Financial Reflections

Personal Finance for those stuck in the middle.

Archives for the ‘Government’ Category

Financial Five, Friday March 20th

By admin • Mar 20th, 2009 • Category: Economy, Government, Investing

Divorces, pitchforks, and bears, oh my! It’s another crazy week. Here’s this week’s collection of five financial stories that caught my eye on social news site Afternoon Rally and other spots around the web.



Financial Five, Friday March 6th

By admin • Mar 6th, 2009 • Category: Government, Investing, Jobs, Scams, foreclosure

This week’s collection of five financial stories that caught my eye on social news site Afternoon Rally and other spots around the web.



GM and Citigroup: Two Stocks That Tell The Tale

By admin • Mar 5th, 2009 • Category: Cars, Economy, Government, Investing

It’s funny how a story can be told in just a few pictures. In this case, two stock charts can sum up the recession. GM actually questioned it’s own ability to survive today, leaving Chevy owners like Green Bay Packer fans after Brett Favre was traded. It was a great run, but you knew an era was over.



FTC Press Conference on Economic Stimulus Scams

By admin • Mar 4th, 2009 • Category: Government, Scams, identity theft

When the FTC talks, Google and Facebook listen. I wote earlier on what the Federal Trade Comission is calling “Economic Stimulus Scams” and thought I’d call into the FTC’s press conference to get the details on how they are handling the issue. Here’s what I learned.



Beware of Economic Stimulus Scams

By admin • Mar 4th, 2009 • Category: Economy, Government, Scams

When the Federal Trade Commission calls a special press conference, you know something’s up. You may have seen one of the hundreds of ads with President Obama’s image and often a shot of a stimulus check. They offer a way to get some of the billions the government is handing out. Well the FTC has had enough and is holding a press conference to show what they call “Economic Stimulus Scams.” So what’s all the fuss about?



Financial Five February 20th, 2009

By admin • Feb 20th, 2009 • Category: Economy, Government, Jobs

This week’s collection of five financial stories that caught my eye on social news site Afternoon Rally and other spots around the web.

A fellow blogger faces the job hunt: One Frugal Girl says she’s searching for a new job.  I wish her luck!
Can you make money online?  Free Money Finance says you can make money blogging.  Fake [...]



Why The Stimulus Won’t Fix The Economy

By admin • Feb 16th, 2009 • Category: Debt, Economy, Government, Investing, Real Estate

Between the bank bailout, the auto industry bailout and the stimulus plan, the US government has throw almost one and a half trillion dollars into the economy. Here’s why it doesn’t matter in the long run.



Financial Five, Friday the 13th, 2009

By admin • Feb 13th, 2009 • Category: Economy, Entrepreneurship, Government, Scams

This week’s collection of five financial stories that caught my eye on social news site Afternoon Rally and other spots around the web.

The Audacity of Doing Nothing: Harvard Blogger Philip Greenspun makes an audacious statement against the stimulus.
Scam Spotters: I wrote a guide on how to spot a scam recently so this list of 10 [...]



It’s Official: Annoying DTV Ads to Run Until June

By admin • Feb 12th, 2009 • Category: Government, frugal

You’ve seen the commercials. They often have a supporting actor from a current TV show or local news anchor talking to you about making the transition to digital television. They ask questions like: “Will your TV work?” “Can you still use your antenna?” They talk a lot without answering many questions. Well, be prepared to hear them for months more.



Is It Time to Retire the Penny?

By admin • Feb 12th, 2009 • Category: Government, Reflections

Is it time for Abraham Lincoln to retire? The US Mint doesn’t think so. To honor Lincoln’s 200th birthday, the US mint is going to issue 4 new versions of the Lincoln penny, each with the face of lincoln on the front, as it has been for 100 years, but with 4 new designs on the back.