It took over a year for lawmakers and state AGs to agree to the terms of the $26 billion foreclosure settlement announced this week, and it could take up to another three years for eligible homeowners to see a share of that …
Personal Finance
Fewest Young Adults in 60 Years Have Jobs
How hard has the Great Recession hit young adults in the U.S.? According to a report released Thursday by the Pew Research Center, only 54.3% of young adults aged 18 to 24 have a job. It’s the lowest rate since the government …
Valentine’s Day 2012 Spending, By the Numbers
According to one estimate, 60% of all Valentine’s spending occurs in the five days leading up to and including the holiday. That means we’re in the prime Valentine’s spending period right now. Here are some more factoids related …
A Deal Just For You: Niche Sites With Deals for Moms, Dudes, Jews, Dog Lovers, the Military & More
All along, skeptics said that the enormous success of daily deals couldn’t be sustained in the long run. And indeed, in recent months, the industry appears to have suffered some setbacks. Roughly one-third of all deal sites …
Beans vs. Single-Serve Cup: Just How Much More Does K-Cup Coffee Cost?
We all know how much coffee costs at Starbucks—too much. But it’s hard to get a handle on exactly how much coffee made at home costs, and how the price of a cup from freshly-ground beans compares to a cup from a single-serve …
Why Can’t You Discharge Student Loans in Bankruptcy?
If you’re struggling to pay credit card debt, car loans or even gambling debt, you can wipe the slate clean in bankruptcy. Struggling to pay your student loans? Sorry, you’ll just have to figure that one out on your own.
Behind the Hype: The Myth of Flexible Work Hours
In an always-on wired world, much has been made of the flexible work schedule. It let’s young people get their job done from the beach, or at midnight; allows middle-aged employees to take a leave to, say, care for an ailing …
Dividend Stocks Are Hot, But They Aren’t Bonds
The search for retirement income in today’s low-yield environment inevitably comes back to dividend paying stocks. How could it not? Money market funds and short-term bank CDs pay about .5%; the 10-year Treasury bond pays only about 2%.
Disloyal Customers: Most Consumers Switched Service Providers in 2011
If you stayed the course last year and never switched banks, wireless companies, pay TV services, or any other providers, then you’re in the minority. And if you actually feel “very loyal” to your providers, then you’re part of …
JPMorgan Chase Agrees to Pay $110 Million in Overdraft Class-Action Lawsuit
JPMorgan Chase & Co. is one step closer to a possible settlement of a class-action lawsuit brought against a number of banks over their so-called transaction-ordering practices. “We’re pleased to have reached an agreement in …
How to Get the Government to Cover Your Cell Phone Bill(s)
Last year, a federal program paid out $1.6 billion to cover free cell phones and the monthly bills of 12.5 million wireless accounts. The program, overseen by the FCC and intended to help low-income Americans, is popular for …
Colleges Are Selling Naming Rights to Restroom Stalls
Imagine a restroom stall, or even an entire men’s room, on the campus of your alma mater being named in your honor. Well, for just a few thousand dollars, that ludicrous and mildly disgusting dream can now come true.