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.

Unbelievable Treasure Trove of Classic Cars Discovered, Going to Auction
Unbelievable Treasure Trove of Classic Cars Discovered, Going to Auction

on June 27, 2013

More than 500 cars from the ’50s to the ’80s, with virtually no mileage, will be auctioned off in late September.

What’s Your Gmail Account Worth to Hackers?
What’s Your Gmail Account Worth to Hackers?

on June 27, 2013

A new tool can tell you how much your Google email account would go for on the black market — and how to make it less of a target.

7 Foods That Reduce Stress and Improve Health
7 Foods That Reduce Stress and Improve Health

on June 27, 2013

Feeling stressed? Try these — they’re healthy and calming.

Study: Wealthy People More Likely to Lie, Cheat and Take Candy From Kids
Study: Wealthy People More Likely to Lie, Cheat and Take Candy From Kids

on June 26, 2013

There are behavior differences between haves and have-nots, research shows. Even imaginary wealth (or poverty) in a board game can temporarily influence attitudes and behavior.

Feds Warn Google, Bing and Yahoo About Tricking Consumers
Feds Warn Google, Bing and Yahoo About Tricking Consumers

on June 26, 2013

The federal government says search engines need to be clearer about identifying advertising and paid results.

Worst Thing to Order at 5 Fast-Food Restaurants
Worst Thing to Order at 5 Fast-Food Restaurants

on June 26, 2013

These items have the highest calorie counts on fast-food menus — and they might surprise you.

Being a Night Owl Might Influence Your Career Choice
Being a Night Owl Might Influence Your Career Choice

on June 25, 2013

New research shows a link between late risers, the classes they pick in college, and the career they end up with. It’s true for morning people, too.

Expert Wine Tasters Often Don’t Get It Right
Expert Wine Tasters Often Don’t Get It Right

on June 25, 2013

Experts couldn’t recognize a wine that was served to them 3 times from the same bottle, giving it different scores each time.

New Alzheimer’s Treatment Shows Promise in Animal Tests
New Alzheimer’s Treatment Shows Promise in Animal Tests

on June 25, 2013

Nitroglycerin combined with an Alzheimer’s drug has been shown to reverse brain damage caused by the disease in mice. It’s still a long way from being tested on people.

Katy Perry Will Sing at Your Wedding for Less Than $1.9 Million
Katy Perry Will Sing at Your Wedding for Less Than $1.9 Million

on June 24, 2013

Want a celebrity performance at your wedding? Popular artists have no problem doing private shows — for a million dollars or more.

Twinkies Returning to Shelves Next Month
Twinkies Returning to Shelves Next Month

on June 24, 2013

Hostess products are coming back with the same branding and same prices under new ownership.

Latest Trend in Bed: Keeping Your Cool
Latest Trend in Bed: Keeping Your Cool

on June 24, 2013

Would a cooler bed improve your sleep? Mattress makers are dreaming up all kinds of new technology to keep beds from getting too hot, and the prices range from hundreds to thousands of dollars.

Not Hired? Your Credit Report May Be to Blame
Not Hired? Your Credit Report May Be to Blame

on June 21, 2013

Surveys show that nearly half of employers conduct credit checks on job candidates, and that one in seven applicants have missed a job opportunity because of the results.

Faster, Better Wi-Fi Coming Soon
Faster, Better Wi-Fi Coming Soon

on June 21, 2013

Top speeds will double, streaming will be smoother, and batteries may last longer under a newly approved wireless standard.

Debt Relief Firms Preying on Student Loan Borrowers
Debt Relief Firms Preying on Student Loan Borrowers

on June 21, 2013

A new study says some companies charge up to $1,600 up front and $50 a month, although the services they provide are unclear or can be done yourself for free.

Supreme Court: Big Business Can Strip You of Right to Sue
Supreme Court: Big Business Can Strip You of Right to Sue

on June 20, 2013

In a decision handed down yesterday, the high court gave corporations a stack of get-out-of-court-free cards.

6 Pet Food Brands Recalled for Salmonella Risk
6 Pet Food Brands Recalled for Salmonella Risk

on June 20, 2013

The FDA found salmonella in one of Natura’s dry food products. The company recalled six brands, including food and treats for dogs, cats and ferrets.

Charge Your Phone Free with Public Charging Stations
Charge Your Phone Free with Public Charging Stations

on June 20, 2013

A pilot program will provide New York City with about two dozen free solar-powered charging stations this summer. If successful, it could expand to other cities.

Which Prices Jumped the Most in the Past 10 Years
Which Prices Jumped the Most in the Past 10 Years

on June 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
Internet From Balloons? Google’s Working On It

on June 19, 2013

It’s called Project Loon, and involves solar-powered helium balloons beaming Internet signals across the sky.

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