- You've heard this before: "No one on their deathbed ever said, 'I wish I had spent more time at the office.''' Working too much is truly one of the regrets of those near death.
- Geico vastly outspends competitors on advertising, and many of you are buying into the message.
- Plus cat litter, batteries, T-shirts and more.
- A reader thought he was getting a free credit report, but he was actually signing up with a credit repair agency. Let's be careful out there, folks.
- Your anniversary is meant to be a lot of things -- romantic, fun, memorable -- but expensive isn't one of them. Here are 10 ways to create the perfect day for less than $100.
- The cost of the Moore, Okla., tornado last month hasn't been tallied yet, but it will be among the worst in U.S. history.
- If for some reason you intend to carry a balance and you have excellent credit, this could be a good credit card for you.
- Some reports seem to suggest that the average U.S. family is weighed down by more than $15,000 in outstanding credit card debt. Is it true?
- Plus vitamins, toys, office supplies, clothing, shoes and more.
- More opportunities to overspend present themselves when it's gorgeous out and you want to eat, drink and play in the sun.
- Scammers have found all kinds of ways to rip off people hunting for apartments via online ads. Here's how to avoid these schemes.
- This week: How to keep your kids learning during summer, how to set up a small business, how to save on water, how to stop obsessing over your credit score, and how to spot fake spices.
- Plus Burger King, On The Border, Macaroni Grill, Subway and more.
- Discovery Channel's 'MythBusters' proves that a few driving techniques and simple tweaks to your car can nearly double your fuel economy.
- These days, you can even see live sporting events that used to require a subscription to satellite or cable TV.
- If you carry a balance, are you better off with a 0 percent introductory offer or a card that has a lower ongoing interest rate? Here's how to choose.
- After all, insurance is supposed to protect you from losses you can’t afford to replace.
- Have you been putting off saving money? I used to be in your shoes. Here's what I did about it.
- Some suggestions to cut the cost of insurance can produce disastrous results.
- Plus Bath & Body Works, weed killer, Pampers swim pants and more.
- A reader went to the doctor to have a tick removed and now she has a $750 bill that's getting under her skin. Is there any way she can get it reduced?
- A major way to stop wasting food and your money is to know how long basic items last in the freezer and fridge.
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Money in a Minute
Which Prices Jumped the Most in the Past 10 Years
You won't be surprised to hear that the cost of gasoline has doubled since 2003. Where else have you seen price increases far greater than average?Internet From Balloons? Google’s Working On It
It's called Project Loon, and involves solar-powered helium balloons beaming Internet signals across the sky.Lottery Tickets Sold at ATMs, Gas Pumps
You can get lottery tickets just about anywhere these days, although often at extra cost.Do You Want Your TV to Watch You?
Cable companies are thinking about putting cameras and microphones in our cable boxes. Members of Congress are already moving to limit their use. What do you think?Supreme Court to Drug Makers: No More ‘Pay to Delay’
A brand-name company that tries to pay its generic competition to go away can now be sued for violating antitrust laws.McDonald’s Worker Sues Over Being Paid by Prepaid Card
When it was time for her first paycheck, she was given a prepaid debit card that came with a host of fees instead.Banks Reportedly Make Money Helping Crooks
The government says banks big and small may be ignoring warning signs of fraud perpetrated against their customers.Do Retailers Track You More Than the Government Does?
We're watched through our computers, through our smartphones, and in stores — all to make businesses more money. Does it bother you?Watch for Credit Card Class-Action Checks
What may look like American Express junk mail could actually be a check from a class-action lawsuit settlement related to foreign transaction fees.You Win a Lawsuit. Do You Owe Taxes?
Here are some situations where you would owe taxes, and some where you wouldn't.New College Grads Aren’t Ready for Work, Survey Says
Many human resource professionals think this group of grads is unprofessional and can't write well. Are they wrong?Health Insurance May Become Unaffordable for Low-Wage Workers
Many low-wage earners will be offered health insurance through their workplace next year, but it might be more than many can reasonably afford.850,000 Fewer Homeowners Underwater, 10M More to Go
Home values are recovering, but nearly 20 percent of mortgaged homes still have negative equity.Study: Nursing Grads Have Lowest Unemployment Rate
Other majors also quickly lead to jobs, while some still have unemployment rates above 10 percent.Credit Cards Make You Fat and Dumb
Research repeatedly shows that credit cards make us spend more — especially on unhealthy things — and pay less attention to our finances than we otherwise would.Despite New Rules, Banks Make More in Overdraft Fees
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau studied the impact of new regulations on how much people pay in overdraft fees. It's still a lot.Do Unpaid Internships Exploit Young People?
