Not being a money guy whatsoever, I’ve had no idea what really is going on with the market lately. I just knew…it’s bad news. Here are some links that helped me demystify our current situation (originally posted on Open Source CU):

1. The Money Meltdown – A simple, clean site that breaks down “Everything you need to know about the global money crisis of 2007-?” Check the right side-bar for daily links.
2. This American Life: Another Frightening Show About the Economy – A superb explanation of “what happened…including what regulators could’ve done to prevent this financial crisis from happening in the first place.” (Thanks to Brandon Ferguson for the recommendation.)
3. Planet Money – Daily blog and/or podcast updates on from the hosts of the above episode of This American Life.

Do you have any to add?

Today Trey posted this message to Twitter (links added):

Credit Karma friggin rocks. Go to netbanker, grab the code and get your account.

He’s right, it rocks. Here’s how CK’s free credit score service works (from creditkarma.com):

Credit Karma™ shows personalized offers based on your credit profile. These offers are from partners who share our vision of consumer empowerment. Rest assured, Credit Karma™ will never share your personal information.

The “offers” interface is relevant, clean, and unimposing. Users can comment on an offer, vote it thumbs up/thumbs down, or pass it along to a friend.

Check it out. What do you think?

I wish I could go to this year’s FinovateStartup, but I’m too poor. Finovate and FinovateStartup are conferences put on by technology + finance guru Jim Bruene of Netbanker.

Startups demoing their products include: Andera, Boulevard R., Buxfer, Motley Fool CAPS, ClairMail, Credit Karma, First ROI, Jwaala, Lending Club, Mint, Prosper, SmartHippo, Unified Money, and the rockstars from Wesabe (see how big a fan I am of Wesabe here).

It’s a stockpile of some of the coolest things to happen to money since the invention of “buying stuff.”

Check out videos from last year’s Finovate here.

Update ( 2/2/08): Thanks to Jim Bruene’s good heart, it looks like I may be heading up there after all to cover the conference on Open Source CU. You rock, Jim.