WalletPop Blog http://www.walletpop.com/blog WalletPop Blog http://www.walletpop.com/blog/media/feedlogo.gif WalletPop Blog http://www.walletpop.com/blog en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Pricey airfare is changing the way we travelhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/25/pricey-airfare-is-changing-the-way-we-travel/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/25/pricey-airfare-is-changing-the-way-we-travel/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/25/pricey-airfare-is-changing-the-way-we-travel/#commentsFiled under:

The Thanksgiving rush isn't just today -- it's been going on for several days now.

That's the assessment of The New York Times: "The long lines and frayed nerves actually started last week, as many penny-pinching travelers booked earlier, and less, expensive, flights. As a result, what used to be a quick holiday trip home is now stretching to a week or more."

I completely agree. Last month, I was fortunate enough to take a long overdue vacation with my wife and two daughters. When we initially planned the trip, it was going to be a mini-vacation of sorts -- a long, four-day weekend, which is all I felt we could afford -- but we wound up leaving Ohio for Florida for a week.

I didn't plan on taking our daughters out of school for four days, nor did I want to miss four days of work. But leaving on a jet plane on a Wednesday and coming back the following Tuesday turned out to be about $800 cheaper than it would have been if we had flown on a Friday and returned on a Monday.


Continue reading Pricey airfare is changing the way we travel

Pricey airfare is changing the way we travel originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Thanksgiving travelThanksgivingTravelGeoff WilliamsWed, 25 Nov 2009 15:30:00 ESTIt's not everyone's favorite shopping holiday: the dark side of Black Fridayhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/25/its-not-everyones-favorite-shopping-holiday-the-dark-side-of/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/25/its-not-everyones-favorite-shopping-holiday-the-dark-side-of/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/25/its-not-everyones-favorite-shopping-holiday-the-dark-side-of/#commentsFiled under:

Black Friday shoppersBlack Friday may be the start of the shopping season, but for some people, it's a painful reminder of what they don't have. For those people, it's almost become an anti-holiday.

"On Friday, I'm planning on tackling a number of things off my honey-do list," says Robert Zonis, a product development chemist in Shelbyville, Tenn. who recently learned that his job will be terminated at the end of the year. "At least that's the plan. I know I'm deliberately staying away from television, radio, newspapers and leaving the house in general."



Continue reading It's not everyone's favorite shopping holiday: the dark side of Black Friday

It's not everyone's favorite shopping holiday: the dark side of Black Friday originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Black FridayBlack Friday 2009Black Friday shoppingBlackFridayBlackFriday2009BlackFridayShoppingGeoff WilliamsWed, 25 Nov 2009 14:00:00 ESTZhu Zhu Pets sold for 900% profit; how to get yours freehttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/25/man-sells-zhu-zhu-pets-for-900-profit-how-to-get-yours/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/25/man-sells-zhu-zhu-pets-for-900-profit-how-to-get-yours/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/25/man-sells-zhu-zhu-pets-for-900-profit-how-to-get-yours/#commentsFiled under: ,

If you've heard of Zhu Zhu Pets, those furry, robotic toy hamsters, you likely know they're popular. And now we know how popular.

The Associated Press interviewed Chris Handy, who, after watching a story about their newfound fame on The Today Show, bought 15 Zhu Zhu Pets at a Target store (they retail for about $8 to $10 a piece) and then sold them online. He made $1,000, what the AP says is a 900% profit.

Here we go again.



Continue reading Zhu Zhu Pets sold for 900% profit; how to get yours free

Zhu Zhu Pets sold for 900% profit; how to get yours free originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Zhu Zhu PetsZhuZhuPetsGeoff WilliamsWed, 25 Nov 2009 13:45:00 EST552 banks are currently at risk for shutting downhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/24/552-banks-are-currently-at-risk-for-shutting-down/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/24/552-banks-are-currently-at-risk-for-shutting-down/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/24/552-banks-are-currently-at-risk-for-shutting-down/#commentsFiled under:

Could your bank fail? There's still a chance, but if you study the numbers, the odds are still highly in your favor that your financial institution will be sticking around.

Earlier this week, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. came out with its third-quarter report, stating that the number of troubled banks has climbed to 552.

The report reveals the health of the banking system as of late September. The current total of troubled banks is up from 416 at the end of June, and 305 at the end of March.

