All The New Economy
- Does Suze Orman’s prepaid card solve anything?Released with great fanfare, The Approved Card from Suze Orman is supposed to help people who use cash responsibly get a good credit score. But it doesn't – and probably never will.
- Oil prices will rise as supplies tighten? Hardly.Oil prices, which fell below $97 a barrel on Monday, are not poised to surge in the long run because long-term production is declining. Better technology and, if needed, higher oil prices mean the long predicted peak in oil production is a long way off.
- Working beyond 65 can be good. Is it right?Raising the retirement age would shore up America's shaky finances while extending activity and satisfaction for many workers. But raising the retirement age isn't right for everyone.
- Davos meeting: Gloomy about economy, worried about capitalismThe annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, will discuss not only the Europe's debt woes but also the future of capitalism. Even some billionaires in Davos are worried about income inequality.
- America owes $10 trillion! No, $50 trillion! Let me explain.Estimates of America's debt vary by tens of trillions of dollars, depending on how you count. The bottom line: It's deep but not yet fatal.
- Eurozone solution: Save banks, not nationsThe eurozone needs an enforcer who can tell lawmakers what they don't want to hear: They have to let some eurozone nations fail and make sure eurozone banks don't.
- Darth Vader burger? A black bun? Oui!Darth Vader burger arrives Jan. 31 at the French fast-food chain Quick, barely a week ahead of the release of 'Star Wars: The Phantom Menace 3D.' Just don't call it a Darth Vader burger.
- Why banks shun 30 million AmericansA quarter of US households have few or no ties to the banking system, which hurts their financial future. Financial reform has made it even harder for banks to serve them.
- Fixed mortgage rates hit new lows. Does anyone care?Fixed mortgage rates for 30-year loan now average 4.18 percent. But record low fixed mortgage rates are not perking up the housing market or causing a surge of refinancing.
- Forecast for 2012: recession, but not a Great RecessionRecession will last the year, but it will be shorter and much shallower than the Great Recession.