Understanding the urge to splurge
If your goal this year is to spend less money, sooner or later you will probably fall short. Consumer psychology says that is not unusual. Research by…
Author: Rick Good
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader's money, real estate, and business coverage.
Blocked sharing proves a boon for Netflix
When Netflix announced their plans to crack down on password sharing, many users threatened to cancel. Industry analysts issued dire warnings. A survey by…
Did endless shrimp sink Red Lobster?
Red Lobster is deep in the red, and shrimp may be to blame. In recent weeks, rumors have swirled that Red Lobster could be heading to Chapter 11…
Competition: Sports drives innovation
Given that most sports rely heavily on physical capabilities, you might not assume that sports could also drive innovation. In practice, however, athletes…
Ask the Expert: How do I stop paying PMI?
PMI is Private Mortgage Insurance and it protects lenders in case homeowners don’t make mortgage payments. When you buy a house with less than 20 percent…
The housing market dance gets back in step
The real estate market’s spring dance is in full swing. The tune is lively and the dancers are out on the floor and kicking up their heels. In many…
Seriously, get a hobby!
Do you want to reduce stress, connect with others, improve your work performance, and develop new skills — all while enjoying yourself? If you answered…
Build a better to-do list
A messy notepad full of scrawled reminders or a thick border of sticky notes on your computer monitor might not be doing you very many favors. Your to-do…
What to do with your sixth sense
Sometimes people have a flash of knowledge that seems to come out of the blue. Whether you call it intuition, a hunch or a “sixth sense,” psychologists…
Why do we drive on different sides of the road?
If you decide to take a drive in the United Kingdom, remember that the locals drive on the left (wrong?) side of the road. Ever wonder why most countries…