Even if you don't purchase matzoh for Passover, households and grocery stores have leftovers they aren't quite sure what to do with. It's actually a versatile platform for cooking sweet and savory dishes, so with the right recipes, you can make some good stuff.
We've covered ways of cleaninga cast iron pot with salt before, but Instructables has a more efficient way using bamboo skewers instead of salt.
Recent conventional wisdom states that if you really want to increase your personal happiness, you should spend your money on experiences rather than things . While this isn't a bad idea, finance blog Mr. Money Mustache suggests another strategy: just keep your money.
We've talked about how anunrealistically tight budget can backfire . To stay motivated and stick to your financial goals, allow yourself some breathing room. Money site Go Banking Rates offers a creative way to do this: set a savings goal, then use 15 percent of it on a splurge.
Tell me if this sounds familiar: you invite company over only to find that your house is a little messy, so you go on a frantic cleaning binge to try and pretty it up for them. Apartment Therapy says relax: no one's judging you for something we all do.
This guy claims this is the fastest way to take off your t-shirt. It looks pretty damn fast to me, although guys with tight t-shirts will not be able to use this trick.
The best ways to de-stink your stuff might not be easily available when discretion is the order of the way. If you don't want to leave a bathroom stinking, redditor RatherTall has a quick-fix concoction that he says masks the odors well when you're at someone else's place.
In case your old album of photos has been damaged, whether stuck together or by spilling some sticky liquid, don't panic. All you need is lukewarm water to save the day, says WikiHow.
You spend a lot of time in front of your TV, but chances are you may not be using it to its full potential. It's not just about better picture, either—a good TV setup requires the right cables, a good remote, and a lot more. Here are 10 tweaks for creating the ultimate TV setup.
Kool-Aid might be the drink of choice for children, but a similarly powder base drink could be the next big thing for adults. That’s because it’s alcohol. Yes, you read that right, powdered alcohol.
Joining the ranks of sports drinks, milk and other drinks that have been turned to powder, the new product called Palcohol aims to speed up the cocktail making process, CNN Money reports.
The new powder has even been given the green light by federal regulators. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau recently approved flavors including vodka and rum, as well as cocktails like Cosmopolitans and Lemon Drops. Consumers can add five ounces of liquid to the powder for a standard size cocktail.
While the new product might be perfect for time-strapped adults, critics fear that same convenience will appeal to teens. The concerns were exasperated when Palcohol manufacturer Lipsmark LLC suggested uses for the product including bringing to college football games.
CNN Money reports the posts on the company’s website have since been taken down. Officials with the company say the marketing attempts were not meant to go public.
“As Palcohol is a new product, we have yet to understand its potential of being added to food,” a Lipsmark tells CNN Money.
The product still faces regulations on the state level and retailers and wholesalers need to agree to sell it. However, Lipsmark official say they don’t foresee any problems and plan to have the product on the shelves by this fall.
Powdered alcohol could be in the mix [CNN Money]
Depositing a check, transferring funds between bank accounts and withdrawing cash used to entail a drive to the bank and sometimes a long wait in line to see a teller. Today, with the advent of mobile banking consumers rarely have to come face-to-face with another human being. But the newest development in banking aims to reconnect consumers with the teller, kind of.
Interactive teller machines, which combine customers and virtual tellers, are joining the plethora of options available for consumer’s banking convenience, The Washington Post reports.
Customers visiting one of the new machines can now complete a number of transactions via the two-way video which connects to a teller in a remote location. The virtual option has been gaining ground recently as banks and credit unions have been exploring ways to cut costs.
“It’s a great use of self-service technology but it’s also personal because you’re face-to-face,” Brian Bailey, a vice president at NCR, a New York-based technology company that sells interactive tellers, tells the Post.
Consumers can expect to complete a number of transactions, like withdraws and deposits, at the interactive tellers. For more nuanced transactions customers can use the built-in signature pads and audio and video capability to easily connect with a teller.
While the new machines are similar to ATMs, there are several stark differences. Consumers can withdraw larger amounts of funds. Because the machines offer an array for coins, checks can be cashed down to the cent, Bailey says.
The new teller machines have found a bit of a niche with smaller banks looking for alternative means of increasing their presence in communities without building storefronts. Bailey says that community banks and credit unions have been among the first to experiment with the new technology, but more recently NCR has provided the tellers to large banks such as Bank of America and U.S. Bank.
The State Employees Credit Union in Maryland has been using the machines in a handful of locations for nearly a year with positive results.
