Work & Money
Top Work & Money Stories Right Now
As Oil Tops $120, Most Say $5 Gas Is Near
Posted: Tuesday 05/06/08 03:41 PM EDT
Filed Under: Work & Money
Americans are already paying through the nose for gasoline, and they think it's only going to get worse.
World Gas Prices
Sierra Leone: $18.42 per gallon
Issouf Sanogo, AFP / Getty Images
United Kingdom: $8.38 per gallon
AP
Iceland: $8.28 per gallon
AP
Monaco: $8.31 per gallon
AP
Belgium: $8.22 per gallon
AP
Netherlands: $8.37 per gallon
AP
Norway: $8.73 per gallon
Chris Jackson, Getty Images
Eritrea: $9.58 per gallon
Gilbert Liz, Corbis
Bosnia-Herzegovina: $10.86 per gallon
AP
Aruba: $12.03 per gallon
AP
Food Fright: Tips To Save at the Supermarket
Posted: Monday 05/05/08 09:44 AM EDT
Filed Under: Work & Money
Recent reports of people stock piling food staples like rice have many remembering the stories that grandma used to share about food rationing during the depression.
Grocery-Saving Tips
Have a plan. First, take a look in the pantry and refrigerator to determine what you need and make a list. You will avoid purchasing items you don't need or already have.
Take a look at what's in the sales circular and plan your meals accordingly.
Buy fruits and vegetables that are in season and buy at the local farmers market. You'll have fresh produce that hasn't been shipped and it will cost you less.
Avoid b.o.g.o or buy one get one free. Opt for sales that allow you to purchase several of the same item at a discount. You can buy one item and still get the discounted price.
Keep walking pass the gourmet counter that offers prepackaged or prepared foods. You can marinate and season your meat using common ingredients like lemon juice and teriyaki sauce with the same outcome.
Wal-Mart Cuts Prices as Rebates Roll In
Posted: Thursday 05/01/08 03:12 PM EDT
Filed Under: Work & Money
NEW YORK (April 29) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc said on Tuesday that it would cash U.S. tax rebate checks for free in its U.S. discount stores, with no purchase required.
Retailers Want Your Tax Rebate
Wal-Mart joins a growing list of retailers trying to get a piece of the rebate checks being distributed to millions of taxpayers as part of a $152 billion economic stimulus plan. The world's largest retailer is cutting prices on key grocery and consumable items like cereal, lunch meats and shampoo and said that it would cash rebate checks free of charge.
Chris Hondros, Getty Images
Supervalu, which owns Albertsons, Cub Foods, Shop 'n Save and other stores, said customers can redeem checks for store gift cards in $300 increments, and stores will add an extra $30 to the card.
Paul Sakuma, AP
The Kroger's supermarket chain, which includes Ralph's, King Soopers and more than a dozen other groceries, will convert tax refunds and rebate checks to store gift cards with 10 percent more credit added.
Al Bohrman, AP
Sears and sister company Kmart are offering shoppers the same 10 percent deal. For example, a $300 tax rebate check could be converted into a $330 gift card from Sears or Kmart.
Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
Home Depot recently partnered with a Washington state lawmaker to encourage consumers to put their tax rebates toward energy-efficient products in their homes. Home Depot will hold sales on efficient lightbulbs and home appliances throughout the summer, seeking to share in the tax-refund and economic-stimulus spending.
Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
Staples is going after small-business owners. Until May 4, the office supplies chain is offering $50 off purchases of $500 or more and $150 off furniture costing at least $1,000.
Source: AP, Reuters, USA Today
Tax rebates start showing up in bank accounts Monday
Posted: Monday 04/28/08 12:00 PM EDT
Filed Under: Work & Money
WASHINGTON (AP) - The government started depositing thousands of rebate checks in taxpayers' bank accounts on Monday, earlier than originally scheduled, with the Bush administration hoping the payments will give a jump-start to a weak economy.
