The Securities & Exchange Commission said Thursday that it has reached a settlement with Goldman Sachs on the civil charges, filed in April, that the Wall Street firm had defrauded investors. The settlement, first reported by Edward Wyatt of the New York Times, was confirmed by the SEC in a late afternoon press conference. According …
The Latest Disturbing Foreclosure Statistics
Bank repossessions increased in the second quarter by 38%, compared to the same period last year. And by the end of 2010, it is likely that one million Americans will lose their homes.
Entrepreneurial Teenagers, Then and Now
Facing an awful economy in which jobs are scarce (especially for teenagers), one 17-year-old high school student from Miami started a business, handed out hundreds of fliers, and offered his services doing all sorts of chores—mowing lawns, yanking weeds, moving furniture, mulching, and so on. He now has two dozen clients, and largely …
George Loewenstein gets real about behavioral economics
Economic theory often informs public policy. So it’s no surprise that, in recent years, as pockets of economists have taken a cue from psychology and started to form models that assume human beings are not always rational, money-driven decision-makers, policymakers would notice. Last year Mike Grunwald wrote a lengthy story on the …
It’s a Deal: Buy Two Video Games, Get Third Free at GameStop
Use the discount code B2G1FREE and you’ll get a third used video game for free when you buy two used games at Gamestop. The promotion is also valid for in-store purchases—just ask a store clerk for details, no codes or coupons required. The offer is valid through July 17.
Bank Fee Watch: $9 a Month for a Paper Statement!
Some Bank of America customers in Georgia must decide just how badly they enjoy getting monthly account statements in the mail—because the fee for this basic service has gone from $0 to $8.95 a month.
How Fat Is the Markup on Designer Sunglasses?
An Italian manufacturer called Luxottica, which makes shades for Dolce &Gabbana, Oakley, Ray-Ban, Prada, Chanel, Donna Karan, REVO, and Versace—yes, these are other pricey brands are all made by the same company—says it earns a hefty gross profit of 64¢ on each $1 in sales. And here’s another fact you’ve probably suspected but never …
Does China need a second stimulus?
Yes, it sounds like a ridiculous question. Especially since we found out on Thursday that GDP grew 10.3% in the second quarter of 2010 from a year earlier. That’s a significant deceleration from 11.9% in the first quarter, but hardly worthy of concern. The government, in fact, has been trying to slow the economy down, mainly by …
Get a $250 Debit Card from Suzuki
How? By purchasing a car not made by Suzuki. Seriously.
Cheapskate Wisdom … About Why You Don’t Have to Do Business with a Big, Fee-Crazy Bank
“10 years ago, there weren’t many other choices for banks. Like a short, fat guy with no social skills, you took what you could get. But now, things have changed, and our short fat guy has turned into a prince with lots of options.”
The uncertainty excuse needs to come to an end
Health care reform passed. Now it looks like financial re-regulation will, too. For a long time, businesses have been complaining that they can’t hire and they can’t invest because of all the uncertainty the Obama Administration has injected into the system. Who can make plans when no one knows what the American health care system will …
It’s a Deal: 25% Off Single Item at Sports Authority
Use the coupon code SAFF25 if shopping online at SportsAuthority.com, or print out this coupon courtesy of Buxr, and you’ll receive 25% off the purchase of one single item. Valid for purchases made July 15 to July 19.