In Hard Times, Higher-End Items Get Pawned (NPR)

Business is up at the Silver Lining Jewelry and Loan in Portland, Ore. Customers are selling everything from jewelry to television sets. The Oregonian newspaper reports that a woman even pawned her diamond wedding ring to help pay for gas and car parts.

Credit crisis adds to pressures on car dealers (Bradenton Herald)

NEW YORK â€" Hundreds of thousands of new cars and trucks that would have quickly made their way to people’s driveways a year ago are now stacking up on dealer lots across the country, with potential buyers worried about whether they’ll keep their jobs, be able to pay for gas, or qualify for a car loan.

Credit Crunch Makes Securing A Car Loan Tough (Channel 8 San Diego)

Stocks are bouncing back after an historic slide, but the credit markets are still suffering. That's making it hard for anyone shopping for a new car to secure a loan. Stricter borrowing rules are affecting local dealerships.

Credit Crunch Hitting Car Dealers, Car Buyers (KLAS Las Vegas)

The financial crisis is hitting lenders hard and making it difficult for buyers to be approved for a loan, especially when it comes to cars. Denied loans mean fewer car sales even though there are some good deals.

Analysts say auto industry loans must come quickly (AP via Yahoo! Finance)

If credit remains locked up and auto sales continue to slump, the federal government's $25 billion loan package for the auto industry could be a huge help in keeping Detroit's downtrodden automakers afloat, according to lawmakers and industry analysts.

Arizona, Ohio payday loan battleground states (Tucson Citizen)

COLUMBUS, Ohio â€" The payday loan industry is bankrolling ballot issue campaigns in Ohio and Arizona to preserve the average 391 percent annual interest rates they charge, as the two states become the focus of industry watchers and consumer advocates.

Credit crisis: Car dealers squeezed from all sides (CNNMoney.com via Yahoo! Finance)

If you want to see how America's credit crisis is hitting the streets of your hometown, go to your local car dealer. Auto dealers depend on credit. They need it to run their stores and their customers need it to buy their products.