Continue reading 552 banks are currently at risk for shutting down

552 banks are currently at risk for shutting down originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>failed banksFailedBanksGeoff WilliamsTue, 24 Nov 2009 16:30:00 ESTThe fine print in credit card insurance isn't so finehttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/24/the-fine-print-in-credit-card-insurance-isnt-so-fine/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/24/the-fine-print-in-credit-card-insurance-isnt-so-fine/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/24/the-fine-print-in-credit-card-insurance-isnt-so-fine/#commentsFiled under:

american express cardIf you have any credit cards or have had some in the past, it's almost inevitable that you've been asked if you'd like to sign up for debt cancellation or credit card insurance. The pitch sounds like a pretty good idea at first, usually going something like this: If you lose your job or the ability to pay your debts, your debt cancellation service will pick up your credit card tab and make your payments for you.

Obviously, you'll have to decide for yourself it that's a good idea or not. But if you want an opinion, I think it's a terrible waste of your money. I think you'd almost be better off burning your cash in a fireplace, because at least you'll get something out of it (warmth and it's always fun to watch the flames in a fireplace). Still, it's nice to have a second and even third opinion, so I spoke to two financial and credit experts, and they, too, didn't exactly have a ringing endorsement for debt cancellation or credit card insurance.

Continue reading The fine print in credit card insurance isn't so fine

The fine print in credit card insurance isn't so fine originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>credit card insurancecredit cardsCreditCardInsuranceCreditCardsdebtdebt cancellationDebtCancellationGeoff WilliamsTue, 24 Nov 2009 12:00:00 ESTNew survey shows how we're spending for the holidays ... or nothttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/23/new-survey-shows-how-were-spending-for-the-holidays-or-not/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/23/new-survey-shows-how-were-spending-for-the-holidays-or-not/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/23/new-survey-shows-how-were-spending-for-the-holidays-or-not/#commentsFiled under: ,

The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) and the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) have come out today with their tenth annual holiday spending survey, and here's what they have found: Consumers aren't going to be spending as much on their holiday gifts as in previous years.

Could there be any news that's less surprising?

Not to knock them for getting this information -- it's always good to have the data on spending, if you're a retail store owner or, I guess, a personal finance journalist. But this isn't exactly a shock.

Continue reading New survey shows how we're spending for the holidays ... or not

New survey shows how we're spending for the holidays ... or not originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Consumer federation of Americaconsumer spendingConsumerFederationOfAmericaConsumerSpendingCredit union national associationCreditUnionNationalAssociationdebtfeaturedholiday shoppingHolidayShoppingGeoff WilliamsMon, 23 Nov 2009 15:46:00 ESTPersonal checks poised to be a relichttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/23/personal-checks-poised-to-be-a-relic/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/23/personal-checks-poised-to-be-a-relic/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/23/personal-checks-poised-to-be-a-relic/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Is the personal check on its way out?

The Dallas Morning News recently suggested that -- and, no, they aren't the first to suggest it, nor will they be the last -- but they point out that several stores lately have made it their policy to refuse personal paper checks: Diesel, True Religion, Ed Hardy and Lululemon Athletica, which are all clothing stores. And maybe there's something in the water, since the clothing giant Gap is also exploring the concept of no longer accepting personal checks.

My WalletPop colleague Martha C. White has also written about Whole Foods no longer accepting checks in some stores, as part of a get-rid-of-checks experiment.

Continue reading Personal checks poised to be a relic

Personal checks poised to be a relic originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>personal checksPersonalChecksGeoff WilliamsMon, 23 Nov 2009 15:30:00 ESTCitigroup holds its customers hostagehttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/citigroup-holds-its-customers-hostage/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/citigroup-holds-its-customers-hostage/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/citigroup-holds-its-customers-hostage/#commentsFiled under:

Across the nation, Citibank credit card holders are receiving what pretty much amounts to a ransom note: We're going to raise your rates, says the letter, in so many words, but if you spend more money, we won't.

In more specific terms, customers are being asked to spend a minimum of $750 on their cards, and if they do, they can get a rebate for 50% to 100% of their interest rate for that given month.

I can't blame anyone for wanting to implode on the spot. After all, credit cards as a group used to encourage everyone to spend, until the recession came around, when the message seemed to be -- please don't spend, and if you spend, don't spend much. But now the credit cards are encouraging spending.

And if you don't, they'll raise your rates.

Madness.

But there's a reason behind it. Ben Woolsey, director of consumer research for CreditCards.com, told the Huffington Post that Citigroup, which is Citibank's parent company, by convincing people to spend more, will cause there to be more interchange fees -- those are the fees merchants have to pay every time a customer uses a credit or debit card. And so Citigroup will make more money through interchange fees, or through the higher interest rates.

