tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90774093138891650732012-01-29T01:00:21.537-05:00Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.comBlogger1411100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-89610906417791987192012-01-05T09:57:00.001-05:002012-01-24T22:15:26.814-05:00

Before you go into your boss's office demanding more money, take the time to lay the groundwork for a successful conversation.This article was originally published by Fortune.com on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012. By Katherine Reynolds Lewis, contributorFORTUNE -- As you set career goals for 2012, a raise might be on your list. After all, the economy is slowly recovering, unemployment is ticking down and

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-19690155680710691422011-12-21T10:16:00.002-05:002012-01-24T22:29:19.490-05:00

This article was originally published by the New York Times on Wed., Dec. 21, 2011. By Katherine Reynolds LewisLooking back, Cyndi Finkle wishes she had sold her craft services company, Sunday Night Dinner, early in 2008 when the economy was booming. With a track record of 30 to 50 percent annual growth for each of the previous five years, it could have been a compelling transaction.At the time,

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-48908765548869566112011-12-19T12:21:00.000-05:002012-01-24T22:28:01.329-05:00

There's no denying that working remotely provides tremendous benefits, but more organizations are finding that virtual collaboration also comes with significant limitations.This article was originally published by Fortune.com on Monday, Dec. 19, 2011. By Katherine Reynolds Lewis, contributorFORTUNE – Once a year, leaders of Community Options come together from its 35 locations for a retreat. The

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-76981125015727583582011-12-01T10:24:00.000-05:002012-01-27T21:02:14.673-05:00

Start talking about younger workers, and pretty soon the word "entitled" comes up. But several companies have started programs to help the younger set learn the corporate ropes.This article was originally published by Fortune.com on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011. By Katherine Reynolds Lewis, contributorFORTUNE -- If you want to liven up a group of senior managers, raise the topic of the youngest

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-45390167254258651122011-11-11T09:05:00.000-05:002012-01-27T21:11:54.900-05:00

This article was originally published by Bankrate.com on Friday November 11, 2011.By Katherine Reynolds Lewis • Bankrate.comHalting proprietary stock tradingFederal regulators in early October proposed new regulations aimed at stopping banks from trading for their own profit.The so-called Volcker rule, named after former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker, is part of last year's Dodd-Frank Act

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-90339602655433092312011-11-09T06:00:00.001-05:002012-01-27T21:20:27.653-05:00

Imagine unlimited paid vacation and sick leave, with no mandated office hours. Chaos, right? Not according to a handful of award-winning employers profiled in a new report on effective workplaces.This article was originally published by Fortune.com on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. By Katherine Reynolds Lewis, contributorFORTUNE -- At MeetingMatrix International, a communications firm based in

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-43040252515868851722011-11-05T09:27:00.000-04:002012-01-27T21:31:39.786-05:00

This article was first published on Saturday, November 5, by the Washington Post. By Katherine Reynolds LewisSrinivasan Soundararajan and Jennifer Nordin have been thinking about selling their Potomac townhouse and moving into a detached house for some time. With two small children, 1 and 3 years old, they are beginning to outgrow their three-bedroom house.This past summer, the couple stayed out

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-38006275888891596112011-11-02T16:35:00.000-04:002012-01-29T00:39:22.455-05:00

This article was originally published by Bankrate.com on Wednesday November 2, 2011.By Katherine Reynolds Lewis • Bankrate.comFederal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke defended the central bank's efforts to stimulate the economy and encourage job creation while expressing sympathy for the frustration many Americans feel at the slow pace of economic recovery.At a press conference following the regular

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-81264815582480764792011-10-20T11:26:00.002-04:002012-01-29T00:52:26.868-05:00

With many talented workers experiencing stretches of unemployment, employers are taking a harder look at unpaid experience. Here's what to include -- and what to leave out.This article was originally published by Fortune.com on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2012. By Katherine Reynolds Lewis, contributorFORTUNE -- Scale Computing chief executive Jeff Ready recently was interviewing job candidates for a

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-39387171230484702792011-10-14T12:55:00.001-04:002012-01-29T01:00:21.546-05:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Friday, Oct. 14, 2011. By Katherine Reynolds Lewis, The Fiscal Times Every day seems to bring fresh bad news about the housing market. Sales are down, foreclosures are up, mortgages are harder to obtain. Americans had better get used to it -- the housing mess is unlikely to see a near-term fix.Since taking over mortgage giants Fannie

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-48340021446739387882011-08-29T17:34:00.002-04:002011-08-29T17:41:53.464-04:00

It's not sexy, but it can save your bacon. Get to know your emergency fund. This article was originally published by USA Today in the fall 2011 issue of Men's Health Magazine. By Katherine Reynolds Lewis The emergency fund: it's that pile of cash that's just sitting there, ready for you to lose your job. The traditional advice is to save six to 12 months' living expenses. How could you

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-61327775953916740432011-08-29T17:17:00.006-04:002011-09-02T08:26:22.118-04:00

This article was originally published by USA Today in the fall 2011 issue of Men's Health Magazine. By Katherine Reynolds Lewis Given how the world of high finances is dominated by men, you'd be forgiven for thinking that they make better investors than women. But the fact is piles of research show that it's men's better halves who produce better returns. Female hedge fund managers achieve

