Survey of the Day

While there is a widespread consensus that the overall costs of health care in the United States are out of control, individual policy holders aren't necessarily up in arms about their monthly rates.

America is a middle-class nation, at least if you ask Americans. Gallup surveyed 1,009 adults if they were "upper class," "upper-middle class," "middle class," "working class" or "lower class."

Tis the season for Christmas lights, nativity scenes and Santa lawn statues. In December, it often seems like every house in the neighborhood is decorated for the holidays. But are they really, or are your eyes being tricked by the blinking lights?

We all know some of the best sales of the year come right after Christmas. So here's an interesting thought: Why not do your holiday shopping in early January and get more bang for your gift-giving buck?

We're probably at the point where just about every parent with a school-age child has a certain level of Internet sophistication. This means that it is fairly easy for most parents to check up on what their kids are getting into online. But are they?

Texting while driving is so 2009. Thanks to the proliferation of smartphones, Web surfing is the new dangerous activity the young folks are engaging in while operating a motor vehicle.

Given the simplicity of signing up for an email account, most folks end up having multiple email addresses. Some are for business, others for friends and family, and it's a good idea to have one to use for offers that may result in a deluge of spam. Then there is the most controversial kind of email address: one you keep secret from your spouse or partner.

The big gimmick this Thanksgiving season is retailers beginning their Black Friday sales on Thursday, a day previously reserved for turkey and football with the family. This has understandably annoyed retail employees, who now have to work on what was previously a holiday. It also isn't necessarily winning over consumers.

The holiday season has snuck up on the American consumer once again, and rather than feeling completely overwhelmed by travel plans and last-minute shopping and the millionth playing of 'Jingle Bell Rock,' almost half of the population simply wishes we could just skip Christmas altogether.

The rush to join the extended family for turkey and stuffing makes the Wednesday before Thanksgiving the busiest travel day of the year. And this year it's going to be a busier than last year.