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Toyota president: So sorry about the whole recall thing
The president of Toyota, Akio Toyoda, apologized late Monday for the problems created by recalling 9 million cars worldwide.Writing on his Japanese-language blog under the name "Morizo," Toyoda says the automaker will "take seriously, accept humbly, and respond sincerely to" complaints that Toyota has not taken the recalls seriously enough, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Toyoda also wrote he won't be participating in a 24-hour endurance race in Germany as previously planned. He had taken part in the ADAC Nurburgring 24-Hour race at least 3 times before, and Toyoda had said last June that he would continue to take part in races after becoming top executive.
Toyota has recalled nearly 9 million cars in the U.S., Europe, Asia and other regions following problems with sudden acceleration with some models, including the top-selling Prius. Sales in the U.S. have plunged, and Toyota has introduced incentives to try and jump-start sales.
Meanwhile, Toyota is disputing a Prius driver's account that his car accelerated on its own in a dramatic incident captured on video last week on a California highway. Toyota says the driver repeatedly pressed the brake and accelerator, which would defeat a system that can prevent unintended acceleration. The car reached speeds of up to 90 miles per hour before it stopped.
Grocery savings + menu planning = Ziplist.com
There's a new Web site that helps you keep track of your grocery list and share it with others. It's called ZipList and the site is totally free. The main benefits to using ZipList are being able to:Ride along on a freegan Dumpster diving and save some cash
Who wants to cut their grocery bill? Me, me, me!
I took the extreme step of tagging along with dumpster diver Allison Burtch, who teased me with stories of delicious free food. Allison hasn't paid a dime for groceries in six months so I couldn't say no to joining her on her nightly rounds. What I experienced changed my whole perspective on food.
Economy better, but return of conspicuous consumption is not good news
Am I the only American who's disappointed the economy's getting better?I know it doesn't make sense -- I myself have been so underemployed these last two years it makes me nostalgic for the soul-sucking sales job I hated so much I wanted to chew off my arm to get out. (It turns out all those relatives who lived through the Depression were right -- that was a good, steady job.) So you'd think I'd be sending love notes to Timothy Geithner at the news of unemployment holding steady at 9.7% while retail sales increase.
If a company offers to settle your credit card debt, be wary
With so many Americans in dire financial straits these days, it's no wonder that advertisers of "settle your debt" services have found an eager audience. These companies promise to slash your debt by thousands, even tens of thousands of dollars. But is it too good to be true? "In my opinion, it's a questionable industry overall," Linda Sherry, director of national priorities for watchdog group Consumer Action, told WalletPop via e-mail. "Why should any company be allowed to take its fees before the promised service has been delivered or accomplished?"
Use far less soap, it's good for your washer and your wallet
Use less detergent in your dishwasher, says Alina Tugend in the New York Times: You'll save money now, and later. According to her chats with several dishwasher and washing machine repair people and experts, we are not just using too much detergent: we are using "10 to 15 times the amount of soap" necessary to get the job done. You read that right: we could all cut our dishwashing liquid and laundry soap budgets by 90%.
Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons drop prices so you can afford luxury
It's bad news for hotel industry execs, but good news for thrifty globetrotters: according to USA Today, luxury hotel chains like Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons are dramatically decreasing room prices and offering extras and promotions (restaurant credits, free third nights) in an effort to fill up those pricey suites.And it's working -- bookings for the upcoming second quarter are up 7.2%.
So how can you cash in on this development? For starters: if you've had your eye on a certain hotel and destination for a while, check their Web site to see if they're following this trend. And if they are, book soon -- if business spikes, hotels can yank back these concessions as quickly as they put them up.
And...action! How to win Hollywood futures trading
Ron Dicker
Mar 15th 2010 @ 3:30PM EST
Filed Under:
As the film world convenes this week at the ShoWest convention in Las Vegas, one of the hot topics is sure to be the box-office futures market. Come April, after expected approval by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, industry and regular folks will be able to purchase futures derivatives from Cantor Fitzgerald that basically bet on or against the success of studio movies six months before they open.
The tally covers the first four weeks of domestic release. Shares will be worth a millionth of the film's expected total, so a predicted $100 million movie would offer $100 contracts. The minimum contract will be $50.
WalletPop wants kibitzers who fancy themselves Hollywood players to get a head-start, so we've enlisted an expert for tips on how to spot potential winners.
FCC planning broadband for all, asks you to test yours
As the Internet interposes itself into our lives, broadband Internet access has become increasingly necessary for work, recreation, and fellowship. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), thanks to money set aside in the Recovery Act, is creating a National Broadband Plan, and it would like your help in establishing the current baseline level of service.The FCC has created a Web site, Broadband.gov, and beseeches you to visit the page and use the embedded test to determine the quality of the broadband you currently enjoy (or document your lack thereof). I did so (results above) and found that my Internet service provider was giving me what I subscribed for.
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Free small pasta at Buca di Beppo today only
March 15, 2010
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March 12, 2010
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March 12, 2010
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March 12, 2010
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Pfizer extends free aid for unemployed using its drugs
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March 10, 2010
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