Deika Morrison: Financial Security Tips + Tools

Money Mangement For The Family

noreply@blogger.com (Deika Morrison) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 22:18:00 +0000

FYI: I just came across this gem from Kiplinger: Financial Literacy for the Whole Family. Short, but to the point with some great links! A worthwhile read!

And, let me apologize for the "blog vacation" I've been on. :)

Fact is that I've been writing a number of pieces for Jamaica National on many of these topics. So, when those become available online, I will definitely let you all know. If you live in Jamaica, and read the Jamaica Gleaner, look for the JN Money Advisor Advert in today's paper. I write the content for that every Wednesday so far, and today's topic is "Counting the Cost of Pay Day Loans". Sorry it's not available on the Gleaner's online site but it wouldn't be since it's an ad

More Great Saving Advice From The WSJ

noreply@blogger.com (Deika Morrison) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 03:22:00 +0000

Image by emdot via Flickr

The Wall Street Journal has a great piece: Saving Matters More Than Ever

Much of it reinforces what I have told you before - prioritize, know where your money is going, build an emergency fund, pay yourself first etc. It's a short and worthwhile read. Here are some select quotes:

"Becoming a better saver is more than just cutting out the morning latte. It's changing your entire relationship to money.

Some 12.5 million Americans were unemployed at the end of February, including 2.9 million who've been jobless for six months or more. From the market's October 2007 peak through January, U.S. shareholders lost almost 85% of the capital gains they'd amassed in stock mutual funds since 1990. And while stocks rallied in March, we're not out of the woods yet.

It's time to get a grip on your money."

And

"Think big-ticket. Here's how to save hundreds of dollars a month: Set a higher deductible for home, automobile and health insurance. Refinance your mortgage. If you get a pay raise, use the windfall to trim debt and boost your bank account. Once you've set priorities, that $4 latte might be worth it after all."

And

"Eliminating a 14% credit-card interest payment is like getting a 14% risk-free investment return, and lifts a heavy emotional weight as well."

And

"When times get challenging, people get more creative," says Nathan Dungan, founder of Share Save Spend, an educational program that encourages healthy financial habits. "Be more attentive not only to how much you're saving, but where."

The Internet is a great resource. Take advantage of online retailers' discounts posted on shopping Web sites such as CouponCabin.com, DailyDeals.com, RetailMeNot.com and CoolSavings.com. Visit price-comparison sites including Bizrate.com, Shopzilla.com, PriceGrabber.com, BillShrink.com and Google.com's "Product Search" function to find bargains."

Have You Seen My Pieces In The Jamaica Gleaner?

noreply@blogger.com (Deika Morrison) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 01:41:00 +0000

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Some of you may know, I have been writing for the company I work for - Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS). Every Wednesday, these pieces have appeared as advertisements in the Jamaica Gleaner (so you won't find them online, you have to look in the actual paper).

Today was the third - so if you have a paper handy look for the JN Money Advisor: "Harnessing The Power of Budgeting" written by your truly (although my name isn't there).

JNBS has now posted the first one in its E-Newsletter. Subscribe! :)

Here's the piece I wrote - Saving: A Basic Guide. I'll post them as they become electronically available from JNBS. Feedback welcome!

De-Stress! Your Financial Security May Depend On It.

noreply@blogger.com (Deika Morrison) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:13:00 +0000

Image by DeathByBokeh via Flickr

Although we are not in a free fall like we were in September last year, the news is not always good. And frankly, many of us feel stressed.

One of my favorite quotes is: "Stress, in addition to being itself and the result of itself, is also the cause of itself." -Hans Selye

Isn't that true?

Isn't it also true that stress prevents us from moving forward, moving on, letting go, being creative, thinking out of the box, and finding solutions? Well, if there was ever a time to think clearly and creatively, it is now

Kiplinger.com has a great short slideshow: What You Need To Know About Financial Stress

It's well worth your while to have a look - to try to look at things more positively, and practical measures to reduce financial stress and other stress than the financial stress causes. Try them! They certainly will help you with your financial security.

