. Furniture

We just bought a new house, and it’s twice the size of our old home. Ironically, with the market being the way it is, it cost almost the same price. But it has left us with some large, empty rooms that need to be filled. We’re going straight to Craigslist for furniture, especially for some classic mid-century modern pieces. They are much cheaper than store-bought pieces, have more character, and were built to last the test of time.

4. DVDs and CDs

People buy DVDs and CDs. They watch them, listen to them, and get bored with them. Or they copy them to their iPods, computers, or other media devices, and then they sit and watch the original gather dust. So they sell them, and that’s where you can come in and pick up some great bargains. I’ve found recent movies and albums for sale on Craigslist for just a few bucks.

5. Video Games

Even more copious than movies and albums are video games. The reason is one of usefulness. Unlike DVDs and CDs, once a game has been completed, there is very little point in doing it all over again. So you will see tons of titles on Craigslist that are way cheaper than buying new. And once you’ve bought and played the title, you can resell it or trade it in for a discount on a game (used is always cheaper and just as good…if you can wait).

6. Collectibles

Typewriters. Old cameras. Action figures. Clocks. Teapots. You name it — there is something to add your collection on Craigslist. Finding them isn’t always easy, as sometimes people put them in rather confusing sections or don’t know exactly how to list them. But put in the time, and you’ll find your items way cheaper than on eBay. Plus there's no wait for shipping.

7. Tools

Have you noticed how expensive good tools are? Sure, you can buy the cheap and cheerful tools at Walmart and Target, but if you want good, solid, reliable tools that last decades, you need to pay. Craigslist is a great option for these kinds of tools, and you’ll get them way cheaper.

8. Books

Personally, I love the library for books. But sometimes it’s not an option, especially if you want to highlight sections and write notes in the margin. Or if you want books for the kids that you don’t have to worry about them destroying. There is a whole category on Craigslist devoted to books, and the prices are rock-bottom as always.

9. Toys

Kids have this habit of wanting toys, playing with them for 20 minutes, and then throwing them in the corner. If they’re not forgotten about, they played with so much and so hard that they’re destroyed. So why pay full price? You can pick up some of the latest toys on Craigslist for pennies, and you won’t have to contend with that annoying packaging that would challenge the patience of a saint.

10. Bicycles

You have to be careful on this one, but if you know what you want and what to look for, you can scoop up some major bargains. Kids bikes are a great option here, as are cruiser bikes. Just be wary of bikes that look too good to be true; they may have been rode hard and repaired often, or they could be stolen.

11. Framed Art

I was in Target yesterday and saw some nice art, albeit mass-produced, and it was $100. I saw the same piece on Craigslist for $20. Chances are you won’t be as lucky finding the exact piece you want, but if you just want to browse and pick up something decorative for a few bucks, you’ll do well. You may even find original art for a bargain, or a long lost masterpiece!

12. Office Supplies

I’m not just talking about pens and pencils here, but chairs, cubicles, shredders, printers, whiteboards, and so much more. Sadly, the poor economy means that a lot of businesses have gone into liquidation, and when that happens, the supplies have to be sold off for pennies on the dollar. I bought a white board for $20 that retails for over $180.

13. Refrigerators and Other Appliances

When we decided to rent out our old home, we didn’t want to leave the stainless steel appliances behind. We wanted them for the new home, but didn’t want to pay another small fortune to get replacements. We searched Craigslist and found a one-year-old, black, side-by-side refrigerator for just $200. The cheapest we could find it used in an appliance store was $600. When people want their old appliances gone, they will take much less money. Take advantage of that.

14. Antiques

You really need to know your stuff, and I don’t. I would love to browse the listings, see an old item for a few bucks, and sell it for thousands. But I know plenty of people who have made some big money buying antiques for profit.

15. Sports Equipment for Kids

When you have kids, you soon discover that they grow quickly. They outgrow their sports uniforms in no time, and the uniforms are often in amazing condition. Parents will sell these to make cash for the next size up, and you can pick up bargains for your kids. Adults can also find great deals on golf clubs, fishing gear, and lots of other sporty stuff.

16. Musical Instruments

So many guitars. So many pianos. So many drum kits. Take a look at the musical instruments section of your local Craigslist, and you’ll soon see how many instruments, often barely used, are up for grabs. Again, it’s a mix of unrealized dreams (wow, playing guitar isn’t easy), kids who aren’t interested, and people who are moving up to bigger and better equipment. Whatever the reason, you make out.

17. Barbeque Grills

Who doesn’t love a brand new barbeque grill? Well, some people don’t, because they’re really expensive these days. But you can find bargains on Craigslist, if you don’t mind a little grease and smoke from someone else’s cookouts. Trust me, they all look that way after a few weeks anyway, and you can save hundreds of dollars going used.

18. Sinks, Tubs, Toilets, and Showers

One word for you — remodel. When people decide to upgrade their bathrooms, they want the old fixtures and fittings gone quickly. But quite often, these upgrades are about style and modernization, not function. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, and you can find some wonderful old sinks, tubs, toilets, and showers units for almost nothing.

19. Lawn Mowers

I’m in the market for a bigger mower now that I’ve moved. I don’t want to pay a bigger price though, so I’m trawling the Craigslist ads for a self-propelled model. The stores sell these for upwards of $300, but one look at Craigslist and you’ll see models, almost new, for half that price. Now is a great time to buy too, because winter is a tough time to sell a mower. Just test drive it first.

20. Pack ‘n’ Plays, High Chairs, and Rockers

There’s a lot of baby stuff I’ll avoid on Craigslist, purely because of safety concerns. No infant seats, no cribs, no strollers. I just don’t know where they’ve been, what they’ve endured, and how well they were taken care of. But things like Pack ‘n’ Plays, high chairs, and rockers, well, they’re much less likely to have any problems. When baby grows up, the parents want to make room for new furniture, and you can pick up items for 75% less than retail.

21. Dog Kennels

Our 120-pound dog needed a big kennel. The price of Dogloo in her size, new, was about $300. We picked up a barely used one for $50. All it needed was a quick hose down to remove some grass and dirt, and it looked brand new. Now the bigger challenge is getting her to actually use it.

22. Playsets

You will see lots of listings for these on Craigslist, and you need to use good judgment and inspect the items carefully. Some of them have been played with hard and left unattended, and could be too rickety for children of any age. But some are pristine, with parents selling them because the kids don’t play on them, or they want to make room for one of those huge trampolines. If you do your due diligence, you can spend hundreds instead of thousands. But you will need to dismantle it and reassemble, so take plenty of pictures before you start!

23. Outdoor Furniture

Just like with lawn mowers, this is a good time of year to pick up outdoor furniture. Who wants to be sat outside in the cold when the warmth of the fireplace beckons? But summer will be back, and you can pick up some real steals. A lot of people buy outdoor furniture and realize they’re not actually using it, so they’ll sell it off really cheap.

24. Landscaping Supplies

When homeowners landscape their yards, they will invariably be left with overages. They may also have removed some things to make way for new shrubs, benches, pathways, and so on. You can find cheap or free landscaping rock, stones, concrete, and all sorts of other backyard goodies on Craigslist for a fraction of the price you’ll pay at a hardware store. Just remember…you haul.

25. Crockery and Silverware

How are your plates and dishes looking? If it’s time for replacements, Craigslist is a phenomenal resource. For a start, a lot of newlyweds will get crockery and silverware as gifts, and they can’t use it all. So, they sell it. Also, people looking to clear out space in the kitchen will sell off their older sets for almost nothing. It’s a good way to spruce up your kitchen on a budget.

So, do you have any “must buy on Craigslist” tips to share? Please let us know.

Written by Paul Michael and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

25 Ways to Make Money Today

Paul Michael — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 10:24:13 +0000

Looking for a little extra cash until payday comes around? Want to make some money to save up for a shiny new thing, a vacation, or maybe just something to put away for a rainy day? Well, I did a quick survey of my friends, family, and some Wise Bread regulars and compiled this list of 25 ways to quickly make money. As in, today.

Some are obviously a little easier than others, some require skill, some are a bit silly, but all of them are within reach for most of us. It just takes a little guts, some pride-swallowing, and a lot of perseverance. Oh, and in some instances, a good sense of humor. (See also: 9 Ways to Earn Extra Cash When Money Is Tight)

1. Sell some stuff

Whether it's Craigslist, eBay or a good old fashioned yard sale, there are plenty of avenues for you to explore when it comes to selling stuff. Most of us have a basement or garage filled with things that we just don't use or need anymore. Free up some space and grab some cash. It's quick and easy.

2. Mow lawns

I'm no fan of mowing my lawn, and it's not exactly a large one either. But I do it because I'd rather not pay someone else to do such a simple task. However, there are plenty of people who will gladly pay someone else to mow. And as lawn mowers are collapsible, you can pop it in the trunk and drive around the neighborhoods, offering your services. I spoke to a guy at work who said he made $100 in a few hours by mowing lawns. He used the cash to buy concert tickets, and he said he got a nice tan and a workout!

3. Hit up Goodwill

Goodwill, and charity shops just like it, are a treasure trove of hidden gems. If you know what you're looking for, you can pick up items for a few bucks and sell them for ten times that amount. Vintage clothing, CDs, jewelry, memorabilia, and a whole lot more is just sitting there waiting to be discovered. If you have a smartphone and see something that looks like it could be worth something, you can research it right there. It's not unheard of for people to find very rare and valuable items in charity shops.

4. Make lemonade from lemons

Literally. The kids may love a lemonade stall, but there's no reason you can't get in on the action when it's hot outside. Lemonade is cheap enough to make, and the profits are worth the time. In the winter, you can swap out lemonade for coffee or hot chocolate. When everyone is out shoveling snow, a hot cup of joe for a buck is a bargain.

5. Have a bake sale

Turn your cooking skills into hot profits. There's no doubt that people seem to be doing less home cooking these days. We eat out all the time, and we all miss good home-cooked food, like freshly-baked apple pies or bread. So, if you can cook and you have the ingredients, make something and sell it.

6. Become a street performer

Can you play the guitar? Do you have mad saxophone skills? Squeeze yourself into a 2-ft. square box? If you have a talent, get paid for it. Street performers can bag some nice cash for doing what they love.

7. Beg

If you really hit the hard times, you can try begging. There are stories of people making a very good living from begging, including one woman who supplemented her income to save for a new kitchen. As the article states, people think beggars are destitute, but that's not always the case. (None of the 20 beggars questioned were actually homeless.)

There's not just street begging either. Cyber begging sites are popping up everywhere, with people asking for donations instantly via PayPal for surgeries, help with bills, and school tuition. If you don't ask, you don't get.

8. Rent useful space

If you have a garage that you're not using, or a basement that's doing nothing for you, why not rent out that space to someone else? A few people I know actually rent out the space in their basement as storage and collect money every month. Others have turned their spare bedrooms into rental rooms to help with the monthly mortgage payment.

9. Scoop up your change

It's amazing what you can find down the side of the sofa, under the car seat, and in the back of the junk drawer. Collect it all up and cash it in.

10. Return unopened, unwanted or broken items

I looked in my basement recently and found a tool I'd bought two months ago for a job I was doing in the house. It turns out I didn't need that tool. I still had the receipt, the store had a 90-day return policy, and I ended up getting a nice chunk of money back. Even if you don't have the receipt, you can get store credit. And if something broke, don't just throw it away. It's possible that you can return the item for being defective and get a full refund.

