Posted Sep 6th 2007 9:26AM by Vicki Passmore
Filed under: Products and services, Consumer experience, Money and Finance Today, Campbell Soup (CPB), Sun Microsystems (JAVA), Housing
In the News:
A Potential Model for U.S. Health-Care
The Netherlands is using competition and a small dose of regulation to pursue what many in the U.S. hunger to achieve: health insurance for everyone, coupled with a tighter lid on costs.
The Best Markets for Landlords
Whether they're waiting out the housing storm, or smack in the middle of it, an increasing number of Americans are choosing to rent, not own. And that's good news for landlords and investors.
Foreclosures and risky lending have dogged the housing market. As lenders have tightened their standards, attractive mortgages have grown harder to come by. Yet rental fundamentals have remained strong, especially in the 10 areas that made our list of Best Markets for Landlords.
Have Your Cake and No Sugar Too? Um, no.
Most nonsugar sweeteners will taste fine in your tea or lemonade. But use some of them for baking a cake, and you could have a real flop. These are the findings of Consumer Reports tests of 13 lower-calorie and no-calorie sweeteners, which we added to drinks and used to bake cookies and cakes, following package directions. We found that no sweetener does it all and that no-calorie products didn't bake as well as lower-calorie sweeteners: In other words, you can't really have your cake and no sugar too.
Household Glue: Some Claims Don't Stick
Glue makers have enlisted snarling rhinos, glaring gorillas, and sumo wrestlers to tout their promises of "incredible strength," "truly all-purpose," and "Glues whatever. Bonds forever." But those claims didn't stick in our lab tests. Most of the multipurpose adhesives, superglues, epoxies, and wood glues that we tested were adequately strong for their intended purpose. But no single adhesive worked for everything -- and a few barely worked at all.
Run With These 10 Dogs of the Dow?
What could be a better antidote to market volatility than a mixture of high-yielding blue chips? How about the ten top payers in the Dow Jones industrial average, better known as the Dogs of the Dow? The top-yielding blue chips make faithful companions during unpredictable times, but some will be better company than others as the market volatility subsides.
Luxury for the rest of us
Here's a look at the less expensive polishes, perfumes and pendants that make regular folks feel like a million bucks.
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/news/0708/gallery.luxury_gateway/index.html
5 luxe limited editions
These days carrying a Gucci bag doesn't mean you're special -- or ever particularly unique. Once the sole province of the elite, luxury has gone mass market. So luxe retailers are getting creative, ginning up one-of-a-kind items that recapture exclusivity.
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/news/0708/gallery.luxury_premium/
Posted Sep 5th 2007 9:51AM by Vicki Passmore
Filed under: Yahoo! (YHOO), General Motors (GM), Home Depot (HD), Toyota Motor Corp. (TM), Next big thing, Money and Finance Today, Lowe's Cos (LOW), Mattel, Inc (MAT), Personal finance
In the News:
100 Fastest Growing Companies
Even in a turbulent market, some companies are still enjoying exhilarating growth spurts. A stunning 37 of this year's fast-growers come from the energy sector, while some seemingly fleeting trends - like energy drinks - proved to have surprising staying power.
Full List |
See the Top 25Plus: 10 Investments Poised to Soar
Inside Celebrity Closets
We see Lindsay Lohan wearing Chanel on what sometimes seems like a daily basis. And Jessica Simpson shows up in duds from Los Angeles-boutique Madison every other week. But what of this red-carpet stuff --Balenciaga gowns and Christian Louboutin pumps -- do stars themselves pay for? Not much.See which designers these celebs wear most.
Inside Hollywood's Closets - Forbes.com
An Organic Milk Ripoff
The government says one of the nation's largest producers of organic milk has been breaking the rules, says Fortune's Marc Gunther.
Credit Card Survival Guide
Tips for staying out of debt, managing your debt, and navigating your credit-card contract.
Confessions of a Credit Card Pusher
One student's story of how he was recruited to peddle credit cards on campus and the troubles he found for himself.
