(via The Rich Index: How Much Money Do Americans Need to Be Considered Rich? | MintLife Blog | Personal Finance News & Advice)

A YEAR IN YOUR WALLET 

How and how much consumers spend their money can change dramatically over the course of a year. Seasonal changes and the holidays all affect consumers’ grip on their wallets. Below we look at some consumer spending trends and reasons why consumers spend the way they do.

(Click on the infographic above to learn more.)

Via Column Five for Milo

WHAT ARE MINT USERS SPENDING TO LOOK GOOD?

The last gasp of summer is here, which means many will be packing up their flip-flops and tank tops and trading them in for new jackets and sweaters. We opened up Mint.com’s data vault to get a better idea of just how much users are spending on their clothing purchases.

(Click on the title above to learn more.)

Via Column Five for Mint

DORM ROOM MAKEOVER

The thrill of starting college and moving out of your parents’ home can be swiftly undermined by the sight of your new dorm room. Concrete walls, dingy floor and lousy lighting – this is hardly an ivory tower! Don’t despair. With a little creativity and very little cash, you can transform your space from an institutional cell into a cozy campus retreat.

(Click on the title above to learn more.)

Via Column Five for Mint

Bitcoins: The Taxless Currency

In today’s economy, the value of the dollar is weaker than ever and the thought of a digital currency is becoming more of a reality with the recent introduction of bitcoins. Bitcoins can be compared to cash, but cash is limited to physical exchange, where as bitcoins can be sent throughout the Internet. Today there are more than 6.3 million bitcoins in existence and this number continues to grow. So, how are bitcoins used and how have they become a currency that can be used like dollars, but is tax avoidable? 

(Click on the title above to learn more.)

Via Column Five for TurboTax

How to Detect Counterfeit Money

Have you ever been handed a fake dollar bill (or a $100)? You could have, without even knowing it. With technology advancing so fast, criminals are finding new ways to counterfeit money, reproducing the features that distinguish real currency from fake. How do you detect counterfeit money? Read this infographic for the key security features used on real dollar bills, as well as some basic ways to examine your money if you suspect you’ve been duped.

(Click on the title above to learn more.)

Via Column Five for Credit Sesame

Student Loan Debt Consolidation - By The Numbers

Student debt is a big concern for individuals looking to attend college. However; there are some great tips on ways to minimize your student debt by loan consolidation. Get empowered by understanding your financial obligations to repaying student loans.

(Click on the title above to learn more.)

Via Column Five for Rasmussen

Why you can fix your car and save tons of money in the process [infographic]

(Click on the title above to learn more.)

Via Column Five for Auto MD

Road to Riches: Zynga’s Path to IPO

Thanks to continued funding rounds, late stage startups that are holding steady are seeing their valuations reach colossal heights. And social gaming developer Zynga is no different. Founded in 2007, the company responsible for viral sensations such as FarmVille and Mafia Wars, is already profitable and its active users are growing by the day.

(Click on the infographic below to learn more.)

Via Column Five for Namesake

Inflation and You: Looking at the Consumer Price Index Market Basket [Infographic]

Does it feel like your groceries are getting more expensive?   Well there’s a way to tell if they really are.  The Consumer Price Index (CPI) market basket measures more than just the food in your grocery basket to capture inflation.  It is developed from detailed monthly records kept by government officials who are hired to track and record prices of reselected items in stores.  See how the CPI market basket works to measure inflation:

(Click on the infographic above to learn more.)

Via Column Five for Credit Sesame

Life on Less Than $2 a Day [Infographic]

In many countries, a significant percentage of the population survives on just a few dollars a day. Here’s a look at the distribution of consumption in several developing nations.

(Click on the infographic above to learn more.)

Via Column Five for Good.is