Continue reading Citigroup holds its customers hostage

Citigroup holds its customers hostage originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Citigroupcredit cardsCreditCardsinterest ratebanksInterestRatebanksGeoff WilliamsFri, 20 Nov 2009 19:00:00 ESTNew York returns money to 14,000 payday loan customershttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/17/new-york-returns-money-to-14-000-payday-loan-customers/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/17/new-york-returns-money-to-14-000-payday-loan-customers/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/17/new-york-returns-money-to-14-000-payday-loan-customers/#commentsFiled under: ,

Going to a payday lender can be a good financial decision. That is, if your Attorney General threatens to sue your payday lender, and they settle up, and then you receive your money back.

New York Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo has just announced a $5.2 million settlement with two companies running "payday loan" companies.

Cuomo's office will be sending money to more than 14,000 victims. You may be one of those victims if you live in New York and have ever taken out a small loan with the businesses, Telecash or Cashnet.

Continue reading New York returns money to 14,000 payday loan customers

New York returns money to 14,000 payday loan customers originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Cashnetpayday lendingpayday loansPaydayLendingPaydayLoansTelecashGeoff WilliamsTue, 17 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST10 ways credit card companies can still mess with you and your moneyhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/16/10-ways-credit-card-companies-can-still-mess-with-you-and-your-m/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/16/10-ways-credit-card-companies-can-still-mess-with-you-and-your-m/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/16/10-ways-credit-card-companies-can-still-mess-with-you-and-your-m/#commentsFiled under:

How evil is the credit card industry these days? Pretty evil, I'd say.

I thought I'd call attention to The Business Insider, which has an amusing -- and unfortunately true -- story on the 10 ways credit cards can still screw you. Well, it's amusing, in the way that being run over by a car is amusing. Perhaps the people making up the credit card rules used to work in the waterboarding department of the defense department. That's my working theory, anyway.

Continue reading 10 ways credit card companies can still mess with you and your money

10 ways credit card companies can still mess with you and your money originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>credit cardsCreditCardsGeoff WilliamsMon, 16 Nov 2009 16:30:00 ESTHow many mistakes can really hurt your credit scorehttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/16/how-much-mistakes-can-really-hurt-your-credit-score/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/16/how-much-mistakes-can-really-hurt-your-credit-score/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/16/how-much-mistakes-can-really-hurt-your-credit-score/#commentsFiled under: , ,

This isn't quite the falling of the Berlin Wall, but in the credit scoring world, it's close. Apparently, for the first time ever, FICO, the company that has its famed credit scoring model, has released details on how a financial goof-up actually affects your credit score.

First, before I go on, credit for making credit scores a little less mysterious goes to Liz Pulliam Weston, a prolific and well respected columnist with MSN Money. She asked FICO for details on how they determine how late fees, bankruptcies, foreclosures and so on affect one's credit score, and they decided to actually be upfront about it. Or at least more upfront than they used to be.

Every time you make a financial mistake, these are known as "damage points." And the higher credit score, the more points these mistakes will cost you, which is interesting. In other words, the slide descending into bad credit can be faster and more pronounced than someone already on their way down.

Continue reading How many mistakes can really hurt your credit score

How many mistakes can really hurt your credit score originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>credit scoresCreditScoresFICOGeoff WilliamsMon, 16 Nov 2009 15:30:00 ESTWant to pay down the national debt? Here's where to send your checkhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/16/want-to-pay-down-the-national-debt-heres-where-to-send-your-ch/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/16/want-to-pay-down-the-national-debt-heres-where-to-send-your-ch/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/16/want-to-pay-down-the-national-debt-heres-where-to-send-your-ch/#commentsFiled under:

national debtFor years, I've wondered if anyone ever just sent the government money and said, "Here, apply it to the national debt." After all, our national debt's a big problem, and if you're the charity-giving sort, you might want to make the United States your charity.

And then Reuters goes along and does a story about people who do just that. As it turns out, there's a government office that will be more than happy to take your check, should you decide your pet cause this year is going to be the United States' debt.


