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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.

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HOW BANKS CAUSE HUNGER

Food speculation - banks betting on food prices in financial markets - is a massive issue facing the world today. In the last few years, we have seen two major food price spikes, pushing millions of people into poverty. These food spikes were caused by speculation and could have been prevented through effective regulation.

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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.

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WHAT IS A SHORT SALE?

If you’re one of the nearly 23% of homeowners whose properties now are worth less than the underlying mortgage loan and you find yourself in a situation where you have to move (a new job, perhaps, or because you can no longer afford the payments on this house and are hoping to downsize), the only way to sell your house successfully is either pay the bank the difference between the sales price and your mortgage balance out of your own pocket… or convince the lender to accept less cash than you actually owe.

While a short sale may make sense for some, the pros and cons should be weighed carefully before you get the ball rolling. In this infographic, we walk you through the basics of short sales, who should consider one and the typical steps in the process.

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The Idiot’s Guide to the S&P Credit Downgrade

On August 5th, Standard and Poor’s downgraded the United State’s sterling AAA rating to AA+. But what does this letter grade really mean for consumers and citizens? We have compiled a guide to help steer you through the ups and downs of sovereign credit ratings.

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Burglar-Proof Your Cash Stash

If the wobbly financial markets have you hoarding cash at home, beware. Yes, you may be safe from bear markets, but you’re still vulnerable to losses, especially if you leave your money and valuables in burglar-friendly spots.

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Via Mint

Cashing Out: The Great Surge for Tech Company Employees to Unload Equity

In recent months social media giants such as Facebook and Groupon hase seen their current and former employees begin to unload their equity. Is this the beginning of a massive tech company sell out?

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Should you buy a fixer upper [infographic]

Home prices may be down to where they were in 2002 and interest rates at their lowest in 2011, at an average 4.39% for a 30-year fixed mortgage. But for many who make the jump into home ownership for the first time, properties in triple-mint condition with pruned yards and top-of-the-line appliances are still too pricey. So many first-time home buyers look to so-called fixer-uppers. A home that costs less than one in move-in condition and would require extensive renovations or repair to become livable. While shaving thousands of dollars off the cost of a property sounds appealing, though, a fixer-upper isn’t for just anybody. Many buyers underestimate the amount of time, money and labor that need to be put into transforming it into something fit for an HGTV dream home showcase.

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Big Mac-ronomics: What the price of a Big Mac reveals about purchasing power around the world [infographic]

If you like to stay on top of business and economic news, chances are you’re familiar with the Economist’s Big Mac Index: what in its own words is “a fun guide to whether currencies are at their “correct” level.” Simply put, if a Big Mac costs 44% less in China than it does in the U.S., this suggests that the yuan is 44% undervalued against the dollar. Likewise, if a Big Mac is 23% more expensive in Canada than in the U.S., that shows the Canadian dollar is 23% overvalued. The infogrpahic below illustrates the latest Big Mac Index update, released on July 28, 2011.

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How Small Businesses Cash in on County Fairs

The summer months are designed for community activities. Families escape the heat at the local pool, cheer on their local baseball team at the ballpark, and seek out entertainment and amusement at the county fair. The age-old tradition of the county fair encourages a “buy local” mentality with local businesses occupying many of the vendor booths. In this infographic, we look at how small businesses cash in on these timeless happenings.

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