Via Calculated Risk, Doug Short has a series of charts comparing the movements of various bear markets. The one below compares the Dow starting in 1929 (Great Depression), the S&P 500 in 1973 (Oil Crisis), S&P in 2000 (Tech Crash), and the current … [Read the rest]
Chart Comparing Historical Bear Market Periods
Posted on February 18, 2009 // 9 Comments
Last updated: December 29, 2014
Measuring Prosperity: What Is Social Capital?
Posted on February 16, 2009 // 20 Comments
There are many forms of capital. Besides the usual definition of business capital (money), there is physical capital (a car, house, or other useful tool), human capital (your skills and education), and also social capital. According to Wikipedia, … [Read the rest]
Last updated: February 16, 2009
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Highlights
Posted on February 13, 2009 // 43 Comments
The House and Senate have reached an agreement on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, better known everywhere as "that huge stimulus bill". I couldn't stop myself from taking a peek. Here are some details that directly affect most … [Read the rest]
Last updated: February 14, 2009
Reader Questions: Lending Club Peer-to-Peer Lending Q&A
Posted on February 12, 2009 // 20 Comments
Back in December, I wrote a detailed review of the "new" LendingClub, a site which lets individuals lend money directly to other individuals and earn 7-20% interest (depending on credit scores). Many of you sent additional questions about … [Read the rest]
Last updated: August 2, 2017
Rejected For A Bank Account? Get Your Free Annual ChexSystems Report
Posted on February 11, 2009 // 12 Comments
Last week, I heard a co-worker complain about being denied when trying to open a new checking account. I told her to check her ChexSystems report. ChexSystems is a consumer information database that contains information about your banking history, … [Read the rest]
Last updated: February 9, 2017
Escape Card from Discover Review: 25,000 Mile Bonus + Free Primary Rental Car Insurance
Posted on February 10, 2009 // 4 Comments
The new Escape by Discover® Card is a new travel rewards credit card with some profit potential. Here's my review and analysis: 25,000 Miles Sign-Up Bonus ($250 credit towards Travel) You get 1,000 Miles for each month that you make any purchase … [Read the rest]
Last updated: May 1, 2014
Links: Bear Market Lessons, Free School, Minimalist Kitchen, Job Ideas
Posted on February 10, 2009 // 4 Comments
Here are some more assorted links from my recent online wanderings... Lessons We Should Have Learned before the Bear Market Arrived This is a presentation by Jack Bogle, founder of The Vanguard Group, back in April 2001 after the last big stock … [Read the rest]
Last updated: September 27, 2015
401(k) Failures: Over Last 20 Years, The Average Investor Did Worse Than Cash
Posted on February 9, 2009 // 35 Comments
These days, not too many people are singing the praises of their 401(k) plans. They have been called failures, with many having hidden fees and poor investment choices. But I was reading a Scott Burns article that had an different take on things: … [Read the rest]
Last updated: September 27, 2015
Bank of America Overdraft Fee Class Action Settlement
Posted on February 8, 2009 // 342 Comments
Time for another class-action lawsuit. This time, Bank of America and its affiliated banks are putting up $35 million to settle accusations of doing various naughty things to boost their revenues in the form of overdraft fees (AKA insufficient funds … [Read the rest]
Last updated: February 25, 2015
Save Money By Sitting Closer To The TV?
Posted on February 8, 2009 // 22 Comments
Sorry for the lack of posting, I am actually at a conference in Park City, Utah this week. Add in that fact that my computer is now giving me the blue-screen-of-death, and I've been somewhat disabled. Looks like it's time for a fresh Windows … [Read the rest]
Last updated: July 29, 2014
Free Tax Filing Software Options: IRS, TurboTax, TaxCut, TaxACT
Posted on February 5, 2009 // 42 Comments
Due to a combination of owning a corporation, moving mid-year, and all the residency and payroll rules attached to assigning incomes between states, we are hiring a CPA this year. This MSN Money article says that 62% of Americans pay a professional … [Read the rest]
Last updated: August 9, 2018
Best Free Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware Software
Posted on February 4, 2009 // 70 Comments
I wasted last night trying to deal with a pretty nasty virus/spyware/malware/trojan or whatever they are calling it these days on my computer. I watched it shut down my computer right in front of my eyes without any input from me. Upon restart, I … [Read the rest]
Last updated: December 29, 2014
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