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Stories for June 2009
Stories for Tuesday, June 30
Websites/phone numbers mentioned:
SavingsBonds.gov - Determine the rate of interest on savings bonds Vanguard.com - Vanguard Star Fund AnnualCreditReport.com - The only legit free site for your credit reports Zer01Mobile.com - Unlimited int'l cell and data plan for $79/month American.com - One-page mortgage cheat sheet (Editor's note: This is a pdf file.) American.com ...
Supreme Court: States can regulate big banks
A new Supreme Court ruling allows a state's attorney general to protect consumers against giant monster mega-banks, according to an Associated Press report. This case went to the Supreme Court because Comptroller of the Currency John Dugan believed that big banks should be above state law. The irony here is ...
Low consumer confidence heralds cheap mortgages/refis
CLARKONOMICS: The newly released Confidence Index (as compiled by the Conference Board) shows that consumer confidence has taken a dive. People who had hoped their own situation was getting better aren't feeling so optimistic any longer. It means that we're not seeing the "green shoots" popping up we were hearing ...
Maine sets good example for states by lowering taxes
Maine has bucked the trend in much of the Northeast by actually lowering taxes. "We're definitely going against the grain here," Democratic Governor John Baldacci told The Wall Street Journal. "We hope these lower tax rates will encourage and reward work, and that the lower capital gains tax brings more ...
Americans now saving 7 cents on every dollar earned
CLARKONOMICS: Executive producer Christa still remembers how dejected Clark was when Americans first started spending more than they made during the early 2000s. Well, finally, we're seeing a reversal of that longstanding trend. In May, the average American saved 7 cents of every dollar earned. Heartening news, but still not ...
Stories for Monday, June 29
JD Power names most and least reliable cars
JD Power's 2009 Initial Quality Study has named a trio of costly vehicles as its most-reliable cars, according to The New York Times. Those pricey nameplates include Lexus, Porsche and Cadillac. In fact, Lexus got the highest scores across all measurements of the survey. Are you looking for a cheaper ...
Bankrupt celebs offer caution about spending and saving
Late pop star Michael Jackson was said to be $400 million in debt at the time of his death. Like many celebrities, he lived beyond his means. Talents as diverse as actor Stephen Baldwin, former baseball player Jose Canseco and former basketball player Latrell Sprewell all lost their homes to ...
Cash for Clunkers already spawns bogus rip-off websites
The Cash for Clunkers program has already spawned its fair share of potential rip-offs online. Unofficial websites are masquerading as the official Cash for Clunkers portal, according to an Associated Press report. These bogus sites will solicit personal information such as your Social Security number for supposed pre-registration...and then turn ...
Consumer Financial Protection Agency proposed by Obama
President Obama's proposal for a Consumer Financial Protection Agency has brought the long knives out on Capitol Hill. Such a regulatory board is long overdue, according to Clark. People's trust in capitalism requires transparency. You need to be able to understand your options, whether you're talking about buying insurance or ...
Websites/phone numbers mentioned:
AnySoldier.com - Donate a cell phone or minutes to a soldier INGDirect.com - Fee-free checking account with a tie-in MasterCard CARS.gov - The official government site for the Cash for Clunkers program Los Angeles Times - Free Investing 101 courses DinkyTown.net - Free auto calculators Zag.com - Get instant guaranteed ...
Stories for Friday, June 26
Shopping for an individual health insurance policy
Do you need to buy an individual health insurance policy because of a layoff, or because you're self-employed or work as an independent contractor? Clark knows it can be a daunting experience. So often, the consumer champ gets calls from people who tell him what they paid for a policy ...
FDIC targets ads for above-market CD rates
The FDIC has announced a settlement with a company running ads for above-market CD rates in 80 newspapers nationwide. AmeriLife First Financial LLC reportedly used the high CD rates as a lure to get people in to buy annuities or other investments. However, those who stood their ground and held ...
Employers seeking skilled laborers in targeted job fields
Employers are seeking skilled laborers in a number of targeted job fields, according to The New York Times. Such fields and professions include welding, electrical linemen, special education teachers, geo-technical engineers, respiratory therapists, civil engineers and occupational therapists. One additional thought from Clark. If you are in nursing school, the ...
Moving industry goes into depression as Americans stay put
Are you planning to move this summer? There's real price competition in the marketplace because so few people are these days. Census Bureau numbers find that only 11% of Americans moved last year, down from the typical annual average of 20%, according to The San Francisco Chronicle. Why the dearth ...
Websites/phone numbers mentioned:
HealthCareCoach.com - Online resource for buying an individual health insurance policy HealthInsuranceInfo.net - Online resource for buying an individual health insurance policy UShip.com - Prices and user reviews for the moving industry Moving.org - American Moving and Storage Association
Stories for Thursday, June 25
Recovery in the housing market still to come
A small number of real estate markets around the country have seen activity firm up with multiple bids on houses. This has been especially true in the bubble states where values fell the furthest. Does that mean recovery is coming in the market at large? Don't bet on it just ...
Cable monopolies try to face the challenge of free online TV
Two cable monopolies are joining together to face the challenge of free TV online presented by Hulu, YouTube and other websites. Time Warner and Comcast are experimenting with the idea of offering cable shows online for free once a user has "authenticated" that they are a paying cable or satellite ...
Radical new changes coming on student loan front
There's a radical change coming on the student loan front that Clark wants you to know about. Effective July 1, 2009, an income-based repayment plan (IBR) will become available to borrowers with federally guaranteed student loans such as Stafford loans and Grad PLUS loans. Under the new program, your payment ...
Another debt-settlement firm goes bankrupt
Debt Relief USA -- a prominent debt-settlement firm that Clark criticized in the past -- has filed for bankruptcy, according to The Dallas Morning News. The debt-settlement firms in general will promise to reduce your credit card debt by up to 75% -- if you pay them several thousand dollars ...
Websites/phone numbers mentioned:
NFCC.org - Free or low-cost housing counseling MagicJack.com - Cheap VoIP service
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