It brought joy to be able to give a nice present to my great-niece. However, I was furious to get a letter from my bank with a mistake. My best consumer experience: Getting the coupon price on a gift When my sister and I went to visit my niece in... Read more →

Saying goodbye to my mortgage is making me very happy. However, I’m extremely frustrated with the customer service I had from. My best consumer experience: Making my last mortgage payment I’m elated that my mortgage is paid off. It’s quite a milestone. I’m going to have a party to celebrate.... Read more →

I’m a frequent flyer on American Airlines. Sometimes they offer good services, and other times they don’t. My best consumer experience: Flying through storms This week, I took a trip to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Stormy conditions were predicted through the East, so we were worried. However, the trip went smoothly.... Read more →

Unusually fine vegetables make my happy, while putting up with airlines makes me cranky. My best consumer experience: Wonderful green beans and Brussels sprouts Often during the winter, the organic green beans at my local food co-op look like they have rust or something else on them and the Brussels... Read more →

The holidays are coming, bringing fun and stress already. Best consumer experience: Eating fruitcake I really like fruitcake. I used to make it, but no one in my family liked it. Now, I often buy a small fruitcake to enjoy with guests. When I lived in Sydney, Australia, for a... Read more →

With the torrential rains we’re having, I haven’t felt like going out much. However, I did venture out and had a positive happening and one not so good. My best consumer experience: Tasting wine with a friend A couple of months ago, I won $25 in a drawing from Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater... Read more →

In recent years, I’ve been skipping Black Friday. However, I enjoyed shopping Saturday. What I didn’t like was a big rainstorm earlier this week. My best consumer experience: Shopping for a sewing machine My daughter wants a new sewing machine. She makes quilts and her old Singer has problems. The... Read more →

Most of the week, I've been at home recovering from a cold. However, I still made a few consumer transactions. My best consumer experience: Working with a new investment company My financial planner suggested I roll my IRA over to a new investment company so I’d have a wider range... Read more →

November brings the election and winter, a challenging season. My best consumer experience: The election of consumer-oriented public officials I was generally pleased with the outcome of the election. Pres. Barack Obama has been a leader in getting important consumer laws passed, for example, the Affordable Health Care Act and... Read more →

Winter is coming, so I’m on getting ready. My best consumer experience: Hiring a worker to clean my roof Last May, I had a new standing seam metal roof installed. My plan was to wash it from a ladder using a soft brush with an extending handle. However, I got... Read more →