Where’s the bailout for Main Street?
There's no question that Wall Street needs help -- and it's getting it. But for the folks who are hurting most, this is no way to fight a recession.
Archive for March, 2008
6 smart 401(k) moves for rough times
Novices usually do a few dumb things when the market tanks, but you don't have to if you know the alternatives.
What if we spent every penny?
Economists imagine a $100 billion tax-stimulus spending spree -- and say it could be enough to stop the recession in its tracks.
March ends in a draw as rally fades
Financial stocks move higher as investors realize changes in U.S. financial regulation are years away. Merck and Schering-Plough are crushed as a new study slams Vytorin, their anticholesterol drug. Stocks break even in March; the first quarter is a bummer.
Winners, losers in Paulson’s shake-up
The Treasury secretary's proposal to revamp the nation's financial regulation would expand the Fed's influence but would likely foretell the SEC's demise.
100 best places to live and launch
We canvassed the country to find towns with the best mix of business advantages and lifestyle appeal. Check out our 100 top picks and find the perfect place to build your dream.
Stay calm during the market storm
The collapse of Bear Stearns should not surprise anyone. When things go sour for an investment bank, the damage will be ugly, as we've now seen. I'm adjusting my portfolio to reduce my risks.
It’s time to rein in the Fed
In yet another example of the central bank's failed bailout-after-bailout strategy, it's now on the hook for Bear Stearns' losses. We need to clarify the Fed governors' mandate -- or even send them packing.
A survival guide for the unemployed
Just lost your job? These 13 tips will help you find ways to cope, from keeping up your spirits to prioritizing your spending.
Where not to look for market clues
Two common indicators -- mutual funds' cash positions and net inflows -- won't tell you much. Most funds remain fully invested, and studying inflows is like using a rearview mirror to see what's ahead.
Uneasily, investors look at next week
As the market nears the end of an awful quarter, continued economic stress and problems for banks will weigh on investors' minds. J.C. Penney says consumers are cutting their spending. Lehman Bros. gets an upgrade but may have been the victim of a $250 million fraud.
How to thrive in a weak economy
Financial experts offer 5 rules for protecting yourself and your money when times are tough. A strategy now could keep fear in check later.