RockYou: Takes Photo Sharing Up a Notch
Jia Shen, 27, wanted to make a big splash with his new photo-sharing site, RockYou, so he targeted users of social networks such as MySpace and Facebook. Shen is clearly onto something. In May, red-hot social network Facebook added RockYou to the list of outside applications Facebook fans can add to their personal pages; 15 million have signed up. RockYou invites members to share their work at Facebook, MySpace, eBay, blogs and newer social sites such as Bebo, Hi5, Tagged and Zorpia. "The whole point of sharing is to be able to see your pictures all over the Internet, not on just one site," says Shen, RockYou's co-founder and chief technology officer. "We don't want to keep you on our site; we want you to go to MySpace and Facebook, where your friends are."
Amanda Beard's Financial Strokes
Now, Beard splits her time between honing her killer breaststroke and her business skills. Today, she's as successful in the pool as out of it. Not only does she have seven Olympic medals (two gold, four silver, one bronze) and a world record to her name, but also a burgeoning business empire, a modeling career and a slew of endorsement deals with the likes of Speedo and Red Bull that help pull in roughly $1 million a year.
Posted Sep 4th 2007 9:17AM by Vicki Passmore
Filed under: Products and services, Consumer experience, Competitive strategy, AT and T (T), Money and Finance Today, Mattel, Inc (MAT)
In the News:
First-Born Kids Become CEO Material
Scientists have found that first-born children are smarter than their brothers and sisters. It appears they are more likely to succeed in business, too. Be it drive or aptitude or a slightly higher IQ, the advantage crosses gender and international lines. Ben Dattner, a psychology professor at New York University who has studied birth order, says it makes sense that first-born children rise to the top. They are often more extroverted, confident, assertive, authoritarian, dominant, inflexible, conformist, politically conservative, task-oriented, conscientious, disciplined, defensive about errors, and fearful of losing position and rank.
Majoring in Credit Card Debt
Over the next month, as 17 million college students flood the nation's campuses, they will be greeted by swarms of credit-card marketers. Frisbees, T-shirts, and even iPods will be used as enticements to sign up, and marketing on the Web will reinforce the message. Many kids will go for it. Some 75% of college students have credit cards now, up from 67% in 1998. Just a generation earlier, a credit card on campus was a great rarity. But this aggressive on-campus marketing by credit-card companies is coming under fire. What should be done to educate students about the dangers of plastic?
http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/sep2007/db2007093_443488.htm?campaign_id=twxa
MySpace for Traders
Like other areas of the Internet, online trading sites are turning into shared experiences. Taking a cue from social sites, new online brokers give clients a place to network. By incorporating message boards, blogs, chat rooms, and podcasts, the new sites reflect growing demand for two-way flows of information. Investors no longer want to be just on the receiving end of content. Whether these sites can unleash the wisdom of the crowd for market players remains to be seen. But you can bet that in investing, as in other corners of the Web, the urge for community will grow stronger --and the bigger players may have to respond to the upstarts.
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_37/b4049089.htm?campaign_id=twxa
Quite a Racket, Literally
Called the "greatest phenomenom in tennis racket history," Babolat tennis rackets have taken the tennis world by storm. Light and maneuverable, with hip looks and features such as a "woofer" system that keeps the ball on the strings longer and vibration filtering, the rackets have won instant converts, like Andy Roddick, the top-ranked American at this week's U.S. Open. Known primarily for strings, Babolat (BAH-bow-lah) took a swing at the racket market in 1994 and has become the fastest-growing maker in the world.
How Much Is That Puppy in the (PC) Window?
Internet scammers are luring online puppy buyers with cute pictures and false promises, taking would-be dog owners for an emotional and financial ride.
Not Your Father's Diesel
Environmentally-conscious car buyers are turning to hybrids more than ever, but soon, a new (and rather surprising) contender will join the green line-up at dealerships: diesel. An earth-friendly diesel may sound like an oxymoron to those who remember Detroit's first attempts with these engines back in the 1980s. General Motors' diesel Oldsmobiles were "smelly, noisy and horribly unreliable." It's no surprise then that Americans have stayed away from diesel ever since. First impressions, after all, last. Despite its fuel efficiency - on average 20% to 40% better than gasoline - less than 1% of all registered vehicles on the road today are powered by diesel. That should soon change. Clean, green, fuel-efficient diesel cars that are set to hit dealerships as soon as next year. Here's what you need to know about the "new" diesel and whether it merits a spot in your garage.