U.S. Job Woes
- U.S. Job Woes
Alan Greenspan, former head of the Federal Reserve, says the country is "in the throes of recession." His remark comes as he defends his chairmanship of the U.S. central bank, rejecting suggestions that his policies contributed to the current rough times. (Photo by Lauren Victoria Burke/ABC NEWS via Getty Images)
- U.S. Job Woes
Graphic charts monthly unemployment rate for the past 13 months.
- U.S. Job Woes
Commuters climb the stairs from a train station as they head to jobs in New York's financial district on Thursday, April 3, 2008. The Labor Department reported Thursday that the national unemployment rate rose from 4.8 percent to 5.1 percent, the clearest signal yet that the economy might already be shrinking. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
- U.S. Job Woes
Job seekers use computers to search for jobs at the Marin Employment Connection April 4, 2008 in San Rafael, California. The Labor Department announced Friday that the national unemployment rate rose to 5.1 percent and nearly 80,000 jobs were cut in March as worries of a recession grow. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
- U.S. Job Woes
SAN RAFAEL, CA - APRIL 04: Copies of the California Job Journal are displayed for people to browse at the Marin Employment Connection April 4, 2008 in San Rafael, California. The Labor Department announced Friday that the national unemployment rate rose to 5.1 percent and nearly 80,000 jobs were cut in March as worries of a recession grow. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Save Money at the Pump - 7 Ways
Posted: Thursday 04/24/08 02:59 PM EDT
Filed Under: Work & Money
With gas prices increasing everyday, drivers might have to start opening gas savings accounts in order to pay just for their daily commutes.
7 Ways To Save On Gas
Find Cheap Gas
Comparison shop. Be a proactive consumer. Don't just pay the high prices at the closest station. Shop around to find the most competitive price in town. For a little help, visit http://gasprices.mapquest.com to compare prices in your area. You can find the best deal by zip code and street name, as well as check out prices by grade of gasoline.
Buy a Fuel-Efficient Vehicle
Consider buying a fuel-efficient vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or an alternative-fuel vehicle. It could save you a lot at the gas pump and not to mention help the environment. FuelEconomy.gov offers tips on buying a new fuel-efficient car or truck.
Slow It Down
Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph, costing an additional 10 cents per gallon. Aggressive driving can lower gas mileage by as much as 33 on the highway and 5 on city streets, resulting in 7 cents to 49 cents per gallon. Don't get too emotional driving, its supposed to be a time to relax and reflect. Next time you get in your car stay calm, cool, and collected put your car on cruise control.
Stop Idling
Idling gets you zero miles per gallon. The best way to warm up a vehicle is to drive it. No more than 30 seconds of idling on winter days is needed. Anything more simply wastes fuel and increases emissions. Be conscious of your environment and your pocket.
Tune Ups
Most motorists don't realize it's the little things that can make a difference. Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your mileage by as much as 40. Dirty spark plugs can cause misfiring which can waste fuel. Replacing a clogged air filter can save gas mileage by as much as 10, saving you 15 cents per gallon. Tune your engine; it'll increase gas mileage by 4. Also, damaged, loose, or missing gas caps, under-inflated tires, poor wheel alignment, and worn spark plugs all contribute to poor fuel economy.
Combine Errands
Instead of making several trips to the cleaners, grocers, post office and the bank, do all of your errands at one time. Before you hop into you car, plan ahead. Keep a checklist if necessary. This will save you time and money.
Park Your Car
Take public transportation. Walk it'll save you money and help you shed a few undesirable pounds. Carpool. You and some of your colleagues can take turns driving each other to work. Talk to your supervisor about telecommuting one day a week.
The Rich Get Rich and the Poor Don't Get Shhh ...
Posted: Monday 04/21/08 12:21 PM EDT
Filed Under: Work & Money
While millions of Americans are trying to figure out how to weather a recession the wealthiest of Americans are flourishing. According to a recent report, "Wealth held by rich investors with assets over $1 million will grow their stacks 50 percent in the next five years to $75 trillion."
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