“Customer reaction has been quite good,” Peggy Tucker, senior vice president for member relations and branch operations at SECU, says. “Members are easily adapting to the new technology. One of the biggest benefits of having the video teller is that we are able to offer expanded teller hours.”
Three employees operate the machines from the SECU headquarters in Linthicum, MD. So far the machines have proven to be a cheaper and more efficient than hiring more employees, Tucker says.
Banks turn to video tellers to cut costs [The Washington Post]
(Reddit)
Last night on Reddit, a user posted the above photo in reference to a Walmart in Auburn, ME, which apparently had a sign on its door explaining that it was closed for Easter Sunday so that employees could enjoy the holiday with their loved ones, but which also had associates working inside while it remained closed to the public.
(Note: The Walmart in the image does not appear to be the actual store, but is presumably being used just to indicate that it’s about a Walmart store)
There is much debate in the Reddit discussion about whether or not this is true, even though the user who posted the image cited the location and phone number of the store in subsequent comments.
We contacted Walmart to see what it had to say.
A rep for the retailer confirmed to Consumerist that this store, along with others in Maine, was closed because state law requires that retailer locations over a certain size close their doors on certain holidays, including Easter.
So yes, it was closed, but only because Maine law required it to be closed for the day. Some might say it’s insincere to claim that the location was closed for the benefit of the employees. Others might say it just sounds better than saying “The state made us do this.”
What about the employees working inside?
The rep from Walmart HQ claims that all the associates who came in yesterday did so on a voluntary basis. The total number of volunteers was about 20 at the Auburn store.
As for wages, the volunteers were paid their standard wages, confirmed the rep, rather than any special holiday pay.
There are multiple ways to think about this situation.
On the one hand, one could argue that some volunteers may have felt obligated to work yesterday just to keep paying the bills and because management rarely looks poorly at an associate who chooses to come in on a holiday without seeking bonus pay.
On the other hand, there’s the argument that Walmart had to close these stores yesterday and that the volunteer-worker option was a way to work around the state law and get these employees paid.
And there will be some on both sides who contend that anyone working on Easter Sunday deserves an extra dollar or two per hour, regardless of whether or not they volunteered.
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The average refund for the 2013 filing season is $2,651, according to the Internal Revenue Service.
If you’re one of the more than 100-million taxpayers getting money back, here’s what to do so you don’t suck at spending your tax refund.
1. Pay Down Debt
Interest charges make it harder to pay down credit card debt, so this is the most important place to put your tax refund. Using your tax refund to pay down debt will mean you’ll save money on interest payments and probably lower your minimum payments due (though we hope you always try to pay more than the minimum), which will take pressure off your finances for months to come. Try BankRate.com’s credit card calculator to see how much you can save.
2. Emergency Fund
We know it’s not sexy, but an emergency fund is important for financial stability, and it will help you avoid slamming your credit cards. You should try to keep at least three to six months of expenses in a bank savings or money market account, the pros say, and then vow to never touch the money unless it’s a real emergency. The cash will come in handy if you lose your job or have an emergency home improvement.
3. Boost Your Retirement Nest Egg
Use your refund to contribute to an IRA. In 2014, you can save $5,500, or if you’re 50 or older, $6,500, to a traditional or a Roth IRA. If you choose the Roth, you’ll have a nice pot of tax-free money when you retire. Even if you never add to the account again, a one-time $2,000 contribution at 7 percent over 20 years will give you more than $8,000. A $5,500 contribution will give you more than $22,000. Or, choose the traditional IRA and you might be eligible for a tax write-off on your taxes next year.
4. Save For College
If college tuition bills are in your future, get a jump on saving by putting your tax refund into a 529 Plan. These savings vehicles allow money to grow tax-free, and as long as the funds are used for qualified education expenses, the money comes out tax-free. If you put $3,000 in a 529 now and it earns 7%, it will be worth $4,252 in five years, $6,028 in 10 years and $8,546 in 15 years. And that’s without adding anything further to the account.
5. Create a Fund For Anything
Maybe you have your eye on a new car, a home purchase, an island vacation or another big-ticket item. Now’s the time to get ahead in affording what you want. Stick your tax refund in a special account that’s earmarked for that goal. When you can, add more to it.
6. Give It Away
If you’re flush with new cash, consider making a contribution to your favorite charity. Or contact a local food pantry and see if you can do something to shore up its shelves. Plus, you’ll get a deduction to use on next year’s tax return.
