Anchoring is brand loyalty, it’s our sense of what the norm should be. Credit card companies have discovered a way to create anchoring among customers in a way that earns them more interest. You see, the lower your minimum payment is, the less you (the average person) will think it’s reasonable to pay.

This doesn’t just mean the people who are content to make the minimum payment. It includes people who have decided to pay extra.

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An overview of this winter’s changes to the DC MetroRail transfer system. Find out what’s up with SmarTrip cards, how transfers will work, and the new savings on bus-to-rail transfers. Will DC regulars save money? What about DC tourists?

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Smart companies monitor their online reputations. Twittering or blogging about your problem experiences with a company creates more of a threat to their public image and may lead to a better resolution. If you haven’t gotten the resolution you want after phone calls, mention it online and see what happens.

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One of the annoying realities of freelancing is that you find yourself pitching the same thing over and over again. After a while, the repetition can become nauseating. Sometimes it drives me crazy. But I’ve found ways to make it easier and even exciting again.

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Yesterday, I polled Twitter to find out people’s favorite dates for under $15. After all, my own frugal date ideas are limited by my tastes, but I wanted to pull in other people’s ideas as well. Here are some of the answers I received!

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