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News Alerts

Why stop listening to big bankers
* Because they are clueless, says Krugman | New York Times' Nobel winning columnist and economist Paul Krugman minces no words about why the economy is still a mess -- and how some major financiers showed while testifying in front of a recent Senate commission that they still don't understand what went wrong and are clueless about how to prevent a future financial meltdown. For the complete column at NYTimes.com, Click Here>

* The most reliable new cars today | Consumer Reports gives high marks to Ford, but Asian manufacturers continue to top the list. For the complete ConsumerReports.org article, Click Here>

* Money talks to have before marriage | Divorce can be financially ruinous. That's why discussing personal finances before you tie the marriage knot makes more sense than ever. NYTimes.com offers four such money talks: Click Here>

* Beware of overspending on your debit card | Just when you thought you could avoid credit card fees by switching to a debit card, think again. Banks are making big bucks by charging high fees to customers who overspend on their debit card accounts. For the complete story at NYTimes.com, Click Here>

* Is this the last chance to get a low mortgage interest rate? | Fixed rates for 30-year mortgages have fallen below 5% again, but some say that with the feds pulling out of the mortgage bond markets in March 2010, interest rates are likely to go back up -- way up. Visit LAtimes.com or Click Here>

* Why modifying mortgages are more difficult than expected | An excellent editorial sheds some light on the stubborn foreclosure problem. While the federal government has done much (allowing up to $75 billion) to attack the mortgage problem, fixing the problem is harder than anticipated. Here's why banks may not be so quick to help homeowners in trouble. Visit Washingtonpost.com or Click Here>

* Bank fees rise | In an effort to offset losses, banks are increasing fees to customers. Business writer Eric Nash examines the new fees and how they are affecting the average person's pocketbook. Visit NYTimes.com or Click Here>

* Coupon websites gain in popularity | Before you buy anything online, click for coupons first, advises Marketwatch.com's Jonathon Burton. He said a number of websites post coupons, although some post expired coupons along with current coupons. Nonetheless, sites that may be better than most include: CouponWinner.com, Dealcatcher.com, Freecoupons.com, Retailmenot.com, and Savings.com. | For Burton's "clicking for coupons" article, visit Marketwatch.com or Click Here>

* Some debt settlement companies can offer more woes than help | Posted on NYtimes.com: Click Here>

* Obama administration warns of mortgage scams | Posted on the LATimes.com: Click Here>

* 10-Year Treasury Bill Hits 4% | Talk of inflation begins again with the rise in interest rates paid to holders of the benchmark T-bills by the U.S. government. For details and what it means for savers and borrowers alike, Click Here>

DOTSDAILY.com
Financial news aggregated by MediaBear
... connecting the dots daily ...

* Debt repayment options offered by DebtReliefCompanies.net | If you are tired of collection calls, this YouTube video may help you avoid this situation and get out of debt. Click on the above image, or Click Here>

* Five Steps to Escaping Your Money Trap | MSN Money writer MP Dunleavey offers some good insights into the psychology of spending and personal finance decision-making: "If you're repeating the same financial mistakes, you probably won't get ahead until you figure out what drives you to make the decisions that sabotage success." Dunleavey examines the behavior of those who are caught in the money trap. She also quotes Reeta Wolfsohn, founder of FinancialSocialWork.com: "'Until and unless behavior changes, nothing changes,' says Wolfsohn, a leader in the rapidly growing field of financial social work. In other words, you can't analyze away a money lock. But you do have to connect your financial predicament to its origins, Wolfsohn says." | For the complete article, visit MSNMoney.com or Click Here>

* A new study shows that modifying mortgages is harder than expected | This insightful editorial sheds some light on foreclosure facts. While the U.S. Treasury has done much to attack the mortgage problem (allowing up to $75 billion), fixing the stubborn mortagage problem remains more difficult than anticipated. Here's one explanation as to why bankers are less than enthusiastic, and for a number of reasons. Visit washingtonpost.com or Click Here>

* Where Is Gold Heading? | Gold prices have retreated recently, but does that mean they are posed to go higher soon? MarketWatch.com columnist Mark Hulpert examines today's contrarian thinking among gold buyers. Click Here>

* Rethinking Progress and Human Development | Glaser Progress Foundation offers an archived lecture series by exceptional individuals who examine how progress of civilized societies should be measured today. For example, one lecturer advises that the current benchmark for national progress, which is the NIPA (i.e., National Income and Product Accounts, and includes the GDP, i.e., Gross Domestic Product) should include the PNA (i.e., Program for Nonmarket Accounts). For Glaser's archived lectures and NIPA info, Click Here>

* Suze Orman tells how to save thousands of dollars | Two ways to save big: (1) Have your local government reassess your home and (2) Just say "no" to retailers' inhouse store credit cards. For more of Suze's current ideas, visit the Aug. 14-16, 2009, USAweekend.com or Click Here>

* Economic Madness | They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. Photographer Frankie Leon requests your comments (of a thousand words or so, we presume) about one of his Flickr-posted photos: Click Here>

* Financial Literacy Month | Take the first step of 30 steps to better manage your money by committing to change. Visit financialliteracymonth.com or Click Here>

* The Future of ETFs | Exchange-Traded-Funds continue to grow through the recession as investors search for safe havens for their money. But are ETFs the real answer? For Forbes special report, Click Here>

* My plan for bad bank assets | Article by U.S. treasury secretary Tim Geithner posted on WSJ.com: Click Here>

* What's new from the Feds in helping the homeowner | A government website that focuses on efforts to stabilize the housing market and keep home prices from declining further. Visit makinghomeaffordable.gov or Click Here>

* Legislative fight rages on Capitol Hill over the "cram down" tool designed to help homeowners fight banks against foreclosure | This political and economical issue is pitting Democrats against Democrats, while homeowners in danger of losing their homes to uncompromising banks remain on tenterhooks. Visit Truthout.com/041609J or Click Here>

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