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-16930773903556360992011-08-19T14:01:00.004-04:002011-08-19T14:53:45.996-04:00

This article was originally published in the August 2011 issue of Money Magazine. By Katherine Reynolds Lewis (MONEY Magazine) -- The season for natural disasters, it seems, is now year-round. Floods and a record number of tornadoes have already caused billions of dollars of property damage across the nation in 2011. Come fall, forecasters expect an unusually active hurricane season. Moreover,

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-84336927588076848492011-08-04T12:41:00.001-04:002011-08-19T13:09:02.108-04:00

They're awfully hard to spot because they seem agreeable to your face, but they drag their feet or sabotage projects behind your back. Is there an antidote? This article was originally published by Fortune.com on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2011. By Katherine Reynolds Lewis, contributor FORTUNE -- During a month-long household move, Patty Shore, director of marketing at Creative Energy Options, asked to

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-17981038156819552642011-07-21T13:09:00.001-04:002011-08-19T13:16:28.911-04:00

With thin staffs and a slowly improving job market, employers can't just let employees take vacation whenever they want, but they also can't risk damaging morale. This summer, a few firms are getting creative. This article was originally published by Fortune.com on Thursday, July 21, 2011. By Katherine Reynolds Lewis, contributor FORTUNE -- This summer, most of the outdoorsy employees at ski

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-10730509716973537042011-07-21T12:59:00.000-04:002011-08-19T13:04:54.575-04:00

It's been a year since Congress passed and President Barack Obama signed into law the most sweeping financial reform since the Great Depression. But as of the Dodd-Frank Act's July 21 anniversary, regulators had completed only 49 of the hundreds of rules mandated by the 2,000-plus page law. This article was originally published by Bankrate.com on Thursday, July 21, 2011. By Katherine Reynolds

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-49413884511195874182011-07-19T13:31:00.001-04:002011-08-19T13:33:21.759-04:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Tuesday, July 19, 2011. By Katherine Reynolds Lewis, The Fiscal Times Next to health care reform, no other recent legislation has caught as much heat as financial regulation. Born of the subprime housing mortgage scandal and financial meltdown three years ago, the Dodd-Frank legislation provokes either glowing praise from consumers

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-13740971877283817502011-07-19T13:25:00.000-04:002011-08-19T13:28:09.291-04:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Tuesday, July 19, 2011. By Katherine Reynolds Lewis, The Fiscal Times Despite the sluggish recovery, Americans are starting to feel a little better about their prospects. But that may not be good news for retirement savings. While the recession shocked us into boosting our near-zero savings levels, we’re already being less frugal.

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-36306890477211360462011-07-06T09:57:00.001-04:002011-10-28T22:05:23.938-04:00

Employers who use group job interviews say they're great for spotting team-oriented employees without wasting time. But some job-seekers say the whole process is nerve-wracking and even demeaning.This article was originally published by Fortune.com on Wednesday, July 6, 2011.By Katherine Reynolds Lewis, contributor, FortuneWhen ActionCOACH tells job candidates they'll be evaluated in a group when

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-83876964706971684852011-06-17T10:09:00.001-04:002011-10-28T22:16:33.641-04:00

More American fathers are assuming an increasingly active role in raising their children, but many employers haven't adequately responded to their changing needs.This article was originally published by Fortune.com on Friday, June 17, 2011.By Katherine Reynolds Lewis, contributor, FortuneWho's going to pick the kids up from soccer practice? Or how about when junior is feeling sick and needs to be

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-19929017927262196022011-06-09T10:16:00.000-04:002011-10-28T22:26:55.749-04:00

Sometimes you're married to work; other times you are married at work. The ups and downs of working at the same office as -- or alongside -- your spouse.This article was originally published by Fortune.com on Thursday, June 9, 2011.By Katherine Reynolds Lewis, contributor, FortuneWhen Tom Corwin is done with his workday, he knocks on the wall. That signals his wife Carol -- who works in the

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-7955641619702513762011-05-19T23:31:00.000-04:002011-07-07T23:43:19.381-04:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Thursday, May 19, 2011.By Katherine Reynolds Lewis Even before it formally opens its doors this summer, the new federal agency created to protect consumers from unscrupulous financial industry practices is coming under withering attack by Wall Street and Republican lawmakers. And despite a months-long charm offensive by Elizabeth Warren

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-87381371927306910382011-05-12T14:26:00.002-04:002011-07-07T23:26:10.819-04:00

This article was originally published by MSN Money on Thursday, May 12, 2011.It might be supremely patriotic to stop purchasing imports, but the consequences for US consumers and the economy would be devastating.By Katherine Reynolds LewisLegions of patriotic Americans look for "made in USA" stickers before buying products, out of a desire to support the country's economy.But what if we all were

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-49947672422774622442011-05-11T22:49:00.000-04:002011-07-07T23:16:33.997-04:00

