Where are house prices going in your town? - 2004-01-05
Home-sales records have been broken during the e past three years. But economists see the trend ending in 2004, along with a moderation of the stunning price increases across the country. Then again, they predicted as much for 2001, 2002 and 2003.

The reason a slowdown in housing prices is no sure thing is that, economically speaking, the only factor that might finally cool the rising-sales-and-prices trend is the increase in prices themselves. Mortgage rates are expected to stay attractive at below 7%.
Read the full story at CNBC

U.S. consumers living dangerously with high debt - 2004-01-05
For those who enjoy shopping, the holidays are a good excuse to luxuriate at posh department stores, chase deals, jog onto online shopping spots and spend money wherever they can.

Everywhere we look, we're encouraged to spend, spend, spend. Budgets are being squeezed by mounting credit-card debt, student loans, mortgage borrowing and, increasingly, by rising out-of-pocket health care costs.
Read the full story at Miami Herald