Story Ideas
Mother's Day is Sunday (remember the flowers? the reservations?). Now's probably a good time for your audience to let mom
know that throughout all the years, she's always known best. And according
to a poll by CreditCards.com, it appears that when it comes to finances,
she really has!
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People often question what the right retirement "magic number" for them
is - the dollar amount at which they can stop working and live a
lifestyle comparable to what they enjoyed during their working years
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Research shows that marriages are most fragile during the first few
years, with 20 percent of divorces occurring within the first 5 years of
marriage.
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A recent poll on smartaboutmoney.org shows that putting together an emergency fund is a top priority for people, right below saving for retirement.
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If your audience members currently own a home, they've probably heard
this from friends and colleagues a lot lately: "We just had to
refinance. The rates have never been lower."
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April
is financial literacy month, a fine time for parents to brush up on
their money skills and also an excellent time for these parents to spend
time talking about money with their children.
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Your audience is gearing up for one of the best times of the year in
college sports, the Final Four, when bracketology seemingly takes over
the entire country!
While you'll certainly be giving the Final Four ample coverage in your
newscasts and on your station's website, this might be a great time to
build on that bracket excitement and help your audience figure out what
their "Financial Four" are.
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Whenever we spend more than our income, we are overspending. For some
of us, overspending can be almost unconscious—you buy that latte and new
sweatshirt and then go out to dinner without adding up the costs in
your head, much less on paper.
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One
of the biggest reasons that your audience may overspend (without even
knowing it!) is because of their friends. Yes, that's right, their
friends, who may be prone to overspending and pulling your audience
members into making purchases they might not have otherwise made.
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Student loans and credit card debt are two things that can weigh
students and families down after graduation day. Simply, the less money
borrowed during college years, the less that needs to be paid back.
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According to a recent article from CNN, Americans are going to be a lot more tightfisted with their tax
refunds this year, with more people planning to save the cash they get
back from Uncle Sam instead of spending it
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Saving money is not always easy for your audience. They certainly know
it's important to do, but the "how" is the part that often goes
overlooked or ignored.
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When we talk about food spending, there are the obvious consumer
aspects to the story - best places to shop, coupons, wholesale
purchasing, but there's a deeper element to why we all look to save at the supermarket (and beyond.)
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One of the best ways that your audience can gain control of their
financial situations is but understanding where all of their money
goals. They can't have financial goals if they can't answer that
question.
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Surely, many of your audience members have made a pledge to be
more responsible with money in 2012 but given the success rate of
resolutions, it might be worth your time to go on air and remind your
viewers and listeners about some financial best practices.
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Credit can be a blessing and a burden for your audience, according to smartaboutmoney.org.
Using credit wisely helps your audience build a strong credit history,
which will help them secure future loans and mortgages. However, being
careless with credit use can lead your audience into trouble with poor
credit scores and debt.
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The holiday feeding frenzy has come to an end. Your audience is ready to
shed some of that winter weight, and they've made a resolution to join a
gym. But which gym do they join? Should they take gyms up on those
introductory personal training sessions? And what’s all this small print
on the contract?
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Every new year brings lots of changes and new expenses that can impact a budget, according to a report by smartaboutmoney.org. Many of them are surprises, but chances are your audience members already
know what a few of them will be. Instead of waiting until later in the
year to save for them, or throw them on a credit card, encourage your audience to plan ahead to
make sure their big expenses don’t throw finances out of whack.
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Have you ever wondered why you feel good about spending money on
vacations, but avoid saving for retirement? Your audience might be
wondering the very same thing.
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New Year’s resolutions are notoriously tough to keep, especially when they relate to your finances. But recruiting a “financial buddy” who will provide you support and keep you accountable can help you accomplish your goals this year, according to a report by smartaboutmoney.org.
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It’s Dec. 23. Officially travel time for the holidays. You’ll soon be
loading the car or catching a flight to visit your family and friends.
But the trip and your holiday shopping list may leave your wallet
feeling the wintertime blues. Fortunately, there are a number of ways
you can trim costs en route to your holiday destination, according to an article on spendster.org
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If you know you always overspend for holidays, better planning can keep costs under control, according to a report by smartaboutmoney.org.
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Rarely do companies let their employees know when layoffs will occur. Still, sometimes there are hints, according to a report by smartaboutmoney.org.
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A new poll from the National Endowment for Financial Education finds
many Americans have concern over how they will pay for their holiday
expenses in this “bah humbug” economy.
