Author: Brandon Ballenger
I'm a freelance journalist living in South Florida. If I'm not writing, I'm playing video games or at the beach. My favorite spice is oregano, and I thought you should know. I got my bachelor's degree in English and public communication from Florida Atlantic University in 2008.
Some Smartphones Worth $300 in Walmart’s Trade-In Program
Brandon Ballenger on September 13, 2013
The credit can be applied to a new phone purchased with a two-year wireless contract or with Walmart’s prepaid plan.
McDonald’s Is Selling Steak for Breakfast
Brandon Ballenger on September 13, 2013
Most U.S. locations will offer steak, which can be put on any breakfast sandwich. Are you interested?
Airlines Raked In $27 Billion From Fees in 2012
Brandon Ballenger on September 13, 2013
Ever wondered just how much airlines are making from our bags and all the other things they charge extra for? You can find out.
Mortgage Update: 2.5M More Homes No Longer Underwater
Brandon Ballenger on September 12, 2013
A surge in home prices brought millions more homeowners into positive equity last quarter.
Big Insurers Are Skeptical of Obamacare’s Health Insurance Marketplaces
Brandon Ballenger on September 12, 2013
Some large insurance companies don’t like the idea of insuring people with pre-existing conditions, which they’ll be required to do under Obamacare.
Britain May Drop Paper Bills for Plastic Currency
Brandon Ballenger on September 12, 2013
Would you want to see the U.S. make the switch to plastic money?
Are Car Insurance Companies Illegally Jacking Up Rates?
Brandon Ballenger on September 11, 2013
The Consumer Federation of America says insurance companies are discriminating against consumers they think won’t ditch if rates go up for no reason.
Colleges Cash in Their Students for Big Payments From Banks
Brandon Ballenger on September 11, 2013
Some banks are paying colleges to help boost the number of students who bank with them.
The 1 Percent Grab Their Biggest Share Since 1928
Brandon Ballenger on September 11, 2013
The wealthiest 10 percent of Americans earned nearly half of all U.S. income last year.
Might Want to Use Your Frequent-Flier Miles Before You Die
Brandon Ballenger on September 10, 2013
Several airlines don’t allow them to be transferred, even if you have a great reason for not using them, such as being dead.
Want to Lose Weight? Every Minute Counts
Brandon Ballenger on September 10, 2013
If you think you don’t have time to exercise, new research might make you feel differently.
How To Make Your Smartphone Battery Last Longer
Brandon Ballenger on September 10, 2013
Smartphones can do a lot of stuff at once, but they don’t always need to.
Automatic 18 Percent Tips for Large Parties on the Way Out
Brandon Ballenger on September 9, 2013
The IRS is changing the rules on forced tips for big groups, and restaurants might ditch them to avoid tax complications.
Chicken Nuggets: Made in China?
Brandon Ballenger on September 9, 2013
The USDA is ending a ban on importing processed chicken from China. The products won’t necessarily be labeled as coming from there.
Lightweight Cars May Have Bigger Repair Bills
Brandon Ballenger on September 9, 2013
Car parts made of lighter materials are often more complicated, or even impossible, to repair.
Study: College Students Worry About Debt, But Not Overdrafts
Brandon Ballenger on September 6, 2013
More than half of college students have a checking account and nearly a quarter have multiple credit cards. But do they know how to use them?
The NSA Can Break Many Forms of Internet Security
Brandon Ballenger on September 6, 2013
There’s evidence the NSA can access most online banking, medical and communications records, thanks to exploits that (hopefully) only it knows about.
Teens’ Use of E-Cigarettes Has Doubled
Brandon Ballenger on September 6, 2013
A self-reported survey of middle school and high school students shows the number of users doubled from 2011 to 2012.
Study: Video Game Improves Older People’s Brain Functions
Brandon Ballenger on September 6, 2013
Specially designed games can train an older brain to remember better and out-multitask a 20-year-old, research suggests.
Why Disputing an Error in Your Credit Report Has Been a Frustrating Experience
Brandon Ballenger on September 6, 2013
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has warned companies that provide information to credit bureaus that they need to do a better job of investigating mistakes in credit reports.
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