11. Recycle

We recycle our card, plastic, paper, cans, and bottles in one large recycling bin every few weeks. We don't get a cent for the recyclables, and we had to pay $80 for the bin. But you can actually get money for cans, bottles, and other recyclable items. You just have to put some effort into it.

12. Donate your sperm (umm, guys)

If you're a man with a clean bill of health, you can go to a sperm bank and make a donation. The process is fairly straightforward and you will be paid upwards of $40 for each donation you make. This bank in California gives you $65 per donation. And let's face it, guys, it's not the worst way to earn some quick cash.

13. Sell event tickets

So you bought tickets to a big concert and are having second thoughts. Or, you just can't go. Well, don't dump them, sell them. As long as you obey the law (scalping is illegal in many areas) and sell the tickets at or below face value, you are within your rights.

14. Gamble

OK, so it's not guaranteed money, but if you know the odds and can play a few card games, there are ways to make money quickly and easily. For instance, you can start playing poker online and quickly rack up a nice amount of money, if you know what you're doing.

15. Sign up for medical tests

Take caution with this one; there are plenty of horror stories out there about people who are still suffering side effects from medical tests. But many people have signed up for clinical trials and came out not only unscathed, but flush with cash. In fact, earning up to $250 a day is not unheard of. Find out more at PaidClinicalTrials.org.

16. Walk dogs

How about doing something that keeps you healthy and earns you instant cash? A lot of people these days don't seem to have the time to walk their dog twice a day (at least) and it's the dog who suffers. For a few bucks, maybe $3, you can take their dog on 20-minute walk. Do it every day, you've got $90 a month and you're probably going to feel better. Do two or three dogs at a time, twice a day, and you can see how it adds up.

17. Dumpster dive

If you've seen shows like American Pickers, Storage Wars, or even Cash In The Attic, you know that there are gems out there, hidden in the trash. Most of the time, it really is just garbage. But sometimes, people throw out valuables that they believe are worthless. Dumpster diving can really pay off, if you know what you're looking for.

18. Become a delivery service

I was inspired to add this one after I talked to the guy who delivered our fridge. We bought a used one from Craigslist, well under the price it was worth, and found someone on Craigslist who hauls large items. As it turns out, he uses his truck on the weekend for delivery services. At $30-$50 a delivery, he's making more than enough to pay for his gas and truck payment for the month.

19. Donate plasma

Even your own body contains saleable items. A recent check online found that one person made $260 per month donating plasma!

20. Monetize your blog or website

If you blog regularly or have your own website, you should think about placing ads for extra cash, or finding other ways to make your online presence into a money-spinner.

21. Become an online juror

I only recently found out about this one. It turns out that lawyers want to practice, and online juries are a good way for them to put some theories to the test. You can earn $5-$10 per online appearance, with each one lasting no more than 35 minutes. Find out more at ejury.com.

22. Take paid surveys

There are several places online to take genuine, paid surveys. Most don't offer very big cash rewards, but it all ads up. Some, like erewards.com, offer points that you can trade for goods and services.

23. Wash cars

At least one a week in the summer months, I see high-school kids with signs offering car washes. If they can wash cars for a few bucks, so can you. Grab a few friends, turn the radio on, and if you get good you can make $50-$60/hour between you.

24. Go fishing

Know how to fish? Or hunt? Well, if your hobby can put food on the table, that's as good as cash. If you hunt for food, you can also sell it to friends and family for a profit. Obviously, this isn't for everyone, but if you've already got the skills and the equipment, why not put it to good use?

Editor's Note: Check with your local game and fish department before selling meat or fish to ensure that it is legal in your state.

25. Become a tutor

If you have knowledge that can be shared, why not do so for extra money? I know several people who tutor children privately for extra money. Others get paid to speak at local colleges or universities. Hey, you paid a lot for your education; your day job doesn't have to be the only reward.

That's my top 25 list. I'm sure you know of others, so chime in. What's a great way to make money today (that's legal, of course) and what are your experiences in making a quick buck?

Written by Paul Michael and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

Is Bank of America’s $5 Monthly Debit Card Fee Just the Beginning?

Paul Michael — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 10:36:34 +0000

In a word, yes.

Consider this phrase — “Take money from businesses, they’ll just turn around and take it from the customers.”

I’ve heard that, and many variations of it, several times over the last few years. Now it looks like it’s coming true for all of us.

It’s no secret that banks make a lot of their money from fees. Whether it’s late payment penalties, interest rate hikes, ATM fees, money-wiring transactions, or any number of other transactions, fees are the bread and butter of the banking industry.

These fees seemed to be going away, or getting vastly reduced, as banks tried to outdo each other in the battle for your hard-earned money. Free checking was suddenly the norm, and then banks would offer even more incentives (free iPods, luggage, shotguns, and good old cash) in an effort to get you on board.

Of course, nothing lasts forever, and the free checking benefits we’ve all enjoyed for many years have started to suffer the death of a thousand cuts. Slowly but surely, free checking is going away and being replaced by certain terms and conditions that give you certain free features IF you maintain a set minimum balance, have a significant number of direct deposits, and so on.

In fact, you can actually avoid Bank Of America’s new debit card fee if maintain a minimum balance of $20,000. (Once again, we see wealth being rewarded.) You can also avoid the fee by simply using your debit card as an ATM card only. (See also: 4 Ways to Beat Debit Card Fees)

So Why Did This New Fee Appear?

Well, it’s a direct result of a bill passed by congress that was supposed to save consumers money. Of course, it never works out that way, does it?

Banks have been making billions of dollars on swipe fees for many years now. These are fees charged to the merchant every time you swipe your debit card, and they average around 44 cents per swipe.

Or at least, they did. Merchants lobbied against the fees and won, saying that by lowering the price of these swipe fees, we, the customers, would get lower prices on goods and services.

But when they passed the law, they didn’t think of the ramifications of the ripple effect. It’s also known as “unintended consequences.” By cutting these fees in half, billions of dollars have been taken away, annually, from the banks. Ouch. You know as well as I do that those losses are not going to be absorbed by the banks. The CEO, Brian Moynihan, isn’t going to pay for it out of his $950k salary or his $9 million in stock awards.

So who pays? You’ve guessed it — we’re the ones who pick up the tab. And the $5 per month debit card charge is only just the beginning; I guarantee it.

Bank of America Is Not the Only One Raising Fees

JP Morgan Chase customers in Wisconsin have felt the pinch, with $3 per month being deducted for debit card usage. Sun Trust (Georgia) and Regions Financial Corp. (Alabama) are also charging $4 to $5 per month.

And Wells Fargo recently announced that it will test a $3 per month debit card fee in five states — Oregon, New Mexico, Nevada, Georgia, and Washington.

What Does the Future Hold?

Fees. Lots of them.

Right now, with the financial institutions just starting to roll out fees, you obviously have the option to walk away. But that won't be an option for long. If you want the conveniences that a typical bank offers, you’re going to have to start paying for them. Banks across the U.S. will follow Bank Of America’s lead, because they’re losing out if they don’t. And any banks who don’t charge the fee will no doubt find other ways to make up the losses. You’ll see free checking replaced by checking that requires maintenance fees. You’ll get dinged if you go below a certain balance, or if you make more than a set number of purchases with your debit card each month.

There will be tiered plans — $3 a month for 50 swipes, $15 for unlimited swipes. And why not? The cell phone industry is all about tiered pricing. And you’ll have to pay for the privilege of online banking, automatic bill payments, even checking your balance on your phone. This is the future, and if everyone’s doing it, so we really don’t have an option other than to remove ourselves from the banking system and go back to the stone-age. Anyone for a mattress stuffed with cash?

And What About the Merchants Who Said They’d Cut Prices?

That’s a tough one to prove. Walmart has been rolling back prices for years, long before this bill came into effect. Target, Home Depot, Best Buy, you name it — they constantly claim to be slashing prices, so how can we tell if those savings are being passed on to us?

Truth is, as consumers, we can’t. I’m not saying that the big corporations are going back on their word to pass on savings to the customers, I just can’t prove that they are. I suspect the reality is somewhere in the middle, with some savings being passed on to us, and some money going back into the wage packets of CEOs and senior management.

Sadly, it’s just another example of the consumer being at the bottom of the hill…and we all know what rolls down hill.

Written by Paul Michael and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

Stupid Reasons Why People Make More Money

Paul Michael — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 10:24:38 +0000

Life just isn’t fair. That’s not just my opinion; you just have to look around you to see who’s doing well and who isn’t. Sometimes you scratch your head and wonder “how is that guy running this place?” or “why isn’t she in charge of this project, she’s awesome?”

The fact is, it’s not just our education and work experience that defines our ability to make money. There are lots of other factors at play, some of which we have absolutely no control over. Now, I have avoided stupid WAYS people make money; that list would be too long (Pet Rock, frivolous law suits, inheriting it). This is more about the reasons why people around you, at work, are on a bigger salary. Some of these might surprise you, others may make you really angry. All I can say is, don’t shoot the messenger. (See also: 5 Ways Everyone Can Make More Money)

1. Being Mean, Less Agreeable or Just Plain Rude

This one hit the headlines recently, and it blew me away. A new study has revealed that men who measure below average on “agreeableness” earn roughly 18% more ($9,772 more annually based on the sample) than guys who are considered “nice.”

The study also found that mean women earn more than their nicer counterparts as well, although not to the same degree. It equates to 5% more per year, or $1,828.

So, why the extra cash for the bad temper?

For men, it’s actually considered more masculine to be a bad guy. In other words, the nicer you are, the less “manly” and therefore not as fitting to the expectations of your role. Men should be aggressive go-getters, the hunters who bring home the bacon. It also implies that men who are mean are better at negotiations, especially concerning salary.

On the other hand, women who show the same conduct are stepping out of their traditional or expected behavior models, and that is reflected in the lower figures. Mean women are considered bossy, bitchy, over-compensating for something, and all of those other rotten stereotypes. But meaner women still earn more, which could again be explained by abilities to negotiate and push for promotions and more money.

This really does prove that nice guys, and girls, finish last. But hey, at least they have friends and a conscience.

2. Being Blessed With Good Looks

No surprises here. For as long as I can remember, beautiful people have been treated way better by our society. Scientists say that the main reason is genetics. We are driven to want to reproduce with people who we believe will give us healthy children, and beauty is directly associated with health. Real beauty is also rare, and we covet it. And beauty is also related to trust, which makes absolutely no sense to me. Perhaps the old fairy stories of wicked witches and beautiful princesses, coupled with ugly trolls and handsome princes, has something to do with that complete pile of hogwash.

But all of that’s neither here not there when it comes to actual job performance, intelligence, or skill. What’s on the outside is no reflection of what’s going on inside, and to hire people based on looks (unless it’s modeling or something else that demands it) is plain silly.

What’s even sillier, though, is giving these same beautiful people more money, more promotions, and more opportunities. And yet it happens, year after year.

Author Daniel Hamermesh from Yale University has been researching the issue. His study “Beauty in the Labor Market” concludes that beautiful people will make $230,000 more in their lifetimes than average-looking people.

Daniel found that attractive men earn 9% more than unattractive men, and attractive women earn 4% more than unattractive women. And all because they were fortunate to be born with genes that make them appear more pleasing to people in our society.