Some Companies Are Adding Benefits...No Joke

noreply@blogger.com (Deika Morrison) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:42:00 +0000

Image by Inkyhack via Flickr

Ok, I know many of you have responsibility for staff and looking for ways to cut costs. Well, maybe you might want to think about how you make those changes. The Wall Street Journal today had a really interesting article about the need to value employees and combat sinking employee morale.

Perking Up: Some Companies Offer Surpising New Benefits

These companies have stepped up and done something out of the box. I bet you those that make the effort for the employees will be the ones that will be a part of the economic recovery, and not a casualty of the economic crisis. Think strategically! One benefit not listed here has been free financial advice. That would be a great one to help everyone through this period.

And if you don't have staff, but you are worried about your own job security, maybe you can drop this anonymously in the employee suggestion box if you have one.

WATCH: More Money For YOU By Cutting Spending

noreply@blogger.com (Deika Morrison) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:39:00 +0000

Image by jtyerse via Flickr

Kiplinger.com has a great video with some quick tips to cut spending. Some categories?

Food - Restaurants and Shopping
Mortgage and Insurance
Energy
Transportation - Purchase, Insurance, Gas
Clothing - Shopping, Reducing Impulse Buys, Credit card management etc
Entertainment
Vacation - Airfare etc.
Utility and Technology Bills - Cable, Cell Phone etc., Conservation tips
Pay Down Debt - Tax Exemptions,
Life Insurance
Cash Back Credit Cards
Buying and Selling online, Shopping online, internet comparison shopping

It's just under 9 minutes. Totally worth it.

WATCH: Sesame Street Explains The Madoff Scandal

noreply@blogger.com (Deika Morrison) — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 22:06:00 +0000

Image by nickstone333 via Flickr

Self Explanatory. Only Sesame Street!

FREE Download From Oprah.com

noreply@blogger.com (Deika Morrison) — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 01:09:00 +0000

Image by klabusta via Flickr

OFFER EXPIRES 10:59am EST March 14, 2009 (That's Saturday morning).

The offer is from Oprah.com and it is a FREE download of Jean Chatzky's new financial book: The Difference - How Anyone Can Prosper Even In The Toughest Times. Click here for the download

Now, I have not read it. The download offer started today and the book is not small. BUT, here's what Wikipedia had to say about the author.

According to Wikipedia, Jean Chatzky is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (my alma mater) :)

She is "an American financial journalist, author and motivational speaker. Serves as AOL's official Money Coach. Chatzky has given personal financial advice on various TV shows. She is the financial editor for NBC's Today Show"

"Chatzky is also the financial editor for NBC’s Today Show, a contributing editor for More Magazine, a columnist for the New York Daily News, a contributor to The Oprah Winfrey Show and a featured money coach on Oprah's "Debt Diet" series. She also hosts a daily show on the Oprah & Friends channel, exclusively on XM Radio."

"In addition to her professional work, Chatzky is on the March of Dimes advisory council, on the Board of Directions of the Briarcliff Manor Education Foundation, supports various women's services groups and is on the board of the Nora Magid Mentorship prize at the University of Pennsylvania, which helps journalism students get a head-start in the field. She is also on the Communications Committee for the University of Pennsylvania."

It's a Free Book on a great topic - check it out!

Call Your Credit Card Companies

noreply@blogger.com (Deika Morrison) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:22:00 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

If you are not aware of this you need to be.

Since the global financial markets went into a tailspin last September, credit card companies have taken it upon themselves to cancel your credit cards without discussion or warning.

So, if you have a zero balance, and think you are being so responsible by doing that - and you are - some credit card companies have just decided to cancel those cards.

Why? Well, they have a host of reasons. But whatever they may be, what I want to know is that since for the most part, people work very hard to maintain a good credit record, and work very hard to have access to affordable credit, then 1) why are these companies not required to discuss this matter of cancellation with you and 2) why is there not a process for appeal or review?

Today's Wall Street Journal did a nice short piece on this: Credit Card Issuers: Buy Something Or Else! I submit it is well worth your time to read these few paragraphs.

Now, if you are not concerned, you should be.

Credit cards serve some very useful functions. For example:

They provide access to funds when you have none - albeit at a price. Hence, you should always have one for emergencies
For many services like a rental car or a hotel room, you must provide a credit card to secure the room and also in the event of incidentals.
Credit cards allow remote purchases via the phone and internet.

