www

· Kraft Foods to Cut 400 Jobs

· Can GM & Ford Survive as Stocks Hit Over 50-Year Lows?

Credit Card Companies Cracking Down on Consumers
As the credit crunch weighs on the financial services sector, credit card issuers are tightening lending terms with consumers to lower their risk profile, from cutting borrowing limits to closing dormant accounts. A credit limit reduction can lower your credit score by 30 to 40 points. Here's how to prepare for any changes.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/27011843

College Costs: Coping With the Meltdown
Some unlucky investors like Dino Macaluso are feeling the double whammy of the market meltdown: They are watching their investment portfolios shrivel while college tuition payments loom. Some schools will work with a parent to find emergency loans and other ways to adjust as credit options and portfolios shrink.
http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/oct2008/db2008106_845416.htm?campaign_id=twxa

100 Priciest Zip Codes in America
Many of the ZIP codes on Forbes annual list saw strong price appreciation over the past year even as most of America is seeing a real estate meltdown. Once again, California tops the list, posting half of the top 500 ZIPs, with towns in New York, Connecticut and Florida, and neighborhoods in Manhattan, rounding out the group. 90210 maybe one of the most well-known zips, but it only ranks as the 10th most expensive in America. Topping the list is 33109 which is Fisher's Island in Miami, Florida.
http://www.forbes.com/2008/10/06/zip-expensive-lander-forbeslife-cx_lm_1006zipcodes_land.html

America's Fastest Selling Zip Codes
Even though credit is tight, job loses are rising and foreclosures are mounting there are some parts of the country that aren't doing so bad in real estate. These places are seeing homes selling the fastest in America. Topping the list is Cold Spring Harbor, New York which sa a 66% jump in sales.
http://www.forbes.com/2008/10/06/zips-sales-fast-forbeslife-cx_ls_1006zipsales.html

Consumer Reports Top 100 Products of the Year
The very best gear and goods in every category, from a year's worth of testing. See the best in electronics, appliances, home and garden and cars.
ConsumerReports.org - Consumer Reports top 100

Live Debt-Free
How to stay on top of your finances when life throws you a curve. Follow these 4-steps to stay in control of your debt and 5 ways you can dig out of debt if you are in over your head.
http://www.kiplinger.com/magazine/archives/2008/11/live-debt-free.html
Also: 4 Steps to Stay in Control
Also: 5 Ways to Dig Out of Debt

15 Ways to Retire Before 50
It requires savvy investing, smart spending and very strict saving, but it's possible to retire before 50.
http://www.forbes.com/personalfinance/2008/10/03/early-retirement-savings-pf-money-in_avb_1003youngmoney_inl.html

Best & Worst Kids Cereals
Are you one of those adults who keep a box of Frosted Flakes or Froot Loops hidden in the cupboard? Such sugary cereals are heavily marketed to children, to the tune of about $229 million advertising dollars per year. But an estimated 58 percent of "children's" cereals are consumed by the over-18 crowd. Some child-focused products are 50 percent sugar.The best cereals with a very good rating include Cheerios, Kix, Life and Honey Nut Cheerios and at the bottom of the list include Corn Pops, Froot Loops, Rice Krispies and Cap'n Crunch.
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/food/food-shopping/breads-grain/cereals/breakfast-cereals/overview/breakfast-cereals-ov.htm