That hard earned money of yours; one minute it is in your pocket, the next minute it is gone. It can be difficult to track the various expenses in your life to figure out exactly what is draining your cash. Taking a look at average consumer spending in the United States gives us an interesting insight into this matter. The comparison of different age groups shows us areas toward which people are more likely to allocate their income at various ages. The analysis of these trends can help us to determine whether each of these expenditures are necessity or frivolity.

Scary new year? Think again. 2009 may look bleak - but this year, those with the purpose, courage, and vision to get seriously radical will have the opportunity to reconceive and reinvent the global economy. This year, leaders of all kinds face a single, critical challenge: building 21st century organizations that yield new sources of advantage, powered by new rules of management.

Since the early 1990s, there have been many cases of currency investors who have been caught off guard, which lead to runs on currencies and capital flight. What makes currency investors and international financiers respond and act like this? Do they evaluate the minutia of an economy, or do they go by gut instinct? In this article, we'll look at currency instability and uncover what really causes it.

As the economy continues to reel, a new report finds that 4 million American households lost economic security between 2000 and 2006, and that a majority of America's middle class households are either borderline or at high risk of falling out of the middle class altogether. The new report, "From Middle to Shaky Ground: The Economic Decline of America's Middle Class, 2000-2006" was published by the policy center Demos and the Institute for Assets and Social Policy (IASP) at Brandeis University.

Several commentaries from various writers and radio broadcasters are circulating at the moment predicting a “deflationary spiral” for 2009 and beyond. I read about this first in the November 13 issue of The Economist in an article entitled Depressing Times. On the surface, that might seem like a good thing, but when you dig deep, it’s not a good thing at all. What is deflation? Deflation is the direct opposite of inflation.

The time has come (the Walrus said) to stop being pacified by safe, soft-pedaled words like ‘recession,’ ‘slump’ or ‘dip in the market.‘ Let’s face the facts, folks: Times are hard; money’s tight. The price of everything from gas to grapes skyrockets, while unemployment and job loss figures go up on a monthly basis. If these economic trends continue, we’re going to see corporations and entire industries tightening their belts, followed by a dwindling spiral of jobs.

A credit crisis, also known as a "credit crunch" or "credit shock," occurs when there is a rapid reduction in the availability of loans from banks. This is caused by loans going sour, forcing the banks to tighten up lending standards. Credit shocks create both positive and negative effects in the economy. By examining these effects carefully, we can gain a greater understanding of how credit shocks work and what we can learn from them. Read on to find out more.

"Death and Taxes:2009" is a representational poster of the federal discretionary budget; the amount of money that is spent at the discretion of your elected representatives in Congress. Basically, your federal income taxes. The data is from the President's budget request for 2009. It will be debated, amended, and approved by Congress by October 1st to begin the fiscal year. The poster provides a uniquely revealing look at our national priorities, that fluctuate yearly, according to the wishes of the President, the power of Congress, and the will of the people.

Price is only one of many costs you pay when making a purchase. Focusing on price alone can end up costing a lot of money. Value shoppers know that. The average consumer doesn't. Here are six other related expenses you may never have thought about:

Would you believe something as mundane as a rainstorm in New England can affect the value of the Dollar? It’s true. The US Dollar is subject to numerous influences, from politics to Walmart, and everything in between. The following list contains 50 factors that affect the value of the US dollar, both big and small.