Diverging interest rates on savings and CDs | More
Banks are suffering right because of loan defaults. So they're either offering lower rates on CDs and savings to preserve their dwindling funds, or they're offering high rates to attract big chunks of money.


Is pessimism about the economy truly warranted? | More
Pessimists allege that America can't continue to be an economic power. Clark disagrees. We have a culture that lends itself to entrepreneurship. In fact, an economic slump is a great time to start a business.


Cheap electronics coming | More
With sales softening, electronics manufacturers and retailers are cutting prices. Sony's new line of HDTVs will be cheaper than ever, and laptops should routinely be a steal for back-to-school shoppers. How low will prices go?


Getting out of a car lease | More
What can you do if you're over your head in an auto lease? You may be able to find a qualified person willing to take it over for you. Clark has a suggestion to help jump-start your search.


Honda to launch affordable line of hybrids in 2009 | More
The payback should be very quick for buyers, as the hybrid version of a car will only be about $1,900 more than the traditional gas engine version.


Baby boomers borrowing for basics | More
Millions of people are so broke that they have to rely on family, friends or charities to make ends meet. The grown kids of baby boomers are having even more trouble.


Surviving this summer's coming spike in electricity prices | More
As if the pain at the pump weren't enough. The price of electricity is set to go up when school's out. So are you a sitting duck? No way, not any day.


Afraid of losing your job? | More
The headlines about unemployment have created a lot of anxiety across the land. Should you be worried? And what can you do if you think you're about to be pink-slipped?


Biz challenged when looking to squeeze costs | More
If you're a business owner, you know that passing price increases to customers is difficult during touch economic times. So you must be an educated consumer and cherry-pick the deals.


Retail, restaurant crunch means you should avoid gift cards | More
Beware if you're thinking about giving someone a gift card. The store or restaurant may not be there when they go to redeem it!


Behind the Federal Reserve's latest rate cut | More
Recession vs. no recession? We'll leave it to the politicians to argue that one. This is, however, a time when you need to cool your spending. The Federal Reserve is "cooling down" as well. They made a small token cut in the interest rate, but the vote was not unanimous. That's very telling.


Housing market favors renters | More
As the economy continues to ail, many owners of second homes are forced to become involuntary landlords. Yet about 10% of rentals are vacant. That makes this the perfect time to steal a deal.


Condo market facing new lending rules | More
Clark is not a man who's afraid of the condo market. Yet some new regulations will squeeze those who want to buy even further.


CDARS: Insure $$ above FDIC limits | More
If your bank deposits are straining the FDIC limits of $100K, stop, drop and roll over to the CDARS program for additional protection up to $50 million.


Lifestyle debt plagues many Americans | More
Clark is shocked by the level of debt that Americans carry. As home equity lines get shut off, people have turned to using credit cards to maintain their lifestyle.


Re-training, new skills the key to career moves | More
Are Americans going backwards economically? That's how some of the financial press is spinning the latest findings of the Pew Research Center. Clark begs to differ and tells you why.


Bank failures highlight importance of FDIC limits | More
A whopping 40% of the money in banks is uninsured. The Washington Mutual bail out just underscores the fact that you may need to dial back your savings to under the $100K FDIC limit. If you have retirement money in a bank, that will be covered up to $250K.


Employment forecast not all doom and gloom | More
Unemployment is on the rise and employers are reporting 3 consecutive months of job losses. But instead of focusing on the bad news, Clark lets you know about recession-proof careers and companies that are doing some big-time hiring.


More debt vs. more wealth | More
Is this the best of financial times or the worst of financial times in the United States? Arguments could easily be made on both sides.


Capitol Hill's mortgage bailout plan gaining momentum | More
The Senate has reached a bipartisan deal for a mortgage bail out of those facing foreclosure. We're being told this will help ailing homeowners, but it's really another bail out of the banks.


Foreclosure tours popular among European investors | More
Have you heard about the foreclosure tourists in Southeastern Florida? These mostly European investors fly over here and hop on buses to go around looking at foreclosures. If they see something they like, they use their strong Euro to get a steal of a deal.


Consumer confidence at lowest point since 1973 | More
We're in the throes of the nation's third energy crisis and paying all-time high gas prices, adjusted for inflation. We're also paying the largest chunk of our budgets ever for food, energy and medical care.


Is the time right to buy foreclosures? | More
Think the economic news in the housing sector is abysmal? There just might be a money-making opportunity in it for you.


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