Although bank credit cards are a relatively recent innovation, typically marked by the establishment of the “businessman’s Diner’s Club card” in 1950, U.S. society has historically depended upon the availability of consumer credit. For example, farmers depended on store credit before the harvest of their crops in rural America, whereas industrial workers were issued “script” for purchases in the company store that were later deducted from their wages. Significantly, both forms of consumer credit often produced a form of debt/labor servitude. This common experience was recounted in the famous lyrics of Tennessee Williams, “I owe my soul to the company store.” (more…)

Only 25 years ago, today’s ubiquitous use of “universal” bank credit cards might have seemed a futurist fantasy. Prior to the finance regulation of the financial services industry in 1980, banks made consumer loans as “installment” credit. Loan approval was based on an assessment of the applicants’ household income, personal assets, credit repayment history, and outstanding debt. Preferred clients had financial collateral and repaid their loans (pre approved auto loan) on a fixed time schedule. Similarly, financial companies and banks cautiously issued charge cards and revolving credit cards to low-risk clients, primarily upper- and some middle-income households, who used them for convenience or for business. (more…)

Economic factors across the country and around the world can affect personal finances. They play a role in day-to-day financial planning and decision making for most people. Economics is the study of the decisions that go into making, distributing, and using goods and services. The economy consists of the ways in which people make, distribute, and use their goods and services. To understand economics and the economy, you need to be aware of the market forces, financial institutions, global influences, and economic conditions that affect global as well as personal decisions. (more…)

Current economic conditions also affect your personal financial decisions and how economic conditions can influence financial planning. There are three important economic conditions: 1. Consumer prices, 2. Consumer spending, 3. Interest rates

Consumer Prices (more…)