More ING Direct $25 bonus links are now available. I’ve posted more referral codes received from Consumerism Commentary readers on the waiting list. In a few weeks, I plan on opening the waiting list again, so subscribe to the RSS feed so you can respond quickly to add your name before the list is closed again.
Holiday Shopping Bargains Reel in Big Sales. The National Retail Foundation says that despite low expectations for Black Friday, retail sales were up this year. According to NRF’s figures, shoppers spent an average of $372.57, up 7.2% from last year, and 172.9 million consumers visited stores, purchased items online, or through catalogs, up 17% from last year.
If Dad Can Do It Himself, Maybe He Shouldn’t. In the Wall Street Journal, a dad teaches his son about the role and responsibility banks hold when they manage your money. Watch out for invalid fees, and complain enough to get their mistakes reversed.
Stocks are Less of Your Net Worth Than You Think. If you are 65 and expect to receive $2,000 a month from Social Security, add $327,000 — the amount that converts to a lifetime monthly distribution of $2,000 — to your bond position. Taking this phantom inflation-adjusted bond into account, your stocks represent a lower percentage of your income-generating portfolio for retirement. Stay invested in stocks.
Carnival of Personal Finance, Cyber Monday 2008 Edition. Check out the latest edition of the Carnival. Some of the more interesting articles include What Should a Privatized Social Security System Look Like?, 3 Rules to Giving the Good Gift, and 6 Ways to Argue Less About Money.








