December 14, 2008
- Foreclosure Relief: Not Until Obama Takes Over
Foreclosure Relief: Not Until Obama Takes Over
Any use of $700 billion in financial industry rescue money to aid homeowners will come after President George W. Bush leaves office next month. That word came recently from Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass.
While the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. has proposed to use $24 billion from the financial bailout to [...]
December 13, 2008
- Barcode Shopping
Barcode Shopping
Using the new smart phone from Google, shoppers can instantly scan barcodes to find the best prices on almost any product. The technology is still in its infancy, but here is just a hint at how we might all be doing our Christmas shopping in the future. (Video runs 1:24)…You might want to hold [...]
December 12, 2008
- HUD Issues New Mortgage Rules
HUD Issues New Mortgage Rules
HUD will require, for the first time ever, that lenders and mortgage brokers provide consumers with a standard Good Faith Estimate (GFE) that clearly discloses key loan terms and closing costs. HUD estimates its new regulation will save consumers nearly $700 at the closing table.
Last March, HUD proposed reforms to the [...]
December 11, 2008
- Saving on Holiday Shopping
Saving on Holiday Shopping
According to the National Retail Federation, the average American couple will be spending an extra $1,500 on gifts this year. With the economy in the shape it's in, everyone is looking for ways to save. Money Editor Stacy Johnson has a few tips for you in this short (1:29) video…
December 10, 2008
- Selling A Home During Christmas
Selling A Home During Christmas
If you want to try selling during the holiday season, here are a few tips:
The power of the nose is underestimated by many people. Smell is the first sense we develop and is deeply associated with food and emotion. A clean smell is great, as it does not cause negative [...]
December 9, 2008
- Credit Repair - Tips to Improve Your Scores
Credit Repair - Tips to Improve Your Scores
Increasing your credit report score rating is not a difficult proposition. It simply takes time and patience. You cannot expect to see results overnight. And if you are approached by someone from a credit repair company insisting they are capable of cleaning up your credit report within a [...]
December 8, 2008
- The Ultimate Gift?
The Ultimate Gift?
If you're looking for a unique gift idea this holiday season…here's one that might be easy to swallow: how about a personal chef? Money reporter Stacy Johnson gives the idea a taste. (Video runs 1:32)Have any really unique gift ideas this year that you haven't heard of anywhere else? We'd love for you [...]
December 7, 2008
- Credit Card Fees Keep Rising
Credit Card Fees Keep Rising
Where is the consumer's share of the Fed's recent rate cut? Card issuers are raising fees and interest rates, even on good customers, to offset their losses.
Used to be, when the Fed cut rates, credit card issuers followed suit, resulting in lower monthly payments for cardholders. Though average credit card rates [...]
December 6, 2008
- New Home Sales Fall to 18-Year Low
New Home Sales Fall to 18-Year Low
Sales of newly constructed homes slumped in October to an annual rate not seen since 1991, according to government figures released recently.
The U.S. Census Bureau reported that new home sales fell to an annualized rate of 433,000 in October. That's down 5.3% from the revised 457,000 annual rate recorded [...]
December 5, 2008
- Check Out Those Charities
Check Out Those Charities
It's the time of year when charities are asking for their annual Christmas help. Here are 3 ways to make sure charitable donations aren't squandered. (Video runs 1:42)…If you have any tips for verifying charities that others might benefit from, use our comment link below and share them with our readers.
December 4, 2008
- Economic Meltdown, or Media Hype?
Economic Meltdown, or Media Hype?
Have you noticed anything weird about this economy? One of the weirdest, most perceptually jarring things about the economic crisis is that everything looks the same. We are told every day and in every news venue that we are in Great Depression II, that we are in a crisis, a [...]
December 3, 2008
- Lower That Electric Bill
Lower That Electric Bill
Did you know… of the total energy consumed in America about 39% is used to generate electricity, and most of the electricity in the US is generated from fossil fuels. We can all start making small changes to not only lower our electricity bills, but to also clean up our environment. Below [...]
December 2, 2008
- The 4 Day Work Week
The 4 Day Work Week
A 4 day work week can help businesses cut their budget, increase energy efficiency and even reduce overtime, sick time and turnover. Money Editor Stacy Johnson explains… (video runs 1:30)Has the company you work for toyed with or switched to this 4 day work week? Are you already enjoying a 3 [...]
December 1, 2008
- Real Estate News - December 2008
Real Estate News - December 2008
Our December 2008 Newsletter is now up…
From the right Nav Menu, Find "PAGES AND NEWSLETTERS" and Select "December 2008 below "Our Monthly Newsletters".
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November 30, 2008
- Obama: Good or Bad for Real Estate?
Obama: Good or Bad for Real Estate?
Now that a new President has been elected, the question becomes what kind of changes are we likely to see and how will the policies of the new Administration shape the different economic markets.
Will Obama help or hurt the real estate market?
According to a recent article in the Daily [...]
November 29, 2008
- Safer Online Shopping
Safer Online Shopping
Online shopping has become a staple for many Americans, and that's especially true when the holidays roll around. But with that extra convenience can come extra risk. Money reporter Stacy Johnson has some tips to keep your online shopping safe. The video runs 1:31…What about you? Where do you plan to do most [...]
November 28, 2008
- Improving Real Estate Sales: What Will It Take?
Improving Real Estate Sales: What Will It Take?
What will it take to get consumers off the sidelines to buy more houses and help stimulate the economy?
How about a mortgage at a 2.99 percent fixed rate for 30 years for anyone who purchases a home before July 1? Or how about a non-repayable federal tax [...]
November 27, 2008
- Home Prices Decline - AGAIN
Home Prices Decline - AGAIN
According to a report released recently by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), national home prices, driven lower by a flood of foreclosures, plummeted in the third quarter by a record 9% year-over-year.
The median price of a single-family home fell in four out of five states. The national median price [...]
November 26, 2008
- Saving Money on Organic Food
Saving Money on Organic Food
Get the healthy, organic food you want, without breaking your budget. Our Money Editor, Stacy Johnson, explains… (video runs 1:31)Any comments on the video? Just click the comment link below and tell us. We'd love to hear from you.
November 25, 2008
- Hope Now: What Is It?
Hope Now: What Is It?
HOPE NOW is a private sector alliance of mortgage servicers, non-profits, counselors, and investors that have assisted many homeowners avoid foreclosure. They have developed a new program in conjunction with the U.S. Treasury, the Federal Housing Finance Authority, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and other mortgage loan servicers for “at-risk” homeowners.
The plan, [...]
