Bernanke had to 'hold my nose' over bailouts

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Sunday that he had to "hold my nose" over last year's taxpayer-financed bailouts of big financial companies but argued that the action had to be taken to avoid a major meltdown of the U.S. financial system and the broader economy.

Bernanke's comments came during a town-hall style meeting in Kansas City, Mo., where he was peppered with several questions about government decisions last year to rescue so-called "too big to fail companies" like insurance giant American International Group, whose collapse would have wreaked havoc on the global economy.

A small-business owner complained to Bernanke that such actions were "hard to swallow," saying he felt like small businesses -- also struggling to survive the recession and all the financial fallout -- were being shortchanged.

"Nothing made me more frustrated, more angry, than having to intervene" when companies were "taking wild bets," Bernanke said. But not acting would have had grave consequences for the economy, he added.

"I was not going to be the Federal Reserve chairman who presided over the second Great Depression," he said. "I had to hold my nose. ... I'm as disgusted as you are. ... I absolutely understand your frustration."

Public television's Jim Lehrer moderated the one-hour town hall meeting. It will air this week in three installments on PBS' "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer."

At the height of the financial crisis last fall, Bernanke recalled spending nights on the sofa in his office. It was a "perfect storm," he said, where housing, credit and financial problems converged into a major crisis the likes of which haven't been seen since the 1930s. To deal with the crisis, Bernanke said he sometimes had to do things "outside the box."

The financial crisis underscores the need for Congress to enact legislation that will create a government mechanism for safely unwinding big financial companies, along the lines of the process used by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. to handle failing banks, Bernanke said.

When asked about the Fed's diligence in protecting consumers, Bernanke acknowledged that "we were late in addressing the subprime lending problem," referring to the risky mortgages and dubious lending practices that powered the housing boom and contributed to its crash. "We have to take some heat for that."

Still, Bernanke made the case -- as he did last week on Capitol Hill -- that consumer protection oversight should stay with the Fed. An Obama administration proposal would create a new consumer protection agency overseeing mortgage, credit cards and other financial products, stripping the Fed of some of its duties. Of setting up such a new agency, Bernanke seemed to soften his earlier stance, saying, "I'm neither opposed to it or in favor or it."

When Lehrer said some people think the Fed is the fourth branch of the government, Bernanke responded, "That's a tremendous exaggeration." He said the Fed's independence from political interference in setting interest rates to influence economic activity is crucial. "You get much better results" for the economy when this is the case, he said. "We're very, very sensitive to this issue."

Asked about President Obama's $787 billion stimulus package of tax cuts and increased government spending, Bernanke said most of the money will flow in 2010 so "it might be a little bit early" to judge its effectiveness. Although big budget deficits couldn't be avoided this year and next, given government efforts to help the economy, Bernanke urged Congress to develop a plan now to bring back "fiscal sanity."

On the economy, Bernanke repeated the Fed's forecast that unemployment will probably top 10 percent this year, even as the economy starts growing again in the second half of 2009. The jobless rate is now at a 26-year high of 9.5 percent. In a "few years" the economy will be back on track and "growing strong again," Bernanke said. "It will take some patience."

The Fed, he said, "has been putting the pedal to the metal" to turn the economy around.

Bernanke's appearance on the program is part of a broader campaign, unusual for a Fed chairman, to reach out to ordinary Americans. In March, Bernanke granted a rare TV interview, appearing on CBS' "60 Minutes."

His efforts to explain the Fed's actions to get the economy and financial markets back on firm footing comes as the clock ticks on Bernanke's term as Fed chief. His term expires early next year, and President Barack Obama has not said whether he will be reappointed.

The Fed chief, who took the helm on February 2006, has been on the front lines of efforts to battle the financial crisis and end the recession, the longest since World War II.

His aggressive and unconventional actions -- including supporting the bailout of AIG to the tune of more than $180 billion -- have been credited with averting a financial catastrophe last year but also have touched off anger from the public and lawmakers on Capitol Hill about helping financial companies that made reckless gambles.

A Guide to Investing for College Students

Investing for beginners is easier than ever before. With access to the stock market as close as your keyboard, you're just clicks away from getting started. Just learn the basics and find the right online tools to help you, and you'll be on your way.

The first concept to get to know in beginner investing is compound interest. The same principles of interest that can keep you in debt when you're trying to manage your credit work to your advantage when you invest money. Simply put, it means that the interest you make on an investment is added to your original investment and then reinvested to make even more interest. It's not as complicated as it sounds.

Here's a simplified example. An original investment of $100 with a return rate of 10% that's compounded yearly would make $10 in interest in year one for a total balance of $110. In year two if that $110 achieves the same 10% yield, it would add an additional $11 to the total. Continue to let the money compound over the next 18 years at 10% annually and by the 20th year it would be $672.75. But let it continue to compound for 30 or 40 years and it would grow to $1,744.94 and $4,525.93 respectively. All that without adding any additional money. Wow!

