Small towns and cities across the country are cooking up their own currencies to protect against a national economic collapse and boost local spending.
Mortgage loan applications surged 23% last week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association, as record-low interest rates convinced many homeowners it was time to refinance into lower-cost loans.
It may seem like Monopoly money to outsiders, but a growing number of communities across the U.S. are using homegrown local currencies to stimulate their economies and protect themselves from the nation's broader economic woes.
Some people are born to be traders. Others have to be taught how do it. And then some of us wake up one day and find we are too white-knuckles, sweaty-palms scared to resist screaming, "Sell!"
With more than 200,000 households receiving foreclosure notices each month, there are bound to be a few mistakes. But for some unlucky homeowners, these blunders carry some serious consequences.