Tim, Tim, Tim. You've been throwing around a lot of scary words like "disaster" and "hardship" and you seem a little tense. Don't freak out. I know things are looking pretty dark right now, but I promise, even if you've got to default, you'll get through it. I had my...

Admittedly, I've been a little myopic, focusing exclusively on the personal financial struggles of working class Americans like me.

I figured that with the millions of dollars worth of highly paid economic advisers you employ, you'd be able to handle the national recovery without my guidance. Boy, was...

In the current economy, Halloween isn't just a holiday for children, it's also a source of free food for adults trying to feed themselves and their families.

But before you go out and gather the season's bounty, it's important to remember that some Halloween candy is worth more than...

As the "Summer of Recovery" draws to a close and labor day soon approaches, it's time to discuss what to do when after months and months of chronic unemployment (often referred to as "laziness"), someone actually responds to one of the 2,000 applications you've submitted over the past few months....

Update: Following the publication of this post, the commander of the 3rd Battalion 6th Marines, who operates out of Camp Hill, responded to my original inquiries. His reply in full is as follows:

3/6 had a successful visit with Mr. Rivera. At no time did he or this command ever...

I don't care how little disposable income you have, sometimes you've got to pamper yourself. Whether it's a little "me time", buying yourself a luxury item, taking a mini-vacation or getting a lap dance in an S&M club, studies show that these occasional indulgences are rejuvenating and can even help...

If you're anything like me, right now you're trying desperately to ignore the vague fear that you can no longer afford to continue your current housing situation. You probably keep hoping you'll get a new job, inherit a fortune, the government will intervene or that Armaggedon will strike before your...

Some argue that an Ivy League education...

Are you one of the many Americans despairing that the trillions in taxpayer dollars spent stabilizing the economy still hasn't translated into job creation? Be patient, grasshopper, work will come.

Granted, a lot of the jobs as we knew them won't be coming back. But once you take a...

Dear Friends, Family and Whom it may concern:

Is it almost 2010 already?

2009 has been a busy year at my house. And there's no better time than the holidays to reflect and reconnect with loved ones.

Where to start on the extraordinary year...

Unless you've already received that big bonus for your role steering the stock market out of freefall this past year, you're probably a little desperate about the holidays right about now.

Nobody wants you to go into deeper debt or give up eating to buy presents (except your credit card...

In 1621, the Pilgrims and Indians gathered for a harvest feast that became known as America's first Thanksgiving. Over the centuries, the legacy of gathering and giving thanks for a bountiful harvest has has evolved into a frenzy of gluttony and consumerism....

If you've lived your life believing that hard work, ethics, observing the golden rule and fiscal responsibility will be rewarded, you're probably a little ticked off right now. Okay, you're probably roiling with rage (especially if you stopped taking your anti-depressants because your insurance company canceled you for being depressed).

Last year at this time you were probably at the seamstress putting the final touches on your Marie Antoinette/Sarah Palin/Henry VIII/Joe the Plumber costume. Unless you're a Wall Street or Insurance executive or one of their lobbyists, you may be feeling some trepidation as to how to deal with the...

Maybe you have to pay your past due Citicard balance down so you can charge some food on it. Or you need an emergency appendectomy but your insurance company canceled your policy because you need an emergency appendectomy. Or you desperately need...

I know it's hard to believe this right now, but for everything dear to you that you've lost or cut back on during these times of economic strife, there IS a silver lining.

I'm listing some of the painful losses I've...

Judging by the letters from my readers, the new financial reality is creating a lot of social questions and issues that didn't exist the last time we heard from Miss Manners. I thought it might be helpful to answer some of the...

Regardless of how the health care debate turns out, one thing has become very clear. We're going to have to step up and start taking care of our own health. The people spending over 60 million dollars to debate it sure won't.

The obvious place to start is establishing some...

Even if your clunker didn't qualify for any cash, it's a great time to pick up a new fuel efficient vehicle suited to your current needs. Since I've already been through the drill, I thought I'd share my research to help anyone...