leverage

$1.144 Quadrillion – Total Size Of Derivatives Bubble

Buddy, can you spare 1.144 Quadrillion dollars? Based on one analysis, that’s the total size of the global derivatives market right now, equivalent to $190,000 for every person on the planet. (A derivative is an investment whose value comes from, or “derives,” from another investment, like stocks, credit, or home mortgages…) If you’d like to learn more about derivatives and become frightened by them, check this article out. For further comparison, here’s what the Sears Tower looks like, as dwarfed by a cube of 1 quadrillion pennies.

Consumerist Attends Robert Allen's Get Rich Quick In Real Estate Seminar

Consumerist Attends Robert Allen's Get Rich Quick In Real Estate Seminar

I wanted to find out what Robert Allen’s “get-rich-quick in real estate with no money down” promise was all about, so when I saw a full page ad in the Daily Post advertising one of his free seminars recently, I went and checked it out. I’ll give you a full run-down later, but here’s the quick and dirty, and what I can tell about how the darn thing seems to function.

Despite Subprime Implosion, Robert Allen's Troops Still Pitch "Get Rich Quick In  Real Estate With No Money Down"

Despite Subprime Implosion, Robert Allen's Troops Still Pitch "Get Rich Quick In Real Estate With No Money Down"

Robert Allen promises to make you millions teaching you how to buy real estate with no money down. Unsurprisingly, Ripoffreport is littered with complaints about his company and those that use his name. Here’s the story they tell:

Airlines Have Bumped 343,000 Passengers This Year

Airlines Have Bumped 343,000 Passengers This Year

Over a quarter-million passengers were bumped from flights in the past eight months, a number that is set to grow as airlines try to boost anemic profits by slashing fleets. The Department of Transportation requires airlines to compensate bumped passengers with cash or vouchers, but savvy passengers can leverage their situation to negotiate heftier payments…