10 Things We Overpay For: You Can Save Big by Buying Cheap Alternatives Instead

10 Things We Overpay For:
You Can Save Big by Buying Cheap Alternatives Instead

By Joan Goldwasser, Kiplinger.com
Does the avalanche of news about layoffs, business losses and a declining stock market have you looking for ways to cut your spending so you can beef up your savings? We're here to help, with suggestions for less-expensive alternatives to ten everyday purchases (for more ideas, go to www.BillShrink.com, which tracks cell-phone plans and credit cards).

"UNCERTAINTY AND MYSTERY ARE THE ENERGIES OF LIFE."

And while the Bond market may agree with R.I. Fitzhenry's words about uncertainty, most investors in the Stock market don't... just ask Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke. Last week, Mr. Bernanke testified before the Senate and House Banking Committees, making several cautious comments on the state of the labor market and inflation, as well as stating that the Fed would be ready to take action should economic conditions worsen. 

They say the only constant is change... And more change is coming,

	...as the sweeping Financial Regulation Bill was passed by the Senate last week and will be signed by President Obama in short order to become law. So what does this change mean... and how will it impact home loan rates? Here's what you need to know.

"Over there... over there..." The old patriotic song hit it on the head...

...in terms of what has been driving market action lately... news from overseas. In the absence of US economic reports last week, Stocks received some help from headlines "over there." Late last week, the European Central Bank (ECB) left interest rates at a record low - which wasn’t really a surprise, given the sharp economic slowdown and uncertainty in Europe.