Inside Long Island Business
Get the latest news and trends on Long Island companies and the people behind them.
Poll: Do you choose generic or name-brand drugs?
Photo credit: iStock
When you fill a prescription at the pharmacy, do you ask for the generic version or the name brand? While generics can cost less, some consumers prefer name brands.
In certain cases, doctors may specify that only the name brand will do. They can even write a prescription requesting a specific generic, if they think one is more effective.
How do you decide? Is your decision based...
Read more »Poll: When did you refinance your mortgage?
Photo credit: iStock
Did you refinance at the right time?
After hitting a record low of 3.31 percent in November, the average rate on a 30-year fixed loan has begun creeping back up, this week approaching 4 percent.
Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said the rate on the 30-year loan jumped to 3.91 percent from 3.81 percent last week. That's the highest since March 2012.
When did you refinance? Vote and leave...
Read more »Poll: How much paid vacation do you get?
Photo credit: CareerBuilder.com
It's summer . . . time for vacation. Does your employer give you paid time off? If so, how much?
Or are you self-employed? Do you grant yourself vacation breaks, or feel you can never relax and get away from work?
Finally, are you a small business owner? For many, the word vacation is not in their vocabulary.
Tell us about your situation. Leave a comment and vote in our poll....
Read more »Poll: Have your retirement investments recovered?
Photo credit: Getty Images
Many workers' 401(k) accounts and other retirement investments took a beating in the financial crisis, as stock markets plunged. Now, the markets have recovered and even surpassed their previous highs, with both the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Standard & Poor's 500 Index hitting new records earlier this year.
So how have you fared? Did you stay in the market and watch your accounts...
Read more »Poll: Do you buy everything online?
Photo credit: AP
These days, you can buy just about anything online, from electronics to dog food, toothpaste to platform shoes.
Are you comfortable shopping online? Would you purchase anything that way, or are there some things you still want to touch, feel or try on in person?
Vote and leave a comment. Results and a selection of comments will appear in next Sunday's paper....
Read more »Poll: Will you vacation on Long Island this summer?
Photo credit: Randee Daddona, 2010
The first summer vacation season since superstorm Sandy starts Memorial Day weekend. While some traditional vacation areas were damaged by the storm, business owners and public officials have worked hard to rebuild. Many say it will be business as usual this year.
At the same time, with gas costly and the economic recovery still slow, many people will consider vacationing close to home. ...
Read more »Poll: Should the U.S. spend less on defense?
Photo credit: Howard Schnapp
The defense industry on Long Island has been shrinking since its peak during the 1980s, when it employed as many as 80,000 people. Since then, smaller defense budgets, jobs shifts off the Island and consolidation in the industry have combined to reduce the defense presence here to less than half that. Now, $41 billion in federal “sequester” cuts to the defense budget threaten the industry further.
Defense...
Read more »Poll: Do you prefer local brews?
Photo credit: AP
The craft beer industry has taken off across the United States as consumers demand better quality and more variety in their brews.
Locally, the trend is also noticeable -- with inventive ales such as Long Island Oyster Stout, Eight Legged RyePA and the White's Beach Wit coming out of Long Island breweries.
Are you more inclined to buy a beer that's brewed locally? Vote and leave a comment. ...
Read more »Poll: Did your Sandy insurance settlement cover your losses?
Photo credit: Jack McCoy
Superstorm Sandy's wrath caused thousands of Long Islanders to file insurance claims for damaged homes, vehicles and businesses. Destruction came from flooding, downed trees, and loss of business due to power outages.
If you received an insurance settlement, did it cover your losses? Are you still waiting for your claim to be resolved? Vote and leave a comment. Results and a selection of the...
Read more »Poll: Do celebrity names sell perfume?
Photo credit: Nancy Borowick
Are you more likely to buy a perfume because it's named for a celebrity?
Bellport-based Perfumania Holdings Inc. is increasing its presence in the celebrity/designer perfume market through its recent acquisition of Parlux, Ltd. This year, Parlux is introducing scents by the likes of Rihanna and Jay-Z.
Industry experts say that fragrance launches by Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift...
Read more »
