Spending and spending and spending ... (North County Times)Our cafeteria here at the Escondido office was stuffed beyond standing room this past Wednesday evening for a showing of the documentary "I.O.U.S.A.," which explores our soaring national and personal debt and the implications for the nation.

Personal debt exceeds Britain's GDP (Channel 4)Personal debt in the UK is higher than the income generated by the country as a whole for the second year running.

Small caps round-up: Asterand, Ark Therapeutics, Cash Converters (ShareCast via Yahoo! UK & Ireland Finance)Shares in human tissue and drug discovery services supplier Asterand jumped nearly 60% after it nearly moved into profits following a surge in revenues.