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.
Betting on the Elections – Why Do Gamblers Beat Polls?
Brandon Ballenger on December 7, 2011
Forget fantasy football – try fantasy politics. Not only do people gamble on who will win the elections, they’re more accurate than the pollsters.
Want to Manage Your Money Without a Bank? Try Walmart
Brandon Ballenger on December 1, 2011
People who either don’t trust or can’t afford to rely on a bank have traditionally used pay-day lenders and check-cashing stores instead. Now some of them are using one of few companies with revenues that surpass even Bank of America: Walmart.
5 Gift Ideas to Teach Kids About Money
Brandon Ballenger on November 28, 2011
While children get more holiday presents than most of us, sometimes they lose interest before the batteries die. Why not give a gift that earns interest, or lasts a lifetime?
How Smartphones Help Find the Best Black Friday Deals
Brandon Ballenger on November 24, 2011
You’ll probably be fiddling with your smartphone while waiting in line this Black Friday. Make use of that time by using your phone to find deals.
7 Hot Holiday Toys Under $10
Brandon Ballenger on November 23, 2011
The shopping season has begun – already feeling short on cash? Here are some cheap toys retailers say are popular this year.
5 Reasons to Shop on Small Business Saturday
Brandon Ballenger on November 21, 2011
We haven’t quite reached “The 12 Days of Christmas,” but we’re getting closer. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Free Shipping Day, and now Small Business Saturday. Is yet another designated shopping day worth it? Yes.
4 Tips to Find the Right Charity
Brandon Ballenger on November 16, 2011
Americans donate billions of dollars to more than a million charities each year. But they’re not all created equal. Learn how to tell a fake charity from a real one, and a good charity from one that’s great.
18 Tips to Save on Holiday Shopping
Brandon Ballenger on November 14, 2011
With less than two weeks until the biggest shopping day of the year, how’s your gift list looking? If you need ideas for presents and tips to save some money, we have lots.
Holiday Jobs: 6 Tips to Get and Keep Them
Brandon Ballenger on November 14, 2011
Many companies hire extra help for the holidays. While this typically starts before Halloween and peaks shortly after, a survey from CareerBuilder shows this year’s different: Employers are hiring later and paying more.
6 Great Ways to Save on Holiday Travel
Brandon Ballenger on November 11, 2011
Holiday flights can be expensive and a major cheer-kill. Find out how to lower the stress and the cost of getting to your friends and family for the holidays.
Credit Scores: 9 Things That Don’t Matter, 5 That Do
Brandon Ballenger on November 9, 2011
There are a lot of misconceptions about credit scores. Some people believe everything from where they live to the color of their skin affects their score. Here’s what influences scores, what doesn’t, and what you can do to improve yours.
The 10 Cheapest Colleges in the United States
Brandon Ballenger on November 8, 2011
Student loan debt is becoming an enormous burden for many college graduates, many of whom can’t find jobs. How do you avoid it? Attend a cheaper college, and use loans as a last resort.
How to Score Cheap Tickets and Avoid Rip-offs
Brandon Ballenger on November 7, 2011
A night out at a steep discount: That’s the ticket. But with all the scalpers and scammers out there, make sure you know how to pick it.
5 Tips for Finding Outlet Store Deals
Brandon Ballenger on November 4, 2011
Most people know about outlet store savings – cheaper prices on off-season and refurbished goods. But you may not be getting the deal you expect.
5 Ways to Avoid Debit Card Fees
Brandon Ballenger on November 2, 2011
America, land of the fee. Because the Dodd-Frank Act is costing big banks swipe fee revenue, they’re trying to pin the loss on consumers. But public outcry, and these tips, might save you from new fees on debit cards.
How Popular Is Your Boss?
Brandon Ballenger on October 27, 2011
Office bosses as a group tend to get a bad rap – but recent research shows most people have nothing but nice things to say about the folks in charge.
Bright Idea: Get the Right Light
Brandon Ballenger on October 24, 2011
The government is implementing new lighting standards in January. New bulbs will cost more up front, but rack up savings in the long term.
The 5 Best Tips for a Cheaper Winter
Brandon Ballenger on October 21, 2011
Winter is on the way: Time to save some cold cash on heating costs. Here’s where to find the biggest bang for your buck in quick, cheap home improvements.
Why I’m Still a Happy Renter: 4 Tips for the Apartment Hunt
Brandon Ballenger on October 21, 2011
Experts suggest potential homebuyers should snatch up cheap homes at low interest rates now – and that’s fine if you have the cash. But there are plenty of great rentals seeking tenants for low rents right now, if you know how to look.
Why Men Don’t Read Product Reviews, and Why They Should
Brandon Ballenger on October 20, 2011
A new survey backs up what we’ve all heard before: Guys don’t have the patience for shopping. One of the effects of that is that they don’t read product reviews. But there are ways to do that more quickly so you can save time and money.
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