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Miss Homeless Pageant: Charitable or Out of Line?
In an act of charity (?!), Belgium social worker Mathilde Pelsers and her daughter, 19-year-old beauty queen Aline Duportail, organized the first-ever "Miss Homeless" Pageant.
The pageant, which took place over two months and included 10 homeless female contestants, was designed to raise awareness for the homeless population, and awarded the winner, 51-year-old Theresa Van Belle with a one-year, rent-free apartment stay — and the title of "Miss Homeless."
While the motivation for the contest seems well-intentioned, the pageantry itself seems a questionable show of support.
Should Hooters Waitresses Have to Pay For Their Own Uniforms?
Hooters is one of the rare establishments where the workers' uniforms are more famous than the food. In some states, employees are required to cover the bill for their orange outfits, but New York isn't one of those places. That's why two New York women are suing Hooters for forcing them to buy their own work wardrobes.
Your Two Cents: Is Renter's Insurance Worth It?
Sure, it's always better to be safe than sorry, but sometimes being safe is costly and troublesome — and turns us off. Renter's insurance, for example, seems a necessary precaution to protect your rental apartment or home. But a recent poll among my friends revealed that even savvy, intelligent women are too bothered by the hassle and the anticipated cost of signing up.
Would You Take a Stanford Class on iTunes?
Maybe you're wondering if it's even possible to take a class on iTunes. It is now — and not just from Stanford, but from Yale, Wharton, Berkeley, and more. In a relatively new move, prestigious colleges and universities are making lectures, classes, and even written materials available online.
Would You Barter to Get What You Want?
Old-school savings are back in a big way. The recession has created a new generation of coupon clippers and deal hunters. But, it's not just about groceries and retail — even on big items, like home renovation.
Is Your Car's Brand a Part of Your Identity?
Thanks to the recession, consumers are questioning their brand loyalty for just about everything. People who once faithfully bought one brand of paper towels or detergent are switching to lower-cost, generic versions to save money. These brand name concessions seem small, but what if the downturn coincided with your time to buy a new car — could you be faithful to your brand of choice?
It's Midweek — Jump For Joy?
It's obvious why Wednesday earned its rep as "hump day" — certainly in theory, anyway. Falling exactly in the middle of our week, and signaling the oncoming weekend, it seems a likely day for something special. But not since Wednesday's ritual early dismissal from high school can I recall anything tangible to beat the midweek slump and celebrate the fact that the weekend is almost within reach.
Would You Ever Job Swap With Your Partner?
In an admittedly gutsy career move, Susan Barton will be taking over her husband's job at Slate for two weeks. The experiment, a kind of real-world take on Freaky Friday — and aptly titled Freaky Fortnight — details the adventures of this 30-something mom and her husband switching roles — Susan taking to the office at Slate as an editor, and her husband taking the reigns at home to care for their two children.
It's a brave attempt at experiencing daily life in someone else's shoes.
Fake Receipt Generator: Brilliant or Baffling?
Nobody can have their steak and eat it, too, right? The creators of expenseasteak.com would disagree. The site's ethically questionable Maloney & Porcelli's Expense-a-Steak Headquarters tool allows you to enter any amount of money, and then generates several receipts that add up to your total.
Would You Rather Buy an Item or an Experience?
I've never seriously mulled over the pros and cons of spending my paycheck on a pair of great pumps or a handbag, but the idea of splurging on a vacation usually requires some deliberation. However, a recent study revealing the monetary worth of happiness may have me reevaluating my long-practiced spending habits.
The study suggests that, assuming all basic needs are met, we're better off spending our extra cash on a meaningful experience — a romantic getaway or well-deserved stay at the spa — versus the latest version of the iPod.
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