7. Pay Your Insurance Premiums
Many consumers pay their auto insurance on a monthly basis because they don’t have the cash to pay it all upfront. Insurance companies add a fee for this convenience, and that means you’re paying more, overall, for your insurance. Instead, pay off the balance so you won’t have to pay those monthly fees.
8. Make an Extra Mortgage Payment (Or Two)
Consider sending your mortgage lender some extra money to pay down the principal on your loan. Use this calculator to see how much you can save in interest, and how many months or years you can shave off the term of your mortgage.
9. Do Those Home Repairs
Whether you’ve been putting off that new roof or remodeling a bathroom has been in your dreams, use your tax refund to get the job done. And if you can DIY some of the work you need, you could save lots of money.
10. Enjoy It
We wouldn’t suggest this for people with lots of credit card debt or other financial pressures, but if you’ve got debt and savings under control, simply enjoy some of your newfound cash. Don’t spend it all, but go on a (limited) shopping spree, take a trip, go to a fancy dinner. Whatever floats your boat. And then use the leftover money for one of our other suggestions.
BONUS: One Final Not-Sucky Suggestion
Finally, while it’s great to receive that fat check after filing your tax return, you’re still giving an interest-free loan to the Internal Revenue Service. Change your withholding if you expect your tax situation to be the same next year.
And if you’re saying, “Wait, I use this as a forced savings plan,” we have another idea. Adjust your withholding anyway, and then set up for automatic payments to come out of your checking account each week or month — equal to the extra money that will end up in your paycheck after your withholding change. Send the money to a money market account, and at least you’ll be getting some kind of interest on that money, rather than let the IRS babysit it for the next year.
Have a topic you’d like to see covered in How To Not Suck? Or maybe you’re an expert who would like to share your insight with Consumerist readers? Send us a note at notsuck@consumerist.com.
You can read Karin Price Mueller’s stories for The Star-Ledger at NJ.com, follow her on Facebook, and on Twitter @kpmueller.
PREVIOUSLY ON HOW TO NOT SUCK:
15 Things Everyone Needs To Know About Disability Insurance
15 Things People Of All Ages Need To Know About Long-Term Care Insurance
15 Things You Need To Know About Life Insurance
15 Things Everyone (Including Renters) Should Know About Homeowner’s Insurance
15 Things You Need To Know About Buying Auto Insurance
How To Not Suck… At Going To Small Claims Court
How To Not Suck… At Buying In Bulk
How To Not Suck At Planning Your Wedding, Part 5: Spending Your Wedding Cash
How To Not Suck At Planning Your Wedding, Part 4: The Honeymoon
How To Not Suck At Planning Your Wedding, Part 3: The Costly Little Extras
How To Not Suck At Planning Your Wedding, Part 2: The Stuff People Pay Too Much For
How To Not Suck At Planning Your Wedding, Part 1: The Most Expensive Steps
How To Not Suck… At Teaching Your Kids About Money
How To Not Suck… At Valentine’s Day Gifts
How To Not Suck… At Merging Your Money When You Marry
How To Not Suck… At Borrowing For College
How To Not Suck… At Saving For College
How To Not Suck… At Pre-Paying For Your Funeral
How To Not Suck… At Making Financial New Year’s Resolutions
How To Not Suck… At Last-Minute Christmas Gifting
How To Not Suck… At Saving For The Holidays
How To Not Suck… At Charitable Giving
How To Not Suck… At Disputing Credit Report Errors
How To Not Suck… At Lowering Your Utility Bills
How To Not Suck… At Home Inspections
How To Not Suck… At Understanding Credit Card Rewards
How To Not Suck… At Getting Ready For Tax Season
How To Not Suck… At Picking A Retirement Plan
How To Not Suck… At Deciding When To DIY
How To Not Suck… At Getting Out Of Debt
How To Not Suck… At First Year College Budgets
DISCLAIMER: Any websites, services, retailers, or brands mentioned in the story above are only intended as some of many options available to consumers, and do not constitute an endorsement by Consumerist, Consumerist Media LLC (CML) or its staff. Per Consumerist’s No Commercial Use Policy, such information may not be used by others in advertising or to promote a company’s product or service. In addition, this policy precludes any commercial use of any of CML’s published information in any form, or of the names of Consumers Union®, Consumer Media, Consumer Reports®, The Consumerist, consumerist.com or any other of CU or CML’s publications or services without CU or CML’s express written permission.
Kraft has recalled 96,000 lbs. of the “Classic Wieners” (on the left) because there is a chance they might contain Cheese Dogs that belong in the packaging on the right.
