Watchdog: Bailouts Created More Risk In System


Written on January 31, 2010 – 6:44 am | by admin

WASHINGTON — The government’s response to the financial meltdown has made it more likely the United States will face a deeper crisis in the future, an independent watchdog at the Treasury Department warned.

The problems that led to the last crisis have not yet been addressed, and in some cases have grown worse, says Neil Barofsky, the special inspector general for the trouble asset relief program, or TARP. The quarterly report to Congress was released Sunday.

“Even if TARP saved our financial system from driving off a cliff back in 2008, absent meaningful reform, we are still driving on the same winding mountain road, but this time in a faster car,” Barofsky wrote. Read more…

Mastermind Admits to Theft of 130 Million Card Accounts


Written on January 30, 2010 – 7:58 pm | by admin

Whatever the number you have, I bet is isn’t as many as Albert Gomez.  The Miami man admitted to stealing 40 million credit and debit card records last September.  He now faces 17 – 25 years in prison for pleading guilty on a second charge.

Scheduled to appear in court, Mr. Gomez faces charges on 130 million stolen credit and debit card accounts.  The card information was gleaned from Payment Systems Inc., 7-Eleven Inc., Delhaize Groups Hannaford Brothers Co. and tw

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Which? comments on FSA’s mortgage proposals


Written on January 30, 2010 – 4:28 am | by admin

Consumer watchdog Which?

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Your Take: Your Favorite Board Game


Written on January 29, 2010 – 8:00 pm | by admin

This week I wrote about how to maximize your entertainment dollar and all the comments seemed to center around our favorite board games. So it seemed like the perfect Friday Your Take post would be if everyone shared their favorite games!

Our latest favorite is Dominion, as I mentioned in that post, because it’s a different game each time. We’ve been mostly playing the “scenarios” in the instruction books, just to get a better understanding of the game; but the game lets you randomly select cards so each game is different.

What’s your favorite game lately? Favorite all time?

2 Simple Steps for Easy Credit Card Debt Reduction


Written on January 27, 2010 – 1:47 pm | by admin

Getting into debt is so easy but getting out of it, well… that’s another story. Credit card debt reduction can and, more importantly, will happen with planning and discipline in the way you spend money.

Credit card debt reduction starts with reducing the amount your spend and add to your card balance. So, the very first step you need to take is to go shopping without your card and use cash only. This reduction technique does not require you to stop shopping, but instead requires you to seriously evaluate the need of any item you want to purchase and not just purchase it on the spur of the moment. If

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