Posted Aug 31st 2007 8:54AM by Vicki Passmore
Filed under: Consumer experience, General Motors (GM), Toyota Motor Corp. (TM), Money and Finance Today, Housing
In the News:
FHA to Help Refi At-Risk Loans
Some homeowners with risky "subprime" adjustable-rate mortgages will be able to refinance before they lose their home to foreclosure, with the help of steps President Bush will announce Friday, senior administration officials said Thursday night. An estimated 80,000 homeowners with bruised credit and subprime ARMs they can no longer afford will be able to refinance loans, which the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) would insure.
Best Renters' Markets
If you're looking to rent property -- for whatever reason -- the best place to try is Atlanta, where rental vacancies are expanding and prices are going up slower than inflation. Not far behind are Denver and Phoenix, where yields and supply problems are giving investors fits, but making life easy for renters.
The Best & Worst Credit Cards
When it comes to swiping plastic, consumers gave high ratings to American Express, Discover, as well as to cards issued by credit unions in a report released Thursday rating the best and worst credit cards. In a survey of more than 36,000 cardholders conducted by Consumer Reports, five of the largest MasterCard and Visa issuers, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citibank, Capital One, and HSBC -- which together control about 80 percent of the market -- earned mediocre rating scores.
10 Cars With Bad Reputations
Whether for being "nerdy" (AMC Pacer) or "unreliable" (Yugo), when asked to name the "Most questionable cars" of all time, these were the top vote-getters.
The 12 Worst U.S. Airports for Delays
Long lines, late flights, near collisions -- everyone is unhappy with the U.S. air travel system. And no one, not even the FAA, seems able to do anything about it. BusinessWeek takes a look at the problem and shares the 12 airports ranked poorest in terms of percentage of delayed departures for the first six months of 2007.
Slash Insurance Costs
Getting the right insurance coverage can save you big. See how implementing a few strategies can save you hundreds -- or thousands -- of dollars.
Posted Aug 8th 2007 9:11AM by Vicki Passmore
Filed under: Earnings reports, Cisco Systems (CSCO), Sprint Nextel Corp (S), Money and Finance Today, Mattel, Inc (MAT), Toll Brothers (TOL), Stocks to Buy
In the News:
Earnings
Angriest Real Estate Gripe Sites
Disgruntled homeowners are turning to the Web to organize and attack unresponsive builders for faulty construction. Here are 12 sites that generated the most anger and the most support.
Energy Drink Ratings
You drink them cold, but energy drinks are hot. U.S. consumers spent $744 million on those caffeinated beverages during the year ending June 17, 2007, a 34 percent increase over the previous year. With names like Rockstar, Full Throttle, and No Fear, they may appeal especially to young adults. Consumer Reports tested 12 carbonated energy drinks (9 regular and 3 low-calorie) for caffeine content and taste.
Also: Do you know what's in your sports drink?
Gizmo Glam
Who says your iPod shouldn't look as hot as you do? USA TODAY and Seventeen magazine weigh in on gadget gear that's just right for the classroom. From embellished headphones to high-fashion iPod cases, see what's "geek" and what's "chic."
Top Five Jobs by Education Level
The top five jobs for those with an associates degree are: Physical therapist assistants, dental hygienists, forensic science techs, veterinary techs and diagnostic medical sonographers. See what the top five are for those with bachelor's, master's, doctoral and professional degrees.
On-The-Road Rewards
Car-rental-loyalty programs offer all sorts of perks. SmartMoney looks at the best of the bunch.
Strong Stocks in a Stormy Market
Here are some ideas that ought to be calmer than most while the market puts you through some unusually volatile ups and downs.
Beach Home for Sale: four bedrooms, two baths, $20,000.
Americans and Europeans are buying seaside summer homes on Canada's rock-ribbed Newfoundland coast for the price of a used SUV, taking advantage of the area's warming climate and struggling economy.
