According to the S&P Case-Shiller index, which is a quarterly index that measures residential housing price rates in the US, home prices posted a record decline in October, bringing the losing streak to a disturbing 27 months.

Per CNNMoney.com, the entire nation is suffering, but no region worse than the Sunbelt; Phoenix felt a 32.7% drop since this time last year, with Las Vegas and San Francisco not far behind.

Analysts believe that prices will steadily drop throughout the US if the economy is not stabilized over the next 12 months.

According to a recent report published by CNNMoney, America's current economic crisis is forcing aging workers to utilize retirement funds in order to maintain their current quality of life.

With the stock market out of sorts and the holiday season in full swing, those nearing retirement age are putting their savings towards credit card debt and mortgage payments, instead of preparing for the not so distant future.

Disturbingly, 59% of those polled wouldn't even know how to prepare for a time when they may be unable to work or too old to maintain their current jobs and only 31% of workers take part in a 401K program.

Although experts believe an economic upswing could change these numbers, workers surveyed fear that their futures are in jeopardy and hope that the new administration will address this issue in January.

With the American economy in disarray and 19 US Banks closing over the past year, the Bush administration has decided to unveil a plan designed for homeowners that would modify their mortgages and potentially bring some stability to the real estate market.

According to CNN's report, the government's plan will center on Fannie Mac and Freddie Mac, which handled over $5 trillion in home loans and were recently seized by the government due to record losses and potentially misappropriated funds.

Ideally, this plan would reassess home loans based on the individual and convert unaffordable and unreasonable payment plans into something that a family could sustain over a long period of time. This would limit foreclosures, overwhelming debt and even extreme circumstances, like homelessness.

As campaigning season comes to a close and America's prepare for an overhaul at the White House, the stock market also welcomed the impending change, boasting a 305 point rise of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and prolonging its six day streak in the black.

According to a feature on MSN, experts believe that the seemingly endless campaigning by Barack Obama and John McCain did little to help the state of the market, only lending to American uncertainty. Most expect today's decision at the polls to boost the sagging economy a bit, no matter who takes over office.

According to a recent story published by The Wall Street Journal, financial lenders are leery to provide loans to potential car and truck buyers; a move that could send the automotive industry into a major financial slump.

Although those in the market for a vehicle with a high credit rating will still be able to get financing, the current credit and financial crisis has all but ended the possibility for those in the subprime market to acquire auto loans, which experts believe could create a nearly 20% drop in auto sales in the US.

A great way to beat this current trend is to make modest choices when diving into the market for a new car. Stay away from high-concept, flashy and expensive vehicles, focusing your attention on  compact cars with good gas mileage and affordable prices. Though they may not make you the king of the road, you have a better chance to get financed for one. Not to mention that cheaper cars mean cheaper monthly payments, putting even more cash in your wallet.

If you stay away from shady used car salesman and take full advantage of the drop in gas prices (it's almost $2.50 a gallon!), you may just find yourself with a new car and a couple of bucks to spare.

Despite Monday's exponential rise (a whopping 413 points), things were still out of sorts on Wall Street today. According to CNN's most recent report, the day opened poorly following Wednesday's 500 point Dow drop, but was salvaged by a 135 point increase in the Dow Jones industrial average (INDU), which eradicated some early loses. Experts believe these startling highs and lows are to be expected in our current economic climate.

For renters, your debt is unsecured because no collateral (a home or a car) was used to get the loan. When a debt consolidation company steps in and negotiates the amount owed to creditors, the negotiation will be marked as a settlement. Debt consolidation companies can charge anywhere from 3- 5% of the total debt owed. However, the negotiation will negatively effect your credit rating. The debt will be gone, but the negative credit rating indicates that the debt was not paid back as originally promised.

For home owners, debt consolidation does not require you to take out a second mortgage loan. Through debt consolidation, you can combine all your loans and other debts into one single payment, making it easier to keep track and hopefully end up costing you less.

Debt consolidation companies extend their debt handling services not only to individuals, but also to business enterprises. Many businesses that have been on the brink of bankruptcy as a result of bad credit have sometimes been pulled back by debt consolidation companies. As a business owner, you can still hold on to your business even in the face of a bad debt, thanks to debt consolidation companies.

  Everything you read today about the money market is dismal; falling stocks, rising prices, stagnant housing market and more seem like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel. But it’s important to look at the big picture. No matter what the current economy is like, it’s never too early to plan for your future.