So, they are very useful. I just insist that prudent money management necessitates that credit card use must be moderated and managed.

Let's talk a bit about your credit rating. A good credit rating gives you access to credit, and access to lower rates. Did you know that when your credit cards are canceled, your credit rating could be negatively affected? Your credit score is determined by your debt relative to credit available. So when a card is canceled, your available credit falls.

Oh, and by the way, if you are depending on your rewards from any card - zero balances or not - you need to rethink that. Check out CNBC's article today: Credit Card Firms Slash Rewards To Cushion Losses

My two cents? Go call your credit card companies. Decide which cards you want to keep. And then if you must make small purchases regularly to keep those cards that you have zero balances on, you may want to consider doing so to keep your credit lines open. But make sure you don't sacrifice your debt management for it. And as for the 'by the way" with the rewards, I'd use 'em before I lose 'em.

Trying To Prevent Another Global Mess....

noreply@blogger.com (Deika Morrison) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 03:01:00 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

When I posted the video about how we got into this global mess, I received a lot of feedback. Some people asked what do we do now - how do we get out and prevent this from happening again?

Well, yesterday, on my other blog (apologies if you read both), I outlined 7 things I would do if it were up to me to fix this mess and try to protect us all from going through this again. It has now dawned on me that some of you might find that post interesting:

1) Because it explains some of what has gone radically wrong

2) Just because I was asked for some solutions.

Here's the post: My Wish List - The New Global Financial Architecture

AND.......

Ben Bernanke gave a fabulous speech today about a proposed way forward (please watch the Q & A of the video if you have been confused). So here's my post on that too: President Obama, Congress, G20 - Are You ALL Listening?

Spend! Really, It's Ok If......

noreply@blogger.com (Deika Morrison) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 02:46:00 +0000

Image by Darren Hester via Flickr

Now I am the first one to tell you to save, save, save. But, I do believe in balance. And I do believe that there are some places that you should not necessarily cut. And yes, there are some places where it is actually prudent to spend. Or just occasionally, you just need to allow yourself a little spending to feel, well normal :)

So to be fair, I've now found a reasonable short article to advise you when to spend. Marketwatch.com (a WSJ subsidiary): When it pays to pay: During tough times don't cut back on everything.

A worthwhile read.

Money Saving Tips By Google - A Genius Approach

noreply@blogger.com (Deika Morrison) — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 18:01:00 +0000

Image by Ann Althouse via Flickr

Google is really brilliant.

Know what they have done now? They have a site called the Tip Jar: Take a Tip, Share a Tip.

This site is to access and share very quick tips to save money. Here's what is so great about it:

First, it is full of tips in several categories. See below categories and links:

Misc

Second, it is an interactive community of saving. You can vote yes or no on a tip. You are asked to provide tips to share. And you can share tips easily because each tip has its own URL

Third, it always has fresh content. People are providing more tips. People are voting on tips letting you know which are the best or most useful.

So, have a look. Bookmark the site!

Specials on Starbucks, Wrigley, Orbit, Altoids etc.

noreply@blogger.com (Deika Morrison) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 03:22:00 +0000

Image by faeryboots via Flickr

It is now March and once again, Amazon.com has some general and specific specials for you in Grocery

General Specials (click here)

Specific Specials:

Annie’s Homegrown Mac & Cheese – Save up to 30% on eligible Annie’s products; 45% with Subscribe and Save

Starbucks Coffee - Save $10 when you purchase two eligible Starbucks products

Altoids, Wrigley, and Orbit - Save $15 when you spend $39 on eligible products

Pet Food and Snacks – Save up to 50% on eligible pet food and snack products

Don't forget to check for free shipping!

How To Save Money - VIDEO

noreply@blogger.com (Deika Morrison) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 00:56:00 +0000

OK, I ran a poll and it seems you want to hear more about saving.

So, since I am always looking for innovative ways to share information, I came across this video on wikiHow.

I thought this guy was good, and funny. :)

Hope you enjoy it! Let me know:

How to Save Money

Morningstar's List To Cut Expenses

noreply@blogger.com (Deika Morrison) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 23:06:00 +0000

Image by .p a n e. via Flickr

Investors out there, I know you are familiar with this company - Morningstar - and the work they do as a leading provider of quality investment research.

