Posts by Elizabeth
Letting Customers Try Before They Buy Could Encourage Higher Online Spending
If there\’s one thing that drives \”brick and mortar\” retailers crazy, it\’s when people try things on in the store only to buy the item online afterwards. However, some new research suggests this practice may be beneficial, since it may lead to a bigger spend online. Global payments company Klarna has released new research into…
Read MoreLiving with a Roommate Can Save Renters $515 a Month
Renters can save $515 a month by sharing their home or apartment with at least one roommate instead of renting a one-bedroom unit on their own, according to the inaugural HotPads Rooms for Rent Index. Nationally, the median rent for a one-bedroom home or apartment is $1,320 per month. Meanwhile, the median asking rent for a single bedroom in…
Read MoreListing a Home in Early May Can Earn Sellers $1,600 More, According to Zillow
Sellers looking to maximize profits should list their homes for sale in the first two weeks of May. An analysis from online real estate company Zillow finds that those homes sell for a $1,600 premium, and six days faster. In 19 of the 35 largest metros, the best month to sell for the biggest sales premium is May. That…
Read MoreAlexa Moves into Your Fridge
Alexa, the Amazon-developed virtual assistant, will now be interacting with many home appliances. Sears has announced today more than 40 Kenmore smart appliances are now certified as Works with Alexa. The select Kenmore smart appliance models have received Works with Alexa certification, meaning they meet Amazon’s high bar for responsiveness, reliability and functionality. Customers who…
Read MoreMost Creative Workers Plan to Look for a New Job this Year, And Other Key Trends
From technological developments to shifting working dynamics, there’s no question that today’s creative teams are challenged by constant and accelerating change, new research suggests. Staffing firm The Creative Group, in collaboration with AIGA, the professional association for design, surveyed more than 1,000 workers in the creative and marketing industries to find out how they feel…
Read MoreSmart Ways to Retain Customers, from Deb Brown
Taking care of existing clients is a much faster path to cash than pursuing new clients, according to author Deb Brown. “Long-term clients spend more and refer more,” says Deb Brown, author of the book Lifelong Loyal Clients: How Smart Professionals Turn Relationships Into Revenues (2018 Indie Books International). “Knowing this, smart business owners focus…
Read MoreYou Need Better Sleep, Says the Better Sleep Council
A study from the Better Sleep Council says better sleep may be the key to making 2018 goals stick. (They would say that, of course). The Council is offering these tips for making the most of sleep time: Make daily sleep appointments. Develop a routine in which you go to bed at the same time and…
Read MoreFirst-Time Buyers Earn $30,000 More Than Their Peers Who Didn’t Buy a Home, Zillow Finds
For buyers entering the housing market for the first time, the median household income isn’t enough, according to a new RealEstate.com report. The median income for a first-time buyer is $72,500, compared with the national median household income of $60,700. The difference in income for first-time buyers is more pronounced when compared with their peers who didn’t…
Read MoreNearly 1 in 3 Americans Think “Bigfoot” Being Real is More Likely than Retiring Comfortably
Nearly 1 in 3 people approaching retirement age (28%) think they’re more likely to learn Bigfoot is real than to save enough to retire comfortably, according to a recent survey from AARP and the Ad Council. To empower more Americans to take steps to get on track with their savings, AARP and the Ad Council…
Read MoreThe Conference Board Employment Trends Index (ETI) Increased in December
The December jobs report was truly awesome. Will we see strong growth in January? One hint comes from The Conference Board Employment Trends Index (ETI), which increased in December following a minor decline in November. \”The Employment Trends Index rose sharply in December, reversing the declines in recent months, suggesting that employment will continue to…
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