Rich Feel 'Guilty' Spending Now: Poll

At least new industries arose in the 1930s: Leonhardt

(NEWSER) - There's never a Great Depression around when you need one, apparently. Despite its misery, "the United States economy was quietly making enormous strides during the 1930s," argues David Leonhardt in the New York Times . Americans were getting a better education—high school, back then—while industrious entrepreneurs were inventing television, mass marketing refrigerators, and improving railroads. "It would clearly be nice if we could take some comfort from this bit of history," writes Leonhardt. "If anything, though, the lesson of the 1930s may be the opposite one." More»

Blond prom queens luck out

(NEWSER) - The Daily Beast has turned its list-making prowess to wealth, following up articles on how to know you'll get married ... or cheat ... with one that outlines 15 signs that you'll be rich. Cross your fingers, and read on:

1. It's good to be good looking: Attractive men earn 9% more than their homely counterparts; women earn 4% more.
2. Homecoming queens luck out: Those who were popular in high school earn 10% more than their more friendless classmates.

Young people hit hardest

(AP) - The income gap between the richest and poorest Americans grew last year to its widest amount on record as young adults and children in particular struggled to stay afloat in the recession. The top-earning 20% of Americans—those making more than $100,000 each year—received 49.4% of all income generated in the US, compared with the 3.4% earned by those below the poverty line, according to newly released Census figures. More»

Yacht fuel eating up too much of your budget? You're not alone.

(NEWSER) - Still looking for ways to cut costs in these tough economic times? Let these actual rich people, as overheard by Nell Scovell, guide you. She recounts their advice in Vanity Fair :

• “With diesel at the marina up over $3 a gallon, we’re trying to keep the Hinckley’s motor off and let the sails do more of the work.”
• “We got rid of the dog-walker; I like to run with the pinschers on the beach for exercise, anyway.”

Number of people moving at lowest since WWII

(NEWSER) - The recession, with its attendant falloff in home prices and job opportunities, has pared back the traditional American activity of relocation to its lowest level since World War II. A new study shows that 12% of Americans moved in the last two years, compared to 14% earlier this decade, 17% in the '90s, and 20% in the '50s and '60s. Usually footloose young people have shown the steepest dropoff. More»