Well, I came across this great article today from Morningstar.com: 101 Ways to Cut Expenses: Follow These Personal Spending Tips And Watch The Savings Pile Up

And check out the second line of the article: " But before investors can tackle where to put the money, they need to tackle where to find the money. "

Well said. Since I know many of you are tacking this "where to find the money" issue, I thought I would share this piece. This is a great reference. Have a look. I know, not all of them are feasible. I know not all of them are possible. And, yes, I know, not all of them we are even willing to do.

But it's 101 tips!

Out of that you must be able to find even one! And remember, doing even one is a step in the right direction.

And a tip from me? Look at the image in this post. See the Post It Notes on the computer screen? When you pick the expense cutting tips you can do of the 101 listed, there's a nice way to remember to do them - use Post It notes to remind you! :)

BIG SAVINGS! We Did It! IT WORKS!

noreply@blogger.com (Deika Morrison) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 22:02:00 +0000

Image by armisteadbooker via Flickr

Ok! I can barely contain my excitement here.

Do you remember this post: Reducing Bills! Electricity Bills! Phone Bills! Water Bills!

Do you remember me telling you that YOU have control over consumption? Do you remember the tips? And do you remember me appointing myself electricity police?

Well, let me update you.

After one month of being the Electricity Police, I am delighted to announce that our electricity bill came this weekend with a 26.83% reduction in consumption on a kWh basis. Now, that is incredible. We used 26.83% less electricity this month than we did last month. That is not a typo - almost twenty seven percent!

Did we also get a dollar figure decrease? Well, as it turns out, we did!! We got a 20.49% decrease in the dollar amount of the bill. Not a typo - almost twenty one percent! I'm not kidding.

Want to know what that means. Dollar for dollar, we saved more in a month that we can get in ONE WHOLE YEAR in after tax interest on any savings account or reputable investment that I am aware of. And because we've saved that money, it's sitting in the bank earning interest, or available for investment to earn a return. How do you like them apples?

And, do you all know what electricity costs in Jamaica? Well, a 20.49% reduction in the light bill is a nice amount of money. And even if they dropped the rates, we had a 26.83% reduction in consumption - we did that, not the electricity utility company - so we were well on our way to some kind of savings.

If you want to see these savings for yourself, here's what you should do:

Call a family meeting and let all members of the family know this is a family project, and each person has to do his or her part

Find out all the big uses of electricity. Other than putting in energy savers wherever we could, we were vigilant with what was already there. We were vigilant in putting the heater on a daily schedule so it didn't stay on all day. We organized the use of the stove, washing machine, the microwave and the iron. There are ways to use all of those, accomplish what you need to without wasting electricity. We kept Air Conditioning use to a minimum, plugged out appliances (and cell phone chargers) when they were not in use, and turned off lights and fans when rooms were empty.

Appoint an Electricity Police or volunteer yourself. This really works better if someone is willing to do what people forget to do, and/or embarrass and fine those who do not do what they should :)

In no way was anyone inconvenienced. And after seeing this reduction, we are more motivated than ever to keep at it!

In Plain English: What YOU Get From The Stimulus

noreply@blogger.com (Deika Morrison) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 02:21:00 +0000

Image by Steve Wampler via Flickr

Kiplinger.com has done a great piece:

What The Stimulus Means For You (the article)

What The Stimulus Means For You (the slideshow)

If you want to sift through all the chatter, and all the pros and cons - and especially all the political grandstanding - here is the plain English SHORT version of what is in this for YOU.

Each benefit is described in no more than a paragraph each. Want to hear the first line describing each benefit (their words):

A bigger paycheck

A bonus for retirees

Relief from the AMT

A tax break on new wheels

A break on college tuition

Lifeboats for the laid-off

It's worth reading, and watching. And it's definitely worth sharing! :)

Increase Your Earning Potential. And Have Fun Doing It!

noreply@blogger.com (Deika Morrison) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 01:07:00 +0000

Image by mikebaird via Flickr

Tonight, I'm doing something different. I'm talking about increasing your earning potential And I'm telling you two personal stories to get the message across.

