Daily Reading: December 24, 2008

Initial jobless claims up, Consumer spending, income down, personal savings up, Mortgage applications surge, mostly refinancing. That, my friends, is a lot of doom and gloom.

Madoff scheme turns deadly. WSJ.

Wachovia shareholders approve sale to Wells Fargo. WSJ.

Here is a blog post from the CNBC's Buffett Watch entitled "How to Tell the Madoffs from the Buffetts." It discusses some key differences between honest and less-than-honest money managers.

An interesting story about the impact Mexican consumers have on the U.S. economy. NY Times.

Has the proliferation of e-Books begun? NY Times. I really want a Kindle. Unfortunately, Oprah profiled the Kindle on her show and they sold out until February.