Tag Archives: consumer preferences

The Fans Speak…Again!

Time once again to update our satisfied Facebook fans shout-out page. Take a moment to read some of the positive feedback from a few of our purt-near 30,000 fans… including this comment from Abbidula:

“I just rolled in another dollar bill and itching for more scratch. This is great with the “any amount” cashout plan. Join now and you can also benefit from these rewards.”

So take a look HERE. Thanks to all our friends, Facebook and otherwise. And have a great weekend!

(photo: southerncrescentsolutions.com)

Fun with Checking Account Fees

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See? He’s winking. Dead giveaway.

Check out these dismal numbers!

  • 39: the % of free, non-interest checking accounts. Was 76% in 2009.
  • 25: the % our service fees have risen since 2011, a new record (yay!)
  • 23: the % your minimum balance to avoid fees has increased since 2011.
  • 35: the average $$ of overdraft penalties. Up 1.4% from 2011

Why are all these fees on the rise? Many blame regulatory changes, such as restrictions on when banks can charge overdraft fees and fees charged on swiping cards.

“They are resorting to eliminating free checking accounts and instituting higher fees to help fill that gap,” he said. “If you ran a fast-food restaurant and the government told you that you can’t raise the price of a hamburger, you’d raise the price of soda and fries.” The Ledger

What can you do? Well, this article is full of useful tips, and you should definitely check it out. But some quick tips include searching out a smaller local bank or credit union, which generally have lower fees. Also, actually reading your statements. They REALLY count on you NOT doing that. Like, your free checking account that suddenly is no longer free and you wonder why? It was in your statement!

So, read the article. It’s worth your time. And tell us… are your fees rising? What have you done about it?

(photo: audiobooker.booklistonline.com)

A Little Place in the City

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Like, a reeeally little place. This is a story that asks “How much space do you need?” And also “How little space can you tolerate?”

In San Francisco, where the average studio apartment rents for more than $2,000/month, the city is ready to vote on a rule allowing developers to build apartments as small as 220 square feet in size. Roughly 10 feet by 20.

At a minimum 150 square feet of living space — 220 when you add the bathroom, kitchen and closet — the proposed residences are being hailed as a pivotal option for singles.  LA Times

They hope the micro apartments will go for $1200-1700/ month. Great for a city where over 40% of the population lives alone. However…

Opponents fear that a wave of “shoe box homes” would further marginalize families of modest means who are desperate for larger accommodations…. And buildings full of micro-units could cause a spike in population density that might strain public transit and already limited parks and public spaces.   LA Times

As for me, I have done the Saturday walking tour of IKEA, where the fake apartments get smaller and smaller, until “Here’s how you can cram into 300 square feet!” And it gave me the creeps!

So what do you think? Clever idea, or the most depressing idea ever? (Or both?)

The Mall of the Future!

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How will shopping change over the next 30 years?

The way Blake Nordstrom sees it, fashion has always been about change — “creating a reason for the customer to buy something new” — and the next three decades will bring more of it. The next 30 years of retailing will be all about the customer’s interests. And it will be up to merchants to keep up with or anticipate their every desire.”  USAToday.com

Yes, he’s that Nordstrom. We don’t have any of those around me, but I have always heard stories of their legendary customer service. Nice to see that they are thinking ahead.

Anyway, what does the future of shopping look like?  It’s all about technology:

  • Digital fitting rooms with parametric technology that simulates your body type and gives you a sense of look and fit.
  • 3-D printers that will allow you to make products in their own homes.
  • Smartphone technology that lets retailers dig into your personal data to figure out their tastes and potential interests.
  • Cash registers disappear as all transaction occur using cell phones.

The thing is, every one of these things exist right now, so it makes sense that somebody is going to find a way to use it for (your) fun and (their) profit.

But don’t expect stores filled with touch-screens and robots rather than hangers and sales associates. Though one day the ideal shopping experience might not involve human contact, Nordstrom says, “we’re not there yet.”   USAToday.com

What do you think? Do these sound like improvements to you? What changes would you like to see in retail? Let us know, and have a great weekend!

(photo: befitbefabulous.ca)

Who is Really the Low Price Leader?

