How Google Conquered My Life - and Why Bookmarks Is Next

November 4, 2014, 4:02 am

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Filed under: Technology, Google, Internet, Investing

This past weekend TechCrunch broke the story that Google (GOOG) was adding Google Bookmarks, which gives you a new tool to organize and store content from around the web.

I've been using Pocket for over a year to do that -- and I love it. In fact, I am so happy with it that I recently upgraded to its premium paid version. And despite that, I have no doubt that within a short time, I'll have dumped it for Google Bookmarks.

Even though I was initially reluctant to get on the Google bandwagon, it has slowly become a ubiquitous part of my everyday life, paralleling the way in which the tech giant's products have taken over the Internet.

Lessons from the Real and Virtual Worlds

As a young man, I swore I'd never get married, have kids, or switch to web-based email, and yet somehow, all three of these came to pass.

The marriage thing I'm convinced had to do with some sort of Haitian voodoo root my wife must have been mixing in my food. The proof is there for all to see in the zombified look on my face in our wedding album.

The kids? Well, I'm 75 percent sure I know how I ended up with my two beautiful tax deductions.

But not unlike the events that once led me to wake up in a Ramada Inn covered in shaving cream, I'm a little hazy about how I ended up on Gmail.

On Cloud Nine with Gmail

Prior to Gmail, webmail was terrible. Beginning with the Prodigy network back in the early '90s, I had tried all sorts of email services and even the best of them were clunky and not very user friendly. So Outlook became my email program of choice, and I remember thinking that there was no way Google's new cloud product could ever make me leave Microsoft (MSFT)

But less than one month after trying Gmail, I was hooked. And that's the proper term, because Gmail was the "gateway software" that got me addicted to all sorts of Google products.

Chrome took the place of Internet Explorer. Then I began using Google Calendar, followed closely by Drive and Docs. Yahoo (YHOO) maps gave way to Google maps. YouTube got a unified log-in making third-party video services obsolete. Hangouts killed Skype. I even joined Google+. And now, I have an Android smartphone and tablet, and use less-known Google products like Tasks.

From Evernote to Keep

The moment I suspected that Google had won was when, after using Evernote for a couple years and liking it, I switched over to Keep in less than a week and didn't even miss a beat.

The moment I knew it had won came when I didn't even blink before deciding to move to Bookmarks despite my love of Pocket. And why wouldn't I?

Google has the resources to make almost any product it chooses to focus on a category killer, and one that will seamlessly integrate with all its other products. So assuming it doesn't orphan Bookmarks -- something it did with Google Reader, which I am just now getting over -- it only makes sense for me to use it and every other product Google produces.

The only reason I could see that people would have an issue using Google products would be if they had concerns about their privacy. But as someone who assumes that everybody already knows everything about everyone already, that's a non-issue for me.

Only iTunes and MS Word Remain

Now I've only got two anchor products left that keep me from becoming a 100 percent Google user: iTunes and MS Word.

However, Google Play tells me I can store up to 20,000 songs, stream millions more from its catalog and bring my iTunes collection over seamlessly, so now I am taking its free trial to determine if the Apple (AAPL) cord can be completely cut.

Convincing me to leave that venerable word processing program seems to be much harder. This is especially true since it has become more intransigent by its recent -- though initially awkward -- integration into Microsoft's OneDrive cloud storage.

But then again, I once said that about Outlook. And marriage. And kids.

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Money-Saving Travel Hacks -- Savings Experiment

November 4, 2014, 4:07 am

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Filed under: Savings Experiment, Travel Industry

An ordinary travel mug isn't just good for your tea and coffee. It's also a great place to hide valuables in your hotel room since it's fairly inconspicuous, and an unlikely target for thieves. Here are a few more travel hacks that will make your trip easier and save you a few dollars, too.

First and foremost, scan or photograph your passport and ID. Then email the images to yourself. This way, you'll always have a digital copy handy in case of loss or theft.

Next, if your clothes always seem to be taking up too much luggage space, try rolling them up instead of folding them. This will open up a lot of room, which can sometimes save you from paying extra baggage fees.

Packing an empty water bottle will also help you squeeze a few more dollars out of your budget. Just fill it up once you get through security, and you won't have to buy overpriced airport water ever again. You can also re-use the bottle throughout your trip to save even more money.

Lastly, if you happen to forget the wall plug-in for your phone charger, check the back of your hotel TV. A lot of the newer models will have a USB port where you can recharge your phone without spending more for a new charger.

Give these travel hacks a try on your next trip. Not only will you lower your expenses, but you'll avoid a few headaches, too.

View Poll

 

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5 Dates for Savvy Investors to Circle in November

November 4, 2014, 4:17 am

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Filed under: Company News, Technology, Industry News, Entertainment Industry, Investing

Let's check out some of the potentially market-shaping events that will take place in the coming weeks.

Nov. 10

It's been a rough year for 3D Systems (DDD). One of the leaders in the 3-D printing revolution, it saw its stock get hammered in 2014 after soaring ninefold in the previous three years. 3D Systems announced preliminary quarterly results late last month, but it will be kicking off next week with its official third-quarter report. It won't be pretty. Printers that crank out physical objects still intrigue the early adapters, but the business has yet to cross over and become a mass-market industry.

Nov. 11

Microsoft (MSFT) has been a laggard in this generation of video game consoles, with its Xbox One not selling as well as the PlayStation 4. However, momentum has started to turn in Microsoft's favor in this country, and that shift could accelerate when "Halo: The Master Chief Collection" hits the market next week.

The new game will only be available for Xbox One, leaving Xbox 360 owners who are fans of the series with a meaty incentive to upgrade. The Xbox One was released a year ago this month, and proprietary games could help woo gamers who have been slow to embrace Microsoft's new console.

Nov. 19

Keurig Green Mountain (GMCR) has been a market darling for a while, dominating the single-serve coffee market with its Keurig platform. It has had its bumps along the way. The market figured that Keurig would struggle after its key K-Cup patents ran out two years ago. However, the company bounced back with stronger licensing relationships, unveiling new platforms -- Keurig Vue and Keurig 2.0 -- that have new clocks on patent protection.

The java heavyweight will have the market's attention after the market close on Nov. 19, when it reports quarterly results. Analysts predict an 11 percent uptick in revenue. They also foresee profitability taking a step back as it pushes out new products. It should be a highly caffeinated report.

Nov. 28

The markets will be closed for Thanksgiving on Nov. 27, and the next day will belong to shoppers. Black Friday is the launch of the holiday shopping season, and while many retailers are now opening as early as Thursday night, it's on Friday morning that some of the biggest deals are to be found.

It's not just shopping centers and strip malls that will be busy. Industry tracker Comscore reported late last year that online sales placed from PCs during Black Friday last year totaled nearly $1.2 billion. That's 15 percent ahead from a year earlier, and that doesn't include the growing usage of smartphones, tablets and other mobile gadgetry.

Nov. 30

We should have a new captain on the bridge for Carnival (CCL) by the end of the month. The world's largest cruise line operator announced that CEO Gerry Cahill will retire on Nov. 30.

Carnival ran into some rough waters after its Costa Concordia capsized in early 2012, killing 32 people. Carnival's reputation then took a hit closer to home after a couple of unfortunate incidents during Caribbean sailings left passengers stranded at sea or without some travel essentials.

Carnival has been bouncing back with revenue and earnings moving higher this fiscal year. It should announce Cahill's replacement soon.

Motley Fool contributor Rick Munarriz owns shares of Keurig Green Mountain. The Motley Fool recommends 3D Systems and Keurig Green Mountain. The Motley Fool owns shares of 3D Systems and Microsoft. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. Check out our free report on our favorite high-yielding dividend stocks.

 

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4 Necessities for a Successful Retirement

November 4, 2014, 4:18 am

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Filed under: Retirement, Health Care, Family Money, Personal Finance, Social Security

By Tom Sightings

The long-awaited day has arrived. You've signed the papers and celebrated with a goodbye party. You're free and clear for the rest of your life. So, now what happens?

