Economics and Investing:

From reader J.D.: Rural America Surprisingly Prosperous, Study Finds

Reader Ben M. suggested this article: How to Tell if You are Saving Enough.

Items from The Economatrix:

Retailers Report Surprise Drop In November

Poor Report On Services Saps Stock Market Gains

Services Sector Activity, Retail Sales Disappoint

Weak Demand Puts Natural Gas Prices At 52-Week Low

North Koreans In Shock As Cash Banned

US Loses Another 169,000 Private Sector Jobs

UN Economists Fear Hard Landing For Dollar

Yen And Dollar Both Weaken

US Service Industries Unexpectedly Contract

Charting The Great World Trade Collapse

As Housing Goes, So Falls The Economy

European Banks Growing Bigger “Sowing The Seeds” Of Next Crisis

Dubai Debacle Just Tip Of Iceberg

More Evidence Gold Being Hoarded As Comex Fulfills Gold Contracts With Paper