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According to a report by the website smartaboutmoney.org,
buying on layaway, that thrifty practice your parents and grandparents
knew so well, still has a pulse in the marketplace. And as the holiday
shopping season draws near, shoppers of all income levels are
considering the option.
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As the holiday season approaches, your audience will be receiving appeals for charitable donations in their inbox, mailbox, and voicemail. If they are in a position to give, help them not just throw out money to whatever causes tug at their heartstrings; encourage them to do their homework, determine their giving budgets, and put a strategy in place, according to smartaboutmoney.org.
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Purchasing a “big ticket” item, particularly around the holidays, takes
research and patience. For some families, “big ticket” might mean
anything more than $100; for other individuals, $10,000 might signify
their limit. In all cases, planning and saving for the purchase is
important, according to a report by smartaboutmoney.org.
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According to financial services consulting firm Javelin Strategies and
Research, identity theft affects 11 million people a year, at a cost of
$54 billion, according to a report by thestreet.com.
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According to an article on spendster.org, bad habits like smoking aren’t just bad for your health; they also can be bad for your wallet. If a pack of cigarettes costs on average $6 and you smoke a pack a day, you’re racking up an extra $180 a month!
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According to a report by creditcards.com,
sometimes it takes an extreme situation to bring people together -- an
illness, accident or even an act of terrorism. But what about a
financial crisis?
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Boo! Did your credit card bill sneak up and scare you after Halloween
last year? Between costumes, decorations, candy, and parties…Halloween
can get expensive, according to a report by spendster.org
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A retirement paycheck is a practical way to think about how your audience members will pay themselves during their retirement years, according to the website myretirementpaycheck.org.
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Senior year of high school will likely be filled with memorable moments
that will define the last year in high school, and perhaps living at
home for many students in your audience.
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People often have varying interpretations when it comes to the "American Dream."�
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With virtually the entire East Coast preparing for Hurricane Irene to hit this weekend, it may be useful to include information about financial preparedness during news coverage.
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Whether a child is taking his or her first steps into the kindergarten classroom or moving out on his or her own to start college, back-to-school time is a big deal—for your audiences' families and their wallets.
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Whether you’re planning a vacation in Paris or a skydive in the
States this summer, an article by learnvest.com suggests you not count pennies while strolling the Seine or think about your savings account as you plummet
toward Earth.
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According to a report on getcurrency.com, "in a relationship, one partner is probably going to make more
money than the other. Depending on the financial gap, the person with
the smaller paycheck can sometimes feel inadequate (whether it’s
justified or not), and the insecurity of earning less may cause
problems."
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According to an article on spendster.org, August is prime moving season. Whether it is your audience's first dorm room,
first apartment, or very first house there are ways to furnish without going over budget.
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In tough economic times, or just busy wedding seasons, many people weigh
the costs of attending weddings carefully, especially when faced with
multiple invitations and limited cash. Smartmoney.org has a series of tips for making wedding
attendance a celebratory, and affordable, occasion.
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RTDNA is currently looking for journalists (news directors, reporters, freelancers, editors, you name it) who have experience with financial reporting and are willing to sit on our "Money Matters" panel at the Excellence in Journalism 2011 Conference in New Orleans from September 25-27th.
Our session will focus on the best practices of economics and personal finance reporting and reveal ways to best make difficult financial topics easily digestible for all audiences.
If you are interested in participating on this panel, please email Ryan Murphy at ryanm@rtdna.org.
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Summer brings longer days, warmer nights, and guests that are eager to
cut loose and mingle. But hosting a summer party can be risky if you’ve
committed to living on a budget, but are known for throwing a swanky
soirée, according to a report by mint.com.
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Money is perhaps the only conversation piece that can create more
awkwardness than a chat about sex, politics and religion combined. Go
ahead, ask someone you know (or perhaps hardly know) how much money they
make the next time you are out to dinner with them and gauge the
response.
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As reported by Catey Hill of smartmoney.com, 59 percent of parents financially support their adult children (ages 18 to 39) who aren’t in college, according to a new study by the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE).
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For thousands of families across America, summer vacation is right
around the corner. And thieves know it, the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
reports. As reported by PRC, according to the FBI, crime rates rise
about 10 percent during summer months. The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
(PRC) urges you to
stay safe by following these six privacy tips.
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Well, perhaps the portion of the headline above that reads "on the
cheap" is not entirely accurate. With gas prices around the country
close to $4 per gallon, not many people would consider filling up the
gas tank this Memorial Day weekend a cheap proposition.