Maybe you've made some plans. You might have signed up as a volunteer, joined a golf league, started babysitting your grandchildren or prepared to relocate to a coastal Carolina or the Costa del Sol. But will your plans produce a satisfying retirement? There are four big issues to consider when setting off in retirement. Check to see if you've got them covered.

Money. Money by itself won't make you happy. But a solid financial footing does provide the foundation for a comfortable retirement. You can live on Social Security alone, but it's not easy. Do you really want to spend your golden years scraping together rent money, turning down the heat to save on utility bills and selling your car and taking the bus because you couldn't put in the effort to save?

Money issues generally don't resolve themselves if you ignore them. So no matter how averse you are to opening your credit card bill or talking to an investment adviser, to survive in retirement you need to assess where you stand financially. While some retirement savers are sitting pretty with a secure pension and a paid-off mortgage, others may be paying down credit card debt and trying to build up an IRA. In both cases you need a plan to make the most of your assets.

Health. We all know what awaits us in the end. But there are many ways to go, and most agree the best way is to live a healthy and pain-free life into your 90s, then go quickly, preferably in your sleep. No one can guarantee you a healthy old age, but there are many things you can do now to make the prospects more promising for your later years, from eating right and exercising to taking appropriate measures to be safe on the streets and in your home.

Everyone knows we're supposed to eat our veggies and avoid fat and sugar. Walking is probably the best exercise for those of us with back problems, or who have survived knee or hip surgery. Ballroom or country dancing is a gentle but somewhat aerobic activity. Even golf, while not much exercise, keeps the limbs moving and the body stretching. Instead of doing something just because it's good for you, the secret is to participate in a physical activity you enjoy so you will keep doing it.

Companionship. Many studies have found that social isolation can cause both physical and psychological problems. Conversely, an active social life contributes significantly to well-being in our later years. For example, a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health found that people who enjoy "high-quality intimate relationships" have better physical health and emotional well-being as they age than those who lack social relationships. The relationships often involve married partners, but not always. Close friendships can also provide much of the emotional and practical support that comes with marriage.

Another study from Harvard University found that elderly people in the U.S. who have an active social life may have a slower rate of memory decline. In the study, individuals with the highest social integration showed less than half the rate of memory decline compared to the least socially integrated. The bottom line: being engaged in a community not only makes you happy and provides security, but also helps you stay alert and engaged with different ideas, stimulating conversations and challenging new concepts.

Purpose. We know that stress is bad for us, and has even been linked to the development of dementia. But having a sense of purpose in life and a connection to something larger than yourself, whether it's a job, an important role in your family life or a commitment to a social or charitable cause, is linked to major health benefits, including protection against cognitive decline.

Those of us who have retired have already made whatever difference we're going to make in our professional lives. The challenge of retirement is to make a difference outside of work with your family, community or in developing your own skills or consciousness. So, whatever you do, give yourself a reason to get out of bed in the morning, connect with other people and engage in activities that you feel are meaningful.

Tom Sightings blogs at Sightings at 60.

 

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Sony Quarterly Earnings: By the Numbers

November 4, 2014, 5:53 am

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Filed under: Sony, Earnings

Electronics and entertainment company Sony (SNE) reported a $1.2 billion loss for the last quarter after a stunningly disappointing performance and a write-down in the company's mobile phone division. Its smartphone business has been hurt by strong competition from Chinese manufacturers of inexpensive handsets.

The weakness in the company's mobile division was countered by the booming sales of its PlayStation 4 videogame console, which added up to a hefty, but not-as-bad-as-expected, loss. The company reported a 7 percent increase in overall sales this quarter, chiefly driven by the success of the PlayStation 4.

Without the write-down of its mobile business, Sony would have notched a profit, leading the company to suggest, once again, that it has turned the corner towards profitability. In addition to the strong sales from the videogame business, which jumped 83 percent compared to the previous year, sales also received an assist from the devices unit, which supplies Apple and other smartphone makers with image sensors, and even from its television unit, which has been unprofitable for years.

Sony has long made promises that it would turn itself around, but failed to deliver. The latest hurdle it faces is one largely beyond Sony's control: the weakness of the Japanese yen, which declined Friday as the Bank of Japan announced monetary-easing measures. According to CFO Kenichiro Yoshida, every time the value of the dollar increases by one yen versus the Japanese currency, the company loses 3 billion yen (about $26.4 million).

This earnings release follows the earnings announcements from the following peers of Sony Corporation: Canon Inc. (CAJ), Dolby Labs (DLB), Microsoft Corporation (MSFT), Panasonic Corporation (PCRFY), Royal Philips (PHG), Sharp Corporation (SHCAY), Toshiba Corporation (TOSBF) and Samsung Electronics (SSNLF).

(Note: We have used the US ADR's where available for our analysis.)

Highlights

• Summary numbers: Revenues of $ 18.3 billion, Net Earnings of $ -1.2 billion and EPS of $ -1.20.
• Performance focus more on revenue than bottom-line: Change of revenue of 1.18 percent vs. loss in earnings of -566.0 percent compared to last year.
• Gross margins worsened to 34.25 percent from 38.23 percent compared to the same period last year, EBITDA margins now 3.26 percent from 8.36 percent.
• Earnings decline from operating margin decreases as well as from one-time write-down.

The table below shows the preliminary results and recent trends for key metrics such as revenues and net income (See complete table at the end of this report):

	Q3 2013	Q4 2013	Q1 2014	Q2 2014	Q3 2014
Revenue Growth (YOY)	-11.4%	0.9%	-2.7%	3.1%	1.2%
Earnings Growth (YOY)	0.2%	304.1%	-234.3%	651.2%	-566.0%
Net Margin	-1.1%	1.1%	-7.5%	1.5%	-7.2%
EPS	-$0.19	$0.23	-$1.31	$0.23	-$1.20
Return on Equity	-2.8%	3.8%	-19.8%	3.9%	-19.5%
Return on Assets	-0.5%	0.7%	-3.7%	0.7%	-3.6%

Market Share Versus Profits

Companies sometimes focus on market share at the expense of profits or earnings growth.




Sony's slight increase in revenue compared to the same period last year of 1.18 percent is considerably better than its change in earnings, which declined by -566.0 percent, suggesting that, among other problems, perhaps the company's focus is on the top-line at the expense of bottom-line earnings. However, this increase in revenue is better than the average of its peer group--pointing to some likely market share gains and slightly assuaging the weaker earnings performance this period. The quarter ended June 30, 2014 showed the same pattern, when revenues increased by 2.79 percent while earnings fell by -596.2 percent.


Earnings Growth Analysis

The company's decline in earnings compared to last year has been influenced by the following factors: (1) Worsening of gross margins performance from 38.23 percent to 34.25 percent and (2) issues with cost controls. As a result, operating margins (EBITDA margins) narrowed from 8.36 percent to 3.26 percent in this period. (For comparison, gross margins were 39.8 percent and EBITDA margins 11.2 percent in the previous last quarter.)





EPS and Earnings Change-Competitors?

Compared to last year, Sony's fall in earnings of -566.0 percent is even worse than its Earnings per Share (EPS) decline of -521.1 percent. Not surprisingly, this earnings performance is worse than the average results announced thus far by its peer group, leading Capital Cube to conclude that not only is its earnings performance disappointing on an absolute basis, but the company is also losing ground in generating profits versus its competitors.