Posted Jul 27th 2007 9:18AM by Vicki Passmore
Filed under: Earnings reports, Deals, Consumer experience, Competitive strategy, Cisco Systems (CSCO), Money and Finance Today, Clear Channel Commun (CCU), Burger King Hldgs (BKC), Economic data
In the News:
Earnings:
Spoiling Spot: America's Booming Pet Economy
If there's still any doubt whether the pampering of pets is getting out of hand, the debate should be settled once and for all by Neuticles, a patented testicular implant that sells for up to $919 a pair. The idea, says inventor Gregg A. Miller, is to "let people restore their pets to anatomical preciseness" after neutering, thereby allowing them to retain their natural look and self-esteem. Americans now spend $41 billion a year on their pets - more than the gross domestic product of all but 64 countries in the world. That's double the amount shelled out on pets a decade ago, with annual spending expected to hit $52 billion in the next two years. That puts the yearly cost of buying, feeding, and caring for pets in excess of what Americans spend on the movies ($10.8 billion), playing video games ($11.6 billion), and listening to recorded music ($10.6 billion) combined.
BW Cover Story
BW's Best Global Brands 2007
Yes, Coca-Cola is still No.1. But several other brands have done well in the past year, shooting up the list by six or more spots. They range from Apple, which rode a wave of iPhone hype to the No.33 spot, to Nintendo, which has had runaway success with its Wii video game console, launched late last year. The biggest ranking jump came from Zara, an innovative Spanish fashion retailer that leaped nine spots to No.64. Far and away the biggest percentage jump was claimed by Google, jumping 44% and four spots to number 20.
How to Survive a Market Drop
You have to admit: Stocks have risen to mighty heights mighty fast. The Dow has hit three milestones in nine months - crossing 12,000 in October, 13,000 in April, and just last week, 14,000. On Thursday, the leading stock index closed down 311 points, or more than 2 percent, the second biggest point drop this year. The biggest came Feb. 27, when the Dow fell 416 points, or 3.3 percent. What to make of this? Stocks are volatile. Or more to the point, investors' emotions are. It takes nerves of steel to shake off a big stock drop. But the world's best investors not only shake them off - they thrive on them. Here are several simple and effective steps you can take to turn a stock market crash to your advantage.
Dollar-store deals and dangers
You can save as much as 70% on household supplies by shopping at your local dollar store. Dollar stores are able to offer such low prices because they buy most of their stock at reduced rates from wholesalers. Among the best deals to be found at dollar stores are on cleaning products, shampoo, school supplies, food-storage containers and snacks such as potato chips and crackers. But beware: Some of the products sold at dollar stores don't meet established safety and nutritional standards. Consumer Reports' Shop Smart magazine found that certain brands of multivitamins it tested didn't contain nutrients listed on the label.
Worse, the magazine found that several kinds of soft vinyl lunch boxes sold at dollar stores contained trace amounts of lead. It also warns consumers to steer clear of electrical products, like Christmas lights and extension cords, some of which contained undersized wiring that can pose a fire hazard.
Even Celebs Need a Rainy-Day Fund
Celebrities show their real-people side by sharing their savings experiences. See what Adam Brody, Jennifer Tilly, Jordan Knight and others have to say about the money they make.
Celebrities talk about emergency savings
America's Best-Paying Blue-Collar Jobs
While being tough to get into, these traditional manufacturing and service fields can be well paid.