It's all too easy for companies to fall into a yes-man culture, but managers that encourage loyal opposition are best suited to avoid corporate disaster.This article was originally published by Fortune.com on Wednesday, May 11, 2011.By Katherine Reynolds Lewis, contributorImagine going to your boss with news of a delayed project or cost overrun, and hearing"thank you" in response.That's the rule

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-64563941613554360702011-05-03T10:19:00.000-04:002011-05-16T14:21:00.429-04:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Tuesday, May 3, 2011.By Katherine Reynolds Lewis Until recently, countries like Canada, Australia, and Norway could expect little more than scraps off the table after global investors parked most of their cash in U.S. Treasurys — long considered the gold standard for government securities. Throughout much of the past decade, more than

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-24279506815091842892011-04-27T09:48:00.000-04:002011-05-16T14:20:39.830-04:00

This article was originally published by Bankrate.com on Wednesday, April 27, 2011.By Katherine Reynolds LewisFederal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke made history by facing nearly five dozen reporters in an hour-long press conference, the first ever for the U.S. central bank.With his usual unruffled delivery, Bernanke answered a dozen and a half questions ranging from the effects of long-term

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-42554120542422738562011-04-20T10:34:00.000-04:002011-05-16T14:23:47.029-04:00

While it's no magic bullet and comes with sacrifices from both sides, more offices across the country are offering flexible working arrangements to increase retention, productivity and morale.This article was originally published by Fortune.com on Wednesday, April 20, 2011.By Katherine Reynolds Lewis, contributorWhen John Parry, CEO at Solix, Inc., arrives at work at around 7 a.m., the office

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-67465805957206402152011-04-17T10:25:00.000-04:002011-05-16T14:21:33.675-04:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Sunday, April 17, 2011.By Katherine Reynolds Lewis Many small businesses are still struggling to raise capital in the wake of the Great Recession, despite a flurry of government and private initiatives.President Obama launched Startup America to encourage entrepreneurship, stressing that small businesses traditionally have been the

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-91282623025309740852011-04-01T09:39:00.000-04:002011-05-16T14:20:12.553-04:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Friday, April 1, 2011.By Katherine Reynolds Lewis The Treasury Department is crowing about a new analysis that claims the government’s massive bank bailout in response to the 2008 financial crisis will actually end up turning a profit of nearly $24 billion.Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said that while the government’s overriding

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-1962939805769317202011-03-31T10:24:00.000-04:002011-05-16T14:19:44.952-04:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Thursday, March 31, 2011.By Katherine Reynolds Lewis When Ramona Cruz worked as a stripper at three different clubs in Massachusetts, her bosses dictated everything, from her skimpy attire, hair and makeup to the long hours she performed on stage and when she could participate in more lucrative private dances with customers.Because she

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-31155921444986186782011-03-25T09:27:00.001-04:002011-10-28T21:51:40.400-04:00

While businesses are generally wary of the risks of using unpaid labor, companies that have used free workers say it can pay off when done right.This article was originally published by Fortune.com on Friday, March 25, 2011.By Katherine Reynolds LewisWith nearly 14 million unemployed workers in America, many have gotten so desperate that they're willing to work for free. While some businesses are

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-49964930118783302562011-03-24T09:59:00.000-04:002011-05-16T14:19:23.888-04:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Thursday, March 24, 2011.By Katherine Reynolds Lewis Of all the woes of the Great Recession, one anomaly is the most troubling: How can the economy be growing while unemployment remains so high? The breakdown in the historic relationship between GDP growth and jobs has confounded experts ranging from White House Chief Economist Austan

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-64956881854667074682011-03-18T21:54:00.004-04:002011-03-18T21:58:53.546-04:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Friday, March 18, 2011.By Katherine Reynolds Lewis Taxes are never fun, but this year is proving especially painful. Not only did the Internal Revenue Service fail to finalize all its systems and forms until mid-February, some popular tax breaks expired in 2010.It wasn’t until mid-December that Congress reached a compromise for

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-36081698003483050242011-03-18T21:51:00.005-04:002011-03-18T21:59:06.017-04:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Monday, March 7, 2011.By Katherine Reynolds Lewis Investors are worried about the federal deficit, still-high unemployment and rising oil prices, which are raising the specter of inflation. But they’re buying stocks, afraid of being left out as major indexes rise to their highest levels in nearly three years. They may be too

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-4214692004154812872011-03-18T21:47:00.003-04:002011-03-18T21:59:16.950-04:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Monday, Feb. 28, 2011.By Katherine Reynolds Lewis As Illinois lawmakers wrestle with a $13 billion budget deficit – the equivalent of half the overall budget for the year – they are finding that simply keeping up with the interest payments on the debt is an onerous task. This year’s price tag: a crippling penalty of more than a

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-55014636114149322792011-03-18T21:43:00.002-04:002011-03-18T21:47:15.342-04:00

Sometimes it's not. How to know when to be true to your vision, and when to grow your company at any cost.This article was originally published by Fortune.com on Friday, Feb. 25, 2011.By Katherine Reynolds Lewis, contributorCompany founders fall into two categories, according to Noam Wasserman, an associate professor at Harvard Business School. The "king" wants to build an empire and change the

