Posted on 5/29/2010 10:05 EST
In the end, we always pay the price. At least that's the takeaway from this little piece in Time, which briefly explains the business model behind movie theater concession stands.
"'If movie popcorn is such a raw deal, why are the concession lines so long?'
A contrarian view offered in a WSJ op-ed about whether movie theater popcorn is, in fact, as big a rip-off as consumers claim it to be. Considering that movie theaters make 85% profits at concessions stands, it sure seems like a rip-off.
On the other hand, as the WSJ piece explains, were it not for these rip-offs, consumers would probably be paying more in some other way..."
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on Time
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Posted on 5/29/2010 9:49 EST
Tired of the high-cost of living in the good ol' US of A? WiseBread suggests some cheap foreign alternatives that you might try calling home. But don't pack your bags just yet: it's a lot easier to live frugally in these cities if you're earning American income.
"As a resident of one of the most chronically expensive cities in the world, moving to a cheaper, more quality-of-life beneficial city has sat steady at the back of my mind for many years now. As a freelance writer, I have the glorious ability to work from anywhere -- that is, as long as there's a strong pot of coffee and a Wi-Fi signal nearby.
However, ever since I became gainfully unemployed in the 9-5 rat race and shifted my gears into full-time freelancing, I've become more and more interested in what other cities can offer me and other wannabe U.S. expats in terms of a better quality of life for less..."
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on WiseBread
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Posted on 5/28/2010 22:04 EST
Apple's at it again. This time, reportsEngadget, the company is readying to launch a new version of Apple TV for a price that can't be beat. Wanna guess? Read on...
"If you thought that Apple's foray into the world of home entertainment died with the last iteration of the Apple TV, you're quite wrong. A tip we've received -- which has been confirmed by a source very close to Apple -- details the outlook for the next version of the Apple TV, and it's a doozy. According to our sources, this project has been in the works long before Google announced its TV solution, and it ties much more closely into Apple's mobile offerings. The new architecture of the device will be based directly on the iPhone 4, meaning it will get the same internals, down to that A4 CPU and a limited amount of flash storage -- 16GB to be exact -- though it will be capable of full 1080p HD (!)..."
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on Engadget
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Posted on 5/27/2010 7:31 EST
OK, so you think you've got your cellphone plan under control and maybe your credit cards. But now there's the cable bill to worry about. Well, Time is stepping up with a report on a website that helps you figure out how to cut the cost of pay TV, and also helps out with those aforementioned expenses. It's so easy to be in denial.
"BillShrink made its name by offering services that help consumers to choose cell-phone plans (there are something like 10 million possibilities, absurdly enough) and decipher credit card legislation. Now, the website introduces a free search engine that'll help you pick the most cost-effective pay-TV package..."
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on Time
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Posted on 5/26/2010 21:27 EST
It's hard to beat the system, especially when that system is airfare. But here comes ABC News with insight into how that system works and five ways to use that knowledge to your advantage. The payoff? Cheap plane tickets.
"If you like to travel and like to save money, this is the column for you.
I'm about to explain some of the elements involved in the complicated business of airfare pricing. It may sound dull, but it's not; if anything, it's kind of weird how the whole system works, but that's the way it is.
And the more you know about this system, the easier it is for you to find cheap flights every time you shop.
Seems only fair. After all, the airlines go to extraordinary lengths to get you to pay more; they know all about your shopping habits, including when you want to travel and even where you want to go, and they price their fares accordingly..."
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on ABC News
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