Oink! Oink! The 10 Piggiest States
Belly up. It's feeding time in the nation's capital. Congress is deliberating 12 appropriations bills that are supposed to be passed by Sept. 30, the end of the fiscal year, and already we've seen some good examples of excess spending for lawmakers' pet projects back home, otherwise known as "pork." There's $30,000 requested by a Pennsylvania senator for a program called coolvirginity.com; there's $34.5 million that one influential Democratic Hawaiin senator, has sought for the "Education of Native Hawaiians." An unknown senator has set aside $1 million for the Irish Institute in Boston. Article | Slideshow: 10 Piggiest States
The Great Hotel Cover-Up
Posted Jul 26th 2007 8:58AM by Vicki Passmore
Filed under: Earnings reports, Microsoft (MSFT), Apple Inc (AAPL), Time Warner (TWX), Ford Motor (F), Money and Finance Today, Aetna Inc (AET), Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY), Newell Rubbermaid (NWL), Office Depot (ODP), Entrepreneurs, Time Warner Cable (TWC)
In the News:
Earnings:
31 of the World's Hottest Startups
It's a Web, Web, Web 2.0 world. It's not just Silicon Valley. The user-generated revolution is in full swing worldwide. From Joost to Stardoll, Business 2.0 Magazine picks the best non-U.S. sites to watch.
Debit Card Smarts
Debit cards are fast becoming U.S. consumers' plastic of choice. Bank customers used their cards more than 26 billion times last year to spend more than $1 trillion. Debit-card use now accounts for two-thirds of Visa's total transactions and half of its dollar volume. With more than 60% of those transactions less than $25, it's clear that shoppers see the cards as a convenient substitute for cash and checks. And many banks encourage debit-card use by offering rewards points. But the cards also raise concerns about security. To minimize risk, be smart about how you use your card. See if you should use a PIN or pen, and more.
Hottest Summer Tickets for Under $50
You don't need to bend your budget to see the world's biggest international sports star, David Beckham take the field. For $35, you can grab an upper-tier seat at one of L.A. Galaxy's away or home games. Soccer not your cup of tea? Couldn't afford tickets to The Police reunion tour? To get your '80s fix, check out other popular bands from the bygone era. For example, we recently found tickets to see the B-52s in Atlanta starting at $21, Poison in Denver for $20 and Erasure in Brooklyn for $38. And for you Cure fans, move quickly: Tickets just went on sale for the band's tour in September and October. We recently spied seats for the Dallas show for $45.
Most Popular Mortgage Is No More
Lenders have abruptly stopped offering the most popular type of subprime mortgage. Credit-challenged borrowers suddenly have fewer options. Over the past few years, the most common type of subprime loan has been an adjustable-rate mortgage known as the 2/28 ARM. Since mid-July, five of the six biggest subprime mortgage lenders stopped offering 2/28 ARMs. Suddenly, there's a shortage of the type of mortgage preferred by about 60 percent of subprime borrowers.
Top Workout-Fueling Foods
Struggling to get through that morning workout? Wishing you had just a little more energy during your last 10 minutes on the treadmill? Forget about your training schedule -- it might be time to look at your diet.What you eat directly before exercising can have a huge impact on your performance and your ability to endure a challenging session. But few pay attention to just how they're filling their tanks. Here's what to eat.
Posted Jul 25th 2007 8:46AM by Vicki Passmore
Filed under: Earnings reports, Products and services, Competitive strategy, Amazon.com (AMZN), China, Money and Finance Today, Boeing Co (BA), Colgate-Palmolive (CL), Xerox Corp (XRX)
In the News:
Earnings:
America's Unhealthy Commutes
You might have heard that your commute is killing you. But it's not the doughnut and jumbo-sized coffee you've been downing every morning that's doing it. What's really taking a toll on your health is the polluted air you're breathing, lengthy traffic delays and dodging accidents to and from work. Even as the stress mounts, we put up with it, since most of us can't afford to or don't want to live near our offices.
Why Buy When You Can Rent for $40K a Month!!
With $300,000, you could buy an above-average house in Worcester, Mass. -- straight cash. Or you could spend a week in the Caribbean at Richard Branson's Necker Island, the world's most expensive rental property. Though they could easily afford to buy an extra house or two, today's super-rich seem to have no trouble handing over tens, or even hundreds, of thousands of dollars a month to landlords for a temporary residence. They're willing to splurge even more on vacation rentals like Necker, which costs $46,000 a night for the entire 74-acre island -- complete with a nine-bedroom "great house," which comes with a kitchen and private chef, fully stocked bar, snooker table, piano, entertainment system, and outdoor terrace, as well as five one-bedroom private houses.
