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

Government May Soon Allow Electronics on Planes

Mar 26, 2013 - We're always told to shut off our devices for takeoff, but the Federal Aviation Administration seems ready to change the rules.

Young Adults Are Avoiding Credit Cards

Mar 26, 2013 - The number of college kids using credit cards dropped 10 percentage points between 2010 and 2012.

Congress May Fight Overdraft Fees

Mar 26, 2013 - A new bill could place more restrictions on the way overdraft fees are charged and how much they cost consumers.

Who Has the Worst Retail Customer Service?

Mar 25, 2013 - The American Consumer Satisfaction Index says who treats customers most poorly.

Is Basketball Betting Legal?

Mar 25, 2013 - Office betting pools can get you fired, and in some states possibly arrested.

Sugary Drinks Linked to Thousands of Deaths Every Year

Mar 25, 2013 - New research shows the U.S. has the third-largest death rate from sugar-sweetened drinks.

How Do Store Brands Differ From Name Brands?

Mar 22, 2013 - Store brands can be cheaper, healthier, and even made by the name-brand competitor.

Only Half of Americans Expect a Comfortable Retirement

Mar 22, 2013 - The rest of us worry a lot about how debt and job insecurity keep us from saving more, and we don't do enough planning, according to a new survey.

Court Sides With Student In Textbook Case

Mar 22, 2013 - The Supreme Court said there's nothing illegal about buying cheaper foreign editions and reselling them here.

Near-Record Wheat Crop Should Lower Prices

Mar 21, 2013 - As wheat and corn crops recover from the worst drought since the 1930s, our wallets should too.

Freddie Mac Sues Big Banks Over Rate Rigging

Mar 21, 2013 - Remember the LIBOR scandal? So does mortgage giant Freddie Mac, and it wants banks to pay.

Monster Beverage No Longer Has to Report Deaths to Government

Mar 21, 2013 - A simple category switch from dietary supplement to beverage means the company doesn't have to disclose reports potentially linking Monster Energy to deaths or injuries.

Verizon and Cablevision Support Unbundling Channels You Don’t Care About

Mar 20, 2013 - Two major cable providers finally agree with consumers who want to ditch and stop paying for channels they don't watch.

In Massachusetts, Stores Can’t Ask For Your Zip Code

Mar 20, 2013 - The State Supreme Court ruled a craft store broke the law by asking for zip codes at checkout to spam customers.

Senator: Why Does The Minimum Wage Rise So Slowly?

Mar 20, 2013 - Elizabeth Warren argues that if pay were tied to productivity, the minimum wage would be $22 today.