MSN Money's Bob Sullivan writes about the risks of instant credit and identity theft, calling instant credit an "equal opportunity nightmare."

"Immediacy is the enemy of accuracy,” says Marty Abrams, former executive at credit bureau Experian Corp., and now an analyst with Hunton & Williams.  “ID thieves are successful because we have a marketplace based on immediacy. We can’t move away from instant credit but it is the enemy of good authenticity.”

No, not cards vs. checks or supermarket bags but, rather, plastic cash. Eric Weiner writes in Slate about the migration to plastic currency that's taken place in Australia and Mexico.

Plastic money has several advantages over paper. The plastic bills absorb less moisture and are therefore less likely to transmit germs, which is a danger, albeit a rare one, with paper notes. Plastic bills can endure a lot of abuse. You can twist them, bend them, and even put them through a wash/spin cycle without doing serious damage. They last four times longer than paper bills.

Daniel Gross writes in Slate about gift cards.

A gift card is great. But every moment you don't use it, Wal-Mart or some other giant retailer is collecting interest on the giver's cash. When you go to redeem it, chances are you'll end up spending some of your own coin. And it probably reflects the giver's implicit criticism of your poor taste and untrustworthiness. Aren't you glad Christmas is over?

G. Jeffrey MacDonald writes in the Christian Science Monitor about faith-based financial counselers who teach spiritual principles for money management.   » Continue Reading

Lisa Baertlein reports in the in the Washington Post on the increase in ecommerce shopping this past holiday season -- reported up 25 percent from the 2003 season, according to a new survey released on Monday by Goldman, Sachs & Co., Harris Interactive and Nielsen/NetRatings. Ecommerce spending in 2003 was up 30 percent over 2002.

"Improved satisfaction, greater selection online and extended shipping deadlines drove greater-than-expected spending online this season," Goldman Sachs analyst Anthony Noto said in a client note.

Chris Moore of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland writes in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about Check 21 -- what is it and isn't.   » Continue Reading