If you've determined that investing is right for you, you should look for an online discount stock brokerage or other financial services company that allows you to open an account with a low minimum balance, or none at all. The company you choose should offer low maintenance and trade fees, while providing you with tracking and investment management tools so that you can easily keep an eye on your investments. But before you sign up, you should know some basic investment terms and products.

There are many other definitions and concepts that you should have a working knowledge of as a beginner investing for the first time. These include:

* 401K - A company-sponsored retirement plan that allows you to contribute pre-tax dollars. 401Ks shelter your interest earnings as you continue to work, so that you'll only be taxed when you retire and withdraw money. 401Ks help to reduce your taxable income each year, saving you money on federal, state and local income taxes
* Bond - When corporations and governments borrow money from investors they are given a bond. The borrower in this case agrees to pay the investor the price of the original 'loan' plus interest at a predetermined later date
* Capital gain/capital loss - The money made or lost from an investment
* Certificate of Deposit (CD) - Typically a bank-issued document that guarantees an investor a specific yield on an amount of money when 'lent' to the bank for a pre-determined period of time. CD terms range from a month to several years
* Diversification - Making investments in different types of funds to help distribute your risk. Some funds are diversified in themselves, and could for instance include stocks from biotech, telecommunications, banking, entertainment and food manufacturing companies
* Individual Retirement Account/IRA - A retirement account that provides tax-deferral or other tax benefits
* Interest - The amount paid by a borrowing party for use of a lender's money. With credit cards you are the borrower, with investments you are the lender
* Mutual fund - A financial product that is managed and marketed by an investment company and can be comprised of stocks, bonds, or other securities products. The investment company pools investor contributions to buy and sell stocks and bonds for the entire group
* SEC/Securities and Exchange Commission - The governmental regulation agency that was established to help protect investors and oversees participants and activities in the world of securities
* Securities - Any type of investment product like a stock, bond, note, etc.
* Stock - A certificate or share of ownership in a corporation
* Trader - One who buys and sells securities like bonds, stocks, etc.
* Yield - The return on an investment as a percentage

If you grasp these investing for beginners basics, you can be investing in no time. Sure growing your investments may take time, but the returns will be well worth the wait.

How to Save Money When You Have None

Learning how to save money when you have none may seem like an impossible task, but we Save is here to help.

Set Manageable Goals

The key to learning how to save money when you have none is to think small. If you're struggling to keep a roof over your head and food on the table, planning for retirement or saving for a child's college education probably seems like an impossible goal. Focus on finding more manageable ways to save money. For example:

* Set a goal of cutting $10 per week from your budget. This can be accomplished by taking the bus instead of driving to work, eliminating a trip to a fast food restaurant, clipping coupons, or checking out movies from the public library instead of going to the video store. Once a week, make a trip to the bank to deposit the $10 in your savings account.
* Empty the spare change from your pockets into a jar whenever you walk through the door. When the container is full, add it to your savings account.
* Have a garage sale, take old items into a consignment shop, or sell collectibles on eBay.
* Spend an afternoon collecting cans from the side of the road to return for the deposits.
* Look for ways to earn extra money to give yourself a bit of a financial cushion. Babysitting or doing yard work for people in your community is a great idea. LoveToKnow Business also has a number of suggestions in the article,Home Based Businesses for Under $ 100.

Ask for Help Learning How to Save Money When You Have None

If you're struggling, there's no shame in asking others for help. Don't let foolish pride keep you from making the most of a bad situation. You can always repay the favor after your financial situation improves.

If you're in need of food assistance, consider the following resources:

* Angel Food Ministry allows people in any income bracket to purchase boxes of deeply-discounted groceries once per month. The basic box contains enough food to feed a family of four for one week.
* Pregnant women in a low-income bracket and those with children under the age of five can get milk, juice, cereal, and other necessities through WIC. The program also offers nutrition advice, free dental screenings, and assistance with family planning needs.
* The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program allows people with low incomes to purchase the food they need. You do not need to be married or have a child to qualify.
* If you're really in a bind, community food pantries provide temporary assistance with groceries. In most cases, all you need to receive help is proof of your legal address.
* If you have children in school, they may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Some schools also have programs that allow kids to sign up for a bag of groceries to take home on the weekends.

Other forms of assistance for how to save money when you have none include:

* Medicaid provides medical insurance for low income individuals and families who fit into an eligibility group that is recognized by federal and state law.
* The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)offers coverage for children in families that earn too much for Medicaid, but not enough for private insurance.
* The Find a Health Center site can help you locate a clinic with a sliding scale fee system if you are uninsured and don't qualify for Medicaid or SCHIP coverage.
* Wal-Mart's $4 prescription program can help you pay for some of the medications you need, regardless of your income. Many other stores also have similar programs.
* LIHEAP provides assistance with heating costs during the winter months.
* Toys for tots provides Christmas gifts for needy children.