Time to buy oil stocks, how much do you need for retirement now?, medicare fraud risk grows - Today in Money 11/21

Posted Nov 21st 2008 8:57AM by Allan Halprin
Filed under: Wal-Mart (WMT), Citigroup Inc. (C), Money and Finance Today, Federal Natl Mtge (FNM)

In the News:

· Wal-Mart Names Mike Duke as New CEO to Replace Lee Scott in February

· Gas Prices Fall Below $2

· Citigroup Reportedly Seeking a Buyer as Worries Mount

· Dell Profit Slips, But Earnings Beat Expectations

· Ore-Ida Helps Heinz Profits Rise in 3Q

· Fannie & Freddie Halt Foreclosures for the Holidays

· Cost-Cutting Helps The Gap to a 3.4% Profit Rise

· Facebook Gets Aggressive to Sign Up More Users as Rest of Silicon Valley Hunkers Down

· Could a Ban on Fast-Food TV Ads Cut Obesity?

· Angelina Jolie Gets 'People' to Agree to Not Only Cash, But Positive Coverage of Her for Pictures of Her Kids

Time to Buy Oil Stocks
Even with gas prices in free fall and the global economy sputtering, now may be the time to bulk up on oil shares (if you dare). http://money.cnn.com/2008/11/20/news/companies/okeefe_oil_stocks.fortune/index.htm?postversion=2008112107

Sex, Lies and Subprime Mortgages
It may seem like ancient history now, but not long ago the mortgage industry was turning ordinary people into millionaires. One of them was Sharmen Lane, a high school dropout who, like many other young women during the boom, found her way into an obscure banking job with the clunky title "mortgage wholesaler." Her experience-and the experiences of other wholesalers like her-offers a glimpse into the recklessness and indulgence that drove the industry to ruin. The sexual favors, whistleblower intimidation, and routine fraud behind the fiasco that has triggered the global financial crisis.
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_47/b4109070638235.htm?campaign_id=twxa

How Much Is Enough for Retirement?
When it comes to retirement, no nest egg is ever too big. But in the current economic climate many people are questioning if they can still afford to retire early, on time, or at all.
http://www.bankrate.com/aol/news/retirementguide2008/20081103-retire-money-needed-a1.asp

7 Common Holiday Budget Busters
It's easy to get carried away with the spirit of the season and to overspend when shopping for gifts. Here are seven ways you can bust your budget without even trying.
http://www.bankrate.com/aol/news/pf/thrifty-gifting_worst_shopping_a1.asp

Medicare Fraud Risk Grows
Shady sales agents have put seniors at increased risk of falling victim to Medicare fraud. The next six weeks are the key time period for seniors to make the choices they will have for the next year. And with all the options available the confusion for many seniors is high. Unethical agents sometimes take advantage of this confusion. They try to persuade Medicare clients to switch their coverage to plans that may not be appropriate. As a result, some Medicare beneficiaries may become victims of fraud.
http://www.bankrate.com/aol/news/pf/20081121_medicare_fraud_risk_a1.asp

Most Dangerous States for Drunken Driving
If you want to avoid liquored-up drivers this holiday season, steer clear of Montana. In 2007, the state reported 11.1 drunken driving-related deaths that year for every 100,000 people living in the state. South Carolina, Mississippi, Wyoming and Louisiana round out the top five worst. http://www.forbes.com/travel/2008/11/20/driving-drunk-highway-forbeslife-cx_sw_1120drunk.html

7 Alert Services that Help You Save
Email alerts help you save on everything from airfare to overdraft fees. Other alerts you have to have include secondhand sales, overspending, price changes, account status changes and credit card deals.
http://www.smartmoney.com/Spending/Deals/7-Alert-Services-That-Help-You-Save/