Brandon Ballenger Writer
I'm a freelance writer based in Pompano Beach, Fla. who's done work for The South Florida Business Journal and BusinessMiami, covering real estate, health care, and franchising. I received a bachelor's degree in English and public communication from Florida Atlantic University in 2008, and am currently pursuing a master's degree in communication there. In my free time, I read fantasy novels, plays video games, and take advantage of South Florida's perennial summer at the beach.
Posts by Brandon Ballenger
Which Prices Jumped the Most in the Past 10 Years
Jun 19, 2013 - You won't be surprised to hear that the cost of gasoline has doubled since 2003. Where else have you seen price increases far greater than average?
Internet From Balloons? Google’s Working On It
Jun 19, 2013 - It's called Project Loon, and involves solar-powered helium balloons beaming Internet signals across the sky.
Lottery Tickets Sold at ATMs, Gas Pumps
Jun 19, 2013 - You can get lottery tickets just about anywhere these days, although often at extra cost.
Do You Want Your TV to Watch You?
Jun 18, 2013 - Cable companies are thinking about putting cameras and microphones in our cable boxes. Members of Congress are already moving to limit their use. What do you think?
Supreme Court to Drug Makers: No More ‘Pay to Delay’
Jun 18, 2013 - A brand-name company that tries to pay its generic competition to go away can now be sued for violating antitrust laws.
McDonald’s Worker Sues Over Being Paid by Prepaid Card
Jun 18, 2013 - When it was time for her first paycheck, she was given a prepaid debit card that came with a host of fees instead.
Banks Reportedly Make Money Helping Crooks
Jun 17, 2013 - The government says banks big and small may be ignoring warning signs of fraud perpetrated against their customers.
Do Retailers Track You More Than the Government Does?
Jun 17, 2013 - We're watched through our computers, through our smartphones, and in stores — all to make businesses more money. Does it bother you?
Watch for Credit Card Class-Action Checks
Jun 17, 2013 - What may look like American Express junk mail could actually be a check from a class-action lawsuit settlement related to foreign transaction fees.
You Win a Lawsuit. Do You Owe Taxes?
Jun 14, 2013 - Here are some situations where you would owe taxes, and some where you wouldn't.
New College Grads Aren’t Ready for Work, Survey Says
Jun 14, 2013 - Many human resource professionals think this group of grads is unprofessional and can't write well. Are they wrong?
Health Insurance May Become Unaffordable for Low-Wage Workers
Jun 14, 2013 - Many low-wage earners will be offered health insurance through their workplace next year, but it might be more than many can reasonably afford.
850,000 Fewer Homeowners Underwater, 10M More to Go
Jun 13, 2013 - Home values are recovering, but nearly 20 percent of mortgaged homes still have negative equity.
Study: Nursing Grads Have Lowest Unemployment Rate
Jun 13, 2013 - Other majors also quickly lead to jobs, while some still have unemployment rates above 10 percent.
Credit Cards Make You Fat and Dumb
Jun 13, 2013 - Research repeatedly shows that credit cards make us spend more — especially on unhealthy things — and pay less attention to our finances than we otherwise would.
