Personal Economics

Budget Battles

  • Repair cost for 2011-2012: $116.33<br />Overall rank: 6 <br />Common repair problems: Inspect for loose fuel cap and tighten or replace as necessary; replace evaporative emissions canister and vent control valve (average repair cost: $478.59); and replace

    Americans’ Favorite Cars Are No Longer Sedans

    By Phil Terrigno, The Fiscal Times

    For the first time, new registrations of SUVs and crossovers through the first five months of the year have surpassed those of sedans, by a margin of 36.5 percent to 35.4 percent.

  • Yum, McDonald's apologize as new China food scandal hits

    Yum, McDonald's apologize as new China food scandal hits

    By Adam Jourdan and Lisa Baertlein, Reuters

    SHANGHAI/LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Yum Brands Inc and McDonald's Corp are facing a new food safety scare in China, denting the fast-food companies' efforts to shore up reputations and businesses that...

  • Chocolate Lovers, Get Ready to Pay More

    By Roberto A. Ferdman, The Washington Post

    For nearly two years, cocoa prices have been on the rise. Finally, that's affecting the price you pay for a bar of chocolate—and there's reason to believe it's only the beginning. American chocolate...

  • Extreme California Drought Pays Off for Some

    By Maureen Mackey, The Fiscal Times

    The drought in California – the third worst on record – will cost the state $2.2 billion and put more than 17,000 seasonal and part-time agricultural workers out of work this year, says a new report...

  • The ‘Grandpa Scam’ That’s Costing Seniors a Bundle

    By Maureen Mackey, The Fiscal Times

    Financial fraud against older Americans is growing rapidly – with some scams so brazen they almost defy belief. In one scenario, phone scammers posing as relatives of older people aim straight for...