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Young Charitable Givers
Next-Gen Givers
FiLife Take: As traditional charitable donors cut back their giving in this economic climate, new givers are moving in. Barron’s profiles several Gen-X givers who want to make their charitable mark now, not when they’re 50 or 60 years old.
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Self-Employed Still Can’t Get Mortgages
Self-Employed Are Frozen Out of Mortgages
FiLife Take: While the government has helped many people with decent credit scores get mortgages, the self-employed are still stuck in the mortgage freeze.
Four Ways to Save on Medical Expenses
Aim to Save Next Year
FiLife Take: Health-plan costs per employee are expected to rise next year. M.P. McQueen offers four ways to save money on medical expenses.
Seven Strategies for Surviving the Bear Market
Market Strategies for the Very Brave
FiLife Take: The volatile markets have left investors confused about where to go. Here are seven bear-market strategies to help investors through these tough times. One consistent theme? Be thoughtful and cautious with your money moves.
Weekwrap: Black Friday Edition
While still recovering from intense food comas, many Americans rose early this morning to scour the Black Friday sales among the crowds to find the best deal. Here’s some related news:
Black Friday’s Worst Enemy: Buy Nothing Day is an ad campaign promoting responsible financial habits. Consumers are asked to skip shopping on Black Friday and to focus on consuming less – a message that may be more convincing than ever this year. Check out the posted TV spots, photos from the previous year and other unique calls to action (Zombie Walk?) here.
Simple Consumer Outreach: Consumer Reports wants consumers to remember that the government may be bailing out big industries, but they won’t be drafting a new bailout bill for individual consumers. StopBuyingCrap posted Consumer Reports’ simple USA Today ad that reminded consumers their credit card contracts have no “bailout clause.”
Coupons Everywhere, But They’re Not All Redeemable: The Smart Spending blog at MSN Money pointed out two interesting facts about coupons. First, quality and quantity of coupons can be dictated by where you shop. If you do manage to get some good coupons – watch out for what they dubbed the “coupon cops.” These cops are store cashiers who grumble and take issue with consumers using coupons. Who knew trying to get a deal was so difficult? Although in this financial climate, it’s probably worth the hassle.
Do Some “Good”: Close to 70,000 nonprofits have partnered with Yahoo to support a search engine called GoodSearch.com and shopping site GoodShop.com. GoodSearch provides a penny to the user’s favorite charity for every search conducted. GoodShop offers products from major retailers and donates 37% of each sale to a non-profit. Charities may be hurting for donations this holiday season but now there’s an easy way to help. The sites kick off December 1.
Broadway Is Burning
I’m a big Broadway fan, so I’ve been sadden by all the recent shows closing. Left and right, shows are faltering as the economy crumbles.
One of the most recent casualties is Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein. This closing in particular reinforces an essential personal finance lesson…living within or below your means today is the safest and best way to be living a wealthier life tomorrow (or like, 20 years from today).
Mel was ambitious with his second musical, given the success of The Producers. Orchestra seats were priced close to $400 with no discounts in sight. A grand production, the show itself cost around $600,000 a week to put on, which may have been another reason for the sky-high tickets. At the time of the opening, off-Broadway’s Frankenstein would jokingly advertise their show as the better one, and for less than a quarter of the Broadway price.
Families Struggle to Pay Health Care Bills and Mortgages
The Choice Between Home and Health
FiLife Take: Americans who are facing large medical bills and are caught in the housing market’s collapse are being forced to choose between paying their mortgages and paying their doctors.
Paying Off Student Loans Gets Tough
A Bachelor’s in Borrowing
FiLife Take: Paying down credit card debt and mortgages have been a struggle for consumers lately. Now many can add another point of stress: paying off student loans.
The Value of a Used Car
Car Talk: A Clunker Is Just Fine
FiLife Take: Isaac and Steve Yoder discuss the value of a used car for teenagers and whether Isaac needs a car for college.
How to Identify the Stock Market’s Bottom
Weary Investors Plead, ‘Give Us a Sign!’
FiLife Take: The Wall Street Journal caught up with three Wall Street pros to get their take on how they identify the bottom of the stock-market.