Best certificates of deposit for first-time investors
Even though high yield isn’t very high anymore, you’ll still want the best rate of return available when you invest in a certificate of deposit. Your high-yield CD should also have an optimum load of features, from the right length of term and minimum deposit to most frequent interest compounding and other benefits like rate bumping and no withdrawal penalty. The following banks offer some of the best certificates of deposit when judged by these criteria.
Best certificates of deposit No. 1 – Ally Bank
Voted best online bank by MONEY Magazine in Oct. 2012, Ally has a one-year CD with an [...]
Halloween spending, by the numbers
It’s time for Halloween! If you haven’t found an outstanding costume, filled up your coffers with candy and festooned your yard with all the trappings of a zombie nightmare, then you probably still have money in your bank account. Indeed, All Hallow’s Eve is an expensive commercial holiday for those who like their scares to come at a price. For your macabre statistical pleasure, here’s an up-to-date model of Halloween spending that’s sure to drive American wallets to an early grave.
Halloween is a multibillion-dollar enterprise
Annually, 170 million Americans celebrate the costume, candy and gore-fest known as Halloween. Halloween spending is [...]
Jobless claims rise, but still points to healing
The number of jobless claims — people filing initial claims for unemployment insurance — rose last week, according to the United States Department of Labor. However, experts are saying that the numbers still point to a slowly recovering labor market and economy.
Sharp drop in jobless claims
First-time claims for unemployment insurance rose to 388,000 for the week of Oct. 7 through 13. That is an increase of 46,000 and a sharp departure from the decline seen in the previous week. During the week of Sept. 30 through Oct. 6, claims fell to a seasonally adjusted 342,000. That was its lowest level [...]
Fighting fraudulent online reviews with math
Online reviews can make or break a business. Unfortunately, unscrupulous individuals frequently cheat by submitting fraudulent online reviews that either increase or lessen a business’ reputation, regardless of whether the individuals have actually used the product or service or have an opinion. These reviews are sometimes quite hard to catch and weed out, but researchers at State University of New York, Stony Brook, have found that there’s a way to catch these reviews by using mathematics.
Math on the case
What happens when the U.S. Federal Trade Commission can’t spot the fraud? The organization has fine power that can discourage fraudulent online [...]
Seasonal employment market more challenging for teens
For those ages 16 to 24 who are seeking summer jobs, the outlook for seasonal employment shows a tough market but opportunities for creativity.Polls show most of US favors collective bargaining rights
A majority of people in the U.S. support labor unions' collective bargaining rights, according to multiple national polls conducted by media.New research: More than half of Alzheimer’s cases misdiagnosed
A study found that the brains of 50 percent of the people diagnosed with Alzheimer's lacked the lesions associated with the disease ...Shark attacks worldwide in 2010 rose to highest level since 1980
Shark attacks increased 25 percent worldwide, but the recession and BP oil spill may account for a reduction of shark attacks in Florida ...U.S. unemployment sinks to 9 percent, spin doctors rejoice
U.S. unemployment fell in January to 9 percent, the fastest decline in 53 years. The true direction for the U.S. job market is still cloudy.Top 10 cities with the most credit card debt
Do you live in one of the top 10 cities in the United States for credit card debt? Access to payday loans could have saved you a bundle.Study proves red light cameras reduce traffic fatalities
A recently conducted insurance industry study found traffic fatalities dropped 26 percent in cities equipped with red light camera systems.Iowa Catholic Conference pursues payday lending limits
The Iowa Catholic Conference should say what it means. A 36 percent APR payday loan cap would shut down the industry, not make it better.Consumer Confidence Index at highest level in eight months
The U.S. Consumer Confidence Index is at its highest level in eight months, but there's room for improvement, particularly in job creation.The puzzle of rising retail sales and falling consumer confidence
New reports on higher retail sales and lower consumer confidence present conflicting data; economists say expectation is a better barometer.Sugar prices at 30-year high as supplies deplete
The sugar prices 30-year high can be attributed to volatile weather, increased demand for "real" sugar and additional government regulation.Retailers lost $1 billion, thanks to blizzard
Retailers were hit by the East Coast blizzard. Estimates are that $1 billion was lost to the heavy weather that kept people in their homes.Employee satisfaction survey says workers are not happy
A new employee satisfaction survey by Manpower tells a sad tale: a whopping 84 percent of workers will actively seek better jobs in 2011...
Recent Conversations