Continue reading Want to pay down the national debt? Here's where to send your check

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]]>Bureau of the Public DebtBureauOfThePublicDebtnational debtNationalDebtGeoff WilliamsMon, 16 Nov 2009 15:00:00 ESTOfficially, the overdraft bank fee nightmare is almost overhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/13/officially-the-overdraft-bank-fee-nightmare-is-almost-over/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/13/officially-the-overdraft-bank-fee-nightmare-is-almost-over/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/13/officially-the-overdraft-bank-fee-nightmare-is-almost-over/#commentsFiled under:

The Federal Reserve announced on Thursday that starting July 1, 2010, financial institutions can no longer allow customers to overspend their account and then charge overdraft fees -- in most cases -- unless the customers have signed up for a bank's overdraft protection plan that includes such fees. My guess is, most won't.

As The Washington Post explains, the overdraft fee won't disappear entirely. Banks can still charge overdraft fees on checks or an automatic bill payment. But the days of buying a cup of coffee or stick of gum with your debit card without realizing you don't have the funds and then getting slammed with a $37.50 fee--that will end on July 1, 2010. Instead, you'll simply have your debit card declined. And if that thought truly embarrasses you, then tell your bank you want that overdraft protection.

Continue reading Officially, the overdraft bank fee nightmare is almost over

Officially, the overdraft bank fee nightmare is almost over originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>banksoverdraft feesOverdraftFeesGeoff WilliamsFri, 13 Nov 2009 13:00:00 ESTBe careful opting out of your credit card's new interest ratehttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/12/if-you-opt-out-of-your-credit-cards-new-interest-rate-be-caref/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/12/if-you-opt-out-of-your-credit-cards-new-interest-rate-be-caref/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/12/if-you-opt-out-of-your-credit-cards-new-interest-rate-be-caref/#commentsFiled under:

credit cardsYou can opt out of that insane credit card interest rate -- but be careful out there.

That's the premise of a clever article at CreditCards.com, which takes a unique look at opting out of your credit card. As Tamara E. Holmes points out, the Credit CARD Act of 2009 allows people to avoid higher payments by refusing to accept the new interest rate. But by opting out, you still have to pay the remaining balance, and your credit card is still active. And because of that, if you aren't careful and wind up making a purchase, your carefully protected interest rate could wind up shooting up to the one you opted out of.

It's a little like having a time bomb in your wallet.

Continue reading Be careful opting out of your credit card's new interest rate

Be careful opting out of your credit card's new interest rate originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>credit cardsCreditCardsCreditCards.comGeoff WilliamsThu, 12 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST7-Eleven now has its own wine (Don't forget to ask for a brown paper bag)http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/10/7-eleven-now-has-its-own-wine/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/10/7-eleven-now-has-its-own-wine/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/10/7-eleven-now-has-its-own-wine/#commentsFiled under:

7-eleven wineSomething to jot down the next time you're in the mood for a drink and don't have a lot of cash: 7-Eleven now has its own brand of wine.

The name of the label is Yosemite Road. They're selling a chardonnay and a cabernet sauvignon, and both will retail for about $3.99. It'll be $4.99 in Florida, due to state taxes.

Continue reading 7-Eleven now has its own wine (Don't forget to ask for a brown paper bag)

7-Eleven now has its own wine (Don't forget to ask for a brown paper bag) originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>7-ElevenwineGeoff WilliamsTue, 10 Nov 2009 17:00:00 ESTWhat to tell your bank when they say something you don't want to hearhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/10/what-to-tell-your-bank-when-they-say-something-you-dont-want-to/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/10/what-to-tell-your-bank-when-they-say-something-you-dont-want-to/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/10/what-to-tell-your-bank-when-they-say-something-you-dont-want-to/#commentsFiled under: ,

bank windowThere's a lot of public anger at banks these days. Pick a bank topic, any topic -- bailouts, executive pay, interest rates, ATM, NSF, overdraft fees -- and it's hard to imagine anyone nodding happily. But all this anger begs the question: When we're frustrated and being thwarted by our bank, what can we do to make ourselves... well, happy?

If you've heard any of the following from your bank lately, here's what you ought to say in return.

"You have six overdraft charges." One or two overdraft charges certainly aren't fun, but five or more, and you can suddenly feel your monthly budget going to ruin. If your bank isn't one of those that's curtailing its overdraft fees (Bank of America), or it is but hasn't stopped yet (yeah, you heard us, U.S. Bank), you may, unfortunately, know that feeling.

Continue reading What to tell your bank when they say something you don't want to hear

What to tell your bank when they say something you don't want to hear originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>banksGeoff WilliamsTue, 10 Nov 2009 14:00:00 ESTGMAC's performance shows that we're not out of the woods yethttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/10/gmacs-performance-shows-that-were-not-out-of-the-woods-yet/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/10/gmacs-performance-shows-that-were-not-out-of-the-woods-yet/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/10/gmacs-performance-shows-that-were-not-out-of-the-woods-yet/#commentsFiled under:

It's been an interesting year for GMAC, if interesting means humbling.