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For me, the perception of paying less is what takes me to Wal-Mart. I feel like the noise, the crowd and the hassle are worth it if I am saving dough.

According to this article, though, those savings may be an illusion.

Target this month had lower prices than Wal-Mart for the first time since October, according to research conducted by Bloomberg Industries. The Minneapolis-based chain also led by its widest margin since the monthly study began two years ago. The study examined the gap in average price across a basket of 150 like items at stores within five miles of each other.  Bloomberg.com

Apparently, the still-crappy economy has the two giants scrambling for customers, and the competition has heated up. Of course, there are other players, including Kmart and Amazon. Customer loyalty is up for grabs, and we will go wherever the prices lead us.

At any rate, Target is crowing, and Wal-Mart is saying “Yeah, but…” And it seems this whole competition  is for bragging rights, since we are talking about a savings of 46 cents per every hundred dollars!

What do you think? Target or Wal-Mart? Do you see a difference? Let us know…and have a great weekend!

Drought Brings Crops Down, Prices Up

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How colorfully depressing!

On TV, radio and the web, it’s the background noise we have been hearing all summer: the big Midwest drought. Living in South Carolina, where it rains every day at 4pm sharp, it seems like somebody else’s problem. But my grocery bill tends to disagree. The biggest factor? CORN.

Corn — a crop that has been decimated by drought — is used as feed for beef and poultry; is manufactured into ethanol, a gasoline additive; and is cooked into corn syrup, a sweetener in everything from cereals to ketchup. And, of course, that doesn’t count corn’s simple uses, whether to be eaten alone or made into anything from chips to tortillas.  CBS Money Watch

Before the planting season, they were talking about a record crop. Now they say it will be down 12% from last year. So how does this affect your wallet? And what can you do about it?

  • Buy meat now: Before long, it will be cheaper for farmers to slaughter their livestock that to feed them. When that happens, meat process will shoot up.
  • $kip proce$$ed food$: they have a lot of high-fructo$e corn $yrup.
  • Buy fruit: The weather that is killing vegetables is good for fruit, so prices are lower.
  • Substitute. Oatmeal instead of processed cereal, fish instead of beef, foods with simple sugar instead of fructose, etc.
  • Eat locally: If you happen to live in an unaffected area, the local stuff should be cheaper.

So, have you seen the difference in your grocery bill? Do you have any other saving tips? Let us know!

Sweet Seasonal Savings!

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They’ve always said that certain bargains happen at certain times of the year, and knowing when to buy can save you money. Take me for instance. Just bought a TV, either 5 months late, or 7 months early! Anyway, here are some tips from around the web, starting with August.

August: Swimsuits, up to half off (the prices, that is.)  Anything related to back-to-school, like book bags, computers, crappy dorm furniture, etc. And lawnmowers, which won’t be missed – amirite fellas?

January: Linens and Holiday leftovers. White sales are everywhere, so stock up on the sheets and towels. Also, Christmas gear. Here’s one I have learned: if you collect those dated Christmas tree ornaments, but don’t absolutely have to have a 2012 on the tree IN 2012, then wait until January and save 50%!

February: Furniture. Stores are clearing out for new spring models. Save 30-60%

March: TVs. The big Consumer Electronics show is in January. Buyers place their orders, and they land in stores in March. So the shabby old 1080p flatscreens have to go to make room for the shiny new 1080p flatscreens! Save 15%

March: Springtime shoes. They hit the shelves in January, now they got ta GO. Save 20-30%

April: Raincoats. Stores have to meet the demand for April Showers, then clear the shelves for May Flowers. Save 25%

April/May: Thrift Store finds. After Spring cleaning! Furniture, housewares, clothes, kids stuff, the whole bit.

May: Athletic Apparel and Shoes. I guess it’s finally warm enough to go outside and exercise. Save 30-60%

June/July: Wedding season – June for planners, July for stragglers! So, wedding gifts like dishes and home décor are 20-50% off. Also, it’s Fathers Day, so useful things (tools, gadgets) and useless things (tools, gadgets) are on sale.

September: Plants. The typical season change clearing of the shelves. Save 30-50%. I hear that the independent places have better discounts than the big box stores.

