rebecca's pocket

US Savings Lowest Since Depression

For the first time since the Great Depression, the US savings rate is in negative numbers. "A lot of us are approaching retirement and a lot of us are approaching it with much too little saved up. They're either going to depend on Social Security, which is hardly a good bet given the state of the federal government's finances, or they're going to be taking early retirement at the age of 75." David Wyss, an economist with Standard and Poor's.

I found the 3 questions the Kinder Institute of Life Planning ask their clients to be interesting:

• If money was no longer an obstacle, what would they do with their life?
• If a doctor informs them that they have a terminal illness and have only five to 10 years left to live, what would they do within that time?
• If the doctor then informs them, they only have 24 hours left to live, what would they regret? What did they miss in life?

 / (0) Comments  / [ 03/09/06 ]

Money-Saving Secrets

Money-Saving Secrets [slithy popup!]. It's from Real Simple, which always seems like it's just another magazine designed to get you to buy more things, but maybe with cleaner lines — but this list has some decent suggestions. Any additions? What are your favorite "plugs"? (via jc) / (2) Comments  / [ 02/14/06 ]

Money Makeover

Ramit is taking you step by step to get your financial house in order for the New Year. This week: Get Your Accounts in Order.  [ 01/13/06 ]

Credit cards

Consumer Reports: Credit cards: They really are out to get you. Links to the rest of the report are in the top right-hand corner of the story. "In 2003 [penalty fees], along with fees for cash advances, exceeded the after-tax profits of the entire credit-card industry just two years earlier. Card issuers have been experiencing record profits since 2000 and saw them top $30 billion in 2004."  [ 01/11/06 ]