Kraft Foods Group, Inc., (which the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service quaintly refers to as “a Columbia, Mo., establishment,” as if it’s Ma and Pa Kraft grinding out sausages at a corner butcher store) has announced a recall of around 96,000 pounds of Oscar Mayer Classic Wieners because the hot dogs may contain Oscar Mayer “Classic Cheese Dogs” instead of the non-cheese-containing “Classic” dogs.
The FSIS says that Kraft was made aware of the hot dog switcheroo on Friday, April 18, after a customer noticed the problem, and that Kraft alerted the USDA to the gaffe on Saturday.
Because milk is a known allergen and the Classic packaging makes no mention of milk content (because there isn’t any), the USDA has labeled this a Class I recall, meaning “there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.”
Luckily, says the USDA, neither it nor Kraft have received any reports of adverse reactions to mixed-up wieners.
The recalled hot dogs only represent two days’ worth of wieners. These particular products were made on March 2-3 of this year, and were distributed to stores nationwide wide in subsequent weeks.
The labels on the 16-oz. packages read “Classic Wieners Made with Turkey & Chicken, Pork Added” and have “USE BY 16 Jun 2014” and a product code of “044700000632.”
Consumers with questions about the recall should contact Kraft Consumer Relations at (855) 688-4386.
Last week, people noticed that the General Mills site now included a notice at the top which stated the company had “new Legal Terms which require all disputes related to the purchase or use of any General Mills product or service to be resolved through binding arbitration.”
If that weren’t enough, the language in the actual Legal Terms stated that consumers were agreeing to these terms (whether they knew it or not) “by using our websites, joining our sites as a member, joining our online community, subscribing to our email newsletters, downloading or printing a digital coupon, entering a sweepstakes or contest, redeeming a promotional offer, or otherwise participating in any other General Mills offering.”
Seems pretty cut-and-dry. Evil and anti-consumer, but cut-and-dry.
But apparently, we’re all stupid, at least in the eyes of General Mills, and we just didn’t understand that the company was trying to help us out.
In a blog post yesterday on the General Mills website, a company mouthpiece, claims that these words were “widely misread.”
“[A]rbitration would have simply streamlined how complaints are handled,” continues the utter nonsense from the General Mills spokesperson. “Many companies do the same, and we felt it would be helpful.”
The most baldfaced misinformation provided in the General Mills statement is the assertion that “arbitration clauses don’t cause anyone to waive a valid legal claim.”
Let’s just pause for a moment to contemplate what utter and complete bullcheerios that is.
Arbitration clauses force every individual consumer to give up his or her right to a lawsuit and enter into a process that is proven to be unbalanced in favor of the businesses with massive legal teams at their beckon call.
But most lawyers won’t get involved on the consumers’ side of an arbitration dispute both because of this unbalance and because damages are severely limited.
Likewise, one consumer on her own may have a good case, but the cost of making that case far outweighs any damages she might receive. The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that this is not a reason to invalidate a forced-arbitration clause.
So the harmed consumer would either need to go deeply into debt or seek massive amounts of donations just to prove her case. And each harmed consumer would have to do this on his or her own. Thus, a company can get away with harming consumers so long as it is too expensive for any of the individual plaintiffs to make the case against the company.
To us, this very much seems like cases in which arbitration causes someone “to waive a valid legal claim.”
While General Mills thinks we’re all stupid for not understanding the supposed benefit (to General Mills) of forced arbitration, this is one of the more boneheaded attempts to shove one of these policies down consumers’ throats.
Unlike terms of service for wireless service or credit cards, which are both standard in their respective industries apply to very specific products and conditions, consumers have no expectation of or history with the notion of applying terms of service to a packaged food product. Even if one blindly agrees to legal terms on a coupon or sweepstakes, the notion that those legal terms would apply to the actual food product is bizarre and like something out of a 1950s sci-fi novel.
Prescott Open House to Benefit Habitat for Humanity Patch.com Hugh Ickrath, the Manassas resident refurbishing the Prescott House after it was destined for demolition, will be hosting the second annual open house event to benefit Habitat for Humanity of Prince William County. The event from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m ... and more » |
Restaurant Inspections: Dunkin Donuts, City Grille, Wendy's, Stonewall Middle ... Patch.com Prince William Health District officials recently inspected food preparation and storage in the area. Full reports can be accessed on the health department's website. A "critical violation" is one that "poses a direct or immediate threat to the safety ... and more » |