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Spring is now in full swing and with better weather comes the heart of
wedding season, when hopeful brides and grooms will wish for wedding
days marked by abundant sunshine and the promise of a happy life in
love.
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For most teens, the surge of cash they receive to commemorate
their graduation achievement will be the largest amount of money
they’ve ever had to manage. But that diploma doesn’t necessarily mean
they have the answers to pass one of life's financial tests.
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A survey released by Bankrate on Monday
shows that nearly one-fifth of full-time workers have dipped into their
retirement accounts to cover a financial emergency in the past 12
months.
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Just how much do local high school students know about managing money? How much do students in your area know about financial responsibility?
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There's some good news when it comes to taxes this year. Since April 15
lands on a special Washington D.C. holiday, taxes aren't due until
Monday, April 18. If you're filing for a 6-month extension the deadline
is October 17.
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Saving for college may be on your audiences' radar, but what about when
the market drops by a large percentage, as it did in 2008? How do your
audience members continuing saving for college then? And with that, what
investment vehicle, if any, are they using to save?
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Taxpayers are receiving average refunds of over $3,000 a piece this
year, and most are planning to save those dollars rather than paying
down debt, according to a report by CNN Money.
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In the wake of a massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake, the largest felt by Japan
since record keeping began some 140 years ago, impact on the market is
expected to be limited, according to a Japanese market strategist, as reported by advisorone.com.
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How much did you pay for gas this week? And the week before that? On March 8, 2011, gas prices rose for the 14th consecutive day making the national average $3.517 and leaving some motorists paying over $3.90 a gallon.
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Surveys say Americans are feeling more confident about the future. Does
that mean they're ready to open their wallets again? Maybe. But maybe not.
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After holding the line during most of the recession, food prices are on their way up again. Where can you look for the impact of higher commodity costs in your
community?
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Economists say the recession ended 20 months ago, technically speaking, but it doesn't feel that way to many Americans. Where are the signs of recovery? Check our list of "rebound" story ideas.
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As another winter storm moves across the country, there's no time like the present to look into some weather-related business stories.
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Amazon's announcement that it now sells more e-books than paperbacks makes this a good time to check in on the book business as a whole. We've pulled together some story ideas and background to get you started.
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Now that Google has announced plans to get into the online discount coupon game, it may be a good time to investigate how that game is being played in your community.
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Tourism took a nosedive during the recession but it bounced back big time last year, according to recent reports, and the outlook for 2011 is positive. That's good news for tourist destinations and travel-related businesses.
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The first paychecks of the New Year should be a little bigger for most workers than they were a year ago. Where's the money coming from and what will people do with it?
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A new year always means stories about how people plan to change their lives. Instead of focusing on resolutions about weight loss, exercise and the like, why not look at financial goals this time around?
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The end of the year is typically the time when Americans step up their
giving to charities and nonprofits. But as the economy continues to
struggle, some groups say donations are not keeping pace with demand.
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The market for foreclosed homes was booming earlier this year but sales have fallen sharply since the document-handling scandal hit. What's been the impact in your community and what's the outlook for the future?
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The ads have been running for months but time is running out and the rush is on. The tax credit for replacement windows and other energy efficiency projects expires at the end of the year--bad news for procrastinating consumers but great news for busy companies.
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Despite repeated warnings and high-profile investigations, older Americans still fall victim to financial fraud. So a new effort is being launched in more than 20 states to try to protect elderly consumers from being swindled.
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Here we go again. The day after Thanksgiving is typically one of the busiest shopping days of the year and retailers are already promoting deals to attract buyers. It's a predictable story that often gets only routine coverage. So we've collected some ideas to help you do it differently this time around.
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The latest employment figures indicate a slow uptick in the number of
people being hired. Where should you look to check the jobs picture in
your area?
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Low-income families are still struggling to make ends meet, even as the economy slowly recovers. Where can you go to tell their story?
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Congressional hearings, lawsuits and accusations--for-profit colleges
have been taking it on the chin in recent weeks, charged with taking
advantage of low-income students. Chances are there's at least one in your area that's worth looking into.
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When companies announce they're hiring, it sounds like good economic news. But look closely at the numbers. Some claims about job creation may turn out to be unfounded.
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More changes in health insurance plans take effect this week as they're
required to comply with the new federal law approved earlier this year.
There's bound to be a lot of confusion that you can help clear up.
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The last of the new protections for credit and debit card users have gone into effect and while most of the changes aren't that visible, some are easy to spot. Just look in your mailbox or visit any college campus.
