B.T. Ballenger
Shopping for a Loan or Savings Account? Beware Online Rate Searches
B.T. Ballenger on March 13, 2013
A percentage point difference on a mortgage rate could mean tens of thousands. That’s why it’s important to use online rate searches – but not until you understand how they work.
2 Million People Quit Their Jobs Every Month
B.T. Ballenger on March 12, 2013
Even with unemployment near 8 percent, many people just can’t stand where they work.
How Companies Are Limiting Your Ability to Sue
B.T. Ballenger on March 12, 2013
You probably haven’t noticed, but in the past couple of years, Sony, Microsoft and Netflix have all change the rules to keep you from joining a class-action lawsuit.
Do You Live in the Fattest State?
B.T. Ballenger on March 12, 2013
More than 1.8 million people live in the state with the highest obesity rate. One out of every three adults there is seriously overweight.
Google Glass Already Being Banned In Some Places
B.T. Ballenger on March 11, 2013
The tech company’s eye-catching eyewear isn’t even for sale yet, but that isn’t stopping at least one business from rejecting it.
Scammers Now Accept Prepaid Cards
B.T. Ballenger on March 11, 2013
The ripoffs are the same old deal, but now MoneyPak is an acceptable method to part you from your money.
Will We Soon Be Able to Resell E-Books and Digital Music?
B.T. Ballenger on March 11, 2013
Apple and Amazon appear to be building systems for selling used e-books, as well as digital music, movies and software. Publishers and media companies aren’t thrilled.
Apple, Google and Microsoft Hoarding More Cash Offshore
B.T. Ballenger on March 8, 2013
In the past two years, the tech companies have more than doubled the amount of cash they’ve tucked away out of Uncle Sam’s reach. Between the three it’s now $134.5 billion.
Employers Are Slower to Fill Job Openings These Days
B.T. Ballenger on March 8, 2013
Despite having lots more vacancies, companies are taking 50 percent longer to fill them than in mid-2009.
U.S. Says Only One Major Bank Would Fail in Another Financial Crisis
B.T. Ballenger on March 8, 2013
The Federal Reserve’s latest round of stress tests on the biggest American banks shows they have enough money on hand to weather future crises – all except one that’s been bailed out before.
Google Working on Same-Day Shipping Project
B.T. Ballenger on March 7, 2013
A rumored express service could be cheaper than Amazon Prime and incorporate delivery from popular brick-and-mortar stores.
Pair of Senators Wants Congress to Pay For Its Budget Failures
B.T. Ballenger on March 7, 2013
Senator Bill Nelson from Florida and Claire McCaskill from Missouri, both Democrats, say Congress should take a pay cut for failing to stop the sequestration.
Debit Card Swipe Fees Have Dropped by 50 Percent
B.T. Ballenger on March 7, 2013
The government says what businesses pay to debit card issuers went down substantially after an amendment to the law kicked in.
White House Supports Unlockable Cell Phones
B.T. Ballenger on March 6, 2013
Over 100,000 people petitioned the government to reverse a law making it illlegal to unlock your cellphone for use on other networks. They got the response they wanted.
Ready for IKEA Hotels?
B.T. Ballenger on March 6, 2013
IKEA and Marriott are teaming up to build budget hotels – in Europe, for now.
Banks Wrongfully Foreclosed on 700 Military Members
B.T. Ballenger on March 6, 2013
Bank of America, Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo were all involved. Some people were even wrongly evicted despite being current on payments and out of the country.
Almost Half of Americans Have More Credit Card Debt Than Savings
B.T. Ballenger on March 5, 2013
A quarter also said they had more credit card debt than money in the bank.
Apple is Censoring Email
B.T. Ballenger on March 5, 2013
iCloud email users won’t receive messages with certain words in them – and Apple doesn’t tell anybody when it happens.
Bank of America Won’t Prove Disputed $4,000 Charges
B.T. Ballenger on March 5, 2013
A customer says he never signed up for a service with automatic recurring payments. The bank says he did, by phone, but refuses to offer evidence.
Groupon CEO Gets $378.36 Severance Package
B.T. Ballenger on March 4, 2013
A Groupon founder, kicked out the door last week, is getting what must be the smallest severance in Wall Street history. Don’t shed too many tears – he’s still worth millions.
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