One 'Lettter' Stocks Offer Opportunity
Several companies with single-letter ticker symbols currently offer potential for value investors, says George Putnam. The editor of The Turnaround Letter stock publication highlights a number of single-letter stocks that have been "beaten down pretty badly and now look particularly appealing." They include Agilent ('A'), Citigroup ('C'), Ford Motor ('F'), Kellogg ('K'), Macy's ('M'), NetSuite ('N'), Qwest ('Q'), Spring Nextel ('S') and AT&T ('T').
'Singular' values: A, C, F, K, M, N, Q, S, T - BloggingStocks

August Trading Strategies
August is traditionally one of the worst months for the market. Against an already volatile backdrop, Experts show you 12 ways to navigate the dog days of summer.
http://www.marketwatch.com/newscommentary/tradingstrategies


Buying Something? Your Purchase Can Trigger an Overdraft Fee Even Before It Clears
For years, banks have charged customers hefty fees for overdrawing their checking accounts. Now a growing number of institutions are charging customers such fees even before the transaction overdraws their account. Here's how it works: If you pay with your debit card, some banks will now charge you a fee -- $35 or more -- if you don't have funds in your account at the time you sign for the purchase. Previously, you didn't get charged this fee unless you were short of cash when the signature debit transaction cleared a few days later. That meant that, while the signature debit transaction was pending, consumers could often deposit money to cover any potential overdraft. (By contrast, PIN transactions typically clear immediately.)
Purchases can trigger overdraft fees even before they clear - USATODAY.com

What a Difference a Year Makes
Last summer, Bear Stearns CEO Jimmy Cayne was worth $1.6 billion on paper. Then he nearly died and Bear Stearns collapsed. The 85-year-old firm's demise cost Cayne $1 billion - trimming his net worth to around $600 million. Cayne's career at Bear Stearns ended with his legacy in tatters.
Jimmy Cayne: The trials of Bear Stearns's ex-CEO - FORTUNE

3 Brand-New Tax Changes You Need to Know About
The American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 (the Housing Act) was signed into law on July 30. The new legislation is supposed to stem the tide of home foreclosures and provide a lifeline to floundering mortgage lenders. It also includes three federal income tax changes that will affect many individuals. Two are intended to be helpful, but the third is meant to hurt. Here's what you need to know about all three.
3 Brand-New Tax Changes You Need to Know About - SmartMoney.com

Time to Lock in Your Mortgage Rate
During the housing boom, interest rates were extremely low - generally between 5.5% and 6.5% - and very stable. So borrowers often didn't bother to ask lenders to lock in their rates regardless of market fluctuations. If one good interest rate deal disappeared, another one was generally right around the corner. But today the mortgage market is very volatile, and rates are trending upwards. So losing out on a good deal may mean it's gone forever. If buyers see a bargain, say experts, they should pounce.
A good time to lock in mortgage rates - CNNmoney

Defending Your Money
Dicey economic times call for being proactive about investments, discretionary spending, and living expenses.
-- Battling a Property Tax Hike
-- How to Position Your Portfolio in Tough Times
-- An Arsenal for thd Defensive Investor
-- Protecting Your Income

10 Best Outdoorsy Places to Retire
If you like hiking or biking, these spots are for you. From Canyon Lake, Texas to Winchester, Virginia these places are for you.
10 Best Outdoorsy Places to Retire - US News and World Report

Three Cheers for the Cheapskate
The more we spend unnecessarily, the less money we save for our true priorities and future needs. That's especially important in challenging economic times. BusinessWeek asked financial advisors for tips on how to reduce expenses and boost savings. Changing spending habits can be difficult, but here are 25 suggestions to get started.
Twenty-Five Ways to Save More Each Month - BusinessWeek
Also: How to Cut Back