Ever wonder how much five golden rings and a partridge in a pear tree would set you back? No, we haven’t either. But PNC Bank spent a lot of time and money figuring it out and presenting it in an [awesome] online pop-up book for your enjoyment!
To find out how certain prices were calculated, like, say, 12 maids a-milking, check out the USA Today story about the project here.
And for a little retro Twelve Days action, check out John Denver and the Muppets in 1979:
The AP reports that hundreds of Bernard Madoff’s personal items are going up for auction at the Sheraton New York Hotel, courtesy of the U.S. Marshals Service. Madoff is just beginning his 150-year prison sentence for ripping off investors in the biggest Ponzi scheme ever.
Snatch up those limited-edition monogrammed velveteen slippers before they’re gone! Also available: a 10.5 carat diamond ring owned by Bernie’s wife, Ruth, and a “like-new” Steinway piano. (Thanks, msnbc.com)
Credit card companies are freaking out as they try to entice shoppers to pay for gifts with credit. But those 5% cash back offers aren’t exactly worth taking on thousands of dollars in debt.
“With the interest rates, it just seemed like I never paid it off.” – Liz Gonzalez, talking about her credit card debt
This is probably not what he imagined when he commissioned all those paintings and sculptures of himself.
“When I was young, I didn’t really look deeply into the faults of the system. I lived a calm, secure life where bread cost 3.5 forints and everyone had a job.” – Gyorgy Torok, a real-estate entrepreneur struggling in the current economic climate
Compared to last year, it’s easier for MBAs to get a job, but nowhere near as easy as it was before the recession.
“Back in 2007 and 2008, students had flexibility to decide where they wanted to live and work. With outlooks tightening, students will take opportunities wherever they’re available.” – Nicole Hall, President of the MBA Career Services Council
Congratulations, English! There’s now a thing called “entertainment snacking.”
“[I'm] something of a master at Angry Birds.” – Salman Rushdie, Booker Prize-Winning Novelist
It’s Black Friday, the biggest and most aggressive shopping day of the year. Stores slash prices and determined shoppers wait up all night, push each other, bribe each other, and occasionally trample one another to get their hands on the goods.
This year has seen an increase in the number of shoppers from the broke years after 2008, and the L.A. Times was kind enough to interview some of the consumer warriors swarming the local malls.
Thinking about wrapping your gifts in a certain blue box this season? Whatever, Tiffany doesn’t really need your money.
“We continue to see bifurcated performance, with declines in sales and transactions below $500, but double-digit percentage increases in most every other higher priced category. This indicates to us diverging effects to one degree or another that the economy is having on consumer spending.” – Mark Aaron, Tiffany’s Investor Relations Chief
Lani Rosenstock makes a living telling people in New York and D.C. what to wear. But this one little tip might eliminate the need for most of her fashion advice. (Sorry, Lani.)