Our deficit and our debt are at record levels, even compared to WWII. Then, the debt was financed internally, not by other countries, so the interest we could pay was lower and the money was recycled in the U.S. Now, the debt and deficit are mostly financed by other countries through bond offerings and the like. And as they grow, those debtor countries will want higher interest rates on repayments, which drains money out of the U.S. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind on Oct 5, 2009 - 4 answers

Where is the best place to put my $30,000 as I slowly withdraw from it over the next 2 years to pay for Grad School. [more inside]
posted by brenton on Jul 2, 2009 - 8 answers

How to determine how much I'm owed by someone who's not going to pay regularly ? (in Excel preferably). [more inside]
posted by southof40 on Jun 22, 2009 - 7 answers

Upon examining my student loan payments, it appears that my "interest amt last payment" numbers sometimes increase, even when I pay the same amount (more than I need to pay) on the same day of the month. What!? [more inside]
posted by hellogoodbye on May 1, 2009 - 10 answers

[EconomistFilter] Are interest based money systems fundamentally broken? [more inside]
posted by symbollocks on Dec 11, 2008 - 23 answers

A family member loaned me money a few years ago. I would like to pay it back with interest. How much interest should I pay it back with? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 17, 2008 - 21 answers

What's the safest possible thing that I can do with my money? [more inside]
posted by Afroblanco on Mar 20, 2008 - 28 answers

ok, i know this is crazy. but is it possible to: --set up a cross-generational US bank account (say, not to be accessed for say, 200+ years) -- aquire a substantial gain, using the factors of TIME/INTEREST to build a sizable amount money to accessible a distant relative yet to be born. (don't think this would be a Dynasty Trust, since I would be starting out with some nominal amount, say $1000.)
posted by mrmarley on Jul 12, 2007 - 7 answers

I've paid off all my credit cards.... now what? [more inside]
posted by weiler63 on Mar 7, 2007 - 22 answers

How do I lend someone money? [more inside]
posted by Clementines4ever on Jan 30, 2007 - 26 answers

"The Fed chief also seemed to be practically guaranteeing higher interest rates, saying that investors who weren't hedged against a rise were "desirous of losing money."."

these questions have been asked before, but any further thoughts on a hedge for dollar positions and increasing interest rates?
posted by specialk420 on Nov 20, 2004 - 5 answers

What is the best thing to do with a small amount of money, around $5,000? Savings interest is almost a joke, CDs look attractive or maybe even mutual funds. Preferably the safer the better, as in investing it all in a high-risk mutual fund and losing it would make me cry. I've checked out "Investment FAQ" and it seems as if CDs are the best. I know little about investing but making money doing nothing intrigues me. What would be an expected return on such an investment? Is it even worth locking the money up for something like $10 a month? [more inside]
posted by geoff. on Mar 3, 2004 - 19 answers