Supporting Data

The table below shows the preliminary results along with the recent trend for revenues, net income and other relevant metrics:

	Q3 2013	Q4 2013	Q1 2014	Q2 2014	Q3 2014
Revenue Growth (YOY)	-11.4%	0.9%	-2.7%	3.1%	1.2%
Peer Average Revenue Growth (YOY)	-8.6%	-2.1%	-0.3%	0.9%	-3.3%
Earnings Growth (YOY)	0.2%	304.1%	-234.3%	651.2%	-566.0%
Peer Average Earnings Growth (YOY)	50.0%	2.8%	5.2%	7.3%	-18.5%
Gross Margin	38.2%	35.6%	39.9%	39.8%	34.2%
Peer Average Gross Margin	46.4%	46.1%	44.7%	46.8%	38.6%
EBITDA Margin	8.4%	9.9%	6.5%	11.2%	3.3%
Peer Average EBITDA Margin	15.1%	16.2%	11.4%	12.4%	12.5%
Net Margin	-1.1%	1.1%	-7.5%	1.5%	-7.2%
Peer Average Net Margin	4.8%	6.2%	2.8%	4.1%	2.3%
EPS	-$0.19	$0.23	-$1.31	$0.23	-$1.20
Peer Average EPS	$0.41	$0.43	$0.24	$0.37	$0.18
Return on Equity	-2.8%	3.8%	-19.8%	3.9%	-19.5%
Peer Average Return on Equity	12.4%	15.1%	5.0%	9.5%	10.5%
Return on Assets	-0.5%	0.7%	-3.7%	0.7%	-3.6%
Peer Average Return on Assets	4.6%	6.2%	2.1%	3.4%	3.3%

Company Profile

Sony Corp. is engaged in the development, design, manufacture, and sale of electronic equipment, instruments, devices, game consoles, music and entertainment, and software for consumers, professionals, and industrial markets. Its operations are carried out through the following segments: Consumer Products and Service; Professional, Device and Solutions; Pictures; Music; Financial Services; and Other. The Consumer Products and Service segment includes Sony Computer Entertainment, Sony Network Entertainment, VAIO & Mobile Business Group, Personal Imaging and Sound Business Group, and Home Entertainment Business Group. The Professional, Device and Solutions Group segment includes Professional Solutions Group, Device Solutions Business Group, and Semiconductor Business Group. The Pictures segment includes planning, production, and distribution of films and television programs. The Music segment includes planning, production, manufacture, and sale of music software; and production and sale of animation works. The Financial Service segment includes life insurance, damage insurance, banking, and credit finance businesses. The Other segment includes Blu-ray disc, DVD, and CD; Network Service-related Business, advertising agency business, and others. The company was founded by Akio Morita and Masaru Ibuka on May 7, 1946 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

CapitalCube does not own any shares in the stocks mentioned and focuses solely on providing unique fundamental research and analysis on approximately 50,000 stocks and ETFs globally. Try any of our analysis, screener or portfolio premium services free for 7 days. To get a quick preview of our services, check out our free quick summary analysis of SNE.

 

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Market Wrap: Stocks Slip as Oil Slump Slaps Energy Companies

November 4, 2014, 8:59 am

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Filed under: Energy, Earnings, Market News, Investing

By STEVE ROTHWELL

NEW YORK -- The ongoing slump in oil prices weighed on stocks again on Tuesday, pushing energy companies to another day of big losses. Disappointing earnings outlooks from a range of companies, including Priceline (PCLN) and Michael Kors (KORS) also sent the market lower.

Oil has fallen sharply in recent weeks as global supplies rise while demand for fuel trails expectations. The latest decline was prompted by reports that Saudi Arabia is cutting the price of oil that it supplies to the U.S. as it attempts to maintain its market share as U.S. production booms.

The drop in oil prices has hit energy stocks hard, driving them into negative territory for the year. It has also helped push the stock market back from the record levels that it reached last week.

"It's a case of sell first, ask questions later, for anything oil-related," said Quincy Krosby, a market strategist at Prudential Financial.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index (^GPSC) fell 5.71 points, or 0.3 percent, to 2,012.10. The Nasdaq composite (^IXIC) dropped 15.27 points, or 0.3 percent, to 4,623.64. The Dow Jones industrial average (^DJI) bucked the trend, edging up 17.60 points, or 0.1 percent, to 17,383.84.

While energy stocks are suffering, many analysts and investors predict that the U.S. economy will benefit in the long run from lower energy prices. Lower gas prices will put more money in consumers' pockets, giving them more spending power.

Airline stocks were among the winners Tuesday as energy prices fell. Fuel is their single largest operating cost and lower prices should mean higher profits if demand for air travel stays strong. Delta Airlines (DAL) surged $1.71, or 4.2 percent, to $42.32. United Continental (UAL), Jet Blue (JBLU) and Southwest Airlines (LUV) also logged big gains.

Investors were also keeping an eye on third quarter earnings reports.

Michael Kors fell the most in the S&P 500 index.

The maker of luxury handbags, shoes and other accessories gave an outlook for the fourth quarter that disappointed investors. The stock fell $6.57, or 8.4 percent, to $71.42.

Priceline also slumped. The online travel booking company dropped $100.82, or 8.4 percent, to $1,097.70 after the company hinted that the weak economic backdrop in Europe would hurt its earnings in the current quarter. The booking company reported that its earnings rose 28 percent in the third quarter, but its outlook for the current quarter fell short of analysts' projections.

Investors will also be following the outcome of the midterm elections. Polling across the board gives Republicans well over a 50 percent chance of turning out at least six incumbent Senate Democrats or capturing seats left vacant by Democrat retirements, an outcome that would put the opposition in charge of both houses of Congress in the final two years of Obama's second White House term.

Some strategists say that even if Republicans win both houses, it will likely have little impact on the direction of the stock market in coming months.

"The reality is that you're still going to have a Democratic president, and very little is going to get done in the last two years of his term," said David Lafferty, chief market strategist at Natixis Global Asset Management. "When elections really begin to matter is probably going to be in the next cycle."

The news from overseas may also have discouraged buyers.

The European Union cut its already low economic growth forecasts further on Tuesday, indicating the recovery will remain sluggish amid problems for the biggest economies, particularly France and Germany. The official forecast for growth this year in the 18-country eurozone was cut to 0.8 percent from a prediction of 1.2 percent made in the spring. The institution also cut its forecast for next year.

Germany's DAX dropped 0.9 percent to 9,169 while France's CAC-40 fell 1.5 percent to 4,129. The FTSE 100 of leading British shares fell 0.5 percent to 6,453.

The dollar's surge against the yen abated Tuesday, a day after the U.S. currency rose to its highest point in almost seven years. The dollar was flat at 113.51 yen. It fell against the euro, trading at $1.2550. U.S. government bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 2.32 percent.

In currency trading, the dollar's surge against the yen abated after the U.S. currency rose to its highest point in almost seven years on Monday. The dollar traded flat at 113.51 yen. It fell against the euro, trading at $1.2550. U.S. government bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 2.32 percent.

In metals trading, silver for December delivery slumped 25 cents, or 1.5 percent, to 15.95 an ounce. Gold for the same month dropped $2.10, or 0.2 percent, to $1,167.70 an ounce. Gold is now trading at a four-year low.

Copper for December slipped 4.7 cents, or 1.5 percent, to $3.02 per pound.

What to Watch Wednesday:

• Payroll-processor ADP (ADP) reports private-sector hiring for October at 8:15 a.m. Eastern time.
• The Institute for Supply Management releases its index of business conditions within the service sector for October at 10 a.m.
• The Energy Information Administration releases its weekly petroleum inventory report at 10:30 am.

