Christian Science Monitor | Business

Mortgage rates tumble to record lows. Again.

The average rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage declined 2 basis points to 3.81 percent since last week, the lowest value on on record for this MBA series, while the purchase application volume declined 0.6 percent, and the refinance application declined 1.5 percent over the same period.

How to avoid austerity but still fix the deficit

As Europe has shown us, austerity is bad for weak economies facing large budget deficits. But it can be avoided by getting growth and jobs back first, and only then tackling budget deficits.

Financial aid on a debit card? Students hit with extra fees.

Financial aid can be cheaper to administer when colleges hand it off to debit card companies. But a new study finds students are getting hit with hefty fees.

Facebook stock drops below $29 (+video)

Facebook stock falls 9.6 percent to close at $28.84. In its first seven days of trading, Facebook stock has lost nearly a quarter of its value.

BlackBerry-maker RIM warns of layoffs, operating loss

RIM also hires advisers to look at strategies to reverse its downturn. RIM has seen its share of US smartphone market fall from 44 percent to 10 percent in two years.

Following the value proposition to entrepreneurial success

The value proposition is the collection of things a new business offers to the target market to satisfy a specific need, attracting customers away from the other competitors. Entrepreneurs must find solutions for the problems and needs that follow disruptive industry trends.

Despite oil prices, falling euro, Dow closes up slightly

Oil prices fell, the euro sank to a 22-month low, and the yield on the U.S. government's 10-year Treasury note fell near a historic low. But the Dow Jones industrial average edged up 125 points to close at 12580 as investors continue to hope for a Chinese growth spurt.

New online tool to help families maximize tax, transfer benefits

State taxes and transfers can be an important, albeit complicated form of assistance for low-income families. A new interactive calculator aims to help guide families through the process, including the options when family income increases.

Home prices hit post-boom lows: What does that mean for housing market?

Despite fresh optimism about the housing market, home prices in the Case-Shiller Index fell during the first quarter, suggesting that the market is still stabilizing.

How to save on online dating

More and more couples are meeting online, but dating sites can be expensive. Here's how to get the most for your dating dollar from three of the most popular.

Graduation gifts: Consider the investment route

Graduation gifts like savings bonds and mutual funds can be good alternatives to cash. Graduation gifts are question one in this week's mailbag.

The case for a German value added tax

The continuing eurozone crisis has economists debating the case for a value added tax, or whether or not the German surplus be reduced without reducing (and preferably in fact increasing) German incomes.

Retirement: 3 ways to enrich it without adding money

Retirement planning is about more than saving money. It's about what you're going to do. Here are three ways to stay active in retirement.

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Case-Shiller's Composite-10 price index declined 0.09 percent since February, while the Composite-20 index declined 0.03 percent over the same period resulting in its lowest level since early 2003.

Stock market opens higher on hope for China

Stock market opened higher Tuesday amid optimism that China will take action to reverse the recent slowdown in its economic growth. Rising home prices also gave the stock market a boost.

A rift over the GOP's tax pledge?

Over the past generation, the GOP's pledge to introduce no new taxes has become the essential conservative credential. But some Republicans are refusing to sign.

SEC won't take action against Lehman Brothers

The SEC will likely not seek action against the Lehman for the events that led up to the firm's massive bankruptcy in 2008.

10 money mistakes everybody makes

How many of these common money mistakes have you made?

Memorial Day: the defense America needs

The best way to honor Memorial Day is to fund a rational defense budget. That means eliminating arms contracts that enrich contractors without advancing America's defense

Worst traffic in America? Hint: It's not Los Angeles.

Congestion forces drivers in this warm-weather city to waste an average 58 hours a year. L.A. and San Francisco take the next two spots for worst traffic.