I’m under 6 ft, I’m bald, and I’m a bit overweight. Someone with my skill set, but the rugged good looks and physique of Superman, is going to be a far more attractive prospect in every sense of the word, and that equates to more money. Is that fair? Nope. But life isn’t fair.

Read more about the subject from Freakonomics or Yahoo! Finance.

3. Being Part of the Family

Ahh, nepotism. It exists in almost every place I’ve ever worked, and it can’t be escaped. It’s just natural human behavior to want to give more to people who you care about. It’s also the reason so many people in the entertainment, political, and corporate worlds rise to the top. How many famous actors would be around if their mom or dad hadn’t been in the business? How many musicians would not have been given that big break? How many CEOs owe their current status to family members with power? And how many politicians got their position through family ties? It’s amazing to think that in a country that’s home to over 307 million people, we ended up with Bush Sr. and Bush Jr. in the White House.

Even if your family can’t give you a great job, they can often give you a way in. The 80s movie The Secret of My Success tells the story of a young guy who gets a job in the mailroom and ends up becoming the president. Sure, it’s fiction, but when no one’s hiring, having that all-important “in” is essential.

Is nepotism legal? Yep. There’s nothing to say you can’t hire family members. Giving those family members preferential treatment is illegal. But there has to be substantial evidence that the CEO's son did not deserve the pay raise and promotion he got, and that’s a battle most people don’t want to fight.

4. Talking a Lot and Saying Nothing

I hate this one, because I’m not good at it. I wish I was. It’s a skill that can be used to climb the ladders in corporations, where sticking your neck out is often punished, but being seen to be making a contribution, however pointless, is rewarded.

If you work in a corporate environment, you can easily pick these people out. For a start, they walk with the kind of confident strut that makes you think they’re invincible. They’re often seen laughing and chatting in the corridors of power, spending inordinate amounts of time with the important people in the company. And in meetings, they have something to say about everything, but they have absolutely no point of view.

Here’s a prime example. You’re in a meeting and a business proposal has just been presented. There’s quiet. Dead quiet. That’s because everyone is waiting for the person with real power to give his or her opinion, and that gives everyone else their cue to either jump on board, or reject it.

The CEO looks at Brad, our strutting office weasel, and asks for his opinion. That’s when he says, “Yeah, interesting proposal. I’d definitely like to take the time to explore it further. There’s a lot to think about, some avenues I’ve been pondering myself, and all in all I think it deserves some debate.”

The CEO says, “I hated it!”

Brad says, “Absolutely, as I was saying, interesting, but for all the wrong reasons. We need to explore why he went down this path, I’ve been thinking about this and need to talk to you later about shutting some of these avenues down.”

Or the CEO says, “I loved it!”

Brad says, “Oh yeah, me too. Some really interesting ideas in there, a few of them I’ve already been contemplating myself and I’d like to talk to you more about these ideas later.”

Brad (and you know what your own version of Brad is called), can talk in circles for days and never really say anything. But in corporate America, being seen to say a lot is great for your career, as long as you don’t actually commit to anything. It will get you raises, promotions, and a shiny bonus. Meanwhile, the guy who just got fired because one of his last five ideas didn’t work out, well, he’s kicking himself that he didn’t keep his mouth shut. As one beautiful demotivational poster once said, “the tallest blade of grass gets cut first.”

5. Being a Man

Sadly, having that XY chromosome is all you need in modern society to make more money. We’re in the year 2011, and yet men are still earning more than their female counterparts in almost every field. It equates to around 77 cents for each dollar earned by a man. That’s clearly unacceptable, but it’s unlikely to change by any big degree over the next decade, if past performance is anything to go by. This is from an article published earlier this month by the National Women’s Law Center:

Data released today by the U.S. Census Bureau show that, on average, a female worker still makes only 77 cents for each dollar earned by a comparable male worker. Indeed, we've seen virtually no progress in closing the gap in the last three years, and the gap has remained stagnant over the last decade. The numbers indicate an even more distressing reality for many American women when race is taken into account: Compared to each dollar earned by the average white male, a white woman makes 77.6 cents, a black woman makes 62.3 cents, and a Hispanic woman makes 54 cents.

Why are we still seeing such a gap? Clearly, it’s still a man’s world. Actually, it’s still a white man’s world if you look at the bigger picture. And a few HR people I talked to explained that women will always have to struggle because they’re the ones who are prone to take more time off for health issues and family. Maybe one day, it will all even out. I know I work with many women who are absolutely fantastic at the jobs they do, and to think they aren’t getting paid as much as the men who they’re equal to, well, that’s just not acceptable.

6. Sucking Up

I’ve saved the worst for last. It seems implausible that managers and higher-ups would fall for the butt-kissing routines as often as they do, but I’ve seen it in every company I’ve ever worked for. Sometimes it’s subtle, like complimenting hair, clothes, or shoes, or laughing at a flat joke. Sometimes it’s a little more obvious, like asking a few questions in presentations that are clearly designed to flatter the presenter.

And then, there’s the creepy, blatant, all-out sucking up. The kind of smooching that makes everyone else physically sick. But it works. These sycophants have made a career out of it, and they’re climbing the ladder by brown-nosing. It’s so dumb, because it has absolutely nothing at all to do with performance or ability. But human beings, most of them anyway, like to surround themselves with things that make them feel good. These “things” just so happen to be people who are leap-frogging over you and get paid for it.

Well, that’s my big list of stupid reasons. What dumb reasons have you encountered that ensure people get more cash in their paychecks?

Written by Paul Michael and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

I Pay for Things You Get for Free

Paul Michael — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 10:24:58 +0000

Can this be a post from the same Paul Michael who insists you should never pay full retail price for anything? The same blogger who preaches about finding deals, hunting for bargains, and taking the time to compare prices when you shop?

Well, yes it is. And my latest tip for saving money is to spend some of it on something that you usually find for free! (See also: 10 Ways to Save Time by Spending Time)

My Next Big Money-Saving Tip — Paying For Coupons

We all get coupons in the mail, our email, in our newspapers, and online. There are sites devoted to coupon codes, like Retail Me Not and Mommy Saves Big. I use them all the time. But they don’t always have what I’m looking for.

Case in point — recently I was shopping for a new monitor for my wife’s computer. I found a great deal at Office Max, but I wasn’t happy. There was a “promo code” box in the checkout area, and that’s like a red rag to a bull. I have to put a code in there, because if it exists, it means codes exist that can save me money.

After searching for about 20 minutes online, I found nothing. The coupons I had were either old, already used, or incompatible with the item I bought. But I know some big money-saving coupons are out there. In fact, I cursed my name because only a few weeks ago I had thrown away an Office Max coupon for $30 off $150. And then it hit me…

eBay Had The Coupon I Needed

I went to eBay and typed in "Office Max 30 off 150." Boom, there it was. A coupon that was unused, not expired, for $30 off a $150 purchase. And as I read the details, it was revealed that the coupon code would be sent to me within a few hours. Score!

The price was $5.99 Buy It Now. There were a few other auctions starting at 99 cents, but I was in no mood to hang around for days. And I was still $24 up on the deal, if it worked of course.

I paid the fee and within a few minutes my legitimate code was sent to my email. I typed it into the code box and $30 was instantly taken off my final price. Spend $6, get $30 in savings…that’s a better deal than most Groupons.

So Why Pay When You Can Just Clip Your Own Coupons?

Well, there are several reasons for this. Of course, you should always clip coupons when you see them, but here’s why paying for coupons actually makes a lot of sense.

Foresight

Most of us can’t see into the future, we can only anticipate. And if we clip every single coupon we think we might need someday, we’ll turn into those extreme couponers that have basements filled with stacks of newspaper ads and circulars. For instance, I had no idea that Office Max would have had the monitor I wanted at the best price; I usually shop at Newegg, Amazon, or another online store. I didn’t have an Office Max coupon handy, but by buying one from eBay I instantly got a code that saved me $24 after my $6 outlay.

Locality

Different parts of the country get different coupons, and those coupons vary by amount and expiration date. You may be in an area that gets a $5 coupon code, another may get $10. Your offers may run out sooner than in other areas. But with eBay, the whole nation is opened up to coupon hounds. Just find the one you need, and within minutes (or days, if it’s a physical coupon) you get something you can use. Please note, though, some coupons are restricted to certain areas, so make sure you check that before buying.

Expediency

There’s nothing quite like instant gratification. You get the exact coupon you want, when you need it, and you instantly pay less for the product you're buying.

However you get them, you’re saving money! Think of it this way — if you have a coupon on you, great, use it! But if you don’t, you have a few options. You may have to wait until you get home to dig out the coupon you’re looking for, and by then the deal may have passed you by. But if you pay $5 for a coupon that saves you $20, you’ve still saved $15. And that other coupon you have tucked away at home is still good.

Editor's Note: The comments of this writer are not meant to be considered legal advice.

Written by Paul Michael and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

What NOT to Buy at a Farmers Market

Paul Michael — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 10:24:20 +0000

I love farmers markets. I do suffer from "can't get out of bed early enough" syndrome and usually miss the good stuff. But even when I do drag myself out of bed, I find some amazing produce that is tastier and healthier than anything found in the supermarket. When it comes to fruits and vegetables, farmers markets are tough to beat.

Now, having said that, I talked to some farmers market regulars who gave me advice on things you shouldn't buy. It's not a long list, and it's by no means a huge expose on shoddy produce or overpriced garbage. No, this is more of a guide to stop you spending a little more than you should on a few items that should, ideally, be bought elsewhere. (See also: Are Farmers Markets Frugal or a Luxury?)

I should also add that every farmers market is different, so while these guidelines are generally worth following, some may not apply to the markets in your area. I know I'll get a lot of comments pertaining to that, so I thought it best to disclose it first. So here is my list of what NOT to buy at your farmers market.

1. The First Items You See!

I know, bit of a broad one to start the list, but it is applicable to everything at the market. You will be greeted with a plethora of great fruits, veggies, and other items that are both good-looking and nutritious. But don't start loading up your eco-friendly shopping bag right from the get-go. Walk the stalls, note the prices, and come back when you can make a more informed decision. Cherries that are just as succulent but twice the price will leave a bitter taste in your mouth, and these places don't issue refunds.

2. Pristine Fruit and Veggies

We're a strange bunch. We buy based on looks, but eat for the flavor. As such, farmers and other vendors will knock-down the price of fruits and veggies that are odd-shaped, have peck-marks, or are generally just not as good-looking as the cream of the crop. Don't let that put you off. Avoid the perfect-looking stuff and ask for the discounted produce, but do so with one caveat — make sure you're not buying old, bruised, and rotten merchandise. It's not unknown for some stalls to pass this off as "misshapen" when in actuality they're spoiled and almost inedible. (See also: 7 Ways to Make Use of Sub-Par Produce)

3. Anything That's Out of Season

This shouldn't be available anyway, as farmers markets pride themselves on fresh, seasonal produce. But if you know your calendars, you know what to avoid. If someone is selling asparagus in September, you may be buying something that was previously frozen or bought cheap from a supermarket.

4. Honey

What could be wrong with honey? Well, nothing. The honey sold at these markets is good honey, better than the stuff found in chain supermarkets. However, a lot of the honey being sold at the market is being done through a third party. If you want to save some money, look at the label, find the beekeeper who produced the honey, and buy it direct from the source. Of course, if that beekeeper is miles and miles away, rethink your strategy.

