March 21, 2010

Your Money

Kraft food plant will add jobs in Springfield MO
Wages for the 50 new jobs created will be above the county average and include a comprehensive benefits package. Read more »
Survey suggests frail Midwest recovery in 2010
An economist says, although the region's overall job market has stabilized, the manufacturing sector is still losing jobs. Read more »
Springfield MO city manager calls for more budget cuts
Springfield City Manager Greg Burris is asking the city council for $1.27 million in additional budget cuts. Read more »
Paintball manufacturer will close in Neosho MO
The closure will put 60 people out of work. Read more »
Unemployed people scramble for temporary work
Video

Lines at a day job site continue to grow. Read more »
Verizon will close call center with 134 employees in Springfield
Verizon spokeswoman Brenda Hill says the company will move the call center's workload to other locations. Read more »
O'Sullivan plant may get new life in Lamar
O'Sullivan closed the plant in 2007, putting more than 700 people out of work. Read more »

More Your Money

Personal Finance

Credit card reform act could give consumers some shocking information
Video

The act is effective next Monday. It aims to strengthen consumer protections. It also requires additional notices to credit card holders. Read more »
Your Money: Tell us how you cut expenses or stretch your income

We're looking for your ideas to share with others. Read more »
Dumped Identities: company skips on shredding; how to protect yourself
Video

You'd never leave your Social Security number out in the open on the off-chance that someone would grab it and wreak havoc with your credit. But what if a company with which you worked did just that? Read more »
MSU students expand free income tax return services
The free tax service will take place on various days between Jan. 31 and April 15. Read more »
Arkansas consumer advocates condemn tax refund loans
A new law requires the firms to post their fees and interest rates and hand customers a piece of paper that also details the rates. Read more »
IRS opens new taxpayer assistance center in Springfield, MO
Video

The center is in a new building. Read more »
Consumers should shop around if credit card rates increase
Video

Credit card companies are once again making changes to improve their bottom lines but there is a way to avoid paying more. Read more »

More Personal Finance

Calculators

Doing scheduled car maintenance can save costly repairs later
Video

Refer to your owner's manual to see when you should take your car in for maintenance. Read more »
Bloomberg.com Calculators
How much am I spending?
Mortgage Tool
Budget Calculator

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Shopping Tips

Pontiacs sold out across the Ozarks, but there are other deals to be had
Video

If you're looking to buy a Pontiac or a Saturn here in the Ozarks, you could be completely out of luck. Read more »
Your Money: Tell us how you cut expenses or stretch your income

We're looking for your ideas to share with others. Read more »
