First of all does social saving really exist on any level?  Not really, that’s why we need The Kitty.  If there is anything such as social saving or social banking, credit (no pun) will go to SmartyPig for their ingenuity.  SmartyPig is a way to publicize what you’re saving for.  Talking about your goals has […]

This is actually a question I’m posing to the readers.  I honestly do not know the answer.  There are a few in my office that used to work in the environment where questions like this were asked, but they didn’t have an answer either.  I’m going to tell you what I think, and I ask […]

You’ll probably want to read Weakon 231: How the Mortgage Industry Works (or Worked!) first.
We stand here over a year after the sub-prime crises began.  The sub-prime crises lead to the credit crunch, the credit crunch lead to slowed growth, slowed growth killed the stock market, the down market sent people into commodities, which drove […]

You’re on the lawn of a 2,200 square foot house.  You’re sipping cold water from those tiny 8 oz bottles your Realtor gave you at the beginning of your venture.  You look at your spouse and smile, this is home.  ”I’ll take it!” you say with pride.  Your spouse shoves their elbow in your side […]

There’s a great debate going on in the various offices in Washington lately.  If Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac go down, should we bail them out?  You know me, I’m not one for opinions but I might include my two and a half cents.  Read on and see that advantages and disadvantages of bailing them […]

If you’ve heard about this you knew it was coming.First a brief introduction to Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.  The concept is simple.  A struggling family with a torn up house gets a new one.  Not only is it new, but its the best of the best and they don’t pay for a dime.  ABC picks […]

Another book with a really long title: The Tycoons: How Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, Jay Gould, and J. P. Morgan Invented the American Supereconomy .  That sure is a lot to live up to, and this book doesn’t quite get there.  Its less of a short biography of each man and more a history […]

Smartmoney.com thought they’d be clever and write a better post on some things your bank won’t tell you.  So maybe they didn’t copy me, probably because they’ve never heard of me.  But that’s okay.  You’ve heard of me and that’s all that matters.  Actually that’s a lie, I want more people to have heard of […]

Today my parents are going to meet with their financial adviser.  A year or so ago I suggested they work with their bank to consolidate their money.  As my parents approach retirement age the importance of organized finances increases.  My mother asked me to jot down a few things she should discuss with their […]

By now you’ve heard that IndyMac Bank was taken over by the FDIC.  Its pretty much the end for the mortgage provider.  But you probably don’t know the whole story.  Stick around because this does have an “I am your father” moment.
Way back in 2007 IndyMac found themselves in the middle of a mortgage industry […]