5. Clothing

You go to a farmers market to buy produce fresh from the farm. At least, that's the goal. But over time, farmers markets have evolved to offer a little something for everyone. The strategy behind it is simple enough…people come for the fruits and veggies but invariably bring a family member or friend. And if they don't buy the produce, they may walk away with a nice pair of socks or a woolly hat. Well, it goes without saying that most of the time, these are not good quality items, and they have been marked up as well. Save your money for the incredible produce and leave the clothes shopping for another time.

6. Baked Goods

There's nothing like a home-cooked apple pie or raspberry turnover, but usually the people selling these have a local store somewhere in town. And they not only have to cover the costs of running a store, but renting a booth at the farmers market as well. In turn, that means these items are often marked up from the prices they would usually charge in their local store. It's also a good place to sell produce that is not quite as fresh as the pies that come fresh out of the oven and onto a shelf in their store. Saying that, I do know some bakers who prepare the pies fresh that morning just for the farmers market. It's a good idea to grab their information and pop by their store later in the week. You'll get the same fresh product at a lower price. If you have to drive hours to get there, well, then you may just want to pay extra and save gas money.

7. Chocolate

Chocolatiers would starve if they only sold their wares at the local market, once a week. It's a high-cost item to make, and they need a good return, so they almost always have a store somewhere in town where the chocolate is a little cheaper. Hunt it down and get yourself the same chocolate without paying the middleman. Freshness is not as much of a worry here though; chocolate does not spoil anywhere near as quickly as a baked apple pie or a slab of meat. Which brings us to…

8. Meat and Seafood

Although it's tempting to buy organic, grass-fed beef, wild boar sausages, or fresh salmon, it's difficult to judge how long these items have been sitting in the sun on a bed of melting ice. You probably won't have any sanitation or health issues, but it's better to get the phone number and address of the seller and pick it up direct from them. And if it's frozen, well, you've just eliminated one reason to buy fresh from the farmer's market. Of course, eggs are perfectly fine to buy as they don't need refrigeration (although you will lengthen their life by popping them in the fridge when you get home). And they're usually really tasty when they're fresh from the farm.

9. Gift Baskets

Another way to mark up produce, canned goods, and other fineries is to assemble them in a gift basket, tie a ribbon around the top and sell them for a nice fat profit. Unless you're heading off to a birthday party the second you leave, and have no time to go shopping, this is not a good way to spend your money. As with most gifts that offer convenience, you pay for it. The items in the basket can be bought separately for much less, and you don't have to get any unwanted items in the process.

10. Meals from Food Carts

This last one is a sticking point within my circle of friends. I equate ready-to-eat food available at farmers markets with concession stands at fairgrounds and county fairs. A recent one in my area was charging $5 for a small cup of chili. And that could be washed down with a small $3 cup of iced tea. No refills. I think there are better food deals to be had elsewhere.

However, a counter argument is that it's all part of the experience, and that you get to taste some great home-cooked food that you know has been made with fresh ingredients. For me, I'll usually pass unless the price is right.

What would you avoid at farmers markets? And to add a little meat to the discussion, what should you ONLY buy at farmers markets? Share your ideas.

Written by Paul Michael and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

How a 5-Minute Email Saved Me $140

Paul Michael — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 10:00:32 +0000

Occasionally I like to share a customer service story with you. I’ve had run-ins with several big corporations in the past, including Comcast, Walmart, and Hobby Lobby.

This time, Best Buy and I almost came to blows. But thanks to a stellar customer service experience and some wonderful Best But employees, it became a story with a happy ending. Now, I’m sharing it with you with the hope that some of you may benefit from it. (See also: How to Get a Customer Service Phone Number, Fast!)

Let’s start at the beginning (which, unlike in a Tarantino movie, is usually a good place for these stories to start).

New Home, New Appliances

My wife and I finally bought a new home after almost a decade of living in one that was too small for us. With the move, we had budgeted for new appliances, and Best Buy was the store we chose. They had a stellar deal on LG and Samsung products, and it was all within our budget. It also didn’t hurt that the store is about four minutes from our new home.

The Deal

We opted for stainless steel and picked out a range, microwave, and dishwasher. The range and microwave were LG, the dishwasher Samsung. The dishwasher looked cool and was on sale, plus it had a stainless steel tub as well. We got free delivery, but I had to install the dishwasher/microwave myself or pay an extra $150 per appliance. I've done it several times before, so no problem. Everything was delivered in a timely fashion, and it all looked great!

The Grim Reality

The Samsung dishwasher sucked. I mean really sucked. Despite being hyped as quite the cleaning machine by the appliances associate at Best Buy, it left food gunk all over the dishes and sounded like a jet engine taking off. We needed an exchange.

The Exchange

We did our own homework this time. Kind of. We sought out stellar reviews of dishwashers and found one that was sold by Best Buy for almost the same price as the Samsung, in steel, but it was a GE. We went in to do the exchange and were informed that it wasn’t sold in stores. But the reviews were good, and we plumped for the exchange.

The “Special Order” Fee

As it turns out, some items that aren’t stocked by Best Buy stores, but sold through them, require a special delivery fee — $69.95 in this case. It was a bit much considering delivery is supposed to be free on appliances, but we wanted a better machine so we paid it. A few weeks later, we got the exchange done.

Bad Dishwasher, Horrendous Restocking Fee

The new GE was not good either. It looked about four years out of date for a start, the inside was cheap plastic, and the whole thing wobbled when the door opened thanks to a tough latch at the top. So much for trusting reviews. We didn’t even want to hook this one up; we thought it would be better to get it swapped out while it was still unsullied. But, one call to the store and we discovered that although the exchange would be no problem, there would be a 25% restocking fee. That’s about $140 to return it unused! And despite my polite protestations, the store associate’s hands were tied. The restocking fee had to be paid if we wanted a different machine.

Time to Contact Corporate

I did some digging, found out the email addresses of the CEO and several members of the executive team, and fired off an email explaining the situation. It wasn't snarky or aggressive. In fact, I did point out that my family has had good experiences with Best Buy in the past. As I have said before, no one likes to deal with an irate customer. And you get further treating someone with respect than some kind of corporate bellboy ready to do your bidding. At the end of the day, we're all people doing a job.

Anyway, it wasn't long at all (I think one day, in fact) before I got a reply from head office. They were very concerned about the “special order” restocking fee, and also that I had two bad experiences with dishwashers already. I was told they would look into it, and sure enough, I got a call from the local Best Buy store the following day.

The Wonderful Resolution

They say “third time's a charm” and they're not wrong. This time, the manager of my local store was a glorious example of great customer service. He instantly waived the $140 restocking fee and put me in touch with someone in the appliances department who could recommend a quality dishwasher in our price range. That person was great. Within minutes I had a new dishwasher picked out, and the old one was ready to be picked up and replaced within two days.

When the dishwasher arrived, it was everything Best Buy said it would be. The useless GE was taken away, the delivery guys were great and everything was taken care of.

The Moral of the Story

It's simple. If you have a problem, don't take the first answer as the only answer. Most of the time, the staff you are dealing with have neither the authority nor the fortitude to make the kind of decisions you're requesting. Take it to someone who can help, and then the people you were originally dealing with will have the power to help you out. Everyone wants a happy customer, and it often doesn't take a lot of effort to get one.

Do you have any similar stories? Did you go to the top and get a result, or were you turned down? Let us know.

Written by Paul Michael and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

How to Get a Refund When Something Is Non-Refundable

Paul Michael — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 10:36:08 +0000

That little phrase — non-refundable (or non-returnable) — is as unsettling to frugal shoppers as garlic is to vampires. Surely in this day and age, where the customer is always right and stores are willing to do anything to get your business, the very idea of non-refundable must be out of date, right?

Well, yes it is. Kind of. There are usually ways around every problem, if you're willing to put in a little bit of extra effort and turn on the charm. Or, if charm doesn't work, the threat of further action, including legal ramifications, can work. But usually, a simple explanation of extenuating circumstances can get you what you need. (See also: How to Complain and Get a Good Result)

So, what follows is a list of items that are often non-refundable or non-returnable, and a few ideas on how to get around the “standard” policy.

1. Airline Tickets

These are perhaps the biggest and best-known non-refundable purchases. We're always afraid to commit to buy because we know, even if we purchase the pointless travel insurance, that we're never going to get our money back.

But for those with particular circumstances or some real persistence, it is possible. These are tough times for the airlines though, so these days it's even harder than ever to get any kind of refund or exchange.

First, if you need to cancel your flight due to “acts of God” in the country or state you're flying to, you will most likely get a refund. These reasons are not exactly small potatoes though, and they include severe weather, political turmoil, war, pandemics, or civil unrest. It's no guarantee, of course.

Medical problems are also taken into account when it comes to ticket cancelations. If you are struck down by a sudden illness or cannot fly due to problems that could occur (eye surgery + pressure = danger), then you could qualify for a full refund. You will need supporting medical documentation; you can't just call up with a sick note from your mom.

If there's a death or illness in the family, many airlines will give you a refund for your ticket. Hopefully that's one reason you'll never have to use.

And if you have just lost your job, you may be able to get a refund on that ticket. You'll really have to turn on the charm, though; most airlines have been thrown into financially choppy waters due to the economy, and a similar story on your end may not go very far.

2. Hotel Rooms

Closely related to airline tickets are hotel rooms. Many of the same reasons for canceling a flight also apply to the cancelation of a hotel room.

Once again, you should be able to cancel your reservation and get a full refund if the hotel is bang in the middle of a country that's being hit by war, severe weather, a pandemic, and so on.

Canceling due to illness or a death in the family is also a solid reason. However, you may not have as much luck with your own medical issues. Can't fly? Drive to the hotel. Feeling ill? Stay in your room for the trip. The hotel won't really care.

If it's peak season or there's a conference in town, you'll have a better chance of getting a refund. In those circumstances the hotel will have no problem filling the room. But any other time, you're probably going to eat the bill unless you have a world-class excuse.

Remember, though, if you can't get a refund, a credit for that hotel may be just as good. See if you can wrangle a stay later in the year for free. It also doesn't hurt to ask travel agents if they can help; they often have great relationships with the hotels. And always call the hotel directly; never go through the site you used to book the room. Hotels are filled with people who are in the business of making people happy with their stay. The other sites just want to sell rooms at a discount.

3. Custom-Mixed Paint

When you ask for a specific paint to be mixed, you're committing to the sale. The hardware store will print in big, bold letters NON-RETURNABLE on the top. You're stuck with it. Or are you? You may be stuck with the can of paint, but most stores will be more than happy to tint it again if it's possible. I just found this out when a tint I asked to be made turned out to be slightly too dark. The people at Home Depot showed me a selection of colors that could be made from the tint I already had and turned it that shade for me. Nice!

Now if you're wondering how those “oops” paints get returned, they don't. Those are mistakes made during the tinting process that produce the wrong color, or maybe you ordered a quart and the member of staff mixed a gallon by mistake. That goes on sale because you didn't ask for that size and shouldn't have to pay for it.

4. Concert Tickets

You bought two tickets to see U2 or Coldplay at a huge stadium, but then a week before the gig your boss tells you about a last-minute conference out of state. You're now stuck with two tickets that you won't be using, and almost all concert tickets are non-refundable.