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Complaints about threats and intimidation from debt collectors have skyrocketed lately. Many of those complaints involve people being hounded to pay bills they don't even owe.
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It's county or state fair time in much of the country--a great time to dig into some related business stories. If the fair has come and gone, consider some "almost fall harvest time" stories.
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Despite the tough economy, the number of Americans who are have no permanent home has not gone up much. But the number of homeless families has increased dramatically. How are communities responding to the need?
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In an economic downturn, research suggests that fewer people should volunteer their services. But it turns out that more Americans than ever are volunteering in their communities. What's going on?
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The foreclosure tide rolls on across most of the country, with more homes being repossessed or put on notice. The numbers tell only part of the story, so look closer.
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While the unemployment rate hasn't shown much improvement, some types of jobs are increasingly easy to find. Freelance opportunities abound on the Web. Who's hiring and who's doing the work?
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More and more Americans have such low credit scores that they can't qualify to borrow money for big-ticket purchases like cars or major appliances. What's the impact of that situation in your community?
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Last summer, many camps around the country reported enrollment was down because the recession had taken a bite out of family budgets. This year the picture is a little brighter, but plenty of parents still can't afford the cost of sending their kids to traditional camps.
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For many Americans, the dream of a comfortable retirement was shattered by the recession. Plunging home values and investment losses have changed the outlook for millions aged 50 and up, who make up a large part of your audience.
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The new health care law begins to take effect this week, when the federal government starts paying states to set up "high risk" insurance pools. The change could help thousands of people with chronic conditions get coverage they can afford.
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The news isn't great for the class of 2010. College graduates are once again facing a tough job market and many of them are burdened with debt. What's the outlook for these young adults in your community?
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As the economy meanders its way toward recovery, the housing market remains weak. Now that tax credits for new home-buyers are expiring, what's the housing outlook in your community?
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People get married in good economic times and bad but the recession definitely had an impact on the wedding industry. Smaller, less expensive weddings were the norm last year but that trend may be turning around.
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The massive overhaul of the financial industry underway in Washington will affect consumers as well as Wall Street. To help you cover the impact in your area, we've put together some resources and suggestions to get you started.
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Here's an effect of the recession that might have escaped notice so far: Trash collection and recycling rates are down in many communities and that's having an impact on everything from town budgets to energy production.
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The latest good news and bad news on the national jobs front may have left some people just a little confused. So now would be an excellent time to look more closely at the unemployment picture in your community.
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The debate over Arizona's new immigration law opens the door for a closer look at how businesses in your community deal with immigrant workers. We've pulled together resources and suggestions to help you get started.
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As the economy continues to recover, what local stories
should you be looking for? We asked some top-flight economists to tell
us what
they think should be on every local reporter’s radar screen.
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Here we go again. It's income tax time. You've probably already shared
the annual IRS tips with your audience and you'll no doubt cover the
last-minute rush to beat the filing deadline. But if you're looking for
other ideas, you've come to the right place.
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The economic downturn has had an impact on children of all ages. Kids feel the effects when their parents are out of work, and many young adults have been forced to move back in with their parents or even their grandparents.
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Bad economic times cause stress, and stress can put a strain on relationships. But the economic downturn has not led to a spike in divorce rates. Quite the contrary.
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One potential bright spot in the housing market is an uptick in requests for contractors to do remodeling jobs. But while that sounds like good news, it may not tell the whole story.
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When a new small business opens its doors, who's running it? Who's behind the counter? Chances are, in this economy, they're overqualified.
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Millions of students are about to get a week off from classes but will
they take a traditional spring break fun-in-the-sun vacation? If they
don't, the economic impact could be noticeable.
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While solar panels, insulation and other environmental upgrades can
save homeowners money, they can be expensive and it takes a long time
to recoup the installation costs. But new programs are making it more affordable to
go green.
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The word from officials in Washington is that the job market is stabilizing. Some companies are beginning to hire again. Is that a sign that the worst is over? It depends.
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Stock prices in the United States may have rebounded nicely from the depths of the recession, but what about the value of other investments? In the case of some 'collectibles,' the bottom has dropped out.
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Car dealerships are often the economic engines of their communities. When they can't make sales, they're not the only ones who suffer.
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With state and local budgets about as tight as they've ever been, how is it that some localities are considering spending more?
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The recession may be easing, but people are still in need. One indicator: a continuing increase in the number of households receiving food stamps.
