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.