Shoppers buoyed by rate cuts, oil prices (Ireland Business World)

The sharp drop in interest rates together with lower energy and fuel bills helped lift the mood of consumers in the run up to Christmas though caution still prevails, according to the latest KBC Ireland/ESRI Consumer Sentiment Index for December.

Frugal is cool in cash-strapped US (Guardian Unlimited)

In the grip of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, America has undergone radical changes. Greed is no longer good and luxury is a shameful word.

Conspicuous spending: That's un-P.C. (The Globe and Mail)

The "money" conversation is rapidly changing

ShowMomTheMoney.com is the Answer for Post-Holiday Debt Solutions (PRWeb via Yahoo! News)

Between the current economic crisis and post-Holiday debt, consumers are hurting and looking for plausible solutions to household income shortfalls.

How to stay afloat in 2009 (Stuff)

If there's one time of year when the world's money writers fall over themselves to give advice, it's new year. But among the overkill of earnest advice-giving are the basics for anyone who wants tips on how to thrive in 2009, or as seems more appropriate right now, remain solvent.