Jan 5th, 2009 · Clients of Bernard Madoff may have lost their money, but they did come away with souvenirs. Clients and former employees are selling items with the company's name. Madoff is accused of the biggest Ponzi scheme in history. Former clients are using the auction site eBay to sell things like T-shirts, beach towels, umbrellas, coolers, binoculars, flashlights and tote bags. The postings tell buyers they can "own a piece of history!"
Dec 26th, 2008 · Purebred dogs go for top dollar in pet stores around the country, but buyers of cute, cuddly puppies may not know that some come from unregulated breeding mills overseas. In Los Angeles, one recent shipment of dead and ailing puppies from South Korea got the city's attention.
Dec 17th, 2008 · Chrysler says it will close all 30 of its manufacturing plants for a month starting Friday. The company needs to match production to slowing demand and conserve cash. Tighter credit markets are keeping would-be buyers away from their showrooms, Chrysler says.
Dec 16th, 2008 · Home prices were at a record high two years ago, but prices have since plummeted. Analysts predict the housing market could see an even sharper drop in prices as the industry attempts to stabilize. Harvard professor William Apgar, also a former Assistant Secretary of Housing at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and money coach Alvin Hall offer tips for both current homeowners and prospective buyers.
Dec 5th, 2008 · It took just 90 minutes for journalists at the New York Daily News to "steal" the Empire State Building. As part of an investigation into mortgage fraud, the journalists transferred the building's ownership deed with a forged notary stamp. The buyer? Nelots Properties. Netlots reads "stolen" backwards. Fay Wray — star of the original King Kong movie — was listed as a witness. The paper fessed up and returned the landmark building the next day.
Dec 4th, 2008 · Spain's decade-long real estate boom was a gold mine for Spanish soccer. Construction firms paid large sums to have their logos on team jerseys, and real estate moguls lined up to buy teams. Now, with investments failing, struggling teams and owners are looking for buyers — or maybe a bailout.
Dec 4th, 2008 · In another potentially big move to boost the economy, the Treasury Department is said to considering a plan to lower mortgage rates for home buyers to as low as 4.5 percent. That would be for 30 year fixed rate loans. Treasury officials aren't talking about the plan publicly.
Nov 17th, 2008 · Energy Star has posted new energy ratings for TVs to help consumers evaluate potential purchases. But an Energy Star listing alone doesn't mean the TV uses less energy. It means the TV is efficient — compared with others in its class.