Take it from me. Do yourself a huge favor and sign up for a class. I heard that collective "Aargh!" :) No, you don't have to go back to school and read tons of books (although that's one of my favorite activities). What I am recommending is taking one of your personal favorite activities - could be a hobby or an interest - and getting some structured skill development in that area.

Let me tell you what I have done. I've decided to get serious about my hobbies. I've decided to do my own research, practice what I learn, and seek technical training in formal settings. A class is a great way to make new friends with like minded people with similar interests, and also learn a lot of information in an effective way. I'm investing in myself and having a ball doing so by turning a hobby into an potential source of income. Try it. It doesn't have to take up all your time, or replace your main source of income, but in these days of uncertainty, diversifying your skill set is a wise move. Invest in yourself, it's worth it.

Which hobbies did I get serious about?

Well, first, I decided to get serious about photography. What does this have to do with earning potential? Everything.

As it turns out, there are tons of opportunities, especially now with the World Wide Web, to earn a bit of extra income from photography. With a bit of research you can match your interest with a willing market of buyers. Don't believe me? Well, there's stock photos, there's submissions to local newspapers, there's also work as art etc. I went to a great exhibition last Sunday - Just Photographs - and WOW what amazing work by professionals. And some nice prices for the work too. I'm taking a class now and loving every second of it. I have learned so much from my classmates and my instructor. And I have met people who I share a common interest with. It's been awesome!

Second, I decided to get serious about blogging. What does this have to do with earning potential? Everything.

I've been blogging since late last year. I've moved from one blog to two blogs. I blog everyday now. I do tons of research on how to blog, best practices, and how to increase earning potential from blogging. It started as an vehicle of expression - I'm pretty opinionated if you couldn't tell :) But then I started these personal finance experiments to help others in this economic downturn. I knew my readers are looking for ways to earn more money. So when I learned that people make money from blogging, I've tried some of the monetization techniques to see if they work so I can tell my readers how to do it. It's just some ads, really. But there's a whole skill to doing just that effectively. If I get it right, I'll be sure to share.

Blogging - with or without monetization - is actually a real skill and a very hot trend. I can use blogging in my full time job, or call upon that skill one day if I wish to to earn some additional income. So, taking my own advice, I took a one day seminar today and learned a ton! Not only am I investing in myself, I'm doing something fun, I am making new friends who have similar interests. If you like writing and knowledge sharing, and you are comfortable with the Internet, social media and cyberspace, you might want to try this.

But hey, those are just my examples of how I am taking my hobbies and turning them into the potential to be much more.

What do you like to do? Teach? Write? Name it.

Who knows, not only will you be happier if you do more of those things that you like to do, they may just help to pay the bills! :)

Download Tax Software

noreply@blogger.com (Deika Morrison) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 03:45:00 +0000

Image via CrunchBase

FYI:

If you need some help with your taxes, now Amazon is offering Tax Software Downloads.

Need Some Help With Saving?

noreply@blogger.com (Deika Morrison) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 22:16:00 +0000

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

So often people tell me that they really understand the importance of saving, feel the need to save, want to save, but just cannot see where the money will come from. They look at their budgets and see fixed and/or rising expenses. And they see fixed and/or decreasing income.

Well, sometimes, it takes a second pair of eyes to see where the savings can come from.

If you are one of those people I described above, and if you feel comfortable in seeking help, talk to a friend or a professional who is not as personally committed to your expense categories as you may be. He or she may be able show you your expenses in another light. Or, you can read this great piece from from Kiplinger.com: Save $50 a day (and feel no pain).

First of all, the article has tons of suggestions to save more than $50.

Second, the article has sub-sections to "pay less " for banking and loans, health and insurance costs, utilities, food, transportation, investing costs, leisure, high tech and high fashion.

Third, the article provides a link to actual stories of "super savers".

Now, you don't have to do all of these suggestions. Many of them may not work for you. But there are so many suggestions, it's likely that even one will work for you and adopting even one would be a start. And remember, everything you do not spend but save instead represents an opportunity to earn interest on that saving. :)

Words Of Wisdom

noreply@blogger.com (Deika Morrison) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 22:51:00 +0000

Image by Bohman via Flickr

I came across this gem today: 7 Keys to Financial Security from The Wisdom Journal.