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-86816570197978905752011-03-18T21:30:00.004-04:002011-03-18T21:59:31.260-04:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2011.By Katherine Reynolds Lewis Millions of homeowners facing foreclosure dodged a bullet when the Federal Reserve Board changed course on proposed changes to mortgage rules, instead deferring to the nascent Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in the first skirmish over regulatory authority under last year’s sweeping

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-72458642377588602322011-02-12T17:36:00.003-05:002011-02-12T17:40:17.796-05:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Friday, Feb. 11, 2011.The Obama administration released a white paper proposing the gradual winding down of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and overhauling the mortgage securities market.By Katherine Reynolds LewisThe Obama administration Friday laid out an ambitious vision for U.S. housing finance reform, in which the government gradually

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-63129284556408726462011-02-12T16:56:00.003-05:002011-02-12T17:22:06.528-05:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Monday, Feb. 7, 2011.The SEC will soon issue a rule giving corporate whistleblowers the chance to collect big money for reporting securities violations, but the business community fears a wave of frivolous claims.By Katherine Reynolds LewisIn his continuing outreach to business leaders, President Obama spoke at the U.S. Chamber of

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-21050165407781332172011-01-31T15:37:00.007-05:002011-01-31T15:59:19.225-05:00

This article was originally published by MSN Money on Monday, Jan. 31, 2011.Smart shoppers use the Internet to save a bundle through comparison sites, coupons and online services. Just be sure you're not wasting time and money to save a buck.By Katherine Reynolds LewisSavvy Internet users can save nearly $8,000 a year through smarter shopping, online discounts and Web-based services such as bill

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-59063264994195309072011-01-26T23:09:00.008-05:002011-03-09T22:26:44.454-05:00

This article was originally published by Fortune.com on Monday, Jan. 24, 2011.While the thought of sharing control of your company can be nerve-wracking, those who have been through the transition swear by having a second set of hands. As long as they're the right hands.By Katherine Reynolds LewisSince founding Secure Enterprise Computing in 1998, chairman Randall Bennett has seen business boom -

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-25093314771377698212011-01-26T23:05:00.005-05:002011-01-26T23:23:57.222-05:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011.As the administration prepares its proposals for overhauling Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the housing industry and public interest groups are floating ideas of their own.By Katherine Reynolds LewisAs the Obama administration struggles to draft a report to Congress on how best to overhaul Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac,

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-38237296036141658662011-01-26T22:43:00.003-05:002011-01-26T22:54:52.000-05:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011.With a Jan. 31 deadline looming for making recommendations, the Obama administration is badly divided over how to reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the financially strapped and controversial mortgage giants.By Katherine Reynolds LewisThe Obama administration is sorely divided over how to reform Fannie Mae and

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-23331185987768562442010-12-28T16:36:00.002-05:002010-12-28T16:39:45.896-05:00

This article was originally published by the New York Times on Thursday, Dec. 23, 2010. In early 2008, Matt Dorey, founder and chief executive of Curve Dental, was at a loss. Three years into building a comprehensive Web-based software package for dentists, he felt the product was ready, but he was not sure how to make Curve a market leader. “The company was getting complicated,” Mr. Dorey said.

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-39074033639877990512010-12-28T16:32:00.001-05:002010-12-28T16:34:20.035-05:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Thursday, Dec. 23, 2010.While women fared much better than men throughout the recession, the gap in the unemployment rates between men and women is beginning to narrow as more and more men are going back to work.By Katherine Reynolds LewisNearly two years after being laid off from his information technology sales job, Alan Yellowitz of

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-4866298496091132402010-12-20T11:58:00.004-05:002010-12-20T12:06:12.060-05:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010.Two House Republican lawmakers want financial regulators to slow down new rules for derivatives trading to avoid the effects on big corporations. By Katherine Reynolds LewisTwo key Republican lawmakers urged financial regulators to slow down the progress of new rules for the nearly $500 trillion over-the-counter

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-83827638115930674742010-12-20T11:53:00.010-05:002011-01-27T13:26:24.231-05:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010.The Commodity Futures Trading Commission is considering new rules that could move derivatives trading to an exchange or clearinghouse, which would have a big impact on the profits of Wall Street banks.By Katherine Reynolds LewisFederal regulators next week are set to propose new rules for trading over-the-counter

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-55711990862030064172010-11-24T22:11:00.004-05:002010-11-24T22:28:26.668-05:00

This article was originally published by TBD.com on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010.By Katherine Reynolds LewisMie N Yu, Potenza, Zola -- they're all among a movement in Washington culinary circles toward locally grown, all-natural ingredients.Another thing they have in common: dealings with Black Eagle Farm, a producer in rural Virginia that was found to have violated animal-care statutes and that lost

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-15084635264828334272010-11-24T22:03:00.003-05:002010-11-24T22:11:15.199-05:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Friday, Nov. 12, 2010.It's parents vs. the childless at some workplaces as benefits geared to parents are seen as biased and unfair.By Katherine Reynolds LewisWith the holidays approaching, tension is mounting in some workplaces over which employees get time off — and which remain in the office while their co-workers enjoy turkey

