Go Banking Rates

A new report from the Commerce Department on Wednesday showed that compensation earned by U.S. workers rose in November. According to the report, earnings increased by 0.3 percent, which is said to be a sign that labor markets are slowly improving.

Wage and Labor Reports

According to the Commerce Department report, the increases that are shown for wages and salaries are the best since April. And because of these improved numbers, total personal incomes increased by 0.4 percent in November bringing the annual rate to $12.2 trillion. This is said to be the biggest gain since may.

According to the Labor Department, the increases were due to a 0.6 percent increase in hours worked. Income that was earned by small business owners also increased by 1.2 percent. The good news is that these numbers fall in line with the predictions coming from economists.

Some other numbers from the reports are as follows:

• After-tax disposable incomes rose 0.2 percent in November
• Real disposable incomes rose 2.3 percent
• Consumer spending increased 0.5 percent to an annual rate of $10.2 trillion
• Inflation-adjusted real spending increased o.2 percent

What These Numbers Mean to You

While you may not know what all of the figures represent, it's important to pay attention to the increases, which basically mean that not only is income increasing, but spending is good too. In other words, people not only are making more money, but they feel comfortable spending what they have too. It's good to note that the increases are not extreme, but at least they're headed in the right direction.

Earlier in the week, it was determined that increases in these numbers for the quarter may determine whether the Federal reserve would begin raising its rates again. Since there is no official word yet, we'll just have to wait and see what the days will bring.

Have you earned more and/or increased your spending in the past few months?

Those crazy Brits.

To deal with their version of the world-wide recession, Brits are pounding on the heads of bankers, who apparently have taken up a residence similar to moles.

Whack A Banker, a version of the older Whack A Mole, is so popular arcade owners have had to replace mallets worn out from the anger of players.

Inventor Tim Hunkin said it's a win-win for bankers and the angry public.

''And, of course, the bankers never really lose," he said. "If you win the game a banker's voice says: 'You win. We retire. Thank you very much to the taxpayer for paying our pensions'.''

Do you want to whack a few bankers? What do you think of the game?

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