The best way to get a refund is to sell them. It's that simple. Craigslist is the best resource in my opinion. List the tickets at face value, and you'll probably get your money back. If you want to make sure you get something for them, undervalue them a little. If the concert is sold out, don't think it means everyone is scrambling for a ticket. Scalpers and online brokers often buy up hundreds of tickets and resell them at a massive profit, but it doesn't always work out well for them (Charlie Sheen...oh dear).

But don't go down to the box office to get a refund. You'll be laughed at 99% of the time.

5. Sale/Clearance Items

This one's a toughie. The bright red or yellow sticker on the box saying “clearance, no refunds” should make it fairly obvious that you won't get a refund on the item. But a little ingenuity can help. Many of the big stores like Walmart and Target will take back those clearance items in spite of the warning. As long as it's in the original packaging, you'll probably get your money back, or at the very least some store credit.

6. Bespoke Clothing

Now we go from tough to really, really tough. Bespoke, or tailored, clothing is very difficult to return. And the reason is obvious. The only person it fits perfectly is you.

For a start, think about why you'd want to return it. Is it buyer's remorse? That won't fly with the tailor who sold you the suit of pair of slacks. Tough.

You can always try and claim poverty, but that won't work either. To be honest, your best bet here is to list it on eBay. With its worldwide reach, you'll find plenty of people with your measurements, and you may even get more than you paid for it. And if that fails, donate it and write it off on your taxes.

7. Opened Video Games, DVDs, and CDs

This is another rotten one to negotiate. In the past, no problem at all. But these days, with copying as easy, and as widespread, as ever, stores have to be ultra-vigilant. Personally, I don't blame them. If they gave everyone a refund who came back a week later with an opened game, they'd go out of business.

Now, there is definitely no problem in getting an exchange for the exact same title. If you have a scratched disc and want a replacement, you'll get one. If someone got you a PS3 game and you own an XBOX 360, they should swap it out for a different platform.

But what if you get a CD or game, pop it in, and instantly hate it? What then?

Well, you could simply sell the item. You won't get top dollar for it, but it's better than having something around that you'll never watch, listen to, or play. Another option is to "regift" it. Of course, it should be in perfect condition if you do that; no one wants some scratched-up DVD or CD or a game covered in fingerprints and Cheetos crumbs.

So, that's my list of the top seven items that are non-refundable and have workarounds. Did I miss one? Do you have any additional advice? Leave your sage wisdom in the comments below.

Written by Paul Michael and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

25 Things to Throw Out Today

Paul Michael — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 10:36:17 +0000

There's a great quote from Fight Club, one of my favorite movies. It comes from Tyler Durden, Brad Pitt's character, and it's prophetic — "The things you own end up owning you." After watching several seasons of Hoarders, that's got to be one of the most truthful statements ever to come out of a movie.

Now, we all have a little hoarder inside each of us. We see some things that we just can't bear to get rid of, probably because there's an emotional attachment to them. Sometimes things are valuable, and we keep them for that reason. On rare occasions, we don't even know why we're hanging onto something, but we are.

Well, there's a great feeling of liberation that can come from shedding these items. If you'd like to feel it yourself, here's a list of 25 things that you should throw out today. And by that, I mean donate, dump, trash, incinerate, whatever you like…just remove them from your life. (See also: 25 Easy Organizing Changes You Can Make Today)

1. Clothing and Shoes You Haven't Worn in the Last 18 Months

"Well hang on, I'm saving those for a special occasion!" Really? I'm guilty of this too, waiting for the perfect time to wear that shirt I wore once back in 2002. It's so cool, how can I get rid of it? But at the same time, there just never seems to be the need for it, and it never gets worn. Give it away or sell it; someone else may actually wear it more than once every 10 years.

2. Old Paint

We all have those cans of paint in the garage or basement. They're great for touching up walls when they get chipped or scratched up. But when you repaint a wall and no longer need the color beneath it, or you haven't painted in several years, you should consider responsibly ridding yourself of the old paint. Try patching a wall you painted years ago with the paint in the can, and you'll see that it's not a perfect match. The paint on the wall has dulled. And if you repaint a wall, the chances of ever using that old paint color again are very slim. Keep newer paints for touch-up, but the rest can go. Visit Earth911.com to find a place that will safely dispose of the old paint for you.

3. Contents of the Junk Drawer

Everyone has a junk drawer full of random, well, crap. The occasional battery, old hair ties, bits of string, matchboxes — you name it, it's in there. And it just gathers drawer dust. So try this little experiment for a month. Grab a box and empty the contents of the junk drawer into it. Then, if you use something from that box, put it back in the junk drawer. At the end of one month, the drawer will be filled with items you use. The box? That's all stuff you can donate or throw out.

4. Dated Receipts, Paychecks, and Bills

Do you really need a filing cabinet full of old bills, paychecks, and receipts? If they are no longer needed, dump them. If you have receipts for tax purposes or warranties, they need to be stored somewhere (although many people these days are scanning them and saving on a hard drive). You should save paychecks from the past two years; throw the rest away (scan them first if you must). And bills, who needs them? If you can, sign up for electronic bills and paychecks to save the environment.

5. Unread Books

How many books do you have on your shelves that will never be read or never read again? Chances are, you've got plenty. Go through them today and donate them, so that someone else will get enjoyment from them.

6. Expired Medicines and Vitamins

Not only is this a space-saver, it could also be a life-saver. When drugs go past their expiration dates, they become less potent. So if you're taking them for a certain illness, you may not be getting the correct dosage. Some people double up on the dosage to make up for that, which is dangerous. Drugs can also change in their chemical compositions over time, which means they could become dangerous and have serious side effects. Be safe. Throw them out.

7. Cups and Mugs

You open the kitchen cabinet and reach for a cup or mug to pour yourself a coffee. That's when you're greeted with a vast array of unmatching, chipped, and faded cups and mugs that you've collected over the years. How many do you need anyway? Throw the ones you really don't need.

8. Plastic Containers

Whether you call them Tupperware, Gladware, Snapware, or anything else, you no doubt have a fabulously mixed-up collection of plastic containers. They have missing lids, too many lids, stains, holes, and about nine of them are actually worth keeping. Go through your collection and be brutal. Most can be dumped today.

9. Linens

There are linens that are used regularly. There are linens used for guests or other special occasions. And then there are the rest. Old, dated, worn, mismatched linens that no longer have a use other than "what if?" Well, chances are that day will never come. You won't have 15 house guests who drop in unannounced. Those linens have been stored away for years. Donate them.

10. Power Cords

I have a drawer full of old power cords, data cords, and other various pieces of connective cables. Most of them are duplicates (I get a new USB cord every time I buy a new gadget). Some are for old devices that have long since departed the home. So go through them all, keep the ones for current gadgets in your house, and get rid of the rest.

11. Magazines

There's a better place for those old magazines than gathering dust in your garage, basement, or attic. Don't throw them out; give them to local businesses that have waiting rooms, including doctor's offices and dentists. Next time you have to wait around, you'll have something more current to read than a 1992 National Geographic.

12. Spices

Did you know that spices go off? Actually, most great chefs will do whatever they can to buy only the freshest spices and use them very quickly, or buy them in a state that can be ground or grated (like black peppercorns or nutmeg). If you have a big collection of spices, check the expiration dates. If they have none, use these guidelines and your best guess:

Seasoning blends: 1-2 years
Herbs: 1-3 years
Ground spices: 2-3 years
Whole spices (such as cinnamon sticks and peppercorns): 3-4 years
Extracts: 4 years (except for pure vanilla, which lasts indefinitely)

13. Old Greeting Cards

It may sound heartless, but generally speaking, greeting cards are supposed to be a fleeting message from a loved one. They are not keepsakes to be stored or framed. You aren't throwing away someone's love by throwing away a Hallmark card that they picked out. Unless the card had something particularly sentimental and meaningful written inside, throw it away. "Happy Birthday, Love Mom" does not count.

14. DVDs, VHS and Audio Tapes, CDs and Video Games

VHS and audio tapes are a no-brainer. Have you tried listening to, or watching, either of those after watching Blu-Ray? It's like being transported back in time to the land of sucky reception. But even some DVDs, CDs, and video games should be considered. If you haven't listened to a CD in years, is it worth keeping? How about that movie you bought because it was on sale and cheaper to buy than rent? Or that video game you crushed and have no time for anymore? Dump them all.

15. Makeup

First, an admission. I don't wear makeup. But my wife does, and I know she has some rules regarding the lifespan of various products and brushes. Here are guidelines from Bella Sugar, and fellas, if you use makeup, you should follow them too...I'm talking to you specifically, Gene Simmons.

Mascara: Every three months
Foundation: One year
Concealer: 12-18 months
Powder: 18 months
Blush/Bronzer: 18 months
Cream blush: 12-18 months
Eye shadow: 18 months
Eyeliner: 18 months
Liquid eyeliner: 6 months
Lipstick/lip gloss: 18 months
Lip liner: One year
Nail polish: One year
Makeup sponges: Wash after each use, then throw away after a month.

16. Old Underwear, Socks, and Bras

Alas, sometimes we stretch out the time between washes a little longer than we should, and why? Because we see five pairs of undies or socks left in the drawer and know we're OK. But we forget they're the saddest items of clothing in the known universe, filled with holes, often glowing with a color that can only be described as "muddy gray." Get rid of them. As for bras, I bow to the ladies in my life on this one. They tell me that bras do need to be replaced. Dianes Lingerie has some guidelines for when to buy a new bra.

17. Dated Technology, Including Old Cell Phones

Last year we donated all of our old cell phones to a charity called Cell Phones For Soldiers. It gives our troops the ability to call home, and whether you agree with war or not, the soldiers always need support. That's just one way that something old and seemingly useless can be given a new lease of life. Old cameras, handheld video games, VHS players — they can all be used by someone. Better that than being stuck in your basement for the next 10 years.

18. Coat Hangers

We moved house recently. I lost count of how many coat hangers we had. I think there may have been 200. And out of those, maybe 30 were nice wooden ones. The rest were cheap plastic or were brought home still attached to the shirt or blouse we bought. Many were broken. And we used maybe half of them; the rest just took up space in the closet. Take a look at your closets — do you have hangers that are a complete waste of space?

19. Toys

Kids are spoiled for choice these days, and that means a glut of toys can be found all over the house. So get your kids to gather up all the toys, then sift through them together. Decide which ones they really want to keep, which ones can be donated, and which are no use to anyone. A jigsaw puzzle with 10 missing pieces is not fun. Actually, one missing piece is torture in some countries. Dump the headless Barbies and broken cars.

20. Those "Fix It Up" Projects

You know the ones I'm talking about. You bought a scrap piece of furniture or machinery at a garage sale three years ago, fully intending to sand it, prime it, paint it, and make it look like new again. Of course, the day after you bought it you stored it away in the basement or garage and it's been there ever since. So, make a pact. Start to fix it up today, or get rid of it.

21. Cribs, Car Seats, and Other Baby/Toddler Products

It's difficult to keep track of all the new regulations that come into play regarding baby products. For instance, drop-side cribs have now been banned due to safety concerns. The cribs we had for our two children were drop-side cribs, and had we kept them, we'd actually be saving something that was unsafe. The same goes for car seats, strollers, and many other baby items. So, check the ones you have around the home. They may need to be thrown out.

