Beyond the human toll, the financial impact to the nation has been huge. Add up spending on the Iraq and Afghan wars and domestic security, long-term care for veterans and the impact on the deficit, and the total is expected to be staggering.
Hope for the president's speech on Thursday may be lifting the market now, but experts expect a limited approach that might not get the job done.
Warren Buffett’s $5 billion investment in B of A is hardly a confidence booster for investors. If all's well, how badly did it need his money?
The Oracle Omaha says it himself: The bank and the country are going to make it. The world isn't going to end.
Amid all the praise on his departure from Apple, one key trait might be overlooked: his ability to bounce back from defeat.
Bonds from several countries that haven't been downgraded and still boast top credit scores also pay higher yields than US Treasurys.
The category covers giant economies, oil-rich Arab states and nations truggling with debt. The good news: The top rating can be regained.
It's dawning on investors that the US might crash through the debt ceiling. Their reaction might scare leaders into action.
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FRUGAL COOL
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MONEY & POLITICS
Breaking up big banks is an untested solution to the too big to fail problem that attempts to isolate and dismantle large, troubled institutions while protecting the rest of the economy.
SMART SPENDING
The pay for serving and protecting your country isn't great at first, but military service comes with some decent retirement and education perks -- and substantial risks.
SMART TAXES
The IRS is struggling to combat identify thieves who file fraudulent tax returns in the names of older residents who don't need to file.

