Clipmarks | Perkalicious11's 'money' clips

Has Banking Hit Rock Bottom?

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:01:13 GMT

clipped by: Perkalicious11
clipper's remarks: an outlook on what's in store for the banking and housing industries.

Clip Source: www.thestreet.com

Bargain hunters have been probing for a bottom in the financials for some time. It's possible we are approaching a bottom for the housing crisis, evidenced by good news in certain regions where large homebuilders have taken drastic action to reduce the inventory of newly-built homes.

But as we are seeing with regional banks, pain caused by construction loan delinquencies, which are trailing home mortgage delinquencies, has yet to fully manifest. Even if we are close to the bottom, total loan delinquency numbers are likely to continue increasing through the end of 2008.

Clip Source: www.thestreet.com

If you are adverse to shorting individual bank stocks, then Kevin Baker, TheStreet.com Ratings' mutual fund analyst, points out that you may want to consider investing in the exchange-traded funds that sell short large portions of the financial sector.

Here are the largest positions in the long version of the fund, as of June 20:

Clip Source: images.thestreet.com

Clip Source: www.thestreet.com

Click here for larger image.

Tags: banking, housing, mortgage, stocks, mutual funds, investing, money, finance

Postage Rates to Increase 12 May 2008

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 14:56:31 GMT

clipped by: Perkalicious11
clipper's remarks: It makes sense, but if they keep rising I'm guessing we'll have more and more people turning to electronic payment.

Clip Source: www.digitaljournal.com

US Postage Stamps to cost a penny more

Beginning May 12, 2008, the cost of a U.S. first class stamp will rise to 42 cents. The price of Forever stamp will also increase by one cent, but existing Forever stamps can be used without paying more.

The price of the Forever stamp will also increase by one cent. But previously purchased stamps will still be usable without having to pay more.

due to the changes in the law the USPS can increase rates depending upon the rate of inflation.

The USPS will adjust the rates annually each May.

For every additional ounce of weight, the rate increases by 17 cents, same as before.

• The cost to mail a post card will also go up a penny, to 27 cents
• Large envelope, 2 ounces, $1, up 3 cents.
• Money Orders up to $500, $1.05, unchanged.
• Certified mail, $2.70, up 5 cents.
• First-class international letter to Canada or Mexico, 72 cents, up 3 cents.

• First-class international letter to other countries, 94 cents, up 4 cents.

Tags: postage, money, usps, mail, postcard, letter, send, communication

I'm Dreaming of a GREEN Christmas!

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 23:37:11 GMT

clipped by: Perkalicious11
clipper's remarks: So many great ideas! Every little bit of conservation helps!

Clip Source: www.affordableservices.org

Try buying gifts that require less or no additional wrapping

Go for gifts that involve life experiences such as tickets for a show, airplane or sports event

Send Christmas e-cards

Recycle: Buy it and Do it

Like the Christmas cards, try to buy recycled gift wrap, gift bags, boxes, and other packing material

Switch to Low-Energy Lights

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs)

Faux Fir

Make A List, and Check it Twice

Plan your routes so that you don’t have to double back

consider buying rechargeable batteries

Did You Know?*

If every American family reused just 2 feet of holiday ribbon, it would create 38,000 miles of recycled ribbon. This is enough ribbon to tie a bow around the entire planet.

If everyone in the U.S. replaced their regular holiday light strings with LEDs, in one month at least two billion kilowatt-hours of electricity could be saved. This is enough energy to power 200,000 homes for a year.

Tags: christmas, holidays, green, environment, money, save, tips

How to Haggle Like a Pro

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 19:03:19 GMT

clipped by: Perkalicious11
clipper's remarks: This makes me want to go out and try this stuff! Damn my shopaholic nature...

Clip Source: www.bottomlinesecrets.com

What you need to know to haggle successfully

There is room for negotiation in virtually every purchase

Good hagglers always carefully inspect items that they're interested in

it's a good idea to go to several places first to make price comparisons

check on-line to see what comparable merchandise sells for -- that's the price you want to beat

find out how much the dealer paid for the vehicle

HOW TO HAGGLE

Pretend to be only mildly interested

If you and the seller can't agree on the price of an item, ask the seller if he's got anything that he can throw in on the deal

Ask automobile dealers to throw in floor mats

with computer and stereo equipment, ask the seller for free cables and free installation

If you are willing to pay $100 for an item, offer $80 or even $60

Merchants lose about 2% when a credit card is used, so they may be willing to take a 2% bite if you pay cash

Politely point out any flaws in the merchandise

WHO BEST TO HAGGLE WITH

Small-town merchants

Jewelry stores

Car dealers

Banks

Chains

OBO

Tags: shopping, haggling, bargain, deals, price, tricks, tips, money