22. Perfumes and Colognes

We all have them, lurking in the back of the medicine cabinet or closet. They're the scents we were given as gifts, maybe by an ex, a clueless parent, or even something we bought for ourselves in a moment of uncommon sense. Now they sit in the dark, 99% full, waiting for the day you throw them away. Release them.

23. Jewelry

Pendants with broken chains. Old rings. Old bracelets. Dated brooches. Dated anything, actually. Men and women alike have jewelry that is no longer needed. It's time to liberate it, and you could even get a nice chunk of cash for it.

24. Rugs

We currently have two rugs in our basement that may never see the light of day again. As we just moved house, though, I'm giving it a few weeks to see if they have a natural place in our new home. If they don't, they're out. How about you? Did you once have a rug that was pride of place in your living room, but since redecorating, it's been stuck in a dark corner? Maybe someone else can give it a new home.

25. Food

We're a wasteful society. I recently read a statistic that says Americans throw away 25% of the food we produce, and I'm not surprised. We're so obsessed with keeping a full fridge, pantry, and freezer that we can't possibly eat everything we buy. And that means right now, you have food that's gone off and is rotting in the back of your fridge, freezer, or pantry. Do a complete check of each one, bin the food that's off, and if you find anything good that you're unlikely to eat for whatever reason, donate it.

Did I miss something? Did I get something completely wrong, in your opinion? Chime in, and let us know what you think should be thrown away today, and what you should actually keep forever.

Written by Paul Michael and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

Actually, the Rich Don’t Create Jobs. Demand Does

Paul Michael — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 14:21:17 +0000

We've heard an awful lot of back and forth recently over the dreaded tax hikes for the richest Americans, and the general argument against it has been this one:

"Don't tax the rich, they create the jobs!"

Really? I think it's fair to say that the rich control the jobs, but do they create them? Well, kind of, but only if those jobs are needed. And that need is determined by the very people who have all the money, not by the people desperate for jobs. These are the same people that are laying off workers when their businesses record profits. (We'll get to that in a moment.) Apple, Target, or even a local small business like Joe's Plumbing — they will hire people if they need them, not because they have more money to do so. And why do they hire people anyway? To make money. If the goal is making money, it can be done through expansion and employment, or it can be done through cutbacks and layoffs. The latter is king these days. (See also: Laid Off? You May Have to FIght for Unemployment Benefits)

It's classic misdirection, and fear mongering, to say that tax hikes on the ultra wealthy will lead to massive unemployment and fewer jobs. These tax cuts for the rich have been in place now for over a decade, and America is in one enormous pickle, so how do the two align? Where are all the jobs, if these tax cuts are the answer?

In fact, history has shown that when the rich pay more taxes, there are more jobs. Just look back at those years when the top marginal tax rate was above 90%. You'll see that the average annual growth in total payroll employment was 2%. When that top rate is reduced to 35% or less, the average growth falls to 0.4%.

Note: The chart comes from ThinkProgress, which is definitely a left-wing website, but the numbers are historically accurate and come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Tax Policy Center.

More Money Does Not Mean More Jobs

Here are some recent examples. HSBC and Merck both recently announced strong financials. HSBC posted a 35% profit increase, around $11.5 billion, for the first half of the year. Merck's profits are solid and growing. And yet, HSBC has announced that 25,000 jobs will be eliminated between now and 2013, and Merck is laying off 13,000 people. Lockheed Martin will be trimming thousands of jobs, too.

If the arguments for the wealthy tax breaks stand up, then these profits would equate to more jobs, not job cuts. But that's not the way the world works, at least not in businesses that have to report to share holders. And in many of these big corporations, the everyday workers are faceless numbers. They are just statistics. And when you eliminate their jobs, and the stock jumps a quarter of a point...well, a few wealthy people become wealthier.

Greed is the New Order of Business

Say you own a business and it's making $200 million a year in pure profit, employing some 3000 workers. Now you find out that if you work some people a little harder, you can maintain current production and increase profit by cutting 750 jobs. What do you do? Put your current morality to one side and adopt the mindset of a hard-nosed business executive with stockholders to please. It's quite simple. You cut jobs and give the top brass a pay raise.

That's what is happening everywhere. Rich corporations are cutting jobs and making more money than ever. Even Fox News, who are slanted to the right, are admitting that corporations have a lot of cash in reserve; they're just not spending it. CEOs aren't saying to the board, "Listen you guys, we're making too much money. Shouldn't we hire some more people?"

No, new jobs are created when there's a need. You expand, open a new plant or new store, and add jobs when they are required. You don't hire 10 people when you can get away with 8. In fact, these days you can hire 7 because people are so scared of losing their jobs that they'll work extra hard and take less pay. That's supply and demand. Don't expect businesses to eat into their profit margins or tell the shareholders that they aren't getting as big a slice of the pie. That doesn't happen any more.

The fact is, the rich are not creating jobs. They haven't been doing it in a long time. When jobs are needed, those jobs will be filled. When jobs can be cut, they will be cut. But when profits matter more than people, we get what we have right now. High unemployment, and low taxes for the wealthy.

Editor's Note: The views shared by one writer does not reflect the views of all writers on Wise Bread. Commentary on politics, news, and other topics on this site are meant for entertainment purposes.

Written by Paul Michael and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

The Ads That Are Part of Your Life

Paul Michael — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 10:36:20 +0000

How much does advertising affect you? You may not think it has any real affect on your everyday life, but it's an extremely powerful tool that has a major impact on so much of what we do, say, buy, wear, or talk about. (See also: Advertising Jargon That Aims to Mislead)

I could write a book on the psychological impact of advertising on purchasing decisions, but many others have already done so, and the books are great. Not only that, but they also give you a scary insight into the manipulative forces at play in even the smallest decision — like Pepsi or Coke, Walmart or Target, or even which type of gum you'll chew. Seriously, how much does one type of minty gum differ from another? It's all about branding, and brands are now so iconic and popular that they have become part of the fabric of our lives.

Today I present five of the more recent branding campaigns (sorry Nike fans, Just Do It is awesome, but it’s been around for decades) that have become a part of popular culture. Ironically, advertising usually takes elements of something already existing in pop culture and regurgitates them, so it's easy to see why they are so readily accepted when reborn as ad campaigns.

1. The Most Interesting Man In The World (Dos Equis)

A brilliant piece of branding in a marketplace crowded by sexy bikini-clad girls and claims about coldness. The man at the center of the campaign has done it all. He's the epitome of "been there, done that." His background makes him uber-cool. He's wise. He's the man. So when he tells you what he likes to drink, well, you take notice. This is not a new concept at all. In fact, the idea is remarkably similar to Chuck Norris facts (Chuck Norris can slam a revolving door, etc). But the way they signed off the campaign has become something that has spread across the Internet and in workplaces. The line "I don't always drink beer, but when I do I prefer Dos Equis" has been turned around in hundreds of different ways, most of them really funny. Here are a few I laughed at recently:

"I don't always use the toilet at work, but when I do I prefer the handicapped stall."
"I don't always use Internet Explorer, but when I do it's to download another browser."
"I don't always work from home, but when I do I don't actually work."

See many more examples on Reddit.

Watch video

2. The Old Spice Guy

You know you're onto something when every Tom, Dick, or Harry in the office is parodying your advertising. I've been in meetings where the presenter started with "look at me, now the PowerPoint, now back to me..." and so on. This is in fact a very similar campaign to Dos Equis — presenting someone so cool he's beyond cool, and then aligning him with a brand. In this case, the Old Spice brand was dying. Now, it has new life, revived by a campaign that has copycats everywhere. When your mom calls you and recites the Old Spice monologue, you've hit pay dirt. And even Fabio is getting in on the action.

Watch video

3. I’m a Mac, I’m a PC

Another landmark piece of advertising from TBWA\Chiat\Day. Around water coolers, on Internet chat sites, at the gym, people were asking — “So are you a Mac or a PC?” And surprisingly, although the ads portray PCs as unhip and out of date, many people responded with the answer PC. Why? Well for a start, Apple products are extremely expensive compared to PCs, something which of course the ads don’t really go in to. Also, PCs are made by many different companies, including Sony, Toshiba, and HP. Macs are made by Apple. That’s it. So getting hold of a PC is much easier. There are way more game titles for PCs than Macs, and PCs are much easier to customize and build. Oh, and let’s not forget, the guy who plays the PC — comedian John Hodgman — is a really funny and intelligent guy. So, who are you? Personally, I’m someone who wants to be a Mac (and will one day own one), but I’ll probably always be a PC.

Watch video

4. Allstate Insurance Mayhem

I was going to put Geico on the list, but after speaking to friends and family, I discovered that Allstate’s new Mayhem campaign is way more popular with them. And one that they laugh about and parody all the time.

From the ads:

“I’m the key against your side door…”
“I’m a hot babe out jogging…”
“I’m a raccoon…”

Heard from the people who love the ads:

“I’m the guy who plays the same song over and over and over…”
“I’m the girl in the coffee line that stands too close to you…”
“I’m the boss who tells you not to take vacation while they’re on vacation…”

The basic premise, if you haven’t see the ads, is that a man in a suit (played expertly by Dean Winters) is basically becoming the things that can wreck your car, your home, or anything else that needs insurance. In a recent ad, he becomes a raccoon in your attic, and it’s funny. Very. Plus, it’s memorable. Of course, now people are using the same premise to say that they’re anything that’s annoying in life. Right now, “I’m the kid who refuses to go to sleep even though it’s 10 p.m…” is my Mayhem.

Watch video

5. Snickers Hungry Alter Ego

Who do you become when you’re hungry? That’s the premise of the Snicker’s campaign, and it has compared hungry guys and girls to Betty White, Richard Lewis or Roseanne Barr, Gladys Knight or Liza Minnelli, and even a famous ballet dancer in Russia!

Me, I get compared to Joe Pesci all the time. "Hey Pesci, we’re eating in ten minutes, so keep it down." I just want to say, I’m only that angry when I’m waiting to go out for Indian food.

Watch video

So which recent ads (not Budweiser’s "Wasssuuuppppp?!!!") have seeped into your daily life? And how does it actually make you feel about the product it’s advertising?

Written by Paul Michael and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

Repair the Car or Spend the Cash?

Paul Michael — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 10:36:22 +0000

Over the past few months, I've been seeing cars in various states of disrepair. Big dents, dings, damaged windows and doors, bumpers scraping along the ground, you name it. And it got me scratching my head and wondering...are people choosing to take the insurance money and spend it on something other than the car repair? (See also: Remove Car Dents Quickly and Cheaply)

Now obviously, some of these cars were just old and in need of some major TLC. But in the company car park alone I've seen several cars that are from 2007 or after, and they have big bad dents and other major pieces of bodywork damage.

Clearly, these cars were involved in some kind of accident. Be it with another car, a lamp post, a wall, or an angry Transformer, something went wrong. Knowing that most good citizens have auto insurance coverage, I also know that these people would have received some kind of payment to have the car fixed whether it was their fault or not. I got sideswiped a few years ago, and the car took $4,500 worth of damage. I was given two options...choosing a recommended repair shop to deal directly with my auto insurance company, and I would pay the deductible. Or I could get a check based on the price the adjuster believed it would cost to have repaired, minus the deductible.

