Biggest Stock Losers
Since the market slump began six months ago, U.S. companies have bled away trillions of dollars in value. 80% of companies in the Standard & Poor's 500-stock index have fallen in value, according to data provider Capital IQ. Here's a damage report. The biggest loser is Bear Stearns which lost $16.7 billion in value. Other big losers include National City Bank, Ambac, CIT, Countrywide, E*Trade, WaMu, Sprint Nextel & Freddie Mac.
The Stock Market's Biggest Losers

6 Ways to Buy Checking 'Float' Time
Is your bank speeding money out of your checking account faster than you can put it in? Do you feel like someone just set your financial hamster wheel on fast-spin? Welcome to the new reality of check "float" -- or lack thereof. Float refers to the time it takes for money to leave your checking account. Nowadays, it's harder to buy extra time to pay your bills. Here are six moves you can make today to reclaim some lost "float" time.
6 ways to buy checking 'float' time -Bankrate.com


Credit Card Rates Soaring Higher
This month, Washington Mutual told some credit card customers that it was raising their rates by as much as 100%. Discover is lifting its penalty rate to 31%, effective May 1, and may apply that maximum to consumers who exceed their credit limit twice in a rolling 12 months. Bank of America raised rates for some customers in March -- triple, in some cases. So even as the Federal Reserve has cut interest rates, financial institutions have sharply raised rates for credit card customers -- even those who pay on time -- as they grapple with losses from other bad consumer loans.
Credit card rates hustle higher - USATODAY.com

A Last Resort for Student Loans
After exploring all other options, students can now turn to peer lenders for help. Here are four things to consider before you seek tuition money on a peer-to-peer lending site.
Peer Lenders: A Last Resort for Student Loans - SmartMoney.com

Antique Shoppers' Best-Kept Secrets
Estate sales can be treasure troves for deeply discounted art and collectibles. What are you waiting for? Here are the secrets to getting your hands on the good stuff and closing the deal.
Secrets of estate sale treasure hunters - MONEY Magazine