Develop a Habit

Begin saving today. Do not wait until tomorrow! Time is on your side when considering your retirement; the earlier you start, the more prepared you’ll be. Putting aside any money, no matter how small, will turn into a life-long habit you’ll incorporate in your schedule. The more time you save, the more time your money has to grow.

Know Your Need

Estimate your current annual expenses. Calculate your future needs with an inflation rate of 3% (the average). You can find inflation calculators at Calculator Web to help you determine how much you’ll need in the future in order to maintain and pay for your current lifestyle.

Participate With Your Employer

Contributing to a 401(k) is perhaps one of the most beneficial and easiest methods to save for your future. Not only does a 401 plan include an immediate tax deduction, but also it usually comes with a matching contribution from your employer.

Invest in the Best

Before you go ahead and invest all your savings in one area, be sure to do your homework. Often, your best method to investing includes a variety of products including stocks, bonds and mutual funds. If you’re unsure where to invest, consult a financial advisor to help you invest in the right areas.

Resist Temptation

Do not dip into your savings. It’s tempting to take small increments out to pay bills, loans, or for that Coach purse you really want. Don’t do it! Once you start, you’ll find it hard to stop. Consider if what you’re planning to ‘cheat’ on; do you really need the money, or can it wait until next month?

For additional resources on saving up for your future, read these articles:

• Best Investment Bets During Bear Markets
• 3 Major 401(k) Mistakes

The recent economic roller coaster has left everyone-- from Wall Street hot-shots to blue collar workers-- feeling queasy. While the hefty $700 billion dollar buyout may be on the horizon, the effects of the Wall Street slide are hitting the homes of Americans everywhere now. Follow these tips to ensure your financially secure now and throughout the next fiscal year.

Check the Piggy Bank

Be sure that your hard-earned money or savings is FDIC-insured. This means that up to $100,000 per person on your account will be insured by your bank. If you're not sure whether you're covered, use this tool to determine who's insured and who isn't.

Hibernate for the Winter

Who knows what the winter could bring besides the usual freezing cold temperatures and snowflakes. Create a winter emergency fund in case of, well, emergencies. Calculate your anticipated monthly expense for one winter month, multiply by 3 (or 6 if you're really ambitious) and start saving!

Not sure where to get the extra dough? Cut back spending on dining out, gourmet coffees and movies; opt for brown-bagged lunches or outdoor picnics, grocery store coffee and $1  movie rentals from redbox.

Be Indispensable

The financial crisis at hand has had everyone worried- including your employers. Some companies are facing major cut-backs, and your job might be at risk. If you're seeing signs of the pink slip, make yourself an integral part of the company (if you are already, then congratulations!). Evaluate the company and brainstorm a few ideas to decrease spending and increase productivity, such as four day work weeks or telecommuting options.

If you think your company might be downsizing, prepare yourself both emotionally and on paper. Re-read your resume, add new accomplishments and bolster your successes with documents that prove it (ie: 'Nice work, Bill' emails). Also, assess your skills. Is there an area you should receive more training? Consider enrolling in an online continuing education course to expand your range of capabilities; you'll look like a go-getter with a positive outlook despite the dismal economic circumstances.

For those that are waiting for the hammer to drop, don't wait to find your next job. Browse freelancing sites such as iFreelance and SoloGigs to start earning now.

With these tips in mind, no matter what the outcome of the bailout, you'll be secure financially. If you have additional tips or suggestions on how to weather this rough ride, please let us know in the comments!

It's old news that Wachovia sold its banking services to Citigroup this week.  What may shock you is how Wachovia also froze thousands of college institutions' accounts. Though you may not be a current student, the effects of this account freeze are startling for everyone-- student, educator, or American.

According to an article written on The Chronicle of Higher Education, many colleges are bracing for a hard financial impact. Though many larger institutions have plenty of short-term income to supplement the lost of assets due to the freeze, smaller institutions are worried.  Some have even alerted local representatives that they might not be able to make payroll. The article highlights President Edward F. Leonard III, of Bethany College, Kansas, stating, "[Bethany College] has enough money to cover costs for now because students just paid tuition, but [I'm] worried about the second semester, when the college typically dips into its short-term funds to pay for a variety of operating expenses."

The sobering effects of the Wachovia sell, in conjunction with Congress' inability to draw up a rescue plan, leaves Americans everywhere wondering, what's next?