An expert guide to complaining

plus celebrity investors

͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌  April 25, 2022 • Issue #8 Money is turning 50! To celebrate, we've combed through decades of our print magazines to uncover hidden gems, fascinating stories and vintage personal finance tips that have (surprisingly) withstood the test of time. Throughout 2022, we'll be sharing our favorite finds in this special newsletter. Ready to dive into the archive? When "The Art of Complaining," a story from the January 2005 issue of Money Magazine, first hit newsstands, today's hot-button social issues — white privilege, the disenfranchisement of low-income workers, "late stage capitalism" — weren't a large part of our collective consciousness. In hindsight, the six-tip service piece on how dissatisfied customers can get their money back (Tip #3: "Take Names") feels a little dated. Today, it could easily be construed as "How to be a Karen." That's one way of looking at it, at least. Another is that learning to advocate for yourself as a consumer is a Very Good Thing. And it's a skill in which most people (myself included) are tragically ill-equipped. Make no mistake: directing your gripes at a retail clerk/restaurant hostess/grocery store cashier who is 1. underpaid and 2. probably in no control of whatever it is you happen to be complaining about is a solidly stupid idea. But when it comes to companies themselves, especially the Amazons, Walmarts and other multi-billion dollar corporations that control large swaths of our economy, airing grievances is something we should all be doing more often. If you still feel lingering shame about a Yelp review you left 10 years ago (guilty), or have literally never returned anything you've bought online (also guilty) writer Stephanie D. Smith has some worthwhile advice about getting exactly what you pay for. Just don't be a "Karen" about it. — Kristen Bahler, Editor     IN OTHER NEWS… 💰 Have you met my friend, George Washington?: The same Money issue that featured "The Art of Complaining" (January 2005), also ran a step-by-step explainer—with an illustrated guide—on how to bribe a restaurant Maître d. "As you approach the recipient, slide your thumb up to reveal the denomination," author Paul Scott writes. "Look him or her in the eye and look for a nod of acceptance. Shake hands. Release." 💰 A tech titan goes public: Google's IPO, issued in August 2004, boosted the company's stock by 97% in the following four months alone, Money reported. 💰 Home of the Coronary Embolism®: In an online story from March 2005, Money announced the arrival of Burger King's Enormous Omelet Sandwich, a 700-plus calorie menu item boasting one sausage patty, two eggs, two slices of American cheese and three strips of bacon. "Americans do not need an Enormous Omelet Sandwich," Penny Kris-Etherton, a professor of nutrition at Penn State, told Money. Americans agreed: the breakfast sandwich was pulled from Burger King's menu not long after its debut. SHOW ME THE MONEY     QUIP: Shaq has a history of wins — on and off the court. Recent endorsement deals with brands like Papa Johns and Alkaline Water prove the 50-year-old's seal of approval is still a boon to business. TEST YOUR MONEY MEMORY Martha Stewart's stock trading scandal, and resulting conviction, was one of the biggest finance stories of 2004/2005. How long was her sentence? Five days Five years Five months Five minutes Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this edition of Money Classic, please forward it to a friend or tell them to sign up at money.com/subscribe. We've got a full year of 50th anniversary surprises planned, so stay tuned — and in the meantime, check out Money.com for up-to-date news and advice. Recent stories include What's a Real Estate Agent Worth?, How to Prepare for a Job Interview, and Is Now a Good Time to Refinance Your Mortgage?

This newsletter is free because Money earns a commission when you click or make purchases from the links in this email and on our site. We also receive compensation for some of the products and services featured in this message. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Learn more about how we make money. Privacy Policy • Advertise With Us • We're Hiring! To stop receiving these emails, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences. Copyright ©2022 Ad Practitioners, LLC. All rights reserved. Metro Office Park Calle 1, Building 7 Suite 204, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico 00968, USA