The Friday after Thanksgiving has been known as "Black Friday" since the 1960s, and has become one of the biggest shopping days of the year in the U.S. On one hand it means discounts and new items for consumers before the year-end holidays, and increased sales for retailers. On the other hand, it's led to a frenzy of buying things we don't necessarily need or can't afford, and even the trampling death of a security guard a few years ago.

Whether you want to take part in #OccupyOakland, or you disagree with the protesters, odds are you're part of the 99%. While some executives from big financial companies may face charges and be convicted of fraud, odds are most of them won't, and even some of the other 1% are unhappy about that. Unsurprisingly, it all makes people want to keep their money closer to home.

Jobs, wages and national debt have a way of burrowing into news headlines. The urgency is in the way the uncertainty of the future can dominate our psyches.

Did you read about the recent jobs report? Were you shocked?

By Barbara Grady