As Perry Weaver fixes problems beneath the hood of a customer's pearl white 1968 Corvette, his biggest worry is the country's financial engine. ...more

January 31, 2009

Consumer confidence hit an all-time low in December, dropping in the face of layoffs and deteriorating markets for housing, stocks and other investments. ...more

December 31, 2008

Consumers' appetites for home furnishings dropped again in August, with orders tumbling 16 percent to $1.68 billion - the fourth double-digit decline in six months. ...more

November 7, 2008

When your party holds the White House, it's unheard of for a presidential candidate to advertise: "We're worse off than we were four years ago." ...more

August 24, 2008

U.S. consumers are the gloomiest they've been since the tail end of the last prolonged recession. Inflation, sinking home values and soaring gasoline prices have pushed confidence to the lowest level since 1992. Consumers' view of the economic future has never been lower, raising worries that already weak consumer spending could deteriorate further. ...more

June 25, 2008

Contrary to popular belief, lousy pay often is not the primary reason for quitting a job. Not that money isn't important, but it's seldom the primary reason most people change jobs. ...more

February 3, 2008

The traditional defenders of stronger trade are oddly quiet as voices appealing to discontented workers dominate the presidential debate. ...more

October 10, 2007