These selected companies are scheduled to report quarterly financial results:

• Actavis (ACT)
• Ashland (ASH)
• CBS (CBS)
• Chesapeake Energy (CHK)
• Duke Energy (DUK)
• Dynegy (DYN)
• Genworth Financial (GNW)
• Level 3 Communications (LVLT)
• Mondelez International (MDLZ)
• News Corp. (NWSA) (NWS)
• NRG Energy (NRG)
• Prudential Financial (PRU)
• Qualcomm (QCOM)
• Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. (SMG)
• SolarCity (SCTY)
• Spectra Energy (SE)
• Sun Life Financial (SLF)
• Symantec (SYMC)
• Tesla Motors (TSLA)
• Tim Hortons (THI)
• Time Warner (TWX)
• Towers Watson (TW)
• Toyota Motor (TM)
• Voya Financial (VOYA)
• Whole Foods Market (WFM)
• Zillow (Z)

 

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Target to Close 11 Underperforming Stores

November 4, 2014, 9:52 pm

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Filed under: Company News, Retail, Shopping, Stores

By Karma Allen | @iam_karma

Target (TGT) will shutter 11 U.S. stores in February, more than double the amount it closed around the same time last year, as it looks to shed underperforming locations.

"The decision to close a Target store is only made after careful consideration of the long-term financial performance of a particular location," the company said in a Tuesday statement.

Among the closures are one store in Minnesota, the company's home state; three stores in Illinois; and three Michigan locations. The selected stores will close Feb. 1.

Like most retailers, Target usually trims its portfolio at least once a year. The Minneapolis-based retail giant shuttered four locations last November and three in November 2012.

Eligible employees will receive an option to transfer to another location, the company said, noting that employees who choose not to transfer will be offered severance.

 

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10 Simple Strategies to Slash Your Winter Energy Bills

November 4, 2014, 10:00 pm

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Filed under: Energy, How to Save Money, Consumer Electronics, Home & Garden, Saving

Whether you heat your home with oil, electricity or natural gas, you can't do much about either the cold weather or utility rates -- on course to rise as much as 37 percent in some parts of the Northeast this winter -- but you can slice that heating bill with some new tech and old-school tactics.

 

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Which Day Really Offers the Best Deals for Holiday Shopping?

November 4, 2014, 10:00 pm

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Filed under: Holiday Shopping, Shopping, Deals

By Louis Ramirez

One of the biggest myths about Black Friday is that the best deals will be on Friday itself. The writers and editors at DealNews have noticed that in recent years, stores have increasingly started releasing their deals earlier and earlier.

But if Black Friday is no longer the starting point, when should shoppers be looking? And, while we're at it, is Cyber Monday as good as it seems? We plotted our Editors' Choice deals -- sales that offered all-time price lows or best-of-the-year discounts -- from 2013 to find out.

For the Second Straight Year, Thanksgiving Day Beats Black Friday

By now, we're used to the idea of retailers opening their doors early on Thanksgiving Day. However, what consumers don't yet realize is that the deals you'll see on Thanksgiving Thursday will be better than those released on Friday. In fact, here at DealNews we found that Thanksgiving Day has 29 percent more Editors' Choice deals than Black Friday.

Moreover, Thanksgiving has seven times as many Editors' Choice deals than the average day in November, which is already a busy month for sales. Needless to say, consumers looking to save money should not wait until Black Friday and begin shopping as early as possible.

Cyber Monday Tops Black Friday for the First Time

While Cyber Monday still cowers in comparison to Thanksgiving (which features 16 percent more Editors' Choice deals), the day dedicated to e-commerce came into its own last year, offering more top-shelf deals than Black Friday proper.

That said, our data indicates that Cyber Monday shoppers should consider shopping early as the Saturday and Sunday leading up to Cyber Monday see a 40 percent increase (combined) in Editors' Choice deals compared to the previous weekend's count. The message is clear: Though you'll certainly find great deals on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the days before are equally important, if not more so, because these shopping holidays are no longer about a single day.

Expect to See Monthlong Savings

While it may sound like consumers should do all their shopping on Thanksgiving Day, the truth is that all of November will see blockbuster sales. So if you see the item you want at a price that suits your budget, by all means don't wait to purchase that item later. If you're still uncertain, our editors will post several Black Friday sales critiques as the initial wave of circulars are leaked. Each post will highlight that store's best deals, while taking into account deals found in other circulars. Although the season was designed to benefit the retailer's bottom line, with our help, you can avoid overspending and take advantage of the sales that are true doorbusters.

Excited for Black Friday deals? Consider subscribing to the DealNews Select Newsletter to get a daily recap of DealNews deals. You can also download the DealNews app or get more buying advice.​

 

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When Our Son Left the Nest, We Knew We Needed a New Will

November 4, 2014, 10:12 pm

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Filed under: Life Stage Lessons

I didn't have much of a motivational problem when it came to creating my first will, shortly after my son was born. But now, more than 22 years later, he's a college graduate with full-time job in his field of study, and can support himself. (Yay!) But despite the change in our circumstances, we were dragging our feet on updating our estate plan to fit them.

"I think people just have trouble accepting their own mortality," said Ken Cutler, the Princeton, New Jersey, attorney helping to update my will. And the only purpose of a will is to deal with issues involving your death.

Flashback to 22 Years Ago

Let's start with the will my wife and I prepared after the birth of our son. We were both working and had retirement plans, some savings and life insurance -- but we were far from wealthy. Obviously, if I passed away, everything would go to my wife: all of the assets, all of the responsibilities. But the hard decisions were about control: Who would be the guardian to raise our little boy in the event that we both passed away (which is not quite as unlikely as it sounds, because of car accidents and the like), and who would handle the money we had left for him.

"A lot of times people go in to do a will thinking it's about, "Who will get my property?" But it's a lot more complicated than that," said Cutler. "You don't come in thinking about having to decide between a sister or a brother-in-law, or who's going be the guardian."

After weighing our choices, we decided that my wife's younger brother was the best fit. He had two young boys of his own.

Our Situation Is Different Today

Back to today. We first met with Cutler about two years ago, when our son was about to turn 21. He told us what was involved in crafting a new plan: selecting trustees and executors, dealing with estate taxes and maybe setting up a trust account. We waffled, interviewed other attorneys, and put the task back on the to-do list, where it sat. College graduation motivated us to try again.

My wife and I drew up power of attorney documents and health care directives that appoint each other to handle those responsibilities. Our son is the back-up.

Cutler laid out the new issues we'd have to consider, such as the possibility that we'll have a daughter-in-law one day, and maybe even grandchildren. These future family members ought to be accounted for well before we even know who they are. "You want to plan for and avoid a situation in a young marriage, and prevent the in-law from receiving your money" if the marriage dissolves.

And even though we are fortunate to have a son who is sensible and wise beyond his years, we wouldn't want him to suddenly find himself in possession of an inheritance in a form that could easily be blown. So, at Cutler's suggestion, we have established terms in our wills for a trustee who would give him access to the money at three stages over the next few decades, if we're not here to spend it ourselves.

 

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Amazon Prime's New Perk: Unlimited Cloud Photo Storage

November 4, 2014, 10:24 pm

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Filed under: Company News, Amazon.com, Retail, Internet, Mobile Technology

By Sarah Whitten | @sarahwhit10

Amazon.com (AMZN) has introduced a new benefit for its Prime membership package: Prime Photos. This service provides free unlimited photo storage in the Amazon Cloud.

Prime Photos accepts uploads from iOS and Android devices, Fire tablets and Fire phones, as well as Mac and Windows computers. Amazon boasts secure access to photo collections at any time from any computer. Photos can also be viewed from most devices, including smart TVs and gaming consoles.

"This time of year in particular, families are capturing thousands of photos of holiday parties, family gatherings and opening presents," said Greg Greeley, Amazon Prime vice president. "With free unlimited photo storage, we're providing one more reason for members to use Prime every day. Prime has always allowed members to conveniently save time and save money, and now with Prime Photos they can save memories, too."

Photos will be added to the Cloud Drive in their original resolution and file type. Videos can be uploaded to this service so long as they are smaller than 2 GB and less than 20 minutes long.

Amazon Prime, an annual membership program, is $99 a year and includes unlimited free two-day shipping, Prime Instant Video, Kindle Lending Library and Prime Music.

