In case you’re not wired in to everything economics… here are some stories we thought might bring you up to date. 

1) Foreclosures hit a five year low in September. While this trend is not uniform around the country (New York, New Jersey, and Ohio continue to show increases in foreclosure) there has been a 16% decrease since last year.

However, home owners are not out of the woods yet. Analysts say states with new legislation or court rulings could see fluctuations:

A backlog of delayed foreclosures will likely build up in those states as lenders adjust to the new rules, with many of those delayed foreclosures eventually hitting down the road.

2) Could you live off $438 a week?

Marketplace has poverty simulator that shows you just how far you can stretch your dollars. (Hint: Unless you use public transit, eat ramen noodles, shower with baking soda, and not spending money on anything else you don’t make it)

These figures for the poverty line (family of four making $440 per week)

3) And some not so good news: America’s trade deficit increased to $44.2 Billion in August

[T]otal August exports of $181.3 billion and imports of $225.5 billion resulted in a goods and services deficit of $44.2 billion, up from $42.5 billion in July, revised. August exports were $1.9 billion less than July exports of $183.2 billion. August imports were $0.2 billion less than July imports of $225.7 billion.