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-42171580596023153722010-11-05T15:53:00.002-04:002010-11-05T19:53:57.847-04:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Friday, Nov. 5, 2010With more than 100 professional designations for financial-services providers, it can be hard to figure out who you can trust with your with your money. New government regulations may change that.By Katherine Reynolds LewisWondering whether to jump back into the market after the Federal Reserve's plan to pump $600

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-41427336759339939512010-11-01T17:22:00.003-04:002010-11-01T17:28:35.813-04:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2010Just over half the students who enter a four-year college complete their degree and even fewer community college students graduate, leaving many without the qualifications they need to land a job.By Katherine Reynolds LewisMillions of first-year college students and their families now paying for the most expensive

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-48651055403265623232010-10-04T22:19:00.004-04:002010-10-04T22:29:40.761-04:00

This article was originally published by Financial Planning magazine in October 2010.The Dodd-Frank legislation calls for studies of fiduciary duty and financial planning oversight. What they find could change the industry.By Katherine Reynolds LewisThe buzz of activity in Washington over financial regulatory reform hasn't died since Congress passed the sweeping Dodd-Frank legislation and

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-29826392132366749872010-10-04T22:08:00.003-04:002010-10-04T22:18:10.532-04:00

This article was originally published by Gannett News Service and the Jackson Clarion-Ledger on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2010.By Katherine Reynolds LewisWASHINGTON — Mississippi Justice James Graves Jr. clarified his position on the death penalty Wednesday during a Senate hearing on his nomination for a federal judgeship.Responding to a question from Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., Graves explained that

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-43464006705863771472010-09-23T14:59:00.003-04:002010-09-23T15:05:57.780-04:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010 and the Washington Post on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010.The landmark Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. has been a watering hole for presidents and pundits alike. But like other commercial real estate properties throughout the country affected by the mortgage crisis, the Mayflower is under water. By Katherine

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-83364099235784987892010-09-23T14:27:00.004-04:002010-09-23T14:32:25.023-04:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Friday, Sept. 3, 2010.Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke told the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission that federal regulators must be ready to close down the largest banks and financial institutions if they once again threaten to bring down the global financial system.By Katherine Reynolds LewisTwo years after Washington had to spend hundreds of

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-6064404224087684922010-09-02T12:47:00.002-04:002010-09-02T12:55:18.593-04:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010.The former CEO of Lehman Brothers testified during one of the final hearings of the commission investigating the U.S. financial crisis that federal regulators prematurely forced the firm into bankruptcy before all other options were exhausted.By Katherine Reynolds LewisJust days before the two-year anniversary of

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-1209761888714017462010-08-30T13:10:00.002-04:002010-08-30T13:20:02.362-04:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010.Despite one of the worst recessions of modern times, the U.S. economy could face significant labor shortages in the coming months because of a mismatch between the quality of the available labor and the demands of industry.By Katherine Reynolds LewisAlan Yellowitz of Fairfax, Va., has been job hunting since

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-74172814347056429652010-07-08T00:33:00.003-04:002010-08-30T14:06:56.714-04:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Friday, July 2, 2010.The landmark financial overhaul legislation will raise banking industry regulatory costs, lower their profits and limit their use of their own assets in risky investments.By Katherine Reynolds LewisA major overhaul of financial regulations that cleared the House this week will put the banking industry on course for

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-89605888585078495822010-07-08T00:29:00.002-04:002010-07-08T00:33:23.116-04:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.Freshman Republican Sen. Scott Brown objected to a stiff new banking fee which would cover the $19 billion cost of implementing new financial regulation.By Katherine Reynolds LewisJust as Congress was on the verge of passing the broadest overhaul of financial regulation since the Great Depression — following

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-61402345581742184672010-06-17T23:27:00.000-04:002010-06-24T23:30:45.923-04:00

This article was originally published by Slate on Thursday, June 17, 2010.Why do dads lie on surveys about fatherhood? And why their lying is socially significant.By Katherine Reynolds LewisA new Boston College study makes the modern American dad look positively Swedish in his dedication to his children and his zeal to participate equally in raising them. The yearlong qualitative study of 33

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-79256527038606959012010-06-14T23:05:00.000-04:002010-06-24T23:12:04.156-04:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Monday, June 14, 2010.Obama's performance czar, Jeff Zients, seeks to streamline the bureaucracy and make it cool to work for the government.By Katherine Reynolds LewisJust a week after Jeffrey D. Zients assumed his first management job 18 years ago, he slashed the size of his staff from six to two and replaced one of the remaining

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-90482698452029513922010-05-24T22:57:00.002-04:002010-08-30T14:04:40.498-04:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Monday, May 24, 2010.Financial regulation legislation silent on key issues.By Katherine Reynolds LewisThe Senate's action last week to discourage high-risk behavior and regulatory failures has been hailed as the most sweeping reform of the banking and financial system since the 1930s, yet the landmark legislation leaves huge gaps in

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-16604137770154349172010-05-11T22:14:00.001-04:002010-06-24T22:17:05.056-04:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Tuesday, May 11, 2010.The Obama administration has ordered sweeping changes to speed up the federal hiring process and to make it less frustrating to apply for a job.By Katherine Reynolds LewisThe Obama administration implemented sweeping changes to the federal hiring process Tuesday to make it easier and faster to hire new government