Two former unpaid interns sued a Fox movie studio that they said made them do menial tasks instead of teaching them. A judge said they should have been paid.Restaurant Asks Patrons Not to Tip Waiters
A New York sushi restaurant pays its waitstaff a salary — with benefits — and tells customers that tips are not allowed. Should other restaurants follow suit?Jobs Are Available in All 50 States
For the second quarter in a row, businesses in every state are planning to hire more people.De Beers Class-Action Checks Are in the Mail
Did you file a claim against the diamond seller in 2008? Your portion of the $295 million settlement should be arriving soon in the mail.U.S. Income Inequality Has Gotten Even Worse
The difference in income between the wealthy and the rest of us is much more vast than it is in 25 other developed nations.The Worst Airline Is Among the Most Profitable
Spirit Airlines' fee-for-all approach seems to be paying off, despite consumer complaints.Costco Shows You Can Have Low Prices and Decent Pay
Does the generous way Costco treats its workers affect your decision to shop there?Study: 19 Percent of Americans Spend More Than They Earn
Most U.S. adults don't do well on a short multiple-choice quiz about basic financial literacy.Study Suggests Online Dating Produces Stronger Marriages
Researchers say couples who first meet online are a bit more likely to stay married and have happier marriages. Can that be right?Apple Wants to Buy Your Used Phones, Report says
Apple may soon have an in-store trade-in program for iPhones.The Big Screen Gets Bigger
Movie screens as much as 40 percent larger than usual may be coming to a theater near you. Are you willing to pay more for the experience?Rakuten.com Customers Reporting Credit Card Fraud
People who purchased something through Rakuten.com, formerly known as Buy.com, say they've seen thousands in unauthorized purchases show up on their accounts.Free Calling, Texting and Data — What’s the Catch?
You'll have to bring a compatible smartphone or buy one, and there are some limitations.Study: Health Savings Accounts Aren’t Working
They're leading to more emergency room visits, fewer screenings for cancer and fewer prescriptions.Amazon Snatches Up SpongeBob and Other Popular Kids’ Shows
Thousands of streaming episodes will be available for Amazon Prime customers at no additional cost.The Rich Get Even Richer in Post-Recession Recovery
Many Americans are far from regaining the wealth they lost when the economy tanked.Some Go Into Debt to Attend Weddings, Rather Than Say No
A quarter of adults have skipped a wedding in the past year because it would cost them too much. Have you?Fit Fatties May Outlive Thin Couch Potatoes
A fitness expert tackles some common misconceptions about health and fitness.Feds: Banks Aren’t the Only Things That Could Crash Our Economy
Regulators hope to expand government oversight to many nonbank financial risk-takers, including AIG, Prudential, and GE Capital.Hotels Slash Services, Boost Prices
Some high-end hotels are ditching room service, and other companies are focusing on their value brands.EBay Pulls $100,000 Auction for Seat in Heaven
An atheist offered his place in the afterlife up for sale on eBay. More than 180 people bid on it in the hours before the auction site pulled the plug.
- Keeping fleas off your pet and out of your home and yard doesn't require expensive chemicals.
- Buying or selling a house soon? What you don't know about the industry could cost you. Your real estate agent won't tell you, but we will.
- Today’s Frugal Family Feast replaces traditional breading with a potato crust for a fried fish dinner that can feed a family of four for less than $15.
- Some cities have dropped cameras as a traffic law enforcement tool, saying their effectiveness has been questionable. In other locations, the debate rages on.
- Some favorite gifts of the past might be passe, but there are modern-day alternatives.
- Think a budget is all you need to make smart decisions on big purchases? Research says you're wrong. Here's how to do it right.
- The average cost of a wedding is approaching $30,000. Here's how to save on everything from dresses to photographers.
- We have an easy way to open even the toughest packaging without hurting yourself (or your new product) in the process.
- Like many things, guns can be both collectible and profitable. But before you pull the trigger, understand the risks as well as the rewards.
- Filed (or thinking of filing) for bankruptcy? Your financial life isn't over. Here's how to get back on track.
- Polenta with sausage and peppers is this week’s Frugal Family Feast recipe, feeding a family of four or more for less than $15.
- Think your new appliance isn't as good as the old one? You might be right. Here's what you can do to minimize the repair cost.
- Those three beers at happy hour could turn into a $15,000 ordeal if you're arrested and convicted of drunken driving. There are lots of ways to get home safely.
- The pay for serving and protecting your country isn't great at first, but military service comes with some decent retirement and education perks -- and substantial risks.
- A creamy, flavorful wild mushroom risotto is this week’s Frugal Family Feast recipe -- a dish that will feed a family of four for less than $15.
- Getting married? Money could be the reason you end up divorced. Take these steps now and avoid the battles and frustrations later on.
- Think saving money, paying bills, comparing prices and shopping for deals take way too much work? All of these can be done with very little effort on your part.
- You don't have to buy an expensive bottle of stain remover at the store. The ingredients you need to eliminate all kinds of stains are already in your cupboards.
- This week’s Frugal Family Feast recipe turns chicken breasts into colorful pinwheels that can feed a family of four for less than $15.
