Retail sales rose 1.3% in November, which may indicate that the U.S. economy is recovering better than expected, according to data from the Commerce Department.

Other financial news included a report from the University of Michigan and Reuters indicating that their consumer sentiment index rose in early December to the highest level since September.

The financial news caused some economists to upgrade their forecasts for growth during the fourth quarter, according to MarketWatch.

Sales gains were spread throughout the various sectors, and only furniture and clothing sales fell during the month. Many retailers are hoping to see sales improve this holiday season as compared to last year.

“Consumers are tapping into savings and beginning to spend. With the U.S. and global economy turning up, hours and incomes will continue to rise, supporting further gains in consumer spending,” John Herrmann, chief economist at Herrmann Forecasting in Summit, N.J., told Bloomberg.

Although some economists are hopeful about an economic recover, challenges remain. Many consumers worried about the credit crunch continue to sock away money in savings rather than spend.  Also, the U.S. unemployment rate is at 10%, and many employed workers still believe that they could become a victim of downsizing.

Residents of Georgia can get a  Quantum National Bank Hi-Rate Money Market with a rate of 1.7% annual percentage yield (APY) on deposits of $100,000 and up.  Other money market rates are available for smaller balances. Details of the money market deals include:

• Minimum opening deposit of $100
• Simple interest paid monthly
• Money market rates can change at any time
• Fees could reduce earnings on the money market
• Check writing available

To avoid paying a $12 monthly fee on money markets, accounts must have a minimum average daily balance of $1,500. You also are charged a $10 excessive withdrawal fee if you make more than six external withdrawals per statement cycle. The bank does not limit the number of automatic loan payments, ATM, or in-person withdrawals.

There are some limits on the number of daily transactions with ATM cash cards and debit cards. You can withdraw up to $400 through ATMs in any one day. Also, you can purchase $1,500 worth of goods and services each day through the bank’s point of sale service.

Quantum offers a free bill pay service and pre-authorized deposits can be set up for money market accounts. You also can access account information online or by phone.

Getting some kind of return on your money is better than nothing. And although certificate of deposit rates aren’t as high as they’ve been in the past, you can take a few steps to earn some interest on your money now and possibly be able to take advantage of higher interest rates in the future.

A CD ladder can help you do this. You can take advantage of different CD rates and terms by spreading out a large sum of cash. For example, if you have $30,000 to invest, instead of putting it in one CD, divide it up and put it in four different accounts with different CD rates and terms.

Each time a CD matures, roll the money over into another CD. Hopefully, interest rates will have improved at the point you reinvest your money in another CD.

It’s probably easiest to build a CD ladder by opening multiple accounts at a bank that offers several CD rates and terms. But you can certainly shop around to find the best rates being offered by various banks and spread your accounts around at different institutions. Just make sure any bank where you open a CD is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC).

Money market accounts allow you to stash some cash where you can get access to it when you need it. Money market rates at Bank of Internet are currently 1.65% annual percentage yield (APY) for all account balances. Here are some of the details:

• Minimum opening deposit of $100
• No maintenance fees
• Free initial checks
• Write up to three checks each month
• ATM card available
• FDIC insured

You can make unlimited deposits to Bank of Internet money market accounts. You also can make an unlimited number of withdrawals or transfers to other linked Bank of Internet accounts.

There is a limit of no more than six pre-authorized, automatic or phone transfers during any statement cycle. If you go over the limit, you pay an excessive transaction fee for each withdrawal.

Bank of Internet uses the daily balance method to calculate interest on money markets. The bank’s money market rates can change at any time.

If you make a withdrawal from your money market at any ATM, you won’t be charged a fee by Bank of Internet. But you may still have to pay a fee to another bank for using its ATM.

You receive online statements for money markets and the bank keeps an archive of of them that goes back five years.

Money market rates are averaging 1.22% for deposits under $10,000. However, Nationwide Bank is offering rates of 1.7% on all of its money market accounts as of Oct. 26. Nationwide money market accounts include:

• Free online banking and online statements
• Free first order of checks
• Free ATM card
• Two free ATM transactions a month at non-Nationwide Bank ATMs; after that they are $1.50 per transaction
• Free transfers between money market account and other banks
• $1,000 minimum opening balance

The money market is required to have  a $1,000 minimum daily balance or an $8 monthly maintenance fee is charged. Money markets also allow six pre-authorized withdrawals during each monthly statement cycle. That includes telephone or electronic transfers, check, or point-of-sale transactions.

Nationwide Associate and Agency Banking Program members don’t have a monthly maintenance fee and are allowed a minimum opening balance of $250. They also get free transactions at non-Nationwide Bank ATMS, although there may be a surcharge from the ATM owners.

Nationwide money market accounts offer Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) insurance up to $250,000 per depositor through 2013.

Nationwide Bank is based in Columbus, Ohio, and provides a range of insurance and financial products. The company is rated A+ by A.M. Best.