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-66924469525236559102010-05-05T22:17:00.002-04:002010-08-30T14:03:12.556-04:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Wednesday, May 5, 2010.Efforts to regulate financial derivatives trigger memories of a failed effort during the Clinton administration to impose regulations.By Katherine Reynolds LewisAs the Senate negotiates sweeping changes to financial regulations, some policy experts are flashing back to the late 1990s, when a Clinton administration

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-85190441889087137472010-04-18T21:56:00.001-04:002010-08-30T14:01:16.619-04:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Sunday, April 18, 2010Democrats and Republicans disagree on the methods to prevent future emergency bailouts.By Katherine Reynolds LewisIn the wake of a major government fraud case against Goldman Sachs, the Obama administration and Senate Democrats are poised to forge a consensus this week on a sweeping overhaul of financial

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-36378084198356136372010-04-02T00:33:00.004-04:002010-08-30T14:08:31.470-04:00

This story was originally published by the Washington Post Magazine on Sunday, April 4, 2010, in conjunction with an online discussion.A stay at home mom attempts to go back to work after nearly two decades. Can she revive her career?By Katherine Reynolds LewisAmy Beckett put away her reading glasses and file folder and stood up. It was time. It was almost past time. She tossed the empty paper

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-83265604870032455762010-04-02T00:11:00.002-04:002010-04-02T00:25:06.970-04:00

This article was originally published by MSN Money, on Monday, March 29, 2010Federal law sets clear limits on what debt collectors can do. If their tactics go beyond those limits, you can win money -- and it's a surprisingly easy process. By Katherine Reynolds LewisIf you're overdue on your bills, you may know all too well the headaches of phone calls, letters and threats from creditors.Now some

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-19704377290503551542010-04-02T00:01:00.005-04:002010-04-02T00:29:25.348-04:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Thursday, March 25, 2010.Democrats want a watchdog to protect consumers from reckless practices, but Republicans say regulation would be costly and inefficient.By Katherine Reynolds Lewis When it comes to overhauling financial regulations, Democrats and Republicans have much to fight over: how best to rein in the derivatives market,

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-22274698153774146112010-03-04T19:53:00.001-05:002010-08-30T13:59:00.559-04:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Thursday, March 4, 2010.While he awaits Senate confirmation, acting Treasury assistant secretary for tax policy Michael Mundaca has seen his job dwindle from a meaty policy role to a more technical position.By Katherine Reynolds Lewis Last fall, President Obama picked Michael F. Mundaca, a talented legal mind and political pragmatist,

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-64253121542283720652010-02-22T16:42:00.006-05:002010-08-30T13:56:32.404-04:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Friday, Feb. 19, 2010.When European economies suffer turmoil, the dollar is considered the only safe havenBy Katherine Reynolds Lewis As European policymakers scramble to resolve fiscal problems in Greece, the fast-changing news about the country's sovereign debt crisis has raised havoc on the value of the euro — and the dollar.When the

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-42957882880774023372010-02-15T11:47:00.003-05:002010-08-30T13:54:00.419-04:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010.The numbers quell criticism that the bailout would be too costly to taxpayers.By Katherine Reynolds LewisThe Treasury has recouped nearly a third of the $545 billion it invested to help rescue U.S. financial institutions and in some cases has reaped substantial returns on those investments.The strong showing is

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-89858724010135759812010-02-15T11:33:00.006-05:002010-08-30T13:49:53.250-04:00

This article was originally published by the Fiscal Times on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010.By Katherine Reynolds Lewis and Elaine S. PovichA week after President Barack Obama unveiled his $3.8 trillion budget, a deeply divided Congress is using the proposal's perceived weaknesses as a starting point for carving up and rewriting the document.Congressional critics charge the fiscal 2011 budget is soft on

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-78720512910262287522009-12-14T22:49:00.004-05:002009-12-14T23:00:56.079-05:00

This article was originally published by MSN Money, on Friday, Dec. 11, 2009.Did you get conned into joining a check-cashing scam? Even if authorities decide you're an innocent victim, you could find yourself owing a bank thousands of dollars.By Katherine Reynolds LewisCash a check, go to jail. Or at the very least, empty your own savings account and ruin your credit.It's happened to hundreds of

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-59341350419146016202009-12-10T16:40:00.004-05:002009-12-10T16:53:22.248-05:00

This article was originally published by MSN Money, on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009.The 40-year-old system might be vulnerable to technical collapse and cyberattack, which could cause widespread chaos in fields from banking to health care to government.By Katherine Reynolds LewisWhen your Internet service goes down, it's at best an inconvenience. If you rely on it for business, it can quickly cost you

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-78885543103509086802009-10-04T22:10:00.004-04:002009-10-04T22:21:57.175-04:00

This article was originally published in Parade, on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009.By Katherine Reynolds LewisMore than 15 million Americans abused prescription drugs such as OxyContin, Ritalin, and Valium last year, and thousands died from overdoses. “Drug poisoning has become the second leading cause of death from unintentional injury, exceeded only by motor-vehicle crashes,” said Dr. Leonard Paulozzi, a

