The researchers found that shoplifting — or what’s euphemistically known as product “shrinkage” — jumped 5.9% in the past year at the more than 1,000 retail chains the group surveyed globally. In previous years, the increase hovered at 1.5% annually. Though the problem was documented across all regions, the steepest increases occurred in North America (8.1%), the Middle East (7.5%) and Europe (4.7%). In terms of total losses, retailers in North America topped the charts at $46 billion, followed by Europe’s $44 billion and $17.9 billion in the Asia-Pacific region. In North America and Latin America, store owners and employees were the leading pilferers; in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, it was customers who were swiping the most loot.

Reports have recently noted that crime has not dramatically increased because of the recession. For those who don’t think that stealing from an employer is theft, then they need to realize that retail theft is still theft just as stealing office supplies or not doing any work while at work.

The study shows that there has been an increase of people stealing items, not that they need, but just things that they want. Basically, this is not Jean Valjean from Hugo’s Les Miserables stealing because of hunger. These are people who are stealing out of greed. Businesses pass these costs along to the shoppers at an average of $436 to the US consumer and $250 to European consumers.

If you can’t afford it, then don’t buy it or steal it.

Poor Ruth Madoff.

Bernie Madoff’s wife is now crying broke because she has been stripped of all but $2.5 million in assets. In New York her duplex apartment was worth $7 million.

The fascination with money and its excesses are intriguing. Last week, I read an article about the lack of skilled trade workerswho are needed and the positions pay $22 an hour which would be over $45k a year. Additionally there were other engineering positions that employers were having difficulty filling which paid $50k+ a year. In the East, people were crying that you can’t afford anything on that wage. While in other parts of the country $45-50k annually might not get you into a fancy country club but you wouldn’t be broke either.

How far money will go depends on your location in the country. Real estate prices in larger coastal cities may be higher than in the middle of the country, though decent homes in good neighborhoods can still be had for people making $50k a year.

Mrs. Madoff who was allegedly not a part of her husband’s business dealings still gets to keep five times more than the maximum payment that claimants may receive toward their investment losses.

In most parts of the world, $2.5 million dollars does not make you poor. In a relative sense when you had more and lost the majority of your holdings, then a paltry $2.5 might seem like a poverty level when compared to $65 million or more. Yet, for people who lost their live savings to leave with $2.5 seems like a dream.

Ruth Madoff’s salon and florist (among others) no longer want her business, so she may not have to worry about her $2.5 going very fast. Some buildings don’t even want her to live there, so her millions may go a lot farther than originally thought. If people can survive on $50k a year, R.M. should be able to do it as well.

Lacking willpower?  Having difficulty sticking to your budget or diet or career goal? Then as the website Stickk announces, “put a contract out on yourself.” You sign up with a goal in mind, then make a promise to donate money or do something that you really don’t want to do, such as donate money to an opposing political party or organization. To keep you honest, you select another person who determines whether or not you have really been doing what you are supposed to do. The site has good intentions.

The “commitment contracts” are also ways to help users reach their goals – if you pony up some cash toward a charity (or a person) you really don’t want to give money to, then you will definitely work harder toward achieving your goal.

Many of the examples on the Stickk site are weight loss and exercise goals, and some personal project type goals – work on a novel, a few are work related.  The site is interesting, though I can see ways in which people may cheat, especially if they are just putting up cash. Having to spend your time on a project you wouldn’t want to do , such as volunteering for a charity you don’t like or helping a cranky relative would also be a deterrent and keep you on track. Referees also have to report on whether or not you are honoring your contract. Users do not have to have a referee, but must rely willpower and honesty.

Willpower and determination also make a difference when you are making a commitment. A commitment contract seems to be like too much trouble to me. If it is something that you really want to do, then set a goal and do it on your own. Having to report online and informing everyone you know about I will not necessarily make you more successful.

Low on willpower, tend to quit what you set out to do… then Stickk may make you do it.

Owe more than your home is worth? You’re not alone. About one fifth of homeowners are in the same position.

The real estate Web site Zillow.com reported that 21.8% of all U.S. homes, representing more than 16 million residences, were in a “negative equity” or “underwater” position after prices dropped more than 14% nationally in the year ended March 31.

Housing prices have increased slightly but they are definitely off their highs and some people may take years to recuperate their losses if ever.

Selling a home now is difficult but not impossible. If you are really must sell, see if it is possible to trade your home for another of similar quality in an area that you are interested in. This way you will not have to worry about a loss and will still be able to move.

Want to sell but can’t and need to, see if you can lease or rent your property to someone. This way you will still have an opportunity to have someone in your property and you will have some income from the property.

If you have taken a home equity loan and used the money other than for home improvements your home’s value might have more depreciation. Some improvements that were made were out of range with the neighborhood.

There is still a chance to sell your home, it is just taking longer and for those who bought with the hopes of flipping the property to make a quick profit, you may be disappointed and lose your shirt. The people who bought a property because they fell in love with it and wanted to stay there for a while should just stay put and try to do the best that they can.