At the time, I chose the first option. I needed the car fixed immediately. I wasn't ready to start calling around for competitive bids, and I also knew that the place chosen by my auto insurance company would be held accountable by them if the repair was not done well.

But I got to thinking. I wonder...

How many say "I can live with the dent; I'd much rather have the cash"?

It makes all kinds of sense to me. Some people don't care about the resale value of the car or how it looks. It's a mode of transport that gets them from home to work, shopping, or the ball game. It's no big deal if it's not perfect, and a few thousand dollars is way more important than removing a dent from the door or fixing a crunched-up bumper.

After that thought, I noticed damaged cars everywhere. I counted 23 in the parking lot at Target last week, and it was not a busy shopping day. True, some may have been very recently damaged and awaiting repair, but I saw a couple of major dents that had been very poorly spray-painted and a bumper that had been freshly covered with stickers. Clearly, these were not people who took the insurance money for the car repair. They probably kept the cash.

Is it legal to keep the cash, and are there consequences?

This gets us into some muddy waters. I did some digging on several auto repair sites, forums, insurance blogs, and so on. It seems that many people do, in fact, opt to cash the check and leave their vehicle in a state of disrepair. But this does have some ramifications.

First, if you don't own the car outright (and that's a large majority of us), then the bank is the lienholder, and the money for the repair is to keep the car in good condition until the loan has been paid off. They want the car to be repaired, and they have every right to see that you make good on the repair. What's more, if the check is made out to both you and the lienholder, and you cash it, you could be liable for fraud charges and even jail time!

If you own the car outright, it's much easier to decide to take the cash and spend it on bills, a new TV, or anything else. I have read several stories on Auto Repair Service Guide of people who did just that:

Thorax (a username, I believe) said, "Yes you can do that.. I got about 800 for a scratch on my bumper, you couldn’t really even see it unless you knew it was there or got up close… I decided to say screw it and keep the money…"

And Young Ian also chimed in, saying, "Yep, you can cash it. My mom did the same thing some guy hit our salvage title prizm and she got like a thousand dollars for it. It was mainly cosmetic, she used it to pay bills. We still have a pretty ugly side, but she got a thousand bucks!"

Now, over to you...

If you get in an accident and your car receives cosmetic damage, do you get it repaired, or do you take the money and run? In these tough economic times, I can certainly see why many people would go for the latter option.

References:

Written by Paul Michael and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

How Much?! A Breakdown of Concert Ticket Prices

Paul Michael — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 10:24:20 +0000

If you buy concert tickets on a regular basis, like me and many of my friends, then you know one topic of conversation that often rears its ugly head — what's the deal with the pricing?!

You start off with a ticket for $35, by the time you're done it's closer to $50. What's with all the service fees and other add-ons? Why does it cost more to print the ticket yourself than to have the online service print it for you? How much does the artist actually get after all's said and done? Why are some of these tickets more expensive than a new laptop?!

If these questions have been rattling around your brain, Wise Bread has the answers for you. And you may be quite surprised at the results. (See also: How to Watch Movies in the Theater for Free)

Here’s a chart that outlines where the money goes, with a further breakdown below.

The Biggest Shocker — Most of the Money Goes to the Artist!

I know, amazing. My cynical brain, coupled with the way artists often complain about vampire record labels, had me thinking that the artists walk away with one tenth of the take, if they're lucky. It turns out that assumption was dead wrong. Although artists get poorly compensated for music sales (roughly 10% of the retail price) they get a much bigger chunk of change when they tour. And good for them, because touring is no easy task (despite what you may have heard from Motley Crue).

On average, the artist takes 74% of the ticket price, although it can go as high as 90% in some cases. Now you know why more bands tour so much.

Next, the Dreaded Service Fees

Back in the eighties and nineties, it was usual to pay 10% or less in service fees. Those days are gone. Now, depending on the price of the ticket's face value, service fees can be as much, or sometimes more, than the cost of the actual ticket! If you buy a ticket to an unknown (or maybe unpopular) act, it may only set you back $15. But don't expect to pay just $1.50 in service fees. No, they will still be around the same price as those of a $50 ticket, and friends have shown me stubs from concerts that showed a $15 ticket fee and $12.50 in service fees.

So what are you paying for? Well, it's usually made up of the following:

Convenience Fee/Charge and Order Processing Fee

These vary by event, and retail outlet/box office purchases usually don't include an order processing fee. These fees are typically shared with the artist, venue, or promoter, but this is the main source of revenue for places like Ticketmaster and covers their costs plus substantial profits.

Delivery Price

If you choose standard delivery or print-at-home options, these should not apply. But you can add a lot to the final price of the ticket if you have them shipped two-day or overnight.

Facility Charge

The venue of the concert/gig is responsible for adding any facility charges, and they receive 100% of the money collected from them.

Taxes

City, state, and local taxes are typically included in the face value of the ticket and are not considered service fees.

Why Did It Once Cost More to Print Your Own Ticket?

Ticketmaster used to charge you $2.50 for the option of printing your ticket at home, or you could get them delivered free. Wait, what? Well, it wasn't a question of the physical cost of printing the ticket; clearly it cost the company more to print them than to have you print them yourselves. This was simply one of those “because we can, that’s why” fees and it made a lot of financial sense to the company. People were willing to pay the small fee for the convenience of having instant access to tickets and a soft copy available that they could print at any time.

Physical tickets can get lost in the mail, damaged, or misplaced, and that’s just a headache. Plus, if you’re buying concert tickets last minute, the instant option is your only one unless you want your tickets to arrive after the event. The good news is, as you can see from the LiveNation PDF (or if you have recently purchased tickets via Ticketmaster), that these TicketFast fees have been abandoned. Increased scrutiny from watchdogs and complaints from consumers over the power of the Ticketmaster monopoly had a lot to do with it. So now instant gratification is even more gratifying.

So You Want the Best Price For Tickets...What Do You Do?

Well, in most instances you're going to get your tickets from a reputable online dealer like LiveNation, which includes Ticketmaster, TicketsNow, TicketWeb, and House of Blues. And yes, they've pretty much cornered the market. But you do have some options to save money.

First, see if you can buy tickets directly from the box office of the venue the gig is at. That may be a trip, but it saves you on a few of those service fees. You could also try buying through the artist's website, which may offer discounts to fan club members, better seats, CDs with purchase, or any other number of goodies. And if you do go through an online source, order them in plenty of time so you can choose better seats and avoid any rush delivery charges (if printing at home is not an option).

Oh, and please, don't give money to the scalpers, and that includes those insidious sites like StubHub. I wanted to get tickets to a concert recently that had completely snuck up on me. Face value of the ticket was $62, but the tickets had all gone. Lucky for me though, StubHub had a bunch at the bargain-basement price of $370! Yeah, no thanks. I went to Craigslist and found someone selling them last minute because they had to back out, and they only asked face value.

I personally think there should be a limit to how many tickets anyone can buy, and that includes corporations or other businesses. And I mean real limits, not the feeble ones they have now that aren't enforced and clearly don't work.

Any other ticket buying advice? Concert ticket horror stories? Ridiculous fees that you paid? Chime in.

Written by Paul Michael and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

25 Great Movies About Money

Paul Michael — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 10:36:38 +0000

When I first started researching this article, I figured I’d find a dozen decent movies based on money. I was wrong. There are hundreds of films out there with money at the core, and why not? Money makes the world go around, after all. It plays a part in all of our lives, so it’s no surprise that so many filmmakers have chosen to focus on it.

I boiled the list down to the best 25 that show a variety of themes across many different genres and ratings. Some are family films, others for the adults only, and some are documentaries. However, money is a major feature in each one...and hopefully you’ll learn a little something from them, too. (See also: Never Pay for a Redbox DVD Rental Again)

Boiler Room (2000) – Thriller, Rated R

Starring: Vin Diesel, Giovanni Ribisi

An investment drama that crosses Wall Street with Glengarry Glen Ross (both on this list) Boiler Room is a good effort from a young cast. The basic premise is simple — a savvy college dropout turns from running an illegal casino to a seemingly legal investment business that’s based on very aggressive cold-calling. But obviously the bubble has to burst at some point, and when that happens, the real drama begins.

Brewster’s Millions (1985) – Comedy, Rated PG

Starring: Richard Pryor, John Candy

A classic from the 80s, Brewster's Millions features Pryor as a minor league baseball player who is given an offer he can’t refuse — spend $30 million in 30 days and have nothing to show for it, and he gets $300 million. He also can’t tell anyone about the deal, and that’s when the laughs come thick and fast. Everyone thinks he’s nuts as he spends money like a drunken sailor on the most frivolous things, but he soon discovers spending serious money is not as easy, or as fun, as he thinks.

Capitalism: A Love Story (2009) – Documentary, Rated R

Starring: Michael Moore

Moore is a polarizing figure. The left think he’s a crusader for the working man, the right thinks he warps the truth for his own agenda. But love him or hate him, he knows how to make documentary movies. Capitalism: A Love Story deals with American democracy and capitalism, taking aim at Reagonomics, George W. Bush, and the free enterprise system that led to the collapse of the U.S. economy. But where did all the money go? And who’s to blame?

Casino (1995) – Crime Drama, Rated R

Starring: Robert DeNiro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci

Although I prefer Goodfellas, which also deals with money, Casino is all about the evils of money. Set in the 70s, it centers around Ace Rothstein (DeNiro), a gambling genius with ties to the mob. They ask him to run the Tangiers casino, and he turns the place into a gold mine. But with success comes the usual trouble, with blonde bombshell hustler Ginger (Stone) and brutal mobster Nicky Santoro (Pesci) taking full advantage of Ace.

The Color of Money (1996) – Drama, Rated R

Starring: Paul Newman, Tom Cruise

A sequel to the original Paul Newman film The Hustler, this Martin Socrcese movie concerns money, exploitation, and revenge. Cruise is Vincent Lauria, a hot-shot pool player without a clue. Newman is “Fast” Eddie Felson, a former hustler who knows how to play the game. One of my favorite quotes of all time is from The Color of Money — “If you got an area of excellence...you're the best at something, anything...then rich can be arranged.”

Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005) – Documentary, Rated R

Directed by: Alex Gibney

Some movies have a profound affect on you, leaving you more angered and frustrated than you ever thought possible. Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room is one such movie. It documents the faulty and utterly corrupt business practices of the Enron corporation, who abused California’s deregulated electricity market to make billions of dollars. This resulted in suicides, 20,000 people losing their jobs, and one of the largest bankruptcies in modern history.

The Firm (1993) – Thriller, Rated R

Starring: Tom Cruise, Gene Hackman

Cruise plays Mitch McDeere, a bright young lawyer who is scooped up by a small but lucrative law firm. He gets suspicious when he finds out how many lawyers have died at the firm, and soon discovers its ties with the mob. A key scene in The Firm for me comes when his wife wishes for the days when they didn't have money and were scrabbling for change to buy pizza.

Glengarry Glen Ross (1992) – Drama, Rated R

Starring: Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Ed Harris, Kevin Spacey, Alec Baldwin

Worth watching just for the infamous Alec Baldwin monologue, Glengarry Glen Ross was penned by David Mamet and is filled with rich, intelligent dialog. The whole movie centers on a Chicago real-estate office going through tough times. Each salesman is under immense pressure to close sales or lose their jobs, and we see how far people will go in search of the mighty dollar. A stunning movie. And remember, coffee’s for closers.

