Michael Finney's Consumer Blog

All lawyers are not created equal

All lawyers are not created equal and here's your proof. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that rich attorneys are getting richer and poor(er) ones are getting poor(er). The paper, citing recent studies, says, "Partners in the top 25% of hourly billers boosted their average price to $873 an hour last year... Partners in the bottom 25% charged an average of $204 last year, up just 1.3%" 

Starbucks secret menu

I am going to let you in on a secret: Starbucks has a clandestine menu. Want a coffee that tastes like a Snickers Bar? They have you covered.

USDA reconsidering rules on 'plump' chickens

Have you seen the TV ads showing chickens’ getting plumped. Funny commercials and it points out that it is now legal in California to inject water into meats then charge consumers for it. My reporting on the issue is getting results. Here’s portions of a note I recently received saying the federal government is now reconsidering its rules.

“This is to acknowledge and thank you and the “ABC-7 On Your Side” Team for sticking with the story… The California Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association (CACASA) has advocated for the last three years for USDA to review their previous decision… in California alone, consumers spent an estimated $246 million on solutions added to ready-to-cook poultry.”

Recruiters troll Facebook for candidates

We've all heard how Facebook can keep you from getting as job: drunken college pics, whining about bosses.. well here's how Facebook can help you find employment.

>>Read the article at online.wsj.com

 

When to buy an Apple product

The brilliant researchers at dealnews have issued a study saying the worst time to get a discount on an Apple product is on the first day of release. Thanks Sherlock, we didn't really need your study to figure that out. However those dealnews detectives did find the retailers most likely to offer deals... and when. OK, now we are getting somewhere!

How Social Security really works

You've heard the big debate about Social Security... What gives? Here is some sound advice about how to work the system so Social Security works for you!

Nevada approves gambling off casino floor

Nevada's governor, Brian Sandoval, has signed a bill allowing gambling off the casino floor. Mobile devices would allow guests to gamble poolside, in restaurants or even in their hotel rooms. This is a major change. For years the gambling areas were sacrosanct; no minors and no outside influences allowed. Hotels even had small uninviting rooms so guests would spend more time on the casino floor. Times have changed though, and now we all expect to take our entertainment with us wherever we go, and now that includes gambling throughout a casino's property.  This is also the first step towards legal, regulated online gambling.

Make sure to get your free miles!

You have seen those Netflix deals where you get frequent flyer miles for signing up, right? Well the idea of FF mile sign up bonuses is really catching on.  Open a savings account with Fidelity, a brokerage account with TD Ameritrade or take out a mortgage with Chase and they'll dump a boat load of miles in your account. Even Nutrisystem is offing a signing bonus. So don't go out and get a new loan just to get miles, but if you are getting a mortgage anyways - or signing up for any new service - ask about miles.

Commodity prices are changing vacation plans

Commodity prices are changing your summer vacation. Oil prices are spiking and that causes a ripple effect: Campgrounds have to charge more because maintenance cost increase. Airlines fly fewer and smaller aircraft, making a cheap seat harder to come by. Even some cruise ships will start cutting back on the buffet to close the gap between the cost of a ticket bought last year and the price of fuel currently being paid. Locking in prices now, by paying up front, is the best hedge against escalating costs. That and staying closer to home.

Here’s how to dodge the IRS

Are you still paying taxes? You silly poor person! Just do what the rich and corporations do, and dodge the whole paying taxes thing. Here’s a special report outlining how the well-to-do make sure they don’t pay, so you can pay more.