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GOP Surge: Republicans Seize Control of Senate

November 4, 2014, 10:41 pm

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Filed under: U.S. Government, Barack Obama, Economy, Investing

By KEN THOMAS

WASHINGTON -- Republicans seized control of the Senate and strengthened their hold on the House in a wave of Election Day victories Tuesday that served as a repudiation of President Barack Obama's second-term policies and put a series of Democratic-leaning states -- including Obama's home, Illinois -- under control of new Republican governors.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell defeated Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes in Kentucky, putting him in position to become the new Senate majority leader and confront Obama over his signature health care law.

Republicans took over formerly Democratic Senate seats in seven states, including GOP-leaning Arkansas, Montana, South Dakota and West Virginia. That number also included three states that figured prominently in Obama's two victorious presidential campaigns: Iowa and Colorado, where he won twice, and North Carolina, where he won in 2008. Republicans needed a net gain of six seats in all to win back the majority for the first time since 2006.

"Thanks to you, Iowa, we are headed to Washington, and we are going to make them squeal," declared Iowa Republican Joni Ernst, who vowed to cut pork in Washington in television ads that memorably cited her growing up castrating hogs.

In the House, Republicans were on track to meet or exceed the 246 seats they held during President Harry S. Truman's administration more than 60 years ago.

"We are humbled by the responsibility the American people have placed with us, but this is not a time for celebration," said House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio. "It's time for government to start getting results and implementing solutions to the challenges facing our country, starting with our still-struggling economy."

In state capitols, Republicans were poised to leave their imprint, picking up governors' seats in reliably Democratic states like Illinois, Maryland and Massachusetts. With Congress grappling with gridlock, states have been at the forefront of efforts to raise the minimum wage and implement Obama's health care law.

Many Republican governors seeking re-election had struggled with poor approval ratings but prevailed, including Florida Gov. Rick Scott, who defeated Democrat Charlie Crist, a former Republican governor; Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback; and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a potential GOP presidential candidate in 2016.

Voters expressed bitterness with a sluggish economic recovery and the nation's handling of foreign crises. Nearly two-thirds of voters interviewed after casting ballots said the country was seriously on the wrong track. Only about 30 percent said the nation was headed in the right direction.

More than four in 10 voters disapproved of both Obama and Congress, according to the exit polls conducted for The Associated Press and the television networks.

Obama's poor approval ratings turned him into a liability for Democrats seeking re-election. The outcome offered parallels to the sixth year of Republican George W. Bush's presidency, when Democrats won sweeping victories amid voter discontent with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

With lawmakers planning to return to Washington next week for a post-election session, Obama invited congressional leaders to a meeting Friday.

Democrats had few bright spots. New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and Gov. Maggie Hassan, who campaigned with potential 2016 candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton last weekend, both won re-election. In Pennsylvania, businessman Tom Wolf dispatched GOP Gov. Tom Corbett.

Here's a look at some of the results:

Senate

Senate Republicans tagged their Democratic opponents with voting in lockstep with Obama and it worked. The GOP prevailed in Colorado, where Rep. Cory Gardner ousted first-term Democrat Mark Udall, and Iowa, where state Sen. Joni Ernst defeated Rep. Bruce Braley. In North Carolina, state House speaker Thom Tillis defeated Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan. In Arkansas, freshman Rep. Tom Cotton knocked off two-term Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor. Republicans secured wins in South Dakota (former Gov. Mike Rounds), Montana (Rep. Steve Daines) and West Virginia (Rep. Shelley Moore Capito). In Alaska, first-term Democratic Sen. Mark Begich faced Republican Dan Sullivan, while Louisiana was headed for a Dec. 6 runoff between three-term Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu and Republican Rep. Bill Cassidy.

Governors

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who leads the Republican Governors Association, was one of the night's biggest winners after campaigning for dozens of candidates. Republicans scored victories with Bruce Rauner in Illinois, Larry Hogan in Maryland and Charlie Baker in Massachusetts. Potential presidential candidates like Walker in Wisconsin, John Kasich in Ohio and Rick Snyder in Michigan won re-election.

House of Representatives

House Republicans defeated 19-term Democratic Rep. Nick Rahall in West Virginia and Rep. John Barrow in Georgia while defending the seat of Rep. Michael Grimm, a New York Republican who faces a 20-count indictment on tax fraud and other charges. College professor Dave Brat won a House seat in Virginia, several months after he stunned Majority Leader Eric Cantor in a Republican primary.

Ballot Initiatives

Voters in Oregon and the District of Columbia approved ballot measures allowing the recreational use of marijuana by adults. Oregon will join the ranks of Colorado and Washington state, where voters approved the recreational use of pot two years ago. The District of Columbia could move in that direction unless Congress, which has review power, blocks the move. Alaska voters were also considering marijuana-legalization measures on its ballot.

 

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Exit Poll: Financial Worries Prompt Voters to Turn to GOP

November 4, 2014, 11:22 pm

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Filed under: Economic Recovery, U.S. Government, Barack Obama, Economy, People

By EMILY SWANSON and CONNIE CASS

WASHINGTON -- Republicans took control of Congress with a big push from voters who feel they've been left behind in the nation's gradual economic recovery, exit polls show. Although they turned against President Barack Obama and Democrats, gloomy voters also expressed scant confidence in Republican leaders.

Almost half say their own family's financial situation hasn't improved much over the past two years, and a fourth say it's gotten worse. Those who said their finances were worse supported Republican congressional candidates by more than a 2-1 margin.

Six in 10 voters said they were dissatisfied or angry with the Obama administration, but about the same number felt that way about Republican leaders in Congress.

"We have a dysfunctional Congress, period," said Allen McClure of Statesboro, Georgia, a Republican who voted for the GOP's David Perdue for Senate.

Fifty-five percent of voters disapproved of the way Obama is handling his job, and 8 in 10 disapproved of Congress.

In Concord, New Hampshire, Julie Votaw said she chose a straight Republican ticket to protest a lack of leadership from the White House.

"I want to send a statement to the Obama administration that I'm very upset," the 50-year-old homemaker said, adding, "I just feel like no one is in control."

What was on voters' minds:

It's the Economy, Still

The economy remains the big issue for 45 percent of voters, who rank it ahead of health care, immigration or foreign policy. And economic worries played to Republicans' advantage, according to the surveys of voters as they left polling places.

Despite the stock market's recovery and improvements in hiring, most say the U.S. economy is stagnating or even getting worse these days.

The third who say the economy is improving strongly backed Democrats.

Issues Cut Both Ways

Exit poll results show just over half of voters think the government is doing too many things better left to businesses and individuals, a Republican mantra.

But on some other issues, most voters took positions that align more with the Democratic Party.

A majority favor offering immigrants who are in the country illegally a way to stay. A little more than half think abortion ought to be legal in most cases, and most of the voters consider climate change a serious problem.

Nearly two-thirds think the U.S. economic system favors the wealthy, a common theme among Democratic candidates.

Health care complaints came from both sides. People who said health care is their top issue were about as likely to say Obama's overhaul didn't go far enough as to say it went too far. Overall, those people tended to vote Democratic.

People who said either immigration or foreign policy was their top issue tended to vote Republican.

Who Voted How

Democrats lost some of the female support that helped re-elect Obama and Senate Democrats in 2012.

Still, more women supported Democrats than in 2010.

As usual, men leaned Republican.

White voters favored Republicans by a 22-point margin. Two-thirds of Hispanics voted Democratic in House races, and black voters were overwhelmingly for the Democrats.

Republicans did better among married people, whether male or female, and rural residents.

Single women and city dwellers were especially Democratic.

Regular churchgoers favored Republicans, while those who never attend religious services overwhelmingly voted for Democrats.

Voters with incomes under $50,000 generally favored Democrats, while those who earn more tended to support Republicans.

Dissatisfied Customers

About two-thirds feel the nation is seriously off on the wrong track -- slightly more than thought that when Republicans won back control of the House in 2010. Seven in 10 of those people voted for Republican candidates.

Most voters leaving polling places said they don't have much trust in government. And they were twice as likely to think life will be worse for the next generation than better.

