A shiny pack of black ballpoint pens, some crisp looseleaf and maybe even a new backpack if mom is feeling generous. As morning alarms are dialed back from 10 a.m. to 6 a.m, items like these drop into...

If I have to give out my e-mail address one more time to some random cashier, I might burst into flames in a spectacular display of consumer angst. I’m tired of companies trying to upsell (when pushy...