"Don't wait to start paying off what you owe, because otherwise what you owe will hold you back, Suze Orman, personal finance expert and best-selling author of "Women & Money," tells CNBC Make It. "Debt is bondage," she says. 'You will never, ever, ever have financial freedom if you have debt.'"
24 Brands You Probably Didn’t Know Were Owned by Amazon
"Some of these private labels are obviously owned by Amazon, like AmazonBasics, but others show very little indication that they're owned by the e-commerce giant."
Jessica Tyler (photo, left) reports at BusinessInsider.com.
These Stores Have the Best Return Policies in Retail
"Costco has one of the most generous return policies of any store. It says that any product can be returned to Costco warehouses for any reason. The only restrictions are on electronics, which must be returned within 90 days."
Mary Hanbury (photo, left) reports on the other generous retailers at BusinessInsider.com.
Stop Blaming the Help. How Companies Stymie Great CX
"As my friend and colleague Bassam Salem likes to say (and I will paraphrase), it’s always the hapless call center representative that is scapegoated for corporations’ failings. The people who are paid the least and are usually the least to blame but are almost always the targets," writes Dave Fish (photo, left) in an article at CustomerThink.com.
"If we peel it back a bit we can see that in many circumstances it is not the employee, it is the communication, technology, policies, procedures, educational, and selection practice of the company that is at fault. Here are a few of the most frequent culprits. . . ."
These Are the Brands with the Most Loyal Shoppers
"Walmart and Amazon have some of the most loyal customers, according to a recent study by Morning Consult."
Jessica Tyler (photo, left) has the details.
5 Ways Your Small Business Can Save Time With AI
". . . Here are five ways your small business can — and should — save time with AI."
The Hot College Gig: Online Brand Promoter
"Paying college students to push products is nothing new for companies. The exuberant undergraduate wearing a Nike cap and giving out samples is as common on American campuses as football fans tailgating at homecoming," writes Claire Ballentine (photo, left) in an article at NYTimes.com.
"But now, like so much in the advertising world, the big action is online. As students return to campuses, they’re constantly checking their Instagram, Snapchat and other social media accounts — so companies are turning to many of them to promote products right alongside photos of family, friends and the new puppy."
Where Are the Contrarian Leaders?
Elliot Begoun (photo, left) reports on the topic at SmartBrief.com.
No One Wants to Work for You, and These Three Words Are Why
"It’s one of the most common expressions found in job descriptions and postings, but it might be sending the wrong message," writes Christian Bonilla (photo, left) in a post at FastCompany.com.
5 Virtual Stock Market Games That Help You Learn How to Invest
"Dipping your toe in stock markets for the first time is intimidating, even for those of us who consider ourselves financially savvy. But other than paying a financial specialist for advice, what other options are available?" asks Megan Ellis (photo, left) in a piece at MakeUseOf.com.
"Luckily, there are a variety of stock market games and simulators available for users to get a feel for the industry. And best of all, most of them are free.
"Games are often used to educate children — but there are also games that can teach adults a lesson or two. From simulators that feel incredibly realistic to user-friendly games, here are five stock market games that will prepare you for the real thing."