American Consumer News

American Consumer News is an online magazine which will provide you a steady stream of tricks, trips and ideas to help get you closer to financial freedom. We discuss topics such as investing, real estate, frugality, saving money, debt reduction and more.

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What is an Annuity?

Mar 11, 2010 7:18am

Generally speaking, annuities can be used to refer to the contracts in which there may be a series of premiums that are paid by investors in order to earn a series of payments for income from the insurer. Annuities are usually meant to secure income when the investors have to...

The Fat Tax -A Way to a Healthier America or a Poorer One?

Mar 10, 2010 12:28pm

The idea of the ‘fat tax’ has been batted around quite a bit in the last decade. Rising obesity rates, a continuing prevalence of lifestyle diseases and since roughly the beginning of 2009, recessionary conditions, have all come together to bring a new round of talks on the possibility of...

Debit Card Overdrafts Thing of the Past at Bank of America

Mar 10, 2010 3:14am

Bank of America ((NYSE: BAC) has brought to an end the overdraft fees associated with debit card purchases. This decision can end up costing the bank tens of millions in revenue each year but it would also force the hand of other banks to do the same, which is good...

Bank of America Hijacks Parrot, Forecloses Wrong House

Mar 9, 2010 3:59pm

Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) has a lot of explaining to do. According to a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania woman, the bank took not only her home but also hung on to her parrot even after proof was offered Bank of America had the wrong house. The woman filed a lawsuit today...

US Airways Fined for Price Advertising Discrepancies… Again

Mar 9, 2010 12:13pm

Three cheers for the US Department of Transportation (DOT)! US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is quoted as saying “When consumers shop for air travel, they have a right to know how much they will have to pay. We will continue to ensure that airlines comply with our price advertising...

Is The Time Right To Take Out A Personal Loan?

Mar 8, 2010 9:39pm

Choosing the right time to take out a personal loan can be a difficult decision for many people. Sometimes, there are financial reasons that make it a good idea to take out a personal loan while in other cases, a new personal loan will end up causing a financial hardship...

Travel Scams Target Spring Travelers

Mar 5, 2010 8:06am

This winter has brought record breaking snowfall amounts to much of the United States. With spring just around the corner, many people including students enjoying spring break will be on the move to sunny destinations. Consumers are urged to use caution when making travel arrangements this spring as...

How to Get a Free Best Selling Business Audio Book from Audible

Mar 4, 2010 9:20am

If you are going to stay ahead in the business world, you must keep up your education, your skill set and your people skills. Charlie Tremendous Jones once said “You are the same today as you’ll be in five years except for two things, the books you read and the...

Don’t Go to the Mailbox on Saturday

Mar 2, 2010 8:27am

The US Postal Service is reportedly in debt, with a loss of $3.8 billion dollars in the fiscal year of 2009. Mail volume was down by 12.7% and the agency is not hopeful for a recovery, blaming online transactions for messages and bill payments. So what does that mean for consumers? As...

Debt Settlement Complaints On The Rise

Feb 28, 2010 11:17am

It comes as no surprise that consumer complaints regarding the debt settlement industry have spiked in recent years. Hundreds of new companies offering debt relief have sprouted up, seemingly overnight, to provide services to the millions of Americans who are struggling with debt. Many consumers, desperate to eliminate...