Own Your Piece of Paradise
Just as other real estate investments have started losing their appeal, a growing inventory of recreational land is attracting more buyers. See how to enjoy your rural getaway and at the same time diversify your investments.
NOT Made in China In the midst of the imported food crisis, companies are finding clever ways to cash in. Some, like vitamin C maker DSM, are playing the "not from China" card. Upscale New York grocery Fairway reassures consumers that none of its seafood is Chinese. Others see a growing business in making this global supply chain safer. One big player: IBM, which is pushing systems to trace the food supply from source to market. See what other companies are enjoying the new demand.
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_31/b4044060.htm?campaign_id=twxa
7 Small Steps to Big Savings
The transition from dependence on paychecks to independent wealth all starts with emergency savings. You may believe you don't have extra savings set aside because you don't make enough money or you've had a run of bad luck. Or maybe you think you'll save after you get out of debt. It might be counterintuitive, but unless you start saving regularly, that day may never come. The big picture may seem overwhelming, but you can move from living paycheck-to-paycheck to a wealth mindset by following these steps.
http://aol1.bankrate.com/AOL/news/financial_literacy/July07_7_steps_to_big_sa! vings_a1 .asp
Keeping Tabs on Kids' Phones
A new software application called Radar allows parents to monitor activity on their children's cell phones. The program is user-friendly enough for tech-shy parents, but it doesn't yet work with most basic cell phones.
Posted Jul 24th 2007 8:12AM by Vicki Passmore
Filed under: Earnings reports, Products and services, PepsiCo (PEP), AT and T (T), Netflix, Inc. (NFLX), Nokia Corp. (NOK), Money and Finance Today, American Express (AXP), Lilly (Eli) (LLY), Texas Instruments (TXN), Oil
In the News:
Earnings:
America's Wildest Weather Cities
Visiting Disney World anytime soon? Have fun, but watch for storms moving in. The odds of having to duck away from a bolt of lightning in the land of Disney's Magic Kingdom, Orlando, Fla., are greater than anywhere else in America. Florida has been home to over 1,500 lightning deaths and injuries since 1959, according to the National Weather Service. If you can't stand humidity, be sure to steer clear of Quillayute and Olympia, in the state of Washington, which both average about 80% humidity during the year. The windiest city? It's not Chicago, which doesn't even make the top 10. The distinction goes to Blue Hill, Mass. See the country's hottest, coldest, driest, most humid, oh you get the idea. Story | Slideshow
The Five-Finger Discount
It's more like the 50-finger discount these days. Shoplifters have been busier than ever, accounting for retail losses totaling $41.6 billion in 2006, up 11% from the previous year. Retailers are caught between keeping their stores inviting for shoppers and at the same time monitoring for theft. After all, there's been a growth in organized retail crime, where professional theft rings steal merchandise in large quantities and resell them on sites like eBay. From scrapbooking accessories to best-selling books, here's a look at their top targets.
Least Affordable U.S. Real Estate Markets
Forget coffee when it's time to sober up. Instead, check out the real estate listings in New York or Los Angeles. There, buyers pay $1 million for a property that might fetch half that elsewhere. The disparity illustrates how affordability has been spiraling out of control in places on the East and West coasts. See the 10 places where it's hardest to buy a home, where owning property is out of reach for most of the population.
Story | Slideshow
Remaking The OrdinaryThese designs refashion traditional and familiar products already in our homes, demonstrating how smart design can change our personal environment. See slideshow.
World's Most Expensive Spa Treatments
These days, people are spending more time -- and more money -- at the spa. In 2006, 144 million people booked a spa visit, a 10% increase from 2005. This year, that number is expected to rise to 160 million. The average cost of a massage at a day spa is $88 ($138 at a resort spa). But decadent alternatives -- like the $450
Six Hands Lava Stone Massage at the Grand Wailea Resort Hotel and Spa in Maui, Hawaii -- are increasingly beginning to populate spa menus worldwide. And those looking to be pampered aren't put off by such prices. See the world's most expensive spa treatments.
Story |
Slideshow
Are Vitamin Drinks As Healthful as They Claim?
