The good news about President Obama’s $447 billion jobs plan? A lot of analysts think it would boost growth. The bad news? The bump would likely be temporary. But before we go on ranting about the perils of an ineffectual Washington and the doom facing this economy, let’s just consider how catastrophic an only temporary boost would be. …
FTC: That $1.99 Smartphone App Won’t Cure Your Acne
Entrepreneurial techies have been selling thousands of smartphone apps that claim to treat acne for 99¢ and $1.99 a pop (excuse the pun). Now, however, a Federal Trade Commission investigation reveals that (shocker!) the claims—that weird colored lights emitted from one’s smartphone could eliminate pimples—have no scientific basis. …
Curious CapitalistThe Economy
Obama’s Jobs Plan: Will it be Enough to Revive the Economy?
President Obama’s jobs plan, which he outlined Thursday night in a televised speech to the nation, is more ambitious than many people might have predicted. It’s a $447 billion package including lots of tax cuts and some serious …
How Fixing a Phone is Like Fixing a Portfolio
My recent phone problems remind me a lot of my retirement planning issues. You are on your own out there – whether fixing your phone line or your portfolio.
How Consumers Are Coping: Layaway, More Gardens and Pet Adoptions
Consumer activity gives a good indication of how the economy is holding up, and here are five trends indicating that consumers are having a particularly hard time lately.
How to Protect Your Kids From Commercial Culture
I recently walked through the children‘s section of a big box bookstore for the first time in a long time, and I was stunned. Then depressed. Then angry.
A Message From Your Financial Future: Thanks for Keeping It Real
I had lunch with a friend recently, and as friends will, we discussed the ups and downs of our lives. The conversation turned to the dumb things we did when we were younger. I told the story of the worst job I ever had. He …
Modern Retirement: Mortgage and Kids Still at Home
Boomers are reshaping retirement by doing it with a mortgage and adult kids at home. This isn't the way it's supposed to work.
Curious CapitalistEconomy & Policy
Obama’s Jobs Plan: Will it be Enough to Revive the Economy?
President Obama’s jobs plan, which he outlined Thursday night in a televised speech to the nation, is more ambitious than many people might have predicted. It’s a $447 billion package including lots of tax cuts and some serious infrastructure spending, on things like rehabbing schools and rebuilding America’s decaying transport …
Will More Fed Easing Lead to Currency Wars?
Get ready for monetary easing 3.0. That was the takeaway from Fed chair Ben Bernanke’s speech in Minneapolis today. Bernanke didn’t indicate what form easing might take. But any of the options on offer are bound to tick off countries like Brazil and Switzerland, which are struggling to hold down the values of their currencies against the …
Why NFL Tickets Are Getting Cheaper
Football fans should be happy that the lockout is over, and that, in most cases, ticket prices at stadiums around the country have remained flat. Four pro teams have even lowered ticket prices this season.
Do Fat CEO Faces Equal Fat Profits?
We generally don’t include the shape of a business exec’s face in our investing advice. But according to a new study, maybe we should.