I.O.U.S.A. (2008) – Documentary, Rated PG

Directed by: Patrick Creadon

The national debt of the United States is growing at a rapid rate. As a nation, we’re hooked on credit, we save less than we ever have before, and the nation can no longer survive on what it collects through taxes. That’s the picture painted by I.O.U.S.A., and it’s bleak to say the least. As we follow the U.S. Comptroller General David Walker across the country, we see the damage that has been done, and the economic disaster on the horizon.

In Debt We Trust (2007) – Documentary, Rated R

Directed by: Danny Schechter

Similar to I.O.U.S.A. in many ways, but with a more personal slant, In Debt We Trust analyses the growing trend of “borrow now, pay later” that is sweeping the nation. We used to owe less than we had in our savings accounts, but that’s no longer the norm. Now, we put more and more on credit and pay the minimum. But what impact will this have on the younger generation, and the world? The warning this film delivers is scarier than any horror flick.

Indecent Proposal (1993) – Drama, Rated R

Starring: Robert Redford, Demi Moore, Woody Harrelson

Imagine you’re in real dire financial straits. You could lose everything unless you get money, and quick. Now imagine a millionaire offers you $1 million to spend just one night with your significant other. Would you take it? And what would happen if you did? A powerful examination of human nature and morality, Indecent Proposal is a film worth watching to see just how money can twist your sense of right and wrong, and the damage it can do.

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) – Drama, Not Rated

Starring: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore

One of the most beloved movies, It's a Wonderful Life teaches us all a thing or two about the true meaning of life and the hold money can have on us. George Bailey (Stewart) has led the picture-perfect life in Bedford Falls. But when he loses $8,000 and puts the whole town in jeopardy, he contemplates suicide. That's when his guardian angel appears, to show him what life would be like if he'd never existed. A truly wonderful film.

Jerry Maguire (1996) – Drama/Romance, Rated R

Starring: Tom Cruise, Renee Zellweger, Cuba Gooding, Jr.

My friends would tell me that if I turned up to work unusually happy, they knew I'd watched Jerry Maguire. It tells the story of Jerry Maguire, a sports agent who grows a conscience and writes a mission statement to his company — fewer clients, less money. He's fired, he loses his clients and his fiancée, and his career is in ruins. But that's when he discovers what matters most, and who matters most, in a tale that can melt the stoniest of hearts.

Maxed Out (2006) – Documentary, Not Rated

Directed by: James D. Scurlock

Another movie about the debt crisis consuming America, director James D. Scurlock uses satire from Louis C.K. and music from Coldplay to add some flavor to the tough subject of financial doom. Noting similarities between the credit industry and the drug trade, Maxed Out examines the predatory lending practices of some of the biggest financial institutions and ask that age old question — why? Filled with great knowledge, this is unmissable.

The Money Pit (1986) – Comedy, Rated PG

Starring: Tom Hanks, Shelley Long

Anyone thinking of buying a used home should stay well clear of this movie for a while. The Money Pit is the story of a happy couple who buy a "too good to be true" home for a bargain price. Everything looks great until they move in, and the entire house begins to fall to pieces. They soon go from happy to frantic as the house consumes every cent they own, and the home becomes metaphor for their troubled relationship. Great laughs throughout.

Ocean’s Eleven (2001) – Crime Thriller, Rated R

Starring: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts

I apologize to any purists out there who prefer the original to the remake, but I happen to like Soderbergh’s version of Ocean's Eleven a little better. In this crime caper, money is the root of all evil. Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia) owns a chain of casinos in Vegas, and takes pleasure in destroying the competition in order to build his empire. Danny Ocean gathers a crew to rob him of his fortune. But there’s a deeper story involving Danny’s ex.

Office Space (1999) – Comedy, Rated R

Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Ron Livingston

A wonderful piece of social satire from director Mike Judge, Office Space concerns the humdrum lives of workers at a software company. Their jobs are deeply dull, they’re facing layoffs, and they’re terrified of being unemployed. It all changes though when Peter Gibbons gets hypnotized and basically stops caring — which results in getting a huge promotion. With his friends in the firing line, they all hatch a plan. One of the five funniest movies ever made.

The One Percent (2006) – Documentary, Not Rated

Directed by: Jamie Johnson

What is the one percent? Well, it refers to the wealthiest Americans who control 38% of the nation's wealth. And in this documentary by Jamie Johnson, heir to the Johnson & Johnson fortune, we discover some of the brutal facts about trickle-down economics, the widening gap between rich and poor, and the future of America. Warren Buffett disowned granddaughter Nicole after she appeared in the documentary. Ouch. Available on Netflix.

Other People’s Money (1991) – Comedy Drama, Rated R

Starring: Danny DeVito, Gregory Peck

DeVito is “Larry The Liquidator,” a merciless investor who buys companies, rips them apart and sells off the assets to make millions. But when he comes up against a mom-and-pop company, he gets more than he bargained for — a sassy and attractive lawyer, and a relative of the owners, who can play the same dirty games as Larry. Other People's Money is a funny and touching story about the importance of people’s lives over that of the might dollar.

The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) – Drama, Rated PG-13

Starring: Will Smith, Thandie Newton

Based on the true story of Christopher Gardner, The Pursuit of Happyness is a rags-to-riches story that really tugs at your heart strings. Gardner (Will Smith) has a job trying to sell over-priced medical equipment, and it's not going well. His wife leaves him, he has to care for his young son, and he's got no income. Then one day he sees a guy driving a sports car and asks how he did it. He decides to become at trainee stock broker, unpaid and in dire financial straits.

Rogue Trader (1999) – Drama, Rated R

Starring: Ewan McGregor, Anna Friel

Remember Nick Leeson, the trader who single-handedly brought down Barings Bank? Well, Rogue Trader is the story of one of the biggest investment failures in recent history. Nick is a skilled trader who assigned to work in Jakarta, but in an attempt to save money, Barings allows him to operate floor trading and back office facilities. This results in him breaking all kinds of trading rules, generating losses that quickly become impossible to recover.

Slumdog Millionaire (2008) – Drama, Rated R

Starring: Dev Patel, Freido Pinto, Anil Kapoor

Winner of eight Oscars, Slumdog Millionaire is an often heart-wrenching tale about a Mumbai teen who becomes a contestant on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. When he starts getting answers correct that should be way beyond his general knowledge, he’s accused of cheating and interrogated. But through a series of flashbacks, we see that events from his life gave him this knowledge. One of the best movies of the last decade.

The Sting (1973) – Crime Comedy, Rated PG

Starring: Robert Redford, Paul Newman

Set in 1936 Chicago, The Sting follows two con men who are looking to get revenge on a major crime boss in town. And they know his weakness — gambling on the horses. What follows is an elaborate sting operation to separate the man from his money without him ever knowing he was part of a "long con." Winner of seven Academy Awards, and with ragtime music by Scott Joplin, The Sting is a masterful movie that I watch every year.

Trading Places (1983) – Comedy, Rated R

Starring: Dan Aykroyd, Eddie Murphy

Are titans of industry born to do it, or are they made? Will people resort to crime if pushed too far? These are the questions that two super-rich older brothers ask each other, and to find out they concoct a nasty plan. They ruin the life of their successful commodities trader and bring a bum from the streets in to replace him. What follows in Trading Places are some of the funniest moments ever captured on film. A classic comedy, with great acting and a great story.

Wall Street (1987) – Thriller, Rated R

Starring: Michael Douglas, Charlie Sheen, Martin Sheen

"Greed is good" spits Gordon Gekko, a ruthless stock broker who worships money and the power it brings him. Bud Fox is a young broker desperate to work with him, and the lure of success puts Fox on a path that leads to insider trading, shady business deals, fast cars, and fast women. Set in New York in the late eighties, the height of "yuppie" culture, Wall Street is a fast-paced film that puts a magnifying glass on greed.

Did I miss anything exceptional? Or just one of your favorites? Chime in, let us know any other movies about money that are worth a watch.

Note: All links go to Amazon, no affiliate money is being generated from them.

Written by Paul Michael and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

Wise Bread (Paul Michael)

10 Smart Things to Do With $25

1. Go on a Goodwill Shopping Spree

2. Adopt an Animal That Needs a Good Home

3. Buy Previously Viewed Movies and Games

4. Start a College Savings Plan

5. Hit the Sales at the Grocery Stores

6. Loan It to a Farmer or Entrepreneur in a Third-World Country

7. Hop the Farmers Markets

8. Buy Some Original Art

9. Get a Free Massage or Haircut, and Tip $25

10. Take a Music Lesson

What Is SOPA, and How Will It Affect You?

What Is SOPA? Here’s a Very Simple Rundown

Is This the Same as PIPA?

The Deeper Ramifications of SOPA

So, What’s the Worst That Can Happen?

What Can You Do to Stop SOPA and PIPA?

Further Reading

10 Things You Do to Save Money That End Up Costing You More

1. Avoiding Regular Check-Ups With the Doctor, Dentist or Optician

2. Taking Store Credit Card Offers for Discounts, but Paying the Minimum

3. Doing Your Own Taxes

4. Building an Emergency Fund, but Not Contributing to a Retirement Plan

5. Buying the Cheapest Products to Save Money

6. Putting No Money in the Parking Meter Because “I’ll Be Back Quick!”

7. Getting Suckered Into BOGO Deals and Other Sales

8. Driving Miles and Miles for Cheaper Gas or Other Bargains

9. Avoiding Routine Car Maintenance

10. Buying Food in Bulk and Then Throwing Half of It Away

The Gift Card Scam of 2011: Don’t Be a Victim

How the Gift Card Scam Works

What Can You Do to Protect Yourself?

What If You’re a Victim?

The Psychology of Free, and Its Power Over You

Genuinely Free Deals Are Irresistible — If There’s a Good Reason

The Reverse Psychology of Free

Overall, Free Ain’t What It Used to Be, but It’s Still Great

13 Cheap Beers to Keep Your Holiday Season Hoppin’

1. Boddingtons Pub Ale

2. Yuengling Premium Beer

3. Newcastle Brown Winter IPA

4. Pabst Blue Ribbon

5. Simpler Times Lager

6. Samuel Adams Winter Lager

7. Butternuts Beer & Ale Moo Thunder Stout

8. Budweiser American Ale

9. Schaefer Beer

10. Lionshead Pilsner

11. Genesee Cream Ale

12. Sierra Nevada Celebration

13. Mississippi Mud Black & Tan

The 25 Best Things to Buy on Craigslist

1. Exercise Equipment

2. Bed Frames

3. Furniture

4. DVDs and CDs

5. Video Games

6. Collectibles

7. Tools

8. Books

9. Toys

10. Bicycles

11. Framed Art

12. Office Supplies

13. Refrigerators and Other Appliances

14. Antiques

15. Sports Equipment for Kids

16. Musical Instruments

17. Barbeque Grills

18. Sinks, Tubs, Toilets, and Showers

19. Lawn Mowers

20. Pack ‘n’ Plays, High Chairs, and Rockers

21. Dog Kennels

22. Playsets

23. Outdoor Furniture

24. Landscaping Supplies

25. Crockery and Silverware

25 Ways to Make Money Today

1. Sell some stuff