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-3376075097257395782009-09-30T22:47:00.003-04:002009-09-30T22:56:12.323-04:00

This article was originally published in Current, on Monday, Sept. 21, 2009.By Katherine Reynolds LewisThe leadership of WNET said a federal investigation into the station's use of federal grants totaling almost $13 million is wrapping up, and the organization is financially sound."There was sloppiness as opposed to real wrongdoing in terms of our accounting systems, which has been addressed,"

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-71253870076094071562009-08-21T12:23:00.003-04:002009-08-21T12:35:53.847-04:00

This article was originally published by Financial Planning magazine on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009.By Katherine Reynolds LewisWhen target-date funds (TDFs) were first introduced in the early 1990s, many considered them the best financial innovation in decades. They would incorporate best behaviors in asset allocation and rebalancing, and help individuals make age-appropriate investments. The funds

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-70217882143139453002009-07-14T16:33:00.003-04:002009-07-14T16:43:18.281-04:00

This article was originally published by Bankrate.com on Tuesday, July 7, 2009.By Katherine Reynolds LewisHighlightsThe proposal will likely change as it goes through Congress. Officials hope the financial meltdown will spur passage of the proposal.A new agency will be able to write rules that promote transparency. President Barack Obama has proposed overhauling the U.S. regulatory structure to

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-14256755512314140402009-06-19T15:33:00.005-04:002009-06-22T10:51:18.556-04:00

This article was originally published by Parade on Sunday, June 21, 2009.Recently, a man identifying himself as a representative of Belkin, a major technology company, offered to pay people to post five-star reviews of its products on Amazon.com. When the incident was discovered, Belkin President Mark Reynoso expressed "surprise and dismay" over "unethical practices like this," and the company

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-75749895590674549132009-06-18T22:35:00.003-04:002009-06-19T12:30:39.124-04:00

This article was originally published by Financial Planning on Thursday, June 18, 2009.By Katherine Reynolds LewisGovernment regulators should standardize the naming of target-date funds and require mutual fund companies to assume a fiduciary duty in providing such funds to retirement plans, witnesses told a joint hearing of the Labor Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission."We

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-65705501554872812462009-06-09T12:06:00.005-04:002009-06-09T12:26:52.151-04:00

This article was originally published by Msn.com on Tuesday, June 9, 2009.Retail prices are a lot more negotiable than you might think. But before you go out and try to play hardball to get a discount, learn the rules of the game.By Katherine Reynolds LewisYou see an item you want in your local big-box store. The price seems too high. You ask for a discount -- and you get it!This scenario may

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-59283204442335082522009-02-06T17:36:00.007-05:002009-05-21T22:12:21.453-04:00

This article was originally published by Msn.com on Friday, Feb. 6, 2009.The bear market has made 529s that let you pay tomorrow's tuition at today's prices attractive. But they come with strings -- and states might not be able to keep their promises. By Katherine Reynolds LewisIf you thought paying for college was hard before last year, talk to some parents who had invested their kids' college

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-16749642979397727772009-01-16T22:26:00.005-05:002009-01-16T22:44:19.410-05:00

This article was originally published by Msn.com on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009.529 plans, sold for a decade as the 1-stop solution to paying for college, haven't performed as advertised. And for many families, there's a better option available.By Katherine Reynolds LewisMention "college savings" to a financial professional and you'll likely be steered to a 529 plan. In the decade since these

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-502483364835411972008-12-05T22:58:00.003-05:002009-03-18T17:44:26.133-04:00

This article was originally published by Msn.com on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008.The cost of driving has plunged since gasoline topped $4 a gallon in July. But if fuel is cheaper, why are airfares still so high? And can you lock in today's low prices?By Katherine Reynolds LewisFalling gas prices offer a glimmer of hope amid the relentless bad news about the U.S. economy.The nationwide average for a

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-54355016273698069412008-11-13T16:17:00.004-05:002008-11-13T16:31:48.827-05:00

This article was originally published by Msn.com on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008.No credit? No problem! Some businesses are dusting off a budget-friendly strategy familiar to your parents and grandparents. Now you can even get a replacement hip that way.By Katherine Reynolds Lewis After falling out of favor when credit was cheap and easy, the layaway is back."We have seen a huge increase," said

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-25666755350271758132008-11-04T10:05:00.003-05:002008-11-04T10:10:34.434-05:00

This article was originally published by Interest.com in October 2008.If you're buying a home this fall, you'll need a down payment of anywhere from 3% to 25% of the purchase price, depending on your lender, your credit score and where you're buying. Just a couple of years ago, almost anyone could get 100% financing. Down payments were a relic of the '80s and '90s, sort of like Pac-Man and grunge

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-58214458188681747232008-11-04T09:53:00.005-05:002008-11-04T10:12:09.981-05:00

This article was originally published by Interest.com in September 2008.It's hard to stay calm when every other day seems to bring news of another financial crisis.A record number of families are in foreclosure, energy prices are soaring and hundreds of thousands of jobs have been lost this year. Banks are going bust and billion-dollar government bailouts are propping up much of the financial

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-12966528138950122442008-09-12T22:51:00.007-04:002009-05-14T15:44:25.914-04:00

