Michael Finney's Consumer Blog

The tooth fairy is giving less

Delta Dental puts together the Tooth Fairy Index every year and this year, has been a tough one on the little gift-giver. Delta Dental spokesperson, Chris Pyle told me, "The average gift from the nocturnal tooth-taker dropped to $2.10 in 2011. That's down 42 cents or 17% from the year before". The most common amount left by the Tooth Fairy is $1, although the first tooth tends to get substantially more than subsequent losses.

 

Worst way to mess up your credit card account

www.Credit.com has been looking at some of the worst ways to mess up your credit card account. Here's the one that really gets to me because so many consumers do this. Carry a balance and then being over 60 days late with your payment. Here's why: If your payment is more than 60 days late, your credit card issuer can apply the penalty rate to your entire outstanding balance. That $5,000 balance you have at 12.99 percent now turns into a $5,000 balance at an interest rate of 29.99. Your payment doubles and there is nothing you can do about it.

White House starts conversation on internet privacy

The White House has started the conversation on internet privacy. The goal, one click privacy protection. Consumers could say, 'stop following me' with one click. The bad news? There seems to be no rush to get a good deal for consumers. Still this is a good beginning to a conversation that should have taken place a decade ago.

Tips for your kid's next trip to the doctor

Here are two tips for making your next trip to the pediatrician less painful: Ask for the first appointment in the morning or after lunch. Those times have the best chance of not being late. Once in the examination room, before the doctor gives your kid a shot, ask the doctor to use cold spray or a numbing cream to decrease the pain. 

Free Stuff! Pancakes from IHOP!

Finney's Tuesday Free Stuff! Free Pancakes from IHOP this morning from 7 -10. Last year IHOP gave away 4 million pancakes and raised 2 1/2 million dollars for charity (which is what this is really all about). It is a party, check it out.

http://www.ihoppancakeday.com/ 

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This giveaway is not conducted by 7 On Your Side. If there are technical problems or issues with the product, concerns should be directed to the offering supplier

 

Who owns the pictures you post on Facebook?

Cracked.com has been reading the fine print on social media sites and you aren't going to like what they found: "... pretty much every social network has a clause written into their user agreements that allows them to use your pictures for commercial purposes. Specifically, the stipulations you agreed to state that you're granting these companies "worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sub-licensable and transferable license to use, reproduce or distribute" your private photos. But they do make it a point to clarify that you still own anything you upload. Of course, that doesn't mean you're going to see a dime when they use that picture of you on the beach last summer in one of those "Obey this one rule for a flat stomach!" ads (and not in the good way, Flabby). But still, you totally own that picture. Meaning they won't sue you if you use it elsewhere. See? What are you worried about?"  .

AT&T slowing down smart phones on purpose

Can AT&T really slow down my smart phone just because I use it? I get that question fairly often these days. Here is an answer from the courts. A Judge says it isn't fair for AT&T to sell a consumer an unlimited plan and then purposely slow down his phone because he uses it. AT&T ordered to pay $850.

>>Here's more info: http://consumerist.com/2012/02/man-sues-att-for-throttling-his-iphone-service----and-wins.html

Free Stuff! Ocean Spray Craisins!

Finney's Friday Free Stuff. Go crazy for Ocean Spray Craisins. Swap from raisins to dried cranberries-Craisins.

>> Get your sample at: https://www.facebook.com/oceanspray?sk=app_315023785211513

NOTE: More freebies to come! Watch ABC7 News at 5 PM for Finney's Friday Free Stuff. Details regarding those offers will be posted at ABC7NEWS.COM at 5:30 PM.

Sign up tor receive Finney's Friday Free Stuff and Michael Finney's Consumer Blog newsletters!

This giveaway is not conducted by 7 On Your Side. If there are technical problems or issues with the product, concerns should be directed to the offering supplier

 

Free Stuff! Eat-Smart protein bar!

Finney's Friday Free Stuff. Eat-Smart protein bar from iSatori.

>>Get your sample at  http://www.isatoritech.com/freeeatsmartbar/

NOTE: More freebies to come! Check the blog again at Noon!

Sign up tor receive Finney's Friday Free Stuff and Michael Finney's Consumer Blog newsletters!

This giveaway is not conducted by 7 On Your Side. If there are technical problems or issues with the product, concerns should be directed to the offering supplier

 

 

Free Stuff! Shout Color Catcher

Finney’s Friday Free Stuff! Free ‘Shout’ Color Catcher Sample. No need to separate clothes by color! With Color Catcher you can mix whites, lights and colors.

>>Get your sample at http://www.shoutitout.com/en-US/Promotions/Pages/ColorCatcher.aspx

NOTE: More freebies to come! Watch ABC7 News at 5 PM for Finney's Friday Free Stuff. Details regarding those offers will be posted at ABC7NEWS.COM at 5:30 PM.

Sign up tor receive Finney's Friday Free Stuff and Michael Finney's Consumer Blog newsletters!

This giveaway is not conducted by 7 On Your Side. If there are technical problems or issues with the product, concerns should be directed to the offering supplier