I still marvel at how much $$ some of the wall street folks make.  Hey, if you can get it, then do it!  It is a capitalist society...

Sounds like some folks there where you live will have some extra cash to spend on new digs! Wish I were getting a bonus!  Hope you have a nice Thanksgiving! 

Geez, and those are just bonuses!  And they're kids.  So you must be gearing up for January!  

Mitchell... there is a part of me that wants to rip into those bonuses. I believe in earning money... I believe in reaping the benefits and such.....  but in all honesty, are some of these bonuses justified, especially when so many others are holding the ....  well, holding the end of nothing. I guess it is true in what they say. The rich get richer.....

And Mitchell... sorry for sounding negative. But there have been way too many instances to where people high up or on the board pay themselves frivolous bonuses just because they can and not because they earned them.  It goes all the way back to ENRON.   You just wonder sometimes, what might seem legal might not be. Anyhoo... have a great Thanksgiving.    

Kaushik, It is amazing how much money is made on Wall Street

Lizette, Wish I were getting a bonus too, I would spend it on a new apartment, Happy Thanksgiving.

Pat, Just bonuses (the bonuses are more than the salaries for many and many are kids especially the hedge fund bonus babies.

Jeff, I understand your frustration considering what has been going on in the mortgage industry. I was expecting negative news. The Bloomberg article explains that the people at Merrill and Bear that were involved with the mortgage losses will be penalized. Bonuses are a major part of how they get paid.

I agree the people up at the top in every industry pay themselves huge amounts even though their companies and shareholders lose money under their leadership. I wish I got paid for all the apartments I didn't sell. lol 

``They're all going to have to fall into line,'' said Geisst, author of ``100 Years of Wall Street.'' ``If Bear and Merrill plead poverty, they're going to lose all of their good people.''

John Thain, Merrill's newly appointed chairman and chief executive officer, is already grappling with the bonus issue and he doesn't start at the world's biggest brokerage until next month. Thain, whose contract calls for him getting at least $44 million in cash and stock payable over five years, said top performers will receive bonuses while those involved in the subprime market collapse that led to the firm's $8.4 billion third-quarter writedown will be penalized.

Mitchell, Great advice on getting out shopping early.  The best deals are made with less competition, sellers are more likely to make more concessions. 

Hi Laurie, Happy Thanksgiving and thanks for stopping by. It is so true last year I got a buyer a really great deal in new construction on Christmas eve. By the time the place closed in the spring it appraised much higher then what she paid and the other units sold for much more. The developer even came up to me at the closing and said we didn't give any concessions to any one else.

Give them the bonuses if they produce the profits for their employers.  There surely is a lot of money floating around up there.