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In the News:
Fewer Miles, Accidents, Claims
Auto insurance companies may be one of the few in financial services to benefit from rising gasoline prices. Fewer fender benders are occurring as people drive less.
Auto Insurers Benefit as High Gas Prices Make People Drive Less - MarketWatch


World's Largest Owner of Shopping Malls on Hot Seat
A Senate report released last week alleges the owner's of Westfield malls; father (Frank Lowy) and son (Peter Lowy) used bank accounts in Liechtenstein to hide money from Uncle Sam as well as the Australian government. The Lowy family denies any wrongdoing and will have the chance to make its case in person this week, as Peter Lowy is scheduled to appear before a Senate investigations subcommittee today.
Westfield Unhurt by Lowy Tax Woes - BusinessWeek

In the News:
Investments That Pay You Every Month
Expect a steady flow of cash from these three portfolios.
Investments That Pay You Every Month - Kiplinger.com

Town Bankruptcy Bad Sign for Other Towns
The mortgage crisis, the limping economy and a recent bankruptcy filing by Vallejo - the first municipality to do so since Desert Hot Springs, Calif., in 2001 - have hobbled this town of 120,000. Vallejo's closely watched Chapter 9 bankruptcy filing in federal court in Sacramento may be a warning sign of dangers that could befall other cash-strapped municipalities.
Economy hobbles Calif. town - USATODAY.com

10 Funds Suffering the Biggest Exoduses
Which mutual funds are seeing the biggest outflows in 2008? They include some very well-known popular funds like Fidelity Low-Priced Stock, American Funds Investment Company of America and the Legg Mason Value funds.
The 10 Funds Suffering the Biggest Exoduses

In the News:
Ultra-Safe Places to Stash Your Cash
The bank safety scare of the past two weeks has sent depositors scrambling to check the rules for FDIC insurance of banking deposits, but many people are left wondering where else they can put their money so that they can sleep well at night.
Ultra-Safe Places to Stash Your Cash - TheStreet.com

FDIC: What You Need to Know
ow safe is your money if your bank fails? Suze Orman tells you what FDIC will – and won't – protect in the event your bank goes under.
Suze Orman: What You Need to Know About FDIC Insurance - CNBC.com
Also: Most Banks are Safe; So Is FDIC

In the News:
Which States Are Helping Homeowners Battling Foreclosure?
Frustrated by the slow pace of federal relief, states around the country are pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into their own programs to stem the rising tide of home foreclosures. See if your state is stepping up to the plate.
States battle mortgage foreclosure threat; see chart - USATODAY.com

15 Dividend Star Stocks
In a dicey stock market one smart strategy is to find high-yielding stocks with attractive capital appreciation prospects. Standard & Poor's Chief Investment Strategist Sam Stovall spotlights 15 winners.
Dividends: 15 Yield STARS - BusinessWeek

What to Do With Your Investments in Today's Iffy Market
When the financial world is panicking, you probably will, too. The best advice, though, is this: When you're nervous, don't actually do anything with your investments - and, most especially, don't throw all your money into whatever investment is soaring at the moment.
What should you do about investments? - USATODAY.com

Don't Put All Your Dollars in One Bank
Spread your money among several banks, and several FDIC-insured accounts, to stay protected.
Spread your money among several banks to stay fully protected - MarketWatch

Most Overvalued & Undervalued Tech Stocks
Foreign revenues and other factors that once offered safety are now threats, and investors are doubting the growth prospects of Internet giants. See if Amazon, Cisco, Dell, eBay, EMC, Google, HP, Microsoft, Intel, Yahoo are undervalued, fairly valued or overvalued.
What's Hurting Tech Stocks Overvalued or Undervalued? - BusinessWeek

Best Places to Live 2008
Topnotch schools, good jobs, affordable housing, low crime, an active outdoor culture help Plymouth, Minnesota to replace Middleton, Wisconsin on top of Money Magazine's annual list of the Best Places to Live in America. Other places in the top 10 include Ft. Collins, Colorado, Naperville, Illinois, Irvine, California, Franklin Township, NJ, Norman, Oklahoma, Round Rock, Texas, Columbia/Ellicott City, Maryland, Overland Park, Kansas and Fishers, Indiana.
Best places to live 2008 - from MONEY Magazine
Also: Texas is Home to Most Cities on Best Places List

How Growth Destroyed Brand Value at Starbucks
Founder and CEO Howard Schultz had a great concept, and it worked for a while. But too many new stores and diverse products changed the experience.
Starbucks: How Growth Destroyed Brand Value - BusinessWeek

