The housing market is caught in a downward spiral that might last the rest of this year, and banks are struggling under a staggering burden of bad loans that has created a severe credit crunch. Don't fear, though, a $250 check might be making its way toward your mailbox. ...more

January 19, 2008

How much of a raise is it, really? For the nearly 50 million Americans who collect Social Security retirement benefits, the 2.3 percent cost-of-living-adjustment in their monthly checks beginning in January may make only a small dent on their growing expenses. ...more

December 15, 2007

This week, the Florida Senate passed legislation to place a constitutional amendment before the voters that would change how property taxes are calculated across the state. ...more

October 21, 2007

Admit it. Everybody loves freebies. Head to the local supermarket or wholesale club. Shopping carts there aren't programmed to find the lady grilling meatballs. That's human nature driving the traffic. The samples provide just a little taste, but more important, they're free. That makes them irresistible to shoppers and the manufacturers desperate for new business. 'It's part of our job to sell a product, but it doesn't feel like it. People are always approaching you. You don't even need to try,' said Lucy Zuzuarregui, a 28-year-old who three months ago entered the world of demonstration marketing at places like a local Winn-Dixie supermarket. ...more

October 20, 2007

TAMPA - Admit it. Everybody loves freebies. Head to the local supermarket or wholesale club. Shopping carts there aren't programmed to find the lady grilling meatballs. That's human nature driving the traffic. The samples provide just a little taste, but more important, they're free. That makes it irresistible to shoppers and the manufacturers desperate for new business. ...more

October 19, 2007

The session is scheduled from Wednesday through Oct. 12. The House, Senate and Gov. Charlie Crist are staking out their positions. Here is a look at what may be in store in major areas of spending. ...more

September 30, 2007

The state's brain trust of economists meets regularly to assess Floridians' spending habits and estimate how much revenue is coming in to state coffers. The news in early August was bleak: The $72 billion spending plan approved for the fiscal year that began July 1 would come up about $1.1 billion short, largely due to the slowdown in the once-red-hot housing market. Other collections have also been lighter than expected, from the sales taxes on purchases related to homes to corporate income taxes. State lawmakers return to the capital this week in a special session to slice and dice. A balanced budget is a constitutional requirement in Florida. It's not an easy process. Lawmakers already pushed back the session when House and Senate leaders decided they were too far apart to waste time in Tallahassee at a cost to taxpayers of about $40,000 a day. The session is scheduled from Wednesday through Oct. 12. The House, Senate and Gov. Charlie Crist are staking out their positions. Here is a look at what may be in store in major areas of spending. ...more

September 30, 2007