Personal Finance Daily: Improve your casino odds

Personal Finance Daily MARCH 23, 2012 Friday's Personal Finance Stories By MarketWatch Don't miss these top stories: Change your odds at the casino. Scammed by your own family Will B. of A.'s mortgage-to-lease help homeowners? Money moves 5 doomsayers are making now. Got a yen for gambling? Then don't miss Jennifer Waters's column today for insights on how to improve your odds at the casino. Meanwhile, David Weidner writes that Bank of America's new mortgage-to-lease program — in which the bank will rent homes back to struggling homeowners — is good for the bank, but homeowners? Not so much. Also, read Lew Sichelman's story today on money scams against older Americans, a story that includes the sobering statistic that more than half of financial elder abuse cases are perpetrated by an adult child. Lew offers some tips on how family members and friends can help elderly folks make sound financial decisions. — Andrea Coombes , Personal Finance editor Change your odds at the casino There is no right time to count on Lady Luck standing with you at a casino, but there are times when the house edge will fluctuate and table minimums will change, which could affect your experience. Change your odds at the casino. Scammed by your own family Children are most likely to rip off their parents or grandparents — even more a lover, an unscrupulous contractor, a fly-by-night handyman or shady lender, Lew Sichelman writes. Scammed by your own family. REAL ESTATE Will B. of A.'s mortgage-to-lease help homeowners? Bank of America Corp.'s mortgage-to-lease program may be an attractive deal for many homeowners facing foreclosure, writes David Weidner. Will B. of A.'s mortgage-to-lease help homeowners? Sales of new homes dip 1.6%, while prices jump The pace of new-home sales cool a bit while prices storm higher, according to data released Friday by the Commerce Department that suggest a modest but noticeable improvement in the housing market is holding. Sales of new homes dip 1.6%, while prices jump. ECONOMY & POLITICS The Republican stance on income inequality The leading contenders to become the Republican nominee may not frame economic concerns in the language of income inequality but nonetheless appeal to voters with those concerns. The Republican stance on income inequality. Obama taps Dartmouth president to lead World Bank The White House selects Jim Yong Kim, president of Dartmouth College and a global health expert, to lead the World Bank. Obama taps Dartmouth president to lead World Bank. Obama fast-tracks approval of pipeline President Barack Obama on Thursday fast-tracked approval of an oil pipeline, continuing a nationwide tour to promote his energy policies with gasoline prices on the rise. Obama fast-tracks approval of pipeline. INTERNATIONAL NEWS The age of political reform in China Recent events make one thing crystal clear: It is time to change China's system of government, Caixin Online writes in an editorial. The age of political reform in China. Hong Kong elections' rocky path in pictures A 1,200-member election committee dominated by Beijing loyalists will vote to elect Hong Kong's next leader on Sunday. But the race may reportedly have a surprise verdict in store: No winner. Hong Kong elections' rocky path in pictures. INVESTING Money moves 5 doomsayers are making now They are sentries at the stock market's wall of worry, warning investors to prepare for another epic crash for debt-laden economies. But with U.S. stocks at levels not touched in several years, most of Wall Street isn't seeing much cause for alarm. Money moves 5 doomsayers are making now. Dividends, value and prudent speculation When your cost basis on Apple is $7 a share, many investors will be interested to know what you're buying now. For John Buckingham, editor of the Prudent Speculator newsletter, value stocks and dividend payers are among his favorites. Read these and other top money and investing features. Dividends, value and prudent speculation. Bank protesters picket the wrong bank Protesters at Bank of America have been manipulated into believing they're the victims of racism, writes Al Lewis. Bank protesters picket the wrong bank. Market's long-awaited correction at hand The stock market's successful assault on Dow 13,000 brought a number of eager bulls out of the woodwork, and a lot more bullish sentiment exists now than just two weeks ago. This suggests a coming correction, Mark Hulbert reports. Market's long-awaited correction at hand. Secular bear market set to grip Wall Street Signs point to a secular bear market for Wall Street, no matter how the rest of the economy does. I Secular bear market set to grip Wall Street. 'Hunger Games' thrills Lionsgate investors Powered by the upcoming film bonanza "The Hunger Games," Lionsgate has become a darling of Wall Street, writes Jon Friedman. 'Hunger Games' thrills Lionsgate investors. Get the latest news on our mobile site: http://www.marketwatch.com/m MarketWatch has sent you this newsletter because you signed up to receive it. To ensure you receive this newsletter in the future, please add marketwatchmail.com to your list of approved senders. Sent to: kumaresan.selva.blogger@gmail.com Unsubscribe | Subscribe Copyright 2012 MarketWatch, Inc. All rights reserved. MarketWatch, the MarketWatch logo, and BigCharts are registered trademarks of MarketWatch, Inc. 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