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.
FDA Will Investigate Safety of Added Caffeine in Foods
Brandon Ballenger on May 6, 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
Brandon Ballenger on May 6, 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
Brandon Ballenger on May 6, 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.
Nearly 80 Percent of Adults Don’t Get Enough Exercise
Brandon Ballenger on May 3, 2013
About half of Americans are not meeting minimum federal guidelines for aerobic activities such as brisk walking, and far fewer are doing strength training exercises like push-ups.
Are Pension Advances Dangerously Disguised Loans?
Brandon Ballenger on May 3, 2013
A largely unregulated industry is pitching loans with interest rates as high as 106 percent to retired firefighters, police officers, and others receiving a pension.
Study: Growing Number of People Can’t Afford to Buy or Rent Their Homes
Brandon Ballenger on May 3, 2013
The Center for Housing Policy says nearly a quarter of working households spend more than half their income on housing.
Russia Charging NASA $70 Million per Spaceship Seat
Brandon Ballenger on May 2, 2013
Since the U.S. shuttle fleet was retired in 2011, NASA depends on Russia’s spacecraft — and they keep raising prices.
The Most-Awkward Money Moments Have been Identified
Brandon Ballenger on May 2, 2013
People shared their most uncomfortable money situations and encounters in a new CouponCabin.com survey. Try not to laugh.
Frontier Airlines Will Charge up to $100 for Carry-Ons
Brandon Ballenger on May 2, 2013
When the new fee kicks in this summer, rates will range from free to $100 depending on how and when you pay.
College Students With Unmarried Parents May Qualify for Less Aid in 2014
Brandon Ballenger on May 1, 2013
Next year, federal financial aid forms will allow students with cohabiting parents to include both their incomes, even if they’re unmarried or are the same sex.
U.S. Debt Shrinks for First Time in 6 Years
Brandon Ballenger on May 1, 2013
The U.S. will reduce the massive federal debt for the first time since 2007. But can we keep it up?
Feds Give Stay-at-Home Spouses Easier Access to Credit
Brandon Ballenger on May 1, 2013
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has revised a 2009 rule in order to help people with shared incomes qualify for credit cards.
Consumer Reports Finds Harmful Bacteria in Ground Turkey
Brandon Ballenger on April 30, 2013
An analysis of raw ground turkey revealed a surprising amount of risky bacteria and a few cases of potentially deadly bacteria. The turkey industry disputes the results.
Poll: Many Don’t Know Health Care Reform Law Still Exists
Brandon Ballenger on April 30, 2013
Some think Congress repealed the law, while others think the Supreme Court threw it out. While key parts of it haven’t been implemented yet, they’re coming soon.
Online Ads Can Track You Across Multiple Devices
Brandon Ballenger on April 30, 2013
If it seems like ads are following you home, you may not be wrong — the targeting technology is getting better.
Stop Paying for Text Messages by Using Apps
Brandon Ballenger on April 29, 2013
Free-texting apps can rack up serious savings on your smartphone bill.
Government Collecting Consumer Data From Banks and Credit Agencies
Brandon Ballenger on April 29, 2013
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau wants anonymous financial information to improve its oversight of the banking and credit industries. Banks don’t see the point.
Smartphones Can Skim Credit Card Info Through Your Wallet
Brandon Ballenger on April 29, 2013
Experts warn that fraudsters could gain access to your credit just by holding their phones close to your pocket.
Owning a Car Costs 2 Percent More This Year
Brandon Ballenger on April 26, 2013
A new analysis from AAA says the average cost to own and drive a sedan is $9,122 per year.
Restaurant Waitstaff Stuck at $2.13 Minimum Wage for 22 Years
Brandon Ballenger on April 26, 2013
The federal hourly minimum pay for people dependent on tips hasn’t risen in more than 2 decades, even though the normal minimum has increased 5 times.
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