Anti-Obama feeling was a significant drag on Democrats: A third of voters said their congressional choice was partly a repudiation of Obama.

But Republicans still have a lot to prove to disgruntled Americans. More than a third of those who voted for a Republican House candidate were dissatisfied or even angry with GOP leaders in Congress. A quarter of Democratic voters were similarly upset with Obama.

Both political parties were viewed unfavorably by a majority of midterm voters.

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The survey of 19,436 voters nationwide was conducted for AP and the television networks by Edison Research. This includes results from interviews conducted as voters left a random sample of 281 precincts Tuesday, as well as 3,113 who voted early or absentee and were interviewed by landline or cellular telephone from Oct. 24 through Nov. 2. Results for the full sample were subject to sampling error of plus or minus 2 percentage points; it is higher for subgroups.

-AP Director of Polling Jennifer Agiesta contributed to this report.

 

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Service-Sector Job Growth Slows; Private Payrolls Rise

November 5, 2014, 12:23 am

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Filed under: Labor, Economic Indicators, Job Market, Job Search, This Built America

By Lucia Mutikani and Dan Burns

WASHINGTON -- U.S. service-industry activity slowed for a second straight month in October, suggesting some loss of momentum in the economy early in the fourth quarter.

Still, the economy remains on solid ground as other data Wednesday showed a pick-up in private sector hiring last month.

The Institute for Supply Management said its services index fell to 57.1 last month from a reading of 58.6 in September, drifting further from August's post-recession high of 59.6.

Nevertheless, the survey showed the key services sector, which accounts for roughly two-thirds of the economy, remained solidly in growth mode. A reading above 50 indicates expansion.

"The recent moderation in the surveys is broadly consistent with our view that growth cooled off between the third and fourth quarters," said Daniel Silver, an economist at JPMorgan (JPM) in New York.

The economy is growing fast enough to bring the unemployment rate down for the right reasons.

Separately, the ADP National Employment Report showed private payrolls increased by 230,000 in October, for a record seven straight months of job gains exceeding 200,000. Private hiring had risen 225,000 in September.

Job gains last month were broad-based, with mid-sized businesses adding the most workers in more than seven years.

"The economy is growing fast enough to bring the unemployment rate down for the right reasons," said Chris Rupkey chief financial economist at MUFG Union Bank in New York.

The employment data helped to lift stocks. Investors also were cheered by midterm elections that put the Republican Party, considered friendlier to business, in control of the Senate.

The dollar was trading higher against a basket of currencies, while prices for U.S. government debt fell.

Slower Growth

A strengthening labor market is seen tempering some of the anticipated economic slowdown, which is driven in part by weakening global demand, especially in key markets like China and the eurozone.

Data ranging from consumer spending, trade and business spending suggest the economy exited the third quarter with less steam, setting it up for a further moderation in the final three months of the year.

Third-quarter gross domestic product was initially estimated to have expanded at a 3.5 percent annual pace, but the weak trade data implied growth would be lowered to around a 3 percent rate.

The ADP (ADP) figures come ahead of the U.S. Labor Department's more comprehensive nonfarm payrolls report on Friday, which includes both public and private sector employment.

Economists polled by Reuters are looking for total U.S. employment to have grown by 231,000 jobs in October, down from 248,000 in September, with private-sector hiring seen at 222,000 compared with 236,000 the month before.

Despite the pullback in services activity last month, employment growth was robust.

ISM's employment index rose to 59.6, the highest since August 2005, compared with 58.5 in September. Services-sector employment has rebounded rapidly in the last several months from a four-year low touched in February, when a harsh U.S. winter contributed to a sharp slowdown in economic activity.

 

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ADP and TrimTabs Suggest Strong Payrolls From Labor Department

November 5, 2014, 12:40 am

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Filed under: Economy

The markets are getting some solid support for the jobs market ahead of Friday's key unemployment and payrolls report. Strong jobs data has been seen on Wednesday morning from TrimTabs and from ADP.

Wednesday's report from ADP projected that private sector employment rose by some 230,000 jobs in October. The ADP National Employment Report is derived from ADP's actual payroll data, and it measures the change in total nonfarm private employment each month on a seasonally adjusted basis. Bloomberg was calling for 230,000 as well.

The ADP report suggested that small businesses added 102,000 jobs in October, followed by a gain of 122,000 for medium businesses and a gain of 5,000 from large businesses. Service-providing employment rose by 181,000 jobs in October, up from 176,000 in September. Expansion in trade, transportation and utilities grew by 47,000, versus September's 37,000.

ADP payroll data represent 411,000 U.S. clients employing nearly 24 million workers in the United States. The September total of jobs added was revised from 213,000 to 225,000.

TrimTabs Investment Research estimated that the U.S. economy added a whopping 314,000 jobs in October. This would be up from 206,000 in September, making employment growth last month the highest since May 2010, when census-related hiring skewed the data. The TrimTabs data also showed that the economy has created an average of 215,000 jobs per month this year.

TrimTabs' employment estimates are based on analysis of daily income tax deposits to the U.S. Treasury from the paychecks of the 140 million U.S. workers subject to withholding. The report said:

Stronger employment growth and a falling unemployment rate suggest the Fed will start raising rates next year. The key question is how much the Fed will be able to lift rates when total credit as a percentage of GDP is as high as it was when the financial crisis started.

Bloomberg has estimates for Friday's nonfarm payrolls at 240,000 and 235,000 for the private sector payrolls.

ALSO READ: 5 American Cities Back From the Dead

 

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Can Fitness Tracker, Console Save a Limping LeapFrog?

November 5, 2014, 1:12 am

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Filed under: Company News, Technology, Earnings, Consumer Goods, Investing

Innovation is at the heart of LeapFrog Enterprises (LF). Dating all the way back to 1995's debut of its first product -- the Phonics Desk that helped young children improve their reading skills -- LeapFrog has strived to make learning fun through technology.

The leading maker of electronic learning toys doesn't always get it right. Sometimes it's just ahead of its time, as it was in 2005 with the Fly "Pentop" Computer, which, true to its name, was a smart pen that used pattern-decoding technology and digital paper to detect what was being written. It flopped and was discontinued five years ago.

When LeapFrog has a lull, it seems as if new technology arrives to save the day. It happened three years ago with the LeapPad learning tablet, and given the toy maker's recent sorry state, it seems as if innovation is going to have to save the day again.

LeapFrog Is More Frog Than Leap

Monday's earnings report revealed another brutal quarter for LeapFrog. For the second quarter in a row, LeapFrog posted a 43 percent year-over-year plunge in consolidated net sales. Retailers are still overstocked with LeapPad tablets, slowing replenishment orders.

The LeapPad was a hot product when it hit the market ahead of the 2011 holiday shopping season. LeapFrog couldn't make the tablets fast enough, leading to a healthy market for resellers that would mark them up to satisfy the demand of desperate parents. The second generation a year later also was a big winner. However, consumer appetite cooled in 2013. It's been hard for LeapFrog to stand out given the glut of cheap tablet.

LeapFrog can point to the safety of its device. The LeapPad features LeapSearch, a proprietary browser that limits access to age-appropriate content in a safe environment. Limiting the breadth of the World Wide Web would be a deal breaker for older kids, but the LeapPad's limited access to vetted destinations should be ideal for families with young ones. For now, it's not working.

It was a rough quarter for LeapFrog, which posted a larger-than-expected quarterly loss to go along with that 43 percent drop in sales. The stock went on to hit a two-year low on Tuesday.

Fitness Bracelets and Gaming Consoles to the Rescue

LeapFrog has previously turned to new product categories to get out of its fiscal slumps, and it's hoping to do that again. Despite kicking off fiscal 2015 with back-to-back horrendous quarters, it sees double-digit year-over-year growth for the fiscal third and fourth quarters.

