I've struggled internally on whether I should focus more blogs on content that will actually help people by providing insight on finances or if I should post information about politics.  The reality is that the two are synonymous.  The world of politics is all about the manipulation of money.  So, my internal struggle is over and now I get to talk about things that really irritate me like the VAT - or value-added tax.  Read More...

Along with the subprime mortgage boom of the early part of this decade, which of course led to the collapse, there was also a refinancing boom. Basically, it was easy for everyone to either get a mortgage or restructure their current mortgage. Well, now that risk-averse lenders are less eager to hand out subprime mortgages, can the same be said for refinancing? Given the fact that lenders are struggling financially, why would they want to restructure a loan so that they receive even less money from a borrower?  Read More...

Company sponsored retirement plans, like the 401(k) plan, are notorious for being riddled with hidden fees.  It can be extremely difficult to uncover all of the plan costs.  For example, there are record keeping fees, administration fees, mutual fund expenses, and investment advisor fees to name a few.  Read More...

Timothy Geithner, the US Treasury Secretary, recently commented that most banks have ample capital, but there is still uncertainty about some bad debts which is preventing the US Banks from moving forward at a "normal" lending rate.  Read More...

The Government-run bank stress tests are now complete.  The stress tests are designed to show which banks will need additional capital in the event the economy worsens.  The final results show that one bank out 0f 19 would need additional capital to survive if conditions deteriorate, though the name of the bank has not been released.  Read More...