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Despite signs of an economic recovery, states across the country are
beginning the new year with serious budget problems. What will that mean for consumers, businesses and state employees?
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Banks and credit card companies send out a lot of mail this time of year and many consumers just ignore it. But this year, in particular, that may not be a wise decision.
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How will the recession we've been tracking all year change the behavior of those who lived through it? The Great Depression shaped an entire generation. Will this recession have a similar effect?
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Losing a job can come as a shock and being unemployed can be stressful.
Some people say the tough knocks they've suffered during this recession
have led to positive results, but they are the exception, not the
rule.
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Office holiday parties. Year-end bonuses. Some annual traditions are disappearing from the workplace this year, thanks to the recession. Will they ever return?
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It's no surprise, given the state of the economy. Most consumers say they'll be spending less this holiday season. But how does that promise affect their gift lists?
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The cost of keeping health insurance coverage after losing a job is about to go up dramatically. A government subsidy is being phased out for people with COBRA plans, who may soon be in for a huge sticker shock.
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Shoppers pinched for cash this holiday season are still able to buy thanks to the return of
layaway plans. And those plans are now available in some surprising places.
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Some communities in a budget squeeze are up against a serious problem. Their jails are over capacity and they can't afford to send inmates elsewhere.
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In good times, the market for unskilled labor is primarily filled by immigrants, most of whom are in the country illegally. Not any more. Experts say that thanks to the recession more U.S. citizens have joined their ranks.
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With the unemployment rate still stubbornly high, public schools are
facing increased demand for food to help kids whose parents are out
of work or whose hours have been cut.
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Millions of Americans don't have bank accounts for one reason or another, which means they pay through the nose when they need to cash a check. Now, cities and states are launching new programs to help these people do business with commercial banks.
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Is the backyard chicken coop making a comeback? In some cities, including Denver and Portland, Maine., it's legal to keep chickens at home. In others, where it's still prohibited, residents are agitating for change.
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The recession has brought good news to some cities in the form of a lower burglary rate. But others have seen the rate go up. What's happening in your community and why?
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The ads are everywhere, promising to help consumers pay off their debts for just pennies on the dollar. Are these offers too good to be true? New studies say they are--in almost every case--and the government may soon crack down.
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The recession has made it more likely that many Americans won't be as well off when they retire as they are now--if they can even afford to retire, that is.
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The tax credit for first-time homebuyers may be extended, making
millions more Americans eligible. That makes this a good time to look
into how the program has worked so far and what might be in the offing.
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The rising cost of health care is leading some hospitals to cut services. The effect on patients is obvious. But what about the ripple effect on the entire community?
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Halloween spending may be a harbinger of bad news to come for retailers. Consumers are expected to spend less this entire holiday season than they did last year.
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No matter what Congress does to overhaul the health care system, workers will pay more for coverage next year. And they're getting the bad news now, during "open enrollment" season.
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The high unemployment rate is hitting home in some unexpected places. Corporate blood drives are attracting fewer donors, leaving blood banks hurting.
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People who can't borrow from banks or want to avoid high fees are turning to a new source of money: total strangers. How do they do it? By joining a social lending group.
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With housing prices still stubbornly low in much the country, many Americans are holding on to their homes and renting them out. But the decision to become a landlord may not always be the wisest choice.
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The recession has pinched universities, too. As classes resume this fall, students are bracing for higher tuition and fees, as some staff face pay cuts and schools consider other ways of cutting their budgets.
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Most of the federal stimulus funds committed so far are going for "infrastructure," which includes bridge repairs. Is the money being spent where it's most needed?
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Rates are going up for homeowners across the country, as insurance companies raise premiums by as much as 30 percent. What's going on here?
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It's been a year since Lehman Bros. went bankrupt, touching off the global financial crisis.The anniversary may be a good time to look at the local impact of the banking collapse.
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The latest unemployment numbers show some improvement, but economists say it could be a long time before the job market really improves. What effect will a slow recovery have on your community?
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The recession has sparked new interest in teaching high school students about personal finance. Some schools are offering new courses this fall, and in some cases, they're mandatory. But are they effective?
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Tens of thousands of veterans are returning to college this fall under the new GI bill, changing the face of many campuses. But applying for benefits is complicated and slow.
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As large retailers close stores and auto dealerships go out of business,
the result in many communities is a growing number of vacant properties. What's going to happen to them and when?
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To help low-income Americans keep up with the rising cost of living,
many payments are tied to inflation. But what happens when the cost of
living goes down? Some Americans are about to find out.
