Hispanics have been hit the hardest by energy price increases, according to a new study today released by the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity. The study found that more than half of American families have seen their energy costs nearly double in the past ten years. Due to income inequalities, Hispanic households are disproportionately [...]
In a global study released at the World Economic Forum, it was revealed that international travel is considered even more important than the Internet, TV/movies, or political diplomacy at stimulating the economy and breaking down cultural barriers. The independent study was conducted by Penn Schoen Berland on behalf of Marriott International and included the views [...]
U.S. consumers continue to make timely payments and pay down their retail credit card and bank card balances, resulting in a significant reduction in the number of card write-offs over 2010 levels, according to Equifax’s latest National Credit Trends Report. The improvement in bank and retail credit card write-offs reflects a steady level of improvement [...]
The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index (Index) slid again in November 2011, weighed down primarily by the housing market. The Index tracks consumer cash flow as an indicator of future consumer spending. “A high number of foreclosed homes and mortgage defaults continue to deflate real home prices and further lower consumers’ net worth,” explained Carl Steidtmann, [...]
For the last several years the economy has been one of the hottest topics, and one everyone—including politicians, economists, retailers, business owners, employees and consumers—has been following closely. Much has been said about Americans’ cutting back, budgeting, and possibly, a “new normal”. The Harris Poll has been tracking Americans’ spending and savings plans for over [...]
While families are gathering to stuff themselves with Thanksgiving dinner, eager shoppers are preparing to stuff their carts, and crooks are getting ready to stuff their wallets. Last year, holiday spending increased as more than 212 million U.S. consumers spent an estimated $45 billion in stores and online from Black Friday through Cyber Monday, according [...]
Despite widespread volatility within the housing market and five consecutive years of home value declines, more than two in five (42 percent) of polled prospective home buyers believe home values typically appreciate by 7 percent a year, according to a recent survey by leading real estate information marketplace Zillow. This is an unrealistic expectation as, [...]
ING DIRECT USA and Men’s Health found that men have learned their lessons from recent financially tough times and are keeping close tabs on their wallets. In fact, survey findings revealed that 42 percent of men spend more time working on their personal finances (including investments) each week than watching sports. Additionally, 44 percent of [...]
Ticket Transactions Down Nearly 2 Percent Compared to Same Period 2010 ARC reported that the consolidated dollar value of airline tickets sold by U.S.-based travel agencies increased 6.43 percent year-over-year in the first nine months of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010, and 28 percent over the same period in 2009. January through [...]
Consumerist.com announced the nominees for its second annual Worst Ad in America Awards. This year, more than 40 ads garnered nods including colorful odes to full diapers, as in Luvs’ “Poop! There it is” commercial, and tongue-in-cheek references to female anatomy, as in the Summer’s Eve “Hail to the V” campaign. The online voting period [...]