How to Make the Most of Your Trip to a Warehouse Club (and Spend the Least)
Here are five ways to whip inflation when you shop at Costco or one of the other warehouse clubs. You won't save much money if you get sidetracked by the bling and the flat-screen TVs. Here is how to really shop at one of these clubs.
Five Ways to Whip Inflation When You Shop at a Warehouse Club - Kiplinger.com

Oil at $200 and a Two-Year Recession
The predictions of $200 oil have made it to the front page of The Wall S Journal. They have been hanging around in less prominent places, but now they gain some further legitimacy. The Journal predicts this would push gas prices to $6 a gallon. Oil at $200 would seize up the economy to the extent that virtually no industry would me immune. Fixing the problem could take a year, and, perhaps, much longer.
24/7 Wall St.: Oil At $200 And A Two-Year Recession

Sales Tax Holidays
The sales-tax holiday season is upon us. Here's where to shop to land the best deals.
Some States Extend Sales-Tax Holidays This Summer - SmartMoney

One Grandmother's Mortgage Nightmare
The nation's housing meltdown is disrupting lives and devastating families. One New York grandmother is trying to put the pieces back together.
Life after losing your home - CNNmoney

Profit From the Fantastic Four
Take a look at these 26 stocks, funds and exchange-traded funds that key in on the fast-growing BRIC nations -- Brazil, Russia, India and China.
Profit From the Fantastic Four - Kiplinger.com

Southwest's Seven Secrets for Success
By some estimates, the country's major carriers have consumed perhaps $100 billion in capital during the past decade, but Southwest Airlines continues to be profitable. It's been in the black for 33 consecutive years and, last week, for the 127th consecutive quarter. While its competitors are shrinking, Southwest will add a handful of flights this fall. What does Southwest know that no one else in airlines does? It keeps things simple and consistent, which drives costs down, maximizes productive assets, and helps manage customer expectations.
Why Southwest Succeeds - Portfolio.com

More Doldrums Ahead for Stocks
The first six months of 2008 ended with U.S. stock markets in the dumps. Now, with the major indexes in or near bear market territory after touching highs in October, hopes for a happier second half are fading fast thanks to rising unemployment and inflation.
Stocks: More Doldrums Ahead

Retirement Strategies for Tough Times
Nest egg looking a little fragile? Chances are you need to rethink your old investment tactics -- and consider a few new approaches.
BusinessWeek's Annual Special Retirement Guide
Plus: Your Post-Subprime Portfolio

Brand-Name Stocks Uner $10: Buyer Beware
These well-known names in the bargain bin may look appealing, but experts advise laying off until their earnings picture is clear. Among the stocks to be weary of are Sprint Nextel, Motorola, Ford Motor, Qwest, Washington Mutual, Northwest Airlines, Del Monte, Rite Aid, Chico's, Crocs, United Airlines, Palm, Sealy, Blockbuster, Circuit City and Orbitz.
Brand-Name Stocks Under $10: Buyer Beware

How to Play the Market in the Second Half of 2008
Market pro Todd Harrison discusses the top 10 themes for the rest of the year.
Where we are and where we're going: 10 market themes - MarketWatch

Finding Safety in a Bear Market
Here are five ways to protect your portfolio.
Keeping Your Balance in a Scary Market - Kiplinger.com

Bonds: Smarter Plays for Darker Days
Thinking of Treasuries or other fixed-income plays as the stock market sinks? Here's what to look for.
Bonds: Smarter Plays for Darker Days - BusinessWeek


Who's Minting the Most Millionaires? Not the U.S.A.
A new survey finds when it comes to minting the wealthy, India and China now outpace the U.S. which isn't even in the top 10 anymore. Other countries also outpacing America include Brazil, Korea, Indonesia, Slovakia, Singapore, UAE, Czech Republic and Russia.
A Millionaire Boom In The East - Forbes.com

Get Ready for Cuts in Government Services
State and local governments were flush with tax revenue during the five-year housing boom. They pulled from bulging pools of property, income, and sales tax to expand education, law enforcement, health care, and infrastructure programs without needing to burden residents and corporations with tax hikes. Those days are over. As the economy stalls, state and local governments will see less tax revenue roll in and you will likely see for cuts in services. Among the states with the worst shortfalls are Arizona, Florida, Rhode Island, Nevada and Georgia.
The Next Victim of the Real Estate Crisis- BusinessWeek
Also: States With Worst Tax Shortfalls


Where Bad Credit Hurts the Most
Most people understand that low credit scores will translate into higher mortgage and credit card interest rates. But few realize there are plenty of other insidious ways that low scores can add to a person's costs. Bad credit can also negatively effect your job, utilities, cell phone, elective medical procedures and your marriage.
Bad credit hurts in many ways - Bankrate.com