Consumerism

Many Young People Will Die in Debt, but Hopefully Not From Debt

01/23/13

I had a weird night’s sleep and then openned up my e-mail to find this headline from credit and collection news “Does The Consumer Bureau Harm Those It Claims to Protect? & Study Predicts Millions Will Die In Credit Card Red.” The immediate implication in my drowsy state was that the CFPB was somehow killing people. Wow.

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The True Meaning of Black Friday

11/20/12

Nathalie Martin invited readers to skip Black Friday and do a spending fast. Her post caused me to wonder whether we have lost the true meaning of Black Friday. Based on an informal survey, it seems to be the case that people have forgotten why we call the day Black Friday. By "informal survey," of course, I mean I asked my family.

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Skip the Chaos and Do a Black Friday Spending Fast on November 23, 2012

11/16/12

Perhaps you'll recall that a few years ago on black Friday (the day after thanksgiving), overzealous shoppers trampled a seasonal Wal-Mart worker (meaning a guy who did not even have a regularWal-Mart Job) to death. This is what happens when rampant consumerism meets pack mentality.

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Couples and Money

10/24/12

Wow, our guest bloggers have been working hard for us and you! Nice job Amy and John.  I myself got a little wrapped up in my intensive financial literacy class this year, and am finally here to report on our experiences. First up, a conversation about couples and money. I hope you readers will join me.

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The Gender Divide in Payday Lending

10/15/12

Nathalie Martin has done great work and has posted comments on Creditslips.org regarding payday lending. I also have been interested in how these payday loans prey on consumers with the least resources and power, and have helped consumers with related issues through my outreach work. At the same time, I have had the privilege to have students like Adria Robinson, who take great interest in these consumer issues.

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Fine Print Foils

10/08/12

I was delighted to see Melissa Jacoby’s call in September for more poetry on creditslips.org! Therefore, I wish to share the poem I wrote that served as basis for the lyrics to a consumer protest song that accompanies a non-profit consumer outreach film, Fine Print Foils, that I produced a couple of years ago. Why not have fun with consumer protection?

Fine Print Foils
by Amy J. Schmitz

Fine print foils

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Winners and Losers in the Squeaky Wheel System

10/08/12

First, I want to thank you for the invitation!  

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Who Built It?

08/29/12

We're seeing the back and forth between the Dems and the GOP about "who built it," whether the economy is a function of both public and private action (as artfully expressed by Elizabeth Warren and clumsily imitated by the President) or purely private Galtian will-to-create entrepreneurship. The only interesting thing about the argument is that there even is an argument.

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