The Richmond Register Business

Think twice before taking out 401(k) loan

2009-02-14T16:40:00-05:00

Your car could break down. You might need a new furnace. You have to pay for one last term of college for your child. Whatever the reason, you may someday need a large sum of money in a hurry. And as you look around for a source of funds, your eyes might come to rest on your 401(k) plan. It’s there, it’s yours — why not tap into it?

Making money without Wall Street

2009-02-14T16:39:00-05:00

We’ve had a number of government bailouts and “stimulus” programs over the past year. Trillions of dollars have gone down the drain. None of the money ever makes it to people like me, who run small businesses in places like Kentucky.

New jobless claims drop slightly to 623K

2009-02-12T11:34:00-05:00

Nearly 5 million Americans continued to draw jobless benefits late last month, and new requests again exceeded 600,000 as companies lay off scores of workers amid a deepening recession.

Meltdown 101: What’s in Obama’s bailout plan?

2009-02-11T11:43:00-05:00

Welcome to TARP II, the sequel — but good luck figuring out the plot.

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner unveiled the Obama administration’s long-awaited financial bailout plan Tuesday, only to be met with a barrage of criticism that it includes few details about how it will work and how much it will cost.

Valentine’s fails to jump-start loveless economy

2009-02-10T13:59:00-05:00

Even in this loveless economy, chocolate and a candlelit dinner have a date for Valentine’s Day. Diamonds and special-delivery flowers, though, are on the outs.

James Street and the All-American attitude

2009-02-05T16:25:00-05:00

Times are bad and going to get worse. Despair is everywhere. It’s difficult to see anything but black.

Addicted to spending

2009-01-23T20:48:00-05:00

I don’t know if they have rehab for spending addicts. If not, someone ought to start one.

Making the best of it in 2009

2009-01-05T07:14:00-05:00

2008 hasn’t been a fun year. A recession was coming, but greedy and self-interested leaders brought us to the brink of a depression.

I’m angry about the shape we are in. I want to make sure it never happens again.

Jimmy V and the Closed Wallet

2008-12-13T15:58:00-05:00

Former ESPN announcer and basketball coach Jim (Jimmy V) Valvano set up a foundation for cancer research after he was diagnosed with terminal cancer in June of 1992.

Outliers and Hatred Against Hillbillies

2008-12-06T20:10:00-05:00

Author Malcolm Gladwell’s career path reminds me of 1970s rock star Peter Frampton.