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If you want to find something positive in our current economic crisis, it’s that folks are starting to re-think the use of credit cards and frivolous spending. And by “folks” I mean me.

I’ve always been a saver. I get that from my grandmother. But I’m also an impulse buyer who has historically used a credit card for shoes, clothes and travel. No more. To be clear, I don’t have nearly as much debt as the average American. But I still have it, which kinda makes me mad at myself.  So, on this day, January 1, 2009, I’ve got a couple of personal finance goals to share. We’ll call them “New Year’s Resolutions,” just for fun. Read More…

Check out this well-written tale of uber-hacker Max Butler’s attempt to take over the credit card-stealing cyberworld. You’ll find it in Wired magazine’s January issue.  I particularly enjoyed the way author/Sr. Editor Kevin Poulsen hits all the nerdy high notes without going too tech speak on you. Trust me, I’m geeky but not actually techy – if that makes any sense. Here’s a sample:

The takeover was all business. The stolen-data market had become fractured across too many sites, and they were pocked with snitches and security holes. By taking control of the entire underworld, Butler had created a marketplace he could trust. Even more important, it satisfied his competitive urge. Offline, Butler was a gentle giant with a generous nature and hippie sensibilities. But in the privacy of his hidden redoubt, Iceman pursued his online enterprise with ruthless zeal. He wasn’t after money, not really. He just wanted to prove that he was smarter, bolder, and tougher than everyone else.

Read it in full here.

Seriously, it’s a fascinating story even if you aren’t geek-inclined. I’m surprised Fox hasn’t turned Butler’s life into a TV show yet.