October: Blue Jeans. The back-to-school market has dried up, and what’s left has to go! Save 30-60%

November: Pajamas, etc.  Lord knows I give SOMEBODY on my Christmas list some pajamas. Last year, I think I gave out 4 sets. A new record!

December: Coats & Jackets. Stores don’t have the room to store these bulky items until next fall. Save 15-40%

That’s the scoop. So, watch your calendars, then get out there and save in a timely fashion. And have a great weekend!!

(photo: galliawatch.blogspot.fr)

Will You Miss Them When They’re Gone?

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These brands, that is. Face it, even in the best of times, things change, and brands die. And these are hardly the best of times. So analysts are looking into their crystal balls to see who is on their way out.

Each year, 24/7 Wall St. identifies 10 important American brands that we predict will disappear within a year. This year’s list reflects the brutally competitive nature of certain industries and the reason why companies cannot afford to fall behind in efficiency, innovation or financing.  24/7 Wall St.com

Companies get hurt by bad management, big losses, a shrinking market…the list goes on and on. So who is on deathwatch for 2012?

  • Research In Motion: the BlackBerry guys. No shocker.
  • Pacific Sunwear: ran out of dough
  • Avon: fierce competition, bad management
  • MetroPCS: Wireless carrier I have never heard of!
  • Oakland Raiders: will be around, but probably NOT around Oakland!
  • Salon.com: one of those websites everybody talks about but few visit.
  • Suzuki: getting pushed out of small, cheap car market by Hyundai
  • Current TV: see Salon.com
  • Talbot’s: hurt by recession, competition from Ann Taylor and Limited
  • American Airlines: rash of mergers in the airline biz, and AA got left behind.

There are several on this list you probably don’t care about. But please don’t tell my wife about Talbot’s! And I’m not sure if it’s still America without Avon!

What do you think? Will you miss any of these brands? Let us know. And have a great weekend!

(photo: flickriver.com)

Redbox Gives Netflix the Blues

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So, what service (or services) are you using for your media rentals? Still going to the video store? Downloading or streaming? Using the DVD kiosk outside the 7-11?

Well, your choices keep multiplying! DVD purveyor Redbox is on a roll since they made the deal to buy up all of rival Blockbuster’s kiosks. The latest development? They are breaking out of the physical DVD realm and getting into streaming, courtesy of a new partnership with Verizon.

The service called “RedBox Instant by Verizon” will offer more or less the same features as Netflix will, without the home delivery option.  Consumer Affairs

Which is MORE bad news for Netflix.

Netflix is in perhaps in that fabled location between a rock and a hard place. It is losing about 1 million DVD customers per quarter while its slow-growing online customers are consuming more and more streaming video. DVD rentals are about five times more profitable than streaming video. Consumer Affairs

I guess the question is, are your rental habits changing? Me, I finally got an HD TV. I am getting about 10 channels of local HD content, and thinking of signing up for a couple of rental services like this. And, once and for all…DITCHING CABLE! What do you think?

A Sam-tastic Opportunity for MindField Members!

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Check out the the Sam’s Partnership Panel!

As Benjamin Franklin once said, “Bro! Why buy a can of Axe Body Spray when you can buy a whole case, Bro?” Buying in bulk can be a great deal, especially if you have a large crew. And Sam’s Club is one of the premier names in the biz. So it’s big news when a giant like that teams up with MindField Online. Check it out!

MindField Online + Sam’s Club = Another HUGE Opportunity!!!

MindField Online has entered into a corporate partnership with Sam’s Club and will manage the Sam’s Partnership Panel. This means more surveys will be available for our members and you can receive additional incentive earning opportunities by taking part.

To take part in this tremendous opportunity for MindField Online and all of our members, please complete this profile survey ASAP. This survey will help us to understand your use of Sam’s Club’s services and the items you tend to purchase from them.

You will receive $1.00 for completing along with an entry into the drawing for cash prizes totaling $1,000.00. All incentives and winnings will be posted to your account within 10-14 days of the study completion.

Then you will see a Click to Join link. The Partnership Panel is open for Sam’s Club members. So, if you aren’t a Sam’s member, but someone else in the household is, then that person can participate and get the incentive. So go to your Member Home page and give it a shot!