Dollar

gas prices

Oil Prices Drop, Sadly

The price of oil dropped $2.19 today, to $117.91, spurring a stock market and dollar rally. Sounds like good news. Except that it's dropping because the market thinks more people won't be able to afford to drive their cars as much. Who's up for a "staycation?"

Oil Prices Tumble Again; Stock Markets Surge [NYT] (Photo: hanapbuhay)

12:16 PM on Fri Aug 8 2008
By Ben Popken
6,314 views, 125 comments

Latest by chiieddy: @Git Em SteveDave displays attention-grabbing vanity: My parents are in Matawan and would rent a house for a week at more »

graphs

Pretty Graphs Track Drowning Dollar

These graphs by GOOD magazine show how much the dollar has sunk against various currencies from May 07-April 08. But don't feel too bad, folks, at least we're giving the South African Rand a thorough drubbing.

Currency: The Sinking Dollar [GOOD]

10:46 AM on Tue Jun 10 2008
By Ben Popken
4,424 views, 91 comments

Latest by StoneSoupStation: @Bladefist: Only the top person at any of these agencies are actually appointed by political figures, and this was initiated more »

economy

Stores In NYC Start Accepting Euros

The dollar just isn't what it used to be, ya know? "Euros accepted" signs are popping up all over NYC as shopkeepers (for one) welcome our new tourist overlords:

"We had decided that money is money and we'll take it and just do the exchange whenever we can with our bank," Robert Chu, owner of East Village Wines, told Reuters television.
...
"We didn't realize we would take so much in and there were that many people traveling or having euros to bring in. But some days, you'd be surprised at how many euros you get," Chu said.

More »

10:48 PM on Thu Feb 7 2008
By Meg Marco
4,367 views, 62 comments

Latest by Stan LS: @DeltaPurser: I am european born and the whole "europeans are generally smarter then americans" line is just something euros use more »

gouging

Dollar Rent A Car Charges $2.00 "Top Off Fee," Even If You Return With A Full Tank Of Gas

No longer content gouging customers who return their rentals with less than a full tank of gas, Dollar Rent A Car is now assessing a $2.00 "top off fee" for cars that have already been topped off.

"I couldn't believe it," said Steven Dentali, who was charged the fee in October after renting a car from Dollar Rent A Car in Manchester, N.H. "I said to them, 'You're telling me I'm penalized no matter what? There's no way around me having to pay something?'"

More »

5:05 PM on Sun Jan 13 2008
By Carey
11,687 views, 68 comments

Latest by LeJerque: @BoC: Gaaah, you did it too fast. You win! more »

shopping

Dollar Parity Results In Piles Of Clothes Discarded By Canadian Shoppers

Canadians are heading to the U.S. to do their shopping—and are leaving their old clothes behind in order to avoid paying a duty when they cross back into Canada. More »

2:32 PM on Mon Dec 17 2007
By Meg Marco
7,661 views, 52 comments

shopping

What Does The Weak Dollar Mean To Shoppers?

You've probably been hearing a lot about the weak dollar, but might not be sure what exactly it means for you. More »

11:59 PM on Wed Oct 31 2007
By Meg Marco
4,941 views, 25 comments

personal finance

Make Sure You Know What You're Doing Before You Invest In Gold

A lot of financial advisors have suggested investing in gold lately, since the U.S. economy seems headed for the crapper and gold tends to increase in value as the dollar plummets. And a lot of people seem to be following that advice, because gold is up above $750 an ounce now, "its highest level since 1980," says SmartMoney. But gold investments can change value quickly and can be even more difficult to predict than regular investments, so don't go all Scrooge McDuck on the gold hoarding. More »

1:42 PM on Fri Oct 19 2007
By Chris Walters
2,099 views, 25 comments

Latest by Jesse in Japan: @XopherMV: That sounds more like a copper mine to me. more »

economy

Canadian Book Buyers Are Angry Over Dollar Parity

Canadian book buyers are mad! After decades of higher book prices being explained away by the weak Canadian dollar, book buyers suddenly find themselves paying "more" money for the same book. More »

3:10 PM on Mon Sep 24 2007
By Meg Marco
5,299 views, 40 comments

whistleblower's anonymous

Dollar/Thrifty's Unwritten Rule For Mechanics To "Find" Problems Covered By Warranty And Bill The Manufacturer

An unverified reader report has an interesting claim that should grab the attention of every auto-maker. Dudes, Dollar/Thrifty Group car rental is totally ripping you off. More »

7:15 PM on Thu May 24 2007
By Ben Popken
4,560 views, 25 comments

car rentals

Car Rental Grace Periods Died Graceless Death

You may have missed it, but a number of national car-rental places amended or ended their car-rental grace periods this year. These were rules that said if you returned your car an hour or two late, they wouldn't charge you for the overtime. More »

11:12 AM on Mon Apr 9 2007
By Ben Popken
1,210 views, 12 comments

Latest by SkaldGrimnir: @dragonflight: I used to work as a Manager trainee for a Hertz RAC and HLE. What few people understand is more »

SUBSCRIBE TO Consumerist