The reports from retailers indicating that Black Friday revenues were 7 to 14 percent more than last year were encouraging from an economic perspective, but it could be disastrous for consumers who may be adding more debt that they cannot afford to their personal balance sheets.

Since the recession of 2008, consumers have been doing a good job of reducing their debt levels. However, many people are still out of work, and in Philadelphia specifically, the unemployment rate is still hovering around 10 percent versus 9 percent for the entire country. continue reading »

Everywhere you turn, the holidays have exploded as if on steroids.  Fake snow, mistletoe, trees, toys, sale prices and hordes of people – ’tis the season to be cranky?

What happened to spreading the holiday joy and celebrating a time of family togetherness?  It seems that with each passing year the holidays become more about presents and a frantic race to ensure that the hottest new item is purchased before it is sold out.

Almost as soon as Thanksgiving ended, the NEast became covered in lights, decorations and holiday advertisements.  Earlier and earlier each year, stores seem to have a growing monopoly on what defines our holiday season. continue reading »