Medill Money Mavens

Latin American Wine on Terra Firma in U.S.

Jacquelyn Ryan/MEDILL

Tough economic times don’t stop Americans from drinking their wine – but tight budgets may have consumers looking Latin for the best (or most) wine for their dollar.

The U.S. consumed a record 753 million gallons of wine in the heart of the recession in 2008, according to the Wine Institute. [...]

Seven mistakes to avoid when buying your first home

Photo source: City of Austin

With the first-time homebuyer’s tax credit set to expire in April and home prices at generational lows, people–especially young people–are able to buy their first homes a lot sooner than many expected.

But it’s easy for first-time buyers to get blinded by the excitement of purchasing a new home.

Here [...]

Rent everything and the kitchen sink

Vacancy rates are up, as are the number of perks landlords willing to dole out. Consider asking for free parking.

Chicago rental vacancies are up and rents are down, according to Reis Inc. To be exact, in the fourth quarter of 2009, vacancies hit 6.7 percent (up [...]

American Eagle, Abercrombie & Fitch, Aeropostale: A look at the three battling apparel competitors

Comparing the fourth quarter earnings results of three teen apparel competitors, it appears that Abercombie & Fitch Co. is struggling, compared with American Eagle Outfitters Inc. and Aeropostale Inc.

American Eagle and Aeropostale have have both benefited from consumers turning to their lower-cost clothing apparel. Abercrombie & Fitch, on the other hand, has [...]

How are Chicagoans saving money?

Saving Techniques

How are your fellow Chicagoans saving money? Jeniece Pettitt talked to people in Daley Plaza to find out.

Billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov a good bet for investors

Polyus Gold's stock price has seen a slight bump on the London Stock Exchange. If they are able to merge with another company, the price could surge.

When a team is 7-57 and challenging for the worst record in the 64-year history of the NBA, it’s hard to see much hope on [...]

Will Slim’s prominence require increased security?

Mexican telecom magnate Carlos Slim is the richest person in the world with a net worth of $53.3 billion, according to Forbes magazine's annual list.

Investments Down Under are looking up

Jacquelyn Ryan/MEDILL

If you’re feeling unsure about the U.S. stock market, try looking Down Under.

Australia has managed to successfully weather this global recession. The economy is so strong, in fact, that the Reserve Bank of Australia raised the cash rate, Australia’s overnight inter-bank interest rate, on March 2. The Australian Securities Exchange, the [...]

Children suffer due to recession and state budget crisis

At the Voices for Illinois Children’s recent “Illinois Kids Count 2010 Symposium” at The Standard Club in Chicago, a panel discussion revolved around the topic of families in a time of economic crisis.

It was a gloomy outlook for children in the state as Illinois deals with high unemployment, poverty and enormous deficits.

Illinois [...]

Cubs tickets too steep? Try Chicago’s independent teams

Major League baseball’s opening day is less than a month away. Chicago Cubs and White Sox fans are as excited as ever to see their teams take the field in early April, but they may be planning to do so from the comfort of their own homes.

In the current economic climate, baseball fans are hesitant [...]