Amidst staggering unemployment, researchers take the pulse of the employed {Thanks, AP}

On Friday, the latest unemployment numbers are expected to be released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The statistics will tell us how many jobs were gained and loss in December. Even before the numbers are made public, a survey may show us how the gainfully employed feel about their jobs.

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On Sept. 11, 2001, a jet airliner nears one of the World Trade Center towers in New York {thanks, AP}

NEWS STORIES:
1. Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks/ war on terror
The moment that changed the world. And every American. A quick attack to Afghanistan and, two years later, an invasion of Iraq that divided a nation united after 9/11.

2. Hurricane Katrina
A devastation matched only by the devastating images of the dead and homes lost — and the devastating government response.

3. Global recession
Greed and bailouts became the buzzwords of the decade. Apparently, we hadn’t quite had enough nostalgia for the 1980s.

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Hello all. I’ve been away for a while but I make my return just in time for “Follow Friday.”

For the unfamiliar, “Follow Friday” is when I tell you about a blogger or Twitter user you should follow. This week, it’s Natalie McNeal who is both a blogger and on Twitter. Her site, “The Frugalista Files,” offers important information about getting the most bang for your buck. Natalie often shows that stretching dollars isn’t about being cheap,but rather about being responsible and fiscally frugal. Also be sure to take advantage of her money mind by following her on Twitter (@frugalista).

Natalie’s most recent post centers on how to make a year-end review of your finances. So head on over to “The Frugalista Files” and make sure your financial house is in order.

Happy Friday, and happy Internet searching.

The almighty Euro? {thanks, AP}

Walking to work today, a sign caught my eye.

“Reflecting the current economy, we are accepting Euros.”

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A week and a half ago, while at a journalism convention in Tampa, Fla., I had the opportunity to sit in on a finance workshop sponsored by MetLife.

For me, it was an opportunity to sit down take notes, and take stock of the importance of financial literacy.

Learning how to better manage my money is something I’ve really wanted to do since graduating from college a year ago, but I must admit it’s not something I’ve actually put a whole lot of effort into these last 15 or so months.

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The coolest business card I’ve seen in a while, looks like a credit card

Last weekend I was out at a club, seeing friends I hadn’t seen in ages, trying to make new friends. You know how it is, but what didn’t I have was business cards.

What to do, what to do?

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{Brian Krista, b}

30,000.

That’s the number of abandoned properties in Baltimore, as estimated by the city Housing Authority. And that’s the focus of Baltimore Slumlord Watch. These Baltimoreans started the blog in January, saying they’re not involved in real estate and don’t make a profit from calling out “slumlords.” Their mission is to provide a public service by bringing attention to abandoned properties — or slums, for lack of a better word. As part of the regular bthesite.com feature “Meet the local blogger,” Baltimore Slumlord Watch’s editor gave b the inside scoop on the blog and its mission.

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Parking Ticket

A few months back I wrote about how the show “Parking Wars” is one of my faves.

I know a lot of people found that the real life parking wars they face here in Baltimore are a little less than funny.

First, you can’t find a spot.

Second, just when you think you’ve found the perfect place to park it turns out you’ve parked illegally.
There may however be some good news as our partners at The Sun report that the city could soon cap the fine on parking tickets.

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Oprah Winfrey

Graduation season is definitely upon us as we fast forward through May.

Yesterday media mogul and talk show host Oprah Winfrey gave the commencement speech at Duke University.

As part of her speech, Winfrey encouraged grads to think about how they could improve their lives and elevate themselves by improving the lives of and elevating others.

It’s an easy task to ask people to look beyond themselves to be selfless and not selfish but is it realistic in this day and age?

If the students are anything like me they were wondering if  instead of giving a speech at their graduation, the billionaire could cut them a check.

One can dream right, just last week Winfrey was giving out free chicken? whodathunkit?

Is a check really therefore that outlandish?

According to The Wall Street Journal, new graduates stand to earn a lot less money than those who came before.

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{thanks, AP}

The mortgage crisis has created catastrophic problems for many Americans (hey, just ask President Obama). But it has created opportunities for some, too: first-time homebuyers. They snapped up about half of all the previously occupied homes sold in March, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Though sales overall are down — 18 percent year-over-year in the Baltimore area — agents across the country say first-time buyers’ interest is high.

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