It's a short piece that explains these 7 keys (their titles)

1. Live on less than you earn

2. Invest in your own stock

3. Insure yourself and your loved ones

4. Pay yourself first

5. Avoid borrowing money

6. Invest in boring things

7. Diversify, diversify, diversify

A worthwhile read!

A Clarification Worth Noting

noreply@blogger.com (Deika Morrison) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 01:40:00 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

Ok, something came to my attention today and I think it merits a blog post. If you already know this, I apologize for boring you.

Deposit-taking institutions are where you SAVE

Technically, you INVEST with licensed securities dealers or in a business. Although the term "invest" is used with "alternative investments" and Ponzi schemes, they are completely different from licensed and regulated forms of investments.

Deposit-taking institutions and licensed securities dealers are not the same. If you are unclear about what category a certain entity is, ask them or ask someone you trust

Deposit-taking institutions have JDIC or FDIC insured deposits. What does that mean? That means that the institutions have paid a premium to the Government to insure your deposits. Deposit Insurance was introduced as a safety net measure - should the institution that has your deposits get into difficulties, the Government will ensure that you get back your deposit up to a certain limit. The FDIC has a limit of US$100,000 per depositor which was temporarily increased until December 31, 2009 to US$250,000 per depositor. The JDIC has a limit of J$600,000.

Investments are risky and have no safety net. Some investments are riskier than others. Higher interest rates generally reflect higher risk premiums. Interest rates are determined by the base rate (determined by the Central Bank) plus a spread. If you notice, deposit-taking institutions have lower rates than all other "investment" entities - licensed or otherwise.

Licensed securities dealers are licensed and regulated by the Government. That is why they are specifically called "licensed securities dealers"

Licensed securities dealers do not offer insurance on your investments. Deposit insurance is for deposits in deposit-taking institutions. There are reasons why these terms are used.

Investments in Government paper - any Government - are not equivalent to deposit insurance. Whether you make those investments through a money market fund, or buy Government paper directly, the fact is that investments operate differently from insurance. I have heard that people are of the view that since the Government has never defaulted - like Jamaica and the US - then that is the same as insurance. And therefore, the argument is that investments in Government paper is the same as saving. That is not true. Some could argue that Government paper is "as safe as saving", but it is technically not saving. Investments are not insured; savings are insured up to a limit. Deposit insurance exists for a certain purpose, and that purpose is specifically to provide a safety net for savings.

Therefore, I urge you to think about your asset allocations. Save FIRST. Maximize the insured portion, even if you are not getting the high interest rates some other institutions are offering. Make sure you distinguish between deposit-taking and licensed securities dealers. When you have sufficient savings (insured), then think about how much you wish to invest, and what your risk/reward tolerance is.

Food For Thought

noreply@blogger.com (Deika Morrison) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 19:36:00 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

A few weeks ago, the Jamaica Gleaner ran an excellent piece in Money Management: You are financially unprepared if....

I have found that some people have great intentions with regard to money management, but have not fully grasped the context of how the various pieces fit together. For example:

So maybe they go looking for great deals, but charge purchases on credit cards and pay only the minimum until it is paid off. That defeats the purpose of money management.

Others, have a difficult time prioritizing and saving a nest egg, because they see the "now" and not the "what if". That also defeats the purpose of money management

In this piece above stated, the author gives a great job of spelling out where people typically make the big mistakes, and her opinion of what you should do. I would not necessarily advocate every single one of her solutions concurrently, because it really depends on your personal circumstances. However, the basic arguments she makes are very sound.

A worthwhile read!

Brilliant Visual: How We Got Into This Global Mess

noreply@blogger.com (Deika Morrison) — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 11:59:00 +0000

If you have been confused by the Credit Crisis, what it means, what is has to do with the average person, what CDOs are, what leverage did etc. then this is the answer for you.

Watch this video in two parts:

The Crisis of Credit Visualized: Part 1

The Crisis of Credit Visualized: Part 2

Save More: 20 Quick Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Deika Morrison) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 02:04:00 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

This is a dated article, but a gem.

Kiplinger: 20 Small Ways to Save Big

Very practical ideas and you don't have to even do all of them. Even one would be a start.

Plus the articles has tons of links you may find interesting.