Jan 15
It has been awhile since I posted about MP Dunleavey, but her MSN article: 2010 goal: My own economic recovery finally provides some numbers and merits a mention. Before I dig into the article, I do once again want to commend MP for being one of the only professional personal finance writers out there who bares her own financial progress to her readers. It is something I wish more do.
In 2009 MP lost two freelance jobs (NY Times column is one, not sure of the second) and a 3rd job was reduced by 50%. She has been hit by a major repair on her house, purchased a new car, and was hit by collections for an old medical bill. Read more…
Jan 14
Alaskans run up big credit card bills and pay them off fast. People in Michigan keep up their on auto loans even when all else is going to hell. Nevada debtors — and, increasingly, the rest of the country — will let the mortgage slide before skimping on a credit card bill.
No two people pay their bills the same way, of course, but it’s likely that your neighbors face many of the same economic and social pressures as you do. That results in distinct patterns reflecting local shopping habits, regional employers, even how often people move.
Those patterns show distinctly in data gathered by TransUnion, one of the three major U.S.
Read more…
Jan 14
On Tuesday, we talked with Standard Life Investments portfolio manager Raquel Castiel about some of the fundamental factors surrounding Canadian bank stocks. Today, we look at the landscape for the banking sector from a technical standpoint, courtesy of National Bank Financial technical analyst Dennis Mark.
In a research note issued late Tuesday, Mr. Mark said that for now, the S&P/TSX capped financials sub-index is stuck in a technical trading range – between upside resistance at 180 and downside support at 163, its 200-day moving average.
Read more…
Jan 13
Here’s the next installment of my series on New Year’s Resolutions that can be done today, and not put off for “some day” in the future. We all know how that usually turns out…
Last year was definitely a roller coaster year when it came to the stock market, and you may have taken the “just don’t open the scary statements” solution. Well, it’s time to take a peek and see where you stand. I won’t pretend that recent performance has been great, but if you made regular contributions throughout, you may be surprised to see your portfolio balance higher than it was in 2007. (Maybe.)
Ass
Read more…