Buffett’s Berkshire Class B Shares will be included in the S&P Index for the first time after getting a 50-1 split (Yahoo!)
5 Reasons the Apple Tablet could flop (USNews) – I wouldn’t bet against Steve Jobs – Note: I have a post coming out about Apple and why i think the iPad will succeed.

1 in 5 Americans struggle to put food on the table in the last year (NY Times)
Is Ron Paul the Minority or Republican Leader now? (Politico) – If you’re unaware, Ron Paul is in my opinion, one …

Despite the fact that we hear the economy is recovering, there is still economic misery all over.  I’ve recently read a few interesting reports of families that are really struggling.  Now, my initial reaction to these stories is one of compassion.  I believe in charity and giving to those in need, and I do.  But, there’s another side that IS necessary to discuss.  The other side is one that shows the complete failure of so many people to prepare for a time when things would not be so good.  By …

I’m putting together a contest for the blog.  I’m trying to determine the prizes to give away but I’m thinking about some cash in the several hundred dollar range along with some other prizes.  In doing so, I need to try and get an estimate of interest for such a contest.
The guidelines for the contest will probably be something along the following:
Writing Guidelines

Answer the question: What is your financial plan for the next 10 years?
Be sure to to hit on things such as income, job security, budgeting, expense management, real …

In recent years because of the recession, many new customers have been introduced to Wal-Mart Stores, Inc (NYSE:WMT).  With people short on cash, wal-mart stores nicer and with complete grocery stores attached, many people (including myself) do a great deal of shopping at Wal-Mart.
Looking forward, there are few things not to like about the business of Wal-Mart.  If we fall into a multi-year, decade long depressionary environment, I believe even more people will turn to the shelves of Wal-Mart for the basic necessities in life.  As people turn their backs …

Existing homes sales for December dropped big – much worse than expected (Zero Hedge) – probably indicative of moving demand forward when people though the tax credit would expire in November.
Wal-Mart (WMT) cuts 11,000 jobs (Barrons)
41 Stocks with an annual increasing dividend for last 10 years (Everyday Finance)
The return of the lay-off (24/7 Wall St.)
The biggest real estate default in history just occured in NY (Tech Ticker)

I like to talk about the growing chasm that separates the two worlds of our economy.  The real economy, which sucks, and the elitist/Wall St/government economy.  To demonstrate something, I’m going to have to ask you to perform an exercise.  If you were to cut yourself off from all talk from the media regarding the economy, what do you think you would believe about the economy?  If you cut yourself off from CNBC, from “earnings beat” announcements off the internet, etc., and instead got all of your economic indicators from …

If you’re a Mad Money fan, be sure and check out Cramer’s latest call on Google (Zero Hedge)
An update on Bernanke’s confirmation as Fed Chair (Zero Hedge)
The railroads and more signal a weak economy (FMMF)
Bloomberg hammers Obama over potential new regulations of Wall St. (WCBS TV)
Are you asset-less?  The author mentions how getting debt free is great, but basically is just getting back to the starting line (ERE)
2010 Outlook for stocks, gold, dollar and more (ETF Guide)
Is the carry trade unwinding? (Seeking Alpha)
Predictions on what might happen if Bernanke steps …

Following up my latest CNBC video, I heard this in my car today and had to post it.  Jim Cramer calling for a bigger role in government from Bush’s “wild west” like laissez-faire economy.
This is the biggest problem with our country today.  People think that the Freddie/Fannie/auto bail-out/step outside the free market to save the free market economy that we had under George W. Bush  was a free market, or like Cramer says, laissez-faire.
From wikipedia:
In economics, Laissez-faire (English pronunciation: /ˌlɛseɪˈfɛər/ ( listen), French: [lɛsefɛʁ] ( listen)) means allowing …