A lot of that growth is riding on the success of LeapBand and LeapTV, two products that LeapFrog recently introduced. LeapBand is a fitness tracker for kids. Parents are donning Fitbit, Jawbone UP, and other wristbands that track movements, and LeapFrog now has a product for young children who want to follow suit. The LeapBand is just $40, and it adds colorful games and exercises to the wearable experience.

LeapTV is a bigger gamble. It's a motion-based kid-friendly video game console. At $150 it may be cheaper than traditional Xbox One and PS4 consoles, but LeapFrog's lack of success near that price point with its high-end LeapPad is problematic. Parents may not want to commit that much of their holiday shopping budget to an unproven gaming platform.

It's still early. The LeapTV just came out late last month. The LeapBand's been out a bit longer, but the upcoming holiday shopping season will be the ultimate test. LeapFrog needs at least one of the two new gadgets to be a hit if it wants to retain its crown as an innovator in electronic learning.

Motley Fool contributor Rick Munarriz has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends and owns shares of LeapFrog Enterprises. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. Want to invest in Apple's latest gadget? Check out our free report on the Apple Watch to learn where the real money is to be made for early investors.

 

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Comcast Inks UPS Deal to Escape 'Most Hated Company' Box

November 5, 2014, 3:01 am

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Filed under: Company News, Technology, Consumer Goods, Internet

What do King Kong, Frankenstein's monster, the Iron Giant and Comcast (CMCSK) have in common? They are all misunderstood beasts that wanted to be loved and not hated. It's too late for those other gentle giants that were provoked to the point of destruction, but Comcast thinks it still has a shot at social redemption.

In an interesting and praiseworthy twist, Comcast announced a deal with UPS (UPS) last week, allowing Xfinity customers to return their Comcast cable, Internet, or phone equipment at any of the more than 4,400 UPS Stores. The service is free, and disgruntled customers don't need to worry about boxing up and packaging the rented gear. UPS will take it in, providing customers with tracking information.

This is a big deal. Anyone who has ever had to deal with an Xfinity store for returns, swapping defective gear or even paying a monthly bill knows about the dreary experience, which can rival a DMV visit for squandered time. With 26.9 million Xfinity customers and roughly 500 Xfinity branches, the math is cruel. The UPS move is a win-win for customers and Comcast. Departing Xfinity accounts now have a streamlined exit strategy, and Xfinity stores may be less busy in tackling disputes, handling bill payments and swapping out equipment.

One can also imagine that this would be good for in-store morale at Xfinity centers. It probably weighs on the psyche employees to see so many people taking time out of their day to cut ties with Comcast. And there's no way that Comcast wants its ongoing customers to be rubbing elbows with the people who are dumping the service.

It's a Long Way Down

Comcast is in trouble. It's growing in popularity as an Internet service provider, but its customer count for cable television is going the other way. Comcast has posted sequential declines in video customers in 28 of the past 30 quarters.

Cheaper alternatives in the form of satellite and broadband television providers have eaten away at the market share of cable TV providers in general and Comcast in particular. Folks are also cutting the cable cord, taking advantage of the growing breadth of streaming video options that are available. Industry tracker SNL Kagan estimates that the number of pay-TV customers declined by 251,000 last year, making it the first year in which more people have canceled their pay-TV service than set it up. The bad news for Comcast is that it had 305,000 in net cancellations among video customers. In other words, the pay-TV industry grew in 2013, excluding Comcast.

Comcast's cable television accounts peaked at nearly 25 million in 2007. Now it stands at 22.4 million homes. If the trend continues, it will have more Xfinity Internet customers than cable television subscribers at some point next year.

It's a Trap

Making it easier to leave Xfinity is risky. The country's largest cable provider has to know that making it more convenient to cut ties will encourage an uptick in cancellations. However, that same change could improve its crummy reputation.

Comcast was Consumerist's Most Hated Company in America this year, recapturing a title it originally nabbed in 2010. Between the cable TV bills that perpetually rise and spotty service, it's easy to dislike Comcast. Why should someone have to call not once but twice to be credited when cable or the Internet goes down? The UPS deal won't make all of those problems go away, but even Consumerist went with the headline "Comcast Does Something Not-Awful" in covering last week's move.

It's not just customers whom Comcast wants to keep happy. The company is trying to sway regulators to approve its pending merger with Time Warner Cable (TWC). Proving that it's easy to drop the service should help its chances to clear antitrust hurdles.

Has Comcast turned the corner? Is this a misunderstood beast trying to prove that it's a gentle giant? We'll see how customer satisfaction, subscriber trends, and the pending merger play out in the coming months as a result of Comcast trying to give customers a break for a change.

Motley Fool contributor Rick Munarriz has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends United Parcel Service. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. To read about our favorite high-yielding dividend stocks for any investor, check out our free report.

 

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Anemic Economy Not Likely Main Culprit in Democrats' Losses

November 5, 2014, 3:21 am

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Filed under: Economic Recovery, U.S. Government, Barack Obama, Economy, People

By Jason Lange

WASHINGTON -- America's underperforming economy has been an albatross for President Barack Obama since he took office in 2009 and likely did his Democratic party few favors in midterm elections on Tuesday -- but it may not have been the decisive factor.

Hurt by Obama's general unpopularity, Democrats lost control of the Senate while Republicans strengthened their hold over the House of Representatives. The economy may well have become less of an problem than Obama's performance in addressing a broad range of issues.

While more Americans disapprove of the president's handling of the economy than those who think he's doing a good job, the economy wasn't the bugbear it once was. Several months of wage gains and faster job creation improved Americans' impression of Obama's performance on the economy coming into the congressional polls.

One quarter of Americans strongly disapproved of Obama's economic stewardship the day before the election, according to polling firm Ipsos. That was 10 percentage points lower than the average in September, and the smallest level of reproach since the online poll began in 2012. About 15 percent strongly approved of Obama on the economy, up from 10 percent two months ago.

"As far as the economy goes, the wind appears to be blowing slightly in the direction of the Democrats," said Christopher Wlezien, a political scientist at University of Texas at Austin who has studied the role of the economy in elections.

U.S. employers have hired more than 200,000 workers in seven of the last eight months, and the jobless rate slipped below 6 percent in September for the first time since 2008.

Too Little, Too Late

To be sure, most Americans still earn less money than they did when Obama entered the White House, and a modest pickup in income growth since mid-year was too little, too late to have a major influence on the way people voted.

Edward Sanders, for example, cast his ballot in Raleigh, North Carolina for Republican Senate contender Thom Tillis, whose victory Tuesday helped give Republicans a winning margin. Sanders, 59, had voted for incumbent Democrat Kay Hagan in 2008, but he has grown frustrated with the lackluster economy.

"I care about the economy and jobs, anything that will increase the average wage in this country," he said.

Many political analysts say Obama's low overall approval rating -- which has hovered around 40 percent in Ipsos polling -- was a major factor holding Democrats back on Tuesday.

James Campbell, a political scientist at the University of Buffalo SUNY, said the low rating was likely a reflection of years of subpar economic growth. The economy has grown at an average annual rate of 1.8 percent since 2009, below historical averages.

Others, however, say that Obama's lack of popularity also draws from other factors, including his foreign policy and even his personal style.

Focused on Now

When Ipsos asked voters which political party had a better plan for the economy -- without considering a party's leaders or candidates -- Democrats had a roughly 3 percentage point lead over Republicans on Nov. 3.

Carl Klarner, a political science researcher at Harvard, said that voters have in the past appeared to focus more on what's happening in the economy immediately before an election -- not longer-term trends. While Obama's lack of popularity likely weighed on Democrats, he said, many voters were well aware that the economy has improved.

That included Republicans like Rob Bosworth whose vote for Republican Scott Walker helped the Wisconsin governor survive a challenge from Democrat Mary Burke.

"The economy is starting to turn with more substantial horsepower," said Bosworth, who sells re-manufactured engraving equipment and was sipping a beer at a bar in Hudson, Wisconsin. "It'll be interesting to see how things go moving forward with the Republican mandate."

