Also, tips on getting both your cable bill and holiday shopping under control, and a resource for locating that ever-elusive perfect place to raise your kids—safe, affordable, good schools, the works.
How to Handle Getting Fired Right Before Christmas
A freshly laid-off personal finance blogger demonstrates how to deal with the situation like a pro—because the last thing you want to do is make a bad situation worse by burning bridges. Tip one: Suppress the urge to punch anyone in the face.
It’s a Deal: $1 Fleece Scarves at Old Navy
On Saturday, December 18, Old Navy is trying to attract the crowds (and will probably succeed in doing so) by selling Performance Fleece Scarves for the stocking-stuffer-friendly price of just $1 apiece. The scarves normally cost as much as $7.50.
Q&A with Free Shipping Day Founder Luke Knowles
Man, they really pack these made-up holidays together: National Regifting Day yesterday, and now Free Shipping Day today, Friday, December 17, 2010. Luke Knowles created the faux holiday two years ago and has watched it grow like crazy, with more than 1,500 retailers participating—i.e., offering free shipping, and a guarantee items …
Money Managers Grow More Bullish
As we round the last lap before 2011, it’s a good time to take stock of what the year ahead might hold for investors. There are several cross currents and big regional divergences to consider, and there certainly is no unanimity of opinion on how things might play out. But there are changes in what professional investors are thinking, …
Europe’s debt crisis: An uglier 2011?
French President Sarkozy and other EU leaders talked fiscal crisis this week (Eric Vidal/REUTERS)
At this point in the never-ending euro crisis, it should be clear to Europe’s leaders that their piecemeal approach to the debt problems of the Eurozone’s weakest members has been a failure. Rescues for Greece and Ireland have not …
China’s inflation problem and the perils of unconventional policy
China’s currency problem looks to be growing (Photo: REUTERS)
The only thing that surprises me about China’s spike in inflation is that it took so long to show itself. Some economists had been worried for a while that a combination of rapid growth, giant stimulus, a mammoth credit expansion and the effect of high commodity prices …
Will the Tax Deal Kill Social Security?
Not as protected as it looks (Photo: Getty Images)
Last week, when the tax deal emerged, some commentators said we would be better off if the proposal contained a smaller income tax break (notably less for the upper class), and a larger cut in the payroll tax. That structure, some said, would produce 500,000 more jobs for the same …
Cheapskate Wisdom … About Whether Pricey Wine Tastes Better
“Individuals who are unaware of the price do not derive more enjoyment from more expensive wine.”
It’s a Deal: $100 Converse Gift Cards Selling for $75
Today only, you can buy a $100 Converse gift card for just $75. Shipping adds $4.50.
Thursday, December 16, Is National Regifting Day
Join in the festivities by digging up something underwhelming you received last year and unloading it on somebody else. You’re less likely to be pegged as a regifter if the item isn’t opened. But then again, if you never even took the thing out of the box, that’s a pretty clear sign of how much you didn’t like it.
What’s the Purpose of Taxes?
Many are wondering if it is time to construct a better system (Photo: Getty Images)
President Obama, the Republicans and even Congressional Democrats seem very close to ending their debate for now on what should be done with taxes for 2011 and in part 2012. But the tax deal and Obama’s debt commission are opening up a much bigger …