Datalust

Even though the broader economy may be scraping the bottom, American consumers are still struggling with falling wages and higher living expenses.

That was the picture painted Tuesday by the government’s monthly report on personal incomes and consumer spending. While consumers spent more in June, they did so because prices of food and energy were rising, and not because they were ready to spend freely again.

via Higher Costs Spurred June’s Rise in Spending – NYTimes.com.

Popularity: 20% [?]

What the hell happened here? Seven floors above the iced-over Dallas North Tollway, Raghib (Rocket) Ismail is revisiting the question. It’s December, and Ismail is sitting in the boardroom of Chapwood Investments, a wealth management firm, his white Notre Dame snow hat pulled down to his furrowed brow.

In 1991 Ismail, a junior wide receiver for the Fighting Irish, was the presumptive No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. Instead he signed with the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts for a guaranteed $18.2 million over four years, then the richest contract in football history. But today, at a private session on financial planning attended by eight other current or onetime pro athletes, Ismail, 39, indulges in a luxury he didn’t enjoy as a young VIP: hindsight.

via Recession or no recession, many NFL, NBA and Major League – 03.23.09 – SI Vault.

Popularity: 19% [?]

I am not by any means a home repair man. As a matter of fact I am the furthest thing from. Yesterday was a real bad day for me as I was finishing a closet I was repairing, actually applying the base coat of paint when the wall started to peel off. Yes that’s right, the wall started to peel off. Whatever was on the exterior wall (plaster, paint,?) started coming off with each roll of the paint roller. I had just about had it. I was so frustrated I took a walk for an hour just to cool down.

When I got back I decided I was going to rent the house and move out. Our official deadline is now 2009 to be out of this house. Today though was the worst. I went to the Home Depot 5 times and did not get a thing done. The reason I went so many times was because the nail gun I bought (Ramset Cobra) did not work. I exchanged it 3 times and each time it would not fire. I figured it was me so i asked the friendly guy at Home Depot and he said it was a faulty mechanism.

In any case I got nothing done all day all thanks to the Ramset Cobra. Anyway, to the internet readers out there do NOT buy this piece of equipment as it will steal any desire you have to do home repair.

Popularity: 28% [?]

The more I hear about this the more I know our country is doomed by consumption and greed. Good luck America, you are going to need to buy as much as possible to move past something like this. Killing our greatest resource, ourselves.

The Raw Story | Cigna officers defend decision to let teenager die

Popularity: 25% [?]