This article was originally published by Newhouse News Service on Wednesday, January 23, 2008.By Katherine Reynolds Lewisc. 2008 Newhouse News ServiceEconomists are fretting that consumer spending might fall for the first time since 1991, pushing the United States into a recession.Global stock markets are in turmoil, and with reason: American consumers account for about one-fifth of the world

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-39225715136856684242008-09-12T22:38:00.004-04:002008-09-12T22:45:36.082-04:00

This article was originally published by Newhouse News Service on Thursday, July 7, 2005.By Katherine Reynolds Lewisc.2005 Newhouse News ServiceWe, the people of the United States, spend nearly every dollar we make.The national savings rate -- personal savings divided by disposable income -- routinely dips close to zero, while consumer and mortgage debt spiral ever upward. A majority of Americans

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-11887867051683236092008-09-12T15:46:00.001-04:002008-09-12T15:49:27.389-04:00

This article was originally published by Newhouse News Service on Tuesday, July 17, 2007.By Katherine Reynolds Lewis c.2007 Newhouse News ServiceBy reading this story, you agree that it is for information purposes only, and not a substitute for legal advice. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, put down the newspaper and dial 911.Did you read that first paragraph closely?Millions of

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-84594418204633185802008-09-12T15:44:00.002-04:002008-09-12T15:46:32.996-04:00

This article was originally published by Newhouse News Service on Thursday, May 4, 2006.By Katherine Reynolds Lewis c.2006 Newhouse News ServiceRaymond Carbone blinked in wonder at the electronic display ringing the New York Mercantile Exchange's stadium-like trading floor.Crude oil futures were closing at a record $75.17 per barrel, up a whopping $3 in just a matter of hours.As a trader for

Katherine Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793900528023297887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077409313889165073.post-37956931773651578152008-09-12T15:38:00.003-04:002008-09-15T23:39:50.735-04:00

This article was originally published by Newhouse News Service on Thursday, January 26, 2006.By Katherine Reynolds Lewis c.2006 Newhouse News ServiceHOUSTON -- Nobody ever said Houstonians dream small.The city of 2 million is the nation's fourth-largest, home to the world's biggest medical center and a theater district with more seats than any in the U.S. outside New York. Its port ranks first in

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By Katherine Reynolds Lewisc. 2004 Newhouse News ServiceWelcome to the season of the impulse purchase and heavily trafficked parking lots. While battling the crowds at your local mall, and laden with packages, you may find yourself asking, "Why do we shop, anyway?"It's more complex than simply meeting our needs.Shopping taps into a part of our nature shared with the wolf stalking prey or a bird

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This article was originally published by Newhouse News Service on Wednesday, November 17, 2004.By Katherine Reynolds Lewisc.2004 Newhouse News ServiceThe next time you call an 800 number for customer service and hear a friendly greeting from Jane Drew, think about whether her real name is Nancy Doe.In industries as varied as telemarketing, debt collecting, retail sales and hotels, some workers on

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This article was originally published by Newhouse News Service on Monday, March 14, 2005.By Katherine Reynolds Lewis c.2005 Newhouse News ServiceDalila and William Timal look like any other couple signing a home mortgage. They've picked out paint colors for their new four-bedroom house in Indianapolis and can't wait for their 18-month-old son to play in the yard.But they differ in one way from

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This article was originally published by Newhouse News Service on Wednesday, January 21, 2004.By Katherine Reynolds Lewis True or false: Many foreign-born workers come to the United States for jobs that Americans don't want.The argument surfaces again and again in the immigration debate, most recently in President Bush's new plan to allow more temporary foreign workers. Without immigrants, it

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This article was originally published by Newhouse News Service on Monday, June 23, 2003.By Katherine Reynolds Lewisc.2003 Newhouse News ServiceReal estate appraisers -- the professionals who certify what a house is worth -- say they are pressured more and more to exaggerate values in order to smooth the way for a refinancing or sale.Yielding to such pressure not only contributes to an artificial

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By Katherine Reynolds Lewis c.2008 Newhouse News ServicePhoto of Hester Sonder by Jane ThereseTerri Bell knew menopause was hurting her work performance. She couldn't sleep at night and spent the whole day irritable, dying for a nap.When a new medicine finally gave her relief from menopause symptoms, she could function again. Her attention span and productivity improved drastically and she even

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By Katherine Reynolds Lewis c.2008 Newhouse News ServicePhoto by Joe EpsteinIn Westfield, N.J., Suho Chae urges customers to return used hangers to his dry cleaning shop. He's paying $50 for a box of 500 pants hangers, up from $24 six months ago. "Every time I order a new supply," Chae said, "the price goes up."In Leeds, Ala., M&B Hangers, the only major hanger maker left in the U.S., has doubled

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By Katherine Reynolds Lewis c.2008 Newhouse News ServicePhoto of Thom Schoenborn by Kraig ScattarellaSummer interns are ripe for exploitation.They're desperate for real-life experience to help them land a permanent job, at a time when the economy is slowing and positions are scarce. Many are willing to work for free or below market rates, just to get a foot in the door.But that doesn't mean

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