Back in May, the government conducted a series of stress tests and determined that 10 of the largest 19 banks needed to have more capital, if they were going to survive any more economic troubles that might come our way. Then, the 10 were given six months to raise a grand total of $74.6 billion in capital.

Well, here's the good news. Monday, the Federal Reserve announced $77 billion was raised.

But the bad news involves the bank hold company, GMAC Financial Services, the 14th largest bank and the lending device used by many Americans to pay for their cars -- those cars that are built by General Motors and Chrysler. GMAC, which is now 35% owned by the American government, has fallen short of raising its required $11.5 billion and will need what will be its third loan from the U.S. Treasury, which it will likely get through the TARP Automotive Industry Financial Program. That will mean American taxpayers will own even more of GMAC Financial Services.

GMAC is believed to need $5.6 billion in capital.

Continue reading GMAC's performance shows that we're not out of the woods yet

GMAC's performance shows that we're not out of the woods yet originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>GMACGMAC Financial ServicesGmacFinancialServicesGeoff WilliamsTue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 ESTPersonal bankruptcies on the risehttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/06/personal-bankruptcies-on-the-rise/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/06/personal-bankruptcies-on-the-rise/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/06/personal-bankruptcies-on-the-rise/#commentsFiled under:

bankruptcySome new numbers have come out that serve as a reminder that the country is in a recession, regardless of what economists say. Last month, personal bankruptcies increased by 9 percent,according to the American Bankruptcy Institute.

That translates into 135,914 people who last month decided that their lives would be better off post-bankruptcy, than continuing to slog on and sink into a morass of financial despair. Hopefully, the fresh start will help, though you can just imagine that plenty of those people are still unemployed, and while now debt-free, or relatively debt free, aren't yet bringing in a serious income to fund their personal recoveries.

Continue reading Personal bankruptcies on the rise

Personal bankruptcies on the rise originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>bankruptciesbankruptcyGeoff WilliamsFri, 06 Nov 2009 16:00:00 ESTMan stabs himself to get out of working the night shifthttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/05/man-stabs-himself-to-get-out-of-working-the-night-shift/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/05/man-stabs-himself-to-get-out-of-working-the-night-shift/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/05/man-stabs-himself-to-get-out-of-working-the-night-shift/#commentsFiled under:

What do you make of a guy who doesn't want to go to work so badly that he stabs himself in the leg? And then calls the police to report that he's been knifed? All so he can avoid working his shift at Blockbuster Video.

The Denver Post reported earlier this week that when 29-year-old Aaron Siebers walked into Blockbuster at the start of his evening shift, he claimed he had been attacked by three people -- skinheads, he said at first. Indeed, he had a deep wound in his leg and several lesser cuts.

A manhunt soon ensued, complete with police dogs. Then the police started finding holes not just in his leg, but his story, For starters, he claimed to have been attacked near a Target, but the cameras didn't pick up the incident or show any suspicious activity.

Siebers eventually recanted and admitted that he had abducted himself at knife point.

Continue reading Man stabs himself to get out of working the night shift

Man stabs himself to get out of working the night shift originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Blockbusterjobsself-injurystabbingGeoff WilliamsThu, 05 Nov 2009 13:30:00 ESTWhat to do if your bank follows the 115 that failed this yearhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/02/what-to-do-if-your-bank-follows-the-115-that-failed-this-year/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/02/what-to-do-if-your-bank-follows-the-115-that-failed-this-year/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/02/what-to-do-if-your-bank-follows-the-115-that-failed-this-year/#commentsFiled under:

Almost every Friday this year, usually in the evening, a grim announcement is released to the public: Another bank has failed.

Sure enough, Friday came and went, and with it, came the announcement that another bank had failed. Actually, not just one bank had failed -- but nine. That's the most that's occurred on any one day this year.

So far this year, that brings the total number of bank failures to 115. The nine new banks are in California, Illinois, Texas and Arizona, all subsidiaries of FBOP Corp, a holding company based in Oak Park, Ill. And while nine bank failures at once is a lot, because they're all part of the same company, it doesn't seem as chilling a day as it might otherwise would have been.

Continue reading What to do if your bank follows the 115 that failed this year

What to do if your bank follows the 115 that failed this year originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>banksfailed banksFailedBanksGeoff WilliamsMon, 02 Nov 2009 00:25:00 EST