The explosion of nutrient-laced drinks reflects consumers' desire for more healthful choices than soda, and frenzied competition is fueling bold marketing claims. But many experts say there is little evidence to suggest that fortified beverages make a significant difference in health.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118523686276375626.htmlBumped Fliers May Get a Better Deal
Airline bumping, when passengers with confirmed reservations get left behind because of overbooking, is on the rise. Now, the government is considering raising the compensation that airlines have to pay customers who get bumped.
Posted Jul 23rd 2007 9:04AM by Vicki Passmore
Filed under: Deals, Consumer experience, Competitive strategy, Wal-Mart (WMT), Toyota Motor Corp. (TM), Halliburton (HAL), Money and Finance Today, Merck and Co (MRK), Hasbro Inc (HAS), Personal finance
In the News:
UAW to Hold Talks With Ford, GM
U.S. Stocks Head for Higher Open
Wal-Mart to Cut Back-To-School Prices
Merck's 2nd-Quarter Profit Rises
Toyota, Mazda, Honda Set to Resume Output
Halliburton Income Doubles on KBR Deal
Hasbro Posts Lower Earnings
Schering-Plough Profit More Than Doubles
Barclays Raises Bid for ABN Amro
Oil Prices Drop to Mid-$75 a Barrel
New HIV infections outpace treatment
'Simpson's' Hype: 7-Elevens Become Kwik-E-Marts
The Simpsons TV series on Fox is known for its outrageous characters, oddball phrases and unexpected guest stars. It only makes sense, then, that promotions for
The Simpsons Movie, which opens Friday, would be in the same offbeat mold. One stunt was the overnight transformation of 12 North American 7-Eleven stores into Kwik-E-Marts. The Kwik-E-Mart, run by clerk Apu, is Springfield's convenience store. But the real star at the Kwik-E-Marts may be the "Sprinklicious" doughnuts, frosted in hot pink and coated with sprinkles. Homer, as any fan of the series knows,
loves doughnuts. The Dallas Kwik-E-Mart is ordering 1,000 Sprinklicious doughnuts a day.
'Simpsons' hype tries for a homer with ads - USATODAY.com
New: Extreme Credit Cards
The "Black Card" is a status icon. Not only does it offer a range of exclusive privileges, but it looks cool when you pull it out of your wallet. And the titanium it's made out of makes a nice clinking sound when it taps on the counter at the register.. But now there's an influx of new high-end cards, offering their own fancy perks and services in an effort to take a bite out of the black card market. Whether they'll steal any of the dark card's thunder remains to be seen. http://money.cnn.com/2007/07/18/lifestyle/luxury_credit_cards/index.htm
Best Summer Gear
From a waterproof wrist camera to a water bottle splash guard, outfit yourself for hiking, biking and more with eight cool products made by small companies.
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/fsb/0707/gallery.summer_gear.fsb/
Ads We Can't Get Out of Our Heads
Even in a TiVo world, some TV commercials just can't be zapped from our cultural psyche. But selecting the 25 most-memorable TV commercials from the past 25 years almost caused USA TODAY's Ad Team to blow a tube. Here are the 25 TV spots - love em or hate em - that left the most indelible marks on their collective memory.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/top25-ads.htm?loc=interstitialskip
Most Rewarding Frequent Flier Programs
If you want to get more rewards from an airline frequent flier program, it may be time to stop looking for free flights. That's because the reward miles market is over-saturated--too many people have too many miles, causing intense competition for a limited number of reward seats. Only 7% of airline seats per year are designated as reward ticket seats. And ever financially vulnerable airlines are becoming more reluctant to give up seats for rewards tickets that can otherwise be filled by a customer willing to purchase the ticket. Instead, they're looking for different ways to compensate and retain their most loyal customers.
http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/2007/07/20/travel-fliers-frequent-forbeslife-cx_ls_0720rewards.html
Slideshow: Most Rewarding Frequent Flier Programs
Posted Jul 20th 2007 8:24AM by Vicki Passmore
Filed under: Earnings reports, Google (GOOG), Microsoft (MSFT), General Motors (GM), China, Money and Finance Today, Wachovia Corp (WB), Japan
