The Beginning of the End: American Capitalism

The ongoing financial crisis of 2008 and 2009 will forever change the face of the United States economic ideals. Out of the ashes of double digit unemployment, trillion dollar deficits, and billion dollar corporate bankruptcies will emerge a new America. This America will be different in many ways from the capitalist country that rose to economic powerhouse status in the post-World War II era, testing the ideals of laissez-faire capitalism and limiting the power and influence of the banking system and the corporations they cater to.  Read more...

7 Surefire Ways to Stay Poor

There are exceptions to every rule, but the majority of people out there are not doomed to be poor.  They are poor because they make common mistakes with their money and never quite get out of this destructive financial rut. Now as an economic recession looms, it is imperative that consumers identify trouble areas and climb out of this financial pit of poverty.  Read more...

Cheapest New Cars in the United States

Even during a horrible recession and a near 55% drop in American car sales, automobile purchases must continue. The market for car sales is getting very competitive and dealers are lowering prices to encourage people to buy more cars. Nowadays, it is possible to get the keys for a new car at almost unheard of prices. If you have the money and want to go car shopping, remember that the market is in your favor and that dealers will drop their prices or be faced with an aging inventory.

This list highlights some of the most affordable cars in the American market:  Read more...

10 People that Will Shape Your Financial Future

It is safe to say, and scary to believe, that the entire world economy depends on the decisions made by a handful of people. Including top government officials and wealthy businessmen, these people wield a disproportionate amount of power on the future of the world. Although some names are easily recognizable and one could easily predict their dominance in the world scene, others are less well known but can easily impact the lives of many.  Read more...

Seven Most Powerful Corporations of the Future

The year is 2019, the global recession has ended and the market has witnessed a great shift in consumer spending, buyer habits, and marketing.  Older businesses that did not adapt to this change were swept away in a wave of bankruptcies and buyouts. The larger of the top companies in the world will have revenues somewhere near the trillion dollar mark per year, more than the GDPs for most countries.

Who will lead the business renaissance of the next decade?
The current (2008) annual revenue for the business is shown and businesses are ranked in predicted 2019 revenue. Some of you might be surprised at the shape of the market in just a few years time.  Read more...

Creative Ways to Save Money for Your Business

It’s money scraping time for most of us and businesses are no different. Budgets are being cut in almost every company to deal with lack of consumer demand and credit flow. If you have a start up or a small business, you might be a big victim of the present economy. Here are some great ways to save some money for your business:

1) Increase the flexibility of your budget by bartering
Does your business offer a unique type of service or product? If so, you might be able to barter for other professional services by offering your expertise or your goods in exchange for someone else’s. This is a great way to keep your inventory flowing and let others knows about your business while at the same time benefiting by cutting costs.  Read more...

Hottest Electronics on Sale Online!

In the past weeks, our article focus has switched from mainly savings and discount articles to an overall economic and finance related context. This has allowed SmarterSpend.com to grow from a narrow niche to a larger, more encompassing blog that deals with personal finance, investments, advice on top of the originally offered savings, coupons, sales, and discount related articles.  Read more...

Companies Facing Bankruptcy in 2009

During the early days of the recession, as stock markets were vacillating between gains and losses, investors had hopes that 2009 would bring about a slow economic recovery as the housing market stabilized. However, two quarters later, with stocks at their lowest levels since the mid 90s and no turnaround in sight, Americans are bracing for what could be a devastating depression. The pain has been felt around the world with 8 members of the European Union pleading for help, loss of jobs all around the world, and a drop in commerce levels.  Read more...

Save Money on Health Insurance

According to the Foundation of Kaiser Family, only half of Americans have health insurance plans that are offered by their employer. With many people losing jobs and employers cutting back on expenses, Americans are losing their health insurance, leaving many people unable to afford basic coverage.  If you are considering getting your personal health insurance, always remember that your life might decided by the plan you will choose. Getting reliable health insurance from a quality provider sounds like a great idea, but the costs are always a factor in the equation. Follow these steps to save big on your next health insurance plan:  Read more...

Community Colleges- An Affordable Alternative

Community colleges are reporting spikes in enrollment seen never before as public and private 4 year schools hike up tuition to deal with current economic problems and money shortages. Some cities have seen an increase of almost 10% since last years enrollment, an astounding increase, 5-6 times higher than regular years. Another alternative to the traditional four year programs includes a 3 year program offered at some colleges, enabling students and parents to deal with fiscal problems. A full year of tuition can cost some $40,000 dollars and can make or break a family’s budget.  Read more...