Jan 15
I received this e-mail today from Microplace, which provides loans to low-income entrepreneurs around the world. I think it’s a great idea, although of course you should remember that you are lending money and it may or may not be repaid. You may consider augmenting your charitable contributions with this type of investment.
Haiti earthquake increases need for microfinance to support rebuilding
Dear Jonathan,
A massive earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 hit Haiti on Tuesday near the capital, Port-au-Prince, and is feared to have killed thousands. T
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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.
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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.
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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
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Jan 13
I am really late with my Net Worth report this month! As you can see, this was a great month for me. My Mother surprised me at the end of 2009 by paying me back the $10,000 I had given her back in 2008 to pay off her mortgage. A relative had passed away in 2009 and my parents had received a large bequest. My Mother decided to use a portion of that to pay me back. I used half of the money to fund my Roth IRA contribution for 2009 and the other half went to pay down my mortgage principal (my only remaining debt). Read more…