-With additional reporting by Todd Melby in Hudson, Wisconsin, and Marti Maguire in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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Cheap Car Fixes That Will Easily Pay For Themselves

November 5, 2014, 3:27 am

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Filed under: How to Save Money

By Donna Freedman

Getting a new car can cost the equivalent of a year's after-tax salary. After spending that much on four wheels and an auto body, you'd like to think it would run trouble-free for a decade.

That's a lovely dream. The reality is that regular maintenance and eternal vigilance are required, lest a small issue turn into a huge, expensive problem.

Staying on top of maintenance pays off in the long run, i.e., you can keep your car longer. Today's cars will easily last 200,000 miles, or maybe more, if you take care of them. A friend of mine drove a 1994 Acura Integra for 20 years before replacing it about a month ago.

Money Talks News founder Stacy Johnson has some ideas on how to get the most from your wheels. After you watch his video, read on for more tips.

It's easy to remember oil changes, because the folks who do them for you usually put a reminder sticker on the windshield. But you need to discipline yourself to take care of other issues.

Signaling for Help

That "check engine" light could mean something as simple as a loose gas cap, but it could also be an issue with the oxygen sensor, which costs about $250 to fix. You need to know which one it is, so don't ignore that illuminated warning.

Put off fixing the O2 sensor, and two things will happen: decreased mileage and a big fat repair bill later on. So get that light checked out.

Speaking of oxygen: There's an air filter on your car, and from time to time (probably once a year) it needs to be replaced. This is a fairly simple job, let Edmunds.com walk you through it, but make sure it gets done even if you have to pay somebody to do it. That's because not doing it can result in a mechanic's bill of $400 or more.

Mileage still bad? Engine somewhat sputtery? Spend a hundred bucks on a PCV valve fix. It's no fun to part with a C-note, but potentially major engine damage could result if you ignore the fix.

Or suppose the vehicle in front of you flings a piece of gravel straight into your windshield. The resulting ding isn't pretty, but it isn't a big crack so you figure you can ignore it.

Don't. The small chip can expand into a giant crack that impedes your vision and ultimately leads to needing a new windshield. The sooner they're repaired the better, since rain can drive dirt into the crack and make it harder to fix. Your insurance company may pay for these tiny dings to be fixed before they turn into expensive windshield replacements.

When was the last time you had the tire pressure checked? Fewer service stations provide this service these days, so buy a pressure gauge and check it yourself.

Properly inflated tires mean better gas mileage. Underinflated tires wear out faster and may be more susceptible to blowouts, according to Edmunds.com.

See a puddle under your car? Be afraid. Be very afraid. Then get your vehicle looked at right away. Whether you're leaking oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze or gas, this is something that needs fixing now.

Here's a tip from personal finance writer Liz Weston: Before you get into your vehicle, take a minute to walk all the way around it. Look for those puddles and also take a gander at the tires to see if they seem low.

This would also be a good time to do the penny test to determine whether the tread is still good and to check your auto's fluid levels.

Don't Put Off Until Tomorrow

Some folks believe that scheduled maintenance translates into "another way the dealer can gouge me." In addition, being carless even for part of a day can be a major hassle for those who need their autos for work or who have long commutes and no public transit.

Thus it can be tempting to put off oil changes and other maintenance. But ignoring your ride can cost you. Maybe it drives just fine right now, and maybe your best friend never does much for his car and he hasn't broken down yet.

Well, maybe you and he have just been lucky. Picture yourself standing by the side of the highway, waiting for a tow truck. Now picture it late at night and/or in the winter.

Besides, remember how much you spent to buy that vehicle? For maximum return on initial investment, follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule and keep an eye on things in between.

Your reward: 10 years (or more) without an auto payment and lower insurance costs as the vehicle ages. What could that do for your bottom line?

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Deflation Risk Ahead: But What's So Bad About Falling Prices?

November 5, 2014, 4:41 am

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Filed under: Inflation, Economy

Most people like to get bargains on the things they buy -- when merchants cut prices, they naturally see it as a win. But among economists, the idea of broadly falling prices is scary -- and the fear of that phenomenon -- aka, deflation -- is on the rise. But even smart investors sometimes wonder what what the big deal is: Why is deflation such a huge threat to the economy?

In his most recent investment outlook, top bond-market investor Bill Gross, who until his recent departure from investment firm PIMCO managed the largest bond fund in the world, said that the possibility of falling prices is back. Comparing the current situation to what Americans saw during the Great Depression and what Japan has experienced in its "lost decades" for its stock market since 1990, Gross notes not only that the potential for deflationary pressure is scaring central bankers, but also that the evolution of the financial system has made it so that "deflation is no longer acceptable."

The Problem With Falling Prices

On its face, deflation sounds like it would be a long-awaited windfall for the general public. After decades of seeing prices on everything you need climb inexorably, deflation would bring those prices down. That would make your savings go further, giving you more purchasing power for every dollar you have in the bank. Especially for those who live on fixed incomes, the prospect of finally getting some relief from the struggles of making ends meet on a limited budget sounds too good to be true.

Yet deflation leads to problems that would eventually adversely affect most ordinary Americans.

First, ongoing declines in prices change the incentives for consumers to buy things. If you expect the prices of the goods you need to go up -- whether we're talking about a new car or your pantry staples -- then you'll seek out bargains and buy those items as soon as you can afford them in order to avoid paying more later. As a result, a bit of inflationary pressure spurs spending and helps support the economy.

If prices start to fall regularly, then that incentive reverses itself. Suddenly, if you're patient, you can save money on your next purchase. Indeed, Americans have seen the impact of deflation in the prices of personal computers, which have declined steadily for decades. Because most people need computers, they can't put off purchases indefinitely. Yet the longer you wait, the better performance you can get, often without paying any more for the newer, higher-quality machines that constantly become available. So we do put off those purchases, and tech manufacturers feel the result.

When deflation becomes more common throughout the economy, the resulting drop in economic activity eventually forces businesses to cut back on their expenses, laying off workers. Those workers have far less income to spend, which leads to layoffs elsewhere, creating a downward spiral that leads to far fewer people in any position to buy those cheaper goods.

The second big problem from deflation is how it affects those who are in debt. As prices fall, so too does the amount of income that employers typically have to pay to provide workers with the same purchasing power and standard of living. Yet monthly payments on outstanding debt remain the same, and so it becomes harder for workers to maintain their debt payments as those payments become a larger percentage of their overall income.

3 Tips to Protect Yourself From Deflation

You can expect central banks to fight deflation with every tool at their disposal. But there are also some things you can do with your own personal finances to reduce the danger of deflation to you and your family.

• Know that certain investments perform better during deflationary times: Bonds hold their value better, while physical assets like gold and other commodities are liable to get crushed. Stocks tend to deliver mixed results; the best companies to invest in are those that have the market power to maintain their prices even as overall deflation cuts the prices of competing products.
• Reduce your debt as quickly as possible when deflation strikes. That's true not only for your own personal finances but also for the companies whose shares you own, so make sure to watch closely the debt levels of companies whose stocks you own, and think twice about investing in businesses that use leverage extensively to boost their results.
• Consider keeping more cash on hand than usual. Cash typically loses purchasing power over time, but during deflation, the reverse becomes true. Moreover, as asset prices get cheaper, you can use excess cash to pick up bargains with the expectation that eventually, central-bank efforts will be successful and inflation will return.

Even with the falling prices that accompany it, deflation really isn't the best thing for ordinary people to experience. With some precautionary measures, though, you can reduce the havoc a deflationary spiral would wreak on your finances.

Motley Fool contributor Dan Caplinger likes lower prices but knows their limits. You can follow him on Twitter @DanCaplinger or on Google+. To read about our favorite high-yielding dividend stocks for any investor, check out our free report.​

 

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