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
Man Wrongly Told He Would Die Wins Lawsuit
May 10, 2013 - A Montanan was told he had brain cancer and less than 6 months to live. A judge awarded him nearly $60,000 for his anguish. Is that good enough?
What Mom Needs: Financial Advice
May 10, 2013 - Moms are less prepared for retirement than fathers or women without children, a new study says.
Study: People With Shorter Names Earn More
May 10, 2013 - For Mother's Day, researchers examined the financial importance of what Mom decided to call you.
Wildly Different Hospital Prices Revealed
May 09, 2013 - The federal government just dropped a data bomb on the health care industry. Now consumers can look at hospital-specific charges across the country for the top 100 patient procedures.
Debt Settlement Company Charged With Fraud
May 09, 2013 - The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is ready to play hardball with the largely unregulated industry, and for the first time has referred a case for criminal prosecution.
Study: People Don’t Understand Mortgage Basics
May 09, 2013 - A survey by Zillow reveals that many potential and actual homebuyers have misconceptions about everything from interest rates to refinancing.
Spirit Airlines Ditches Toll-Free Line
May 08, 2013 - The airline known for its many fees got rid of its toll-free number for customers, so calling to ask for help or advice might cost you.
Federal Health Care Spending May Be $770B Less Than Expected
May 08, 2013 - A new study shows that the federal government's spending on health care is growing at a much slower pace than previously predicted.
Would You Rather Have Overtime Pay or Time Off?
May 08, 2013 - The U.S. House favors a bill that would allow employees who work overtime to bank the extra hours to take off later in the year.
Wine Shortage Is Pushing Prices Up
May 07, 2013 - The price of a glass of wine in a restaurant has risen as much as 8 percent in the past six months, a study says.
New York AG: Big Banks Are Violating $26B Mortgage Settlement
May 07, 2013 - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman says he's preparing to sue Bank of America and Wells Fargo.
Study: Many Millions Still to Benefit From Obamacare
May 07, 2013 - A new study says 84 million Americans lacked adequate health insurance for at least part of 2012.
FDA Will Investigate Safety of Added Caffeine in Foods
May 06, 2013 - The Food and Drug Administration is interested in how products with caffeine added in — like caffeinated gum — affect children and adolescents.
Why Patients Don’t Follow Doctors’ Orders
May 06, 2013 - An exchange between physician and patient says a lot about how we treat the subject of our health.
Congratulations, You Did NOT Win a Free Trip
May 06, 2013 - Postcards and letters offering free plane tickets, hotel stays and gift cards are being sent out. They claim to be affiliated with Travelocity, but they aren't.
