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Now might be time to check back into tech stocks
By John Waggoner, USA TODAYBack in 1999, money managers trumpeted technology stocks, arguing that soon there would be microchips in everything from credit cards to Toyota accelerators, and they were right. Unfortunately, they were also about 10 years too early. But today, tech companies are booming, despite a lousy economy and falling prices. It’s not a bad time to take another look at the tech sector, provided you have an exit plan in place.
Stimulus, short hours help German economy bounce back
By Geir Moulson, Associated Press WriterBERLIN — Germany, Europe’s economic engine, is back in gear after a painful recession, as foreign customers snap up cars and industrial machinery and the country reaps the benefits of stimulus spending that helped keep the motor running at home during the downturn.
In particular, economists point to government support for keeping workers on the job with shorter hours instead of laying them off — › Continue reading
Now might be time to check back into tech stocks
By John Waggoner, USA TODAYBack in 1999, money managers trumpeted technology stocks, arguing that soon there would be microchips in everything from credit cards to Toyota accelerators, and they were right. Unfortunately, they were also about 10 years too early. But today, tech companies are booming, despite a lousy economy and falling prices. It’s not a bad time to take another look at the tech sector, provided you have an exit plan in place.
Private lenders edge back into student loans
By Sandra Block, USA TODAYThree years ago, if you were a college student with an Internet connection, you could get a private student loan. Financial institutions were so eager to lend money, some didn’t even check to make sure the funds were used to pay for tuition instead of a motorcycle.
The economic downturn and credit crunch changed all that. Last year, the dollar volume of new non-federal student loans plummeted 50%, according to the College › Continue reading
Private lenders edge back into student loans
By Sandra Block, USA TODAYThree years ago, if you were a college student with an Internet connection, you could get a private student loan. Financial institutions were so eager to lend money, some didn’t even check to make sure the funds were used to pay for tuition instead of a motorcycle.
The economic downturn and credit crunch changed all that. Last year, the dollar volume of new non-federal student loans plummeted 50%, according to the College › Continue reading
How About a Cash Back Debit Card?
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By Eva Norlyk Smith, Ph.D.
Cash back credit cards and rewards credit cards are a great way to get a little ‘free’ money, when cashing in points or cash back earnings for a statement credit or a check in the mail.
However, let’s face it, cash back credit cards and other rewards cards have drawbacks. Rewards credit cards tend to feature higher-than-average credit card interest rates (which quickly suck up rewards earnings › Continue reading
Ruby’s, Sonic bring back carhops on roller skates
By Bruce Horovitz, USA TODAYQ: What’s got eight wheels and fries?
A: A roller-skating carhop.
Carhops — particularly skating ones — are making a mini-comeback in the ultracompetitive world of fast-food dining.
Call it a cultural backlash to the ultratechy, assembly-line world of fast food and drive-throughs that spit out orders faster than you can say, “Hold the pickles.”
PHOTO GALLERY: See pictures › Continue reading
Sears MasterCard Charge Back Problem
Here is a question that I got recently from a reader.
I made the mistake of purchasing online what turned out to be a trial for a product. The way they had it worded was only pay shipping. They neglected to say (other than obviously in fine print) you will continue to be shipped product. I returned original item, second shipment and refused shipment on third delivary. Finally had to cancel card because they would not stop shipping. › Continue reading
Back From Skiing – Mrs Credit Card Tears Her ACL
We just got back from Breckenridge in Colorado and we had a blast of a time. Unfortunately, Mrs Credit Card, on her last run, got injured and it turns out that she has probably tore her ACL (anterior Cruciate Ligaments). She was on the beginner slope with my two younger kids (who BTW ski better than any of us) and going through this little trail called dragon trail where there were trees on each side. Anyway, she was in the medical center for › Continue reading
Fed: Credit Pull-Back Eases, But Loan Demand Weak
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By Eva Norlyk Smith, Ph.D.
According to a recent report from the Federal Reserve, the two-year long credit pull-back may be slowing, but there is still a long way to go before the banks’ lending practices are back to normal. While fewer banks are making it harder to get loans, they aren’t exactly making it easier to get loans either. The standards for most types of loans remain higher than normal, and consumer loan demand continues › Continue reading