Personal Finance Web Round-Up - New York Savings, Housing Crisis (Again) And Bargains

Independent - Is it a ‘mortgage minefield’ or a ‘mortgage jungle’? Or maybe it’s both? Anyway, the property ladder has become as difficult to mount as a bucking bronco smeared in butter but the Indy has a few helpful hints, courtesy of Stephen Pritchard, who answers questions on everything from interest only loans to holiday homes.

Telegraph - With global shares dropping again, fuelling fears of a global credit crunch, Myra Butterworth over in the Telegraph has some tips on how to survive the stock market turmoil. For those of you lucky enough to have shares in anything, that is.

BBC - The Beeb’s business editor Robert Peston bemoans the situation across the water where the US sub-prime shenanigans continue to chip away at the American Dream. However, in his blog, Peston fears that the Europe could suffer too as a result of the Stateside crisis.

Motley Fool - The Motley Fool brings us back to the more humdrum side of finance, with Alison Hunt’s excellent money saving round-up. Apparently Tesco’s is the place to go for your disposable nappies, with prices currently down by a third, Although, to bring some glam back into your life, Sainsbury’s are offering up to 50 per cent off selected champagnes and sparkling wines. So toast your clever nappy purchase and get sloshed. Probably best to get a baby-sitter first.

Telegraph - If you feel like a slightly more glam shopping trip, then the Telegraph gives you the low-down on the best shopping to be found New York. And with the dollar about as weak as David Cameron’s chin, there’s never been a better time to take a bit of the Big Apple.

His Master’s Voices Getting Weaker: HMV Shares

Poor old HMV, the famous company is finding life rather difficult, what with supermarkets now flogging cheap CDs and the internet full of online music retailers.

According to the latest figures, HMV made pre-tax profits of £48.1million in the year to 28 April, a massively drop on the previous year’s £98.2million total. Interestingly, this drop in profits occurred despite HMV’s sales growing by 3.8 per cent to £1.9billion.

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China's Booming

China’s rising shares have pushed Shanghai’s main stock index past the 4,000 mark for the first time.