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Left behind after a layoff, forced to take a pay cut or unpaid
leave--employees who have kept their jobs may struggle with sagging
morale, and that's bad for business. So companies are looking for new
ways of boosting morale, which can lead to greater productivity.
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When cash-strapped customers try to spend more than they have in the bank, they typically get socked with an overdraft fee. Those fees are good for the banks' bottom lines but are they fair?
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States from Georgia to Vermont are closing rest stops along interstate highways to save money. What's the potential impact of these decisions?
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Is your local post office endangered? The economic squeeze on the Postal Service may force hundreds of post offices to close or consolidate services. What would that mean to your community?
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The recession has changed the face of crime in some American communities. It's also affected the response to crime, thanks to shrinking local budgets.
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Donations to charities are down, for the second year in a row, as a result of the recession. That's not a surprise, perhaps, but the pain is not spread equally.
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The recession has been tough on dairy farmers all over the country. Are they a dying breed?
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With states across the country struggling with budget deficits, some are falling behind on processing income tax refunds.
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A new effort is underway to offer consumers more environmental information about the products they buy. Could it lead to higher prices?
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Counting on a home equity line of credit to bridge a financial gap may be riskier than ever in today's economy. The money some homeowners thought they could rely on may no longer be available.
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The recession is forcing major changes for travelers and tourist destinations across the United States this summer. Who benefits depends on where you look.
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The number of people filing personal bankruptcy has been on the rise for the past two years and there's every indication that it will keep going up. Most people don't know much about how it works, however, nor the consequences of going legally broke.
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Every reporter knows the admonition to "follow the money," but when there's $800 billion to follow, the job may seem overwhelming. Not to worry. We have a trail map.
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Fewer people buying new cars means more people repairing old ones. Service is one of the few sectors of the auto industry that's doing well.
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Unemployed workers and teens are looking for ways to improve their chances of getting a new job. That's led to a boom
in continuing education programs for adults.
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Is the struggling economy forcing kids to stay home this summer? Parents having trouble making ends meet are cutting back on non-necessities, which may include camps and other kids activities.
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Whenever times are tough, there's an uptick in scams aimed at separating people from their money. Inevitably, some people fall for them. Have you warned your viewers?
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As the Obama administration and Congress consider how to reform the US health system, many Americans are struggling with the cost of medical care. What are their options?
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The housing slump and rising foreclosures have lowered property values in much of the country. What effect do those lower property values have on homeowners and communities?
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It’s no secret that Americans are losing their homes to
foreclosure. But what caused that situation is only part of the story.
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The recession has forced more Americans to rely on credit cards for short term cash. Now, a new law limits how and when those companies can increase interest rates and charge late fees. How will that affect consumers and banks?
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The recession has put lots of people out of work and the layoffs and
firings have a ripple effect. For every job lost, there's likely to be
another. Tell the story by following the dominoes.
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Everyone knows new car sales have slumped to their lowest levels in decades. Empty showrooms, frustrated dealers, lucky shoppers getting deep discounts--those are stories you may already have done. But there are plenty of fresh angles on the car sales story you might want to pursue.
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Bad times are boom times for bartering. When cash is tight, trading goods and services is one way for people to get what they need, and it's going on everywhere.
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Despite the recession, people are still going out to eat. But they're
changing their habits and that's affecting more than just what's on
their plates.
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Utility bills have been a double dose of pain for many Americans this
year. Rates have gone up while their ability to pay has gone down. Now, utilities say they're shutting off power to a record number of households.
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Sales of new homes are ticking up slightly but they're still down sharply from a year ago. And one kind of community is particularly hard hit: developments restricted to older residents, typically those 55 and over.
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A sour economy can be frightening and stressful, so it's probably no surprise that more and more people are reaching out for help, and not just for financial advice.
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The second-largest mall owner in the United States has filed for bankruptcy--another indication of how hard the recession has hit the retail sector. Consumers cut back on spending when the economy turns sour, but people still have to buy necessities. Who wins and who loses when retailers compete?
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Many states are hoping the federal stimulus package will help to make up for their own budget shortfalls, but some are facing multimillion dollar deficits they'll have to close themselves. How will they do it?
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The numbers come out like clockwork but they're not the whole story. Yet many stations will simply report the jobless rate and move on. Consider different angles on the story to explain what the numbers mean and how they affect people in your community.
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With the price of gold near an all-time high and the economy still on the skids, people who need help to get through the recession have become more willing to part with their jewelry to bring in extra cash.
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