From the monthly archives:
I don’t want to belittle the condition of the economy currently. Someone who is close to retirement may have just lost a significant portion of their intended source of income if invested solely in stocks. If you listen to the media and politicians, you might get the impression that the American public is “freaking ... Continue reading this article…
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Because I believe this economic crisis will end within the next few years or sooner, I took today’s 777+ point decline in the Dow and 8.8 percent decline in the S&P 500 as a sign that the stock market, as a whole is on sale. I opened an individual brokerage account at Vanguard after market hours today, ... Continue reading this article…
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The stock market was hoping for good news today regarding the bailout bill. When the House of Representatives voted down the proposal which had support from only 60 percent of Democrats and 30 percent of Republicans, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 Index, and the price of oil dropped sharply. With pressure from the Executive branch, I ... Continue reading this article…
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In the original version of this article, I was under the impression that the Senate had passed this bill already. It hasn’t; they have only just released the details to the public. A vote will come later. Over the weekend as I watched the Mets end a frustrating season with a disappointing final series, the details ... Continue reading this article…
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Once again, I’ve refreshed the list of ING Direct $25 bonus codes. This bonus is available to anyone looking to open a new account at ING Direct, one of the most popular high-yield savings accounts. These bonus codes are provided by Consumerism Commentary readers. Thanks to everyone who has helped another reader by sending ... Continue reading this article…
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See the review of the best online savings accounts – updated December 2009. While I’m generally happy with my ING Direct account for a good portion of my savings, I’m looking to spread the money around to take advantage of some higher interest rates. One of the banks I’ve targeted is FNBO Direct, the online arm ... Continue reading this article…
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Late Thursday night, JPMorgan Chase confirmed that it has acquired the deposits (bank accounts), assets, and “certain liabilities” of Washington Mutual. The acquisition has created the largest depository institution in the United States, with over $900 billion in bank accounts alone. WaMu branches will become Chase branches as the acquisition progresses over the next two years. Those ... Continue reading this article…
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I didn’t think this was even already in motion, but I’m happy to report that the proposed “Bill of Rights” for credit card-holders (which is almost every adult) passed through the House of Representatives by a huge margin: 312 to 112. It’s amazing that 112 Representatives would even vote against such a thing, which has no ... Continue reading this article…
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I made a mistake, and I should have known better. Last year, I struggled with coming up with a needy non-profit organization that I felt I should support through charitable giving. The indecision stems from the desire to contribute to an organization with a mission that reflected one of my passions and the lack of quality ... Continue reading this article…
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Thanks to Matt from Web Developer Guru who just a few minutes ago wrote in to let me know about this latest development. The FBI is investigating the financial firms primarily involved with the recent economic collapse, Lehman Brothers, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and American International Group (AIG), and those who have been running ... Continue reading this article…
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If you come across an interesting, article, study, or video, and you’d like to see it discussed on Consumerism Commentary, feel free to send an email to tips at this email address. While I can’t write about everyone’s suggestion, I try to pick a few to focus on. I also receive a fair amount ... Continue reading this article…
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I swear I’m trying to write about topics other than the massive national bailout of the financial industry, but there always seems to be something interesting to say. Yesterday, it was Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks and chairman of HDNet who offered interesting insight. He suggested that the United States Treasury Department ... Continue reading this article…
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February 5, 2009 update: The following information has expired. Washington Mutual no longer offers these rates. Washington Mutual wants your deposits. I received word that starting tomorrow the bank will offer 4.0 percent APY on its online savings account, maintaining its position at the very top of the list of popular high-yield savings and money market ... Continue reading this article…
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Last week, I received an official-looking notice in the mail. You know the type: the envelope requires you to tear the perforated edges in a specific order and contains security ink so the contents cannot be seen until opened. There is a return address on the envelope but no business name. In my ... Continue reading this article…
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Clark Schinger owns a gas station. Like an increasing number of gas station owners, he is charging his customers who use credit cards a surcharge for every gas purchase. Effectively, there are two tiers of prices: one for customers who use credit cards and one for those who use cash. This is apparently not ... Continue reading this article…
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Over the weekend, President Bush asked Congress to grant the United States Treasury Department the authority to purchase $700 billion in assets from troubled financial companies. The government would create a corporation, like 1933’s Home Owners’ Loan Corporation, to buy mortgage-backed securities at a discount and sell them later for a profit. This is by any ... Continue reading this article…
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On Saturday, I woke up before dawn to help out as a volunteer for a fundraising event to support the search for a cure for polycystic kidney disease, which affects 1 in 500 people. A friend of mine, whose father has this disease and who has a 50 percent chance on inheriting it herself, organized ... Continue reading this article…
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Yesterday I mentioned that the U.S. Treasury was able to raise $40 billion in a one-day auction of 35-day Treasury bills. When you bid for these investments, you could either compete with others by offering to invest at the lowest interest rate you’re willing to accept or bid “non-competitively,” accepting whatever the Treasury Department ... Continue reading this article…
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When I heard the news that the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is making $85 billion available to American International Group in the form of loans, one of my first questions was about the source of the money. Does the Federal Reserve keep an emergency fund available to bail out companies during financial ... Continue reading this article…
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Suze Orman is now involved with a marketing campaign for the FDIC, pointing consumers to EDIE, a calculator that halps determine how much of your money held at banks is insured. The aim of the campaign is to help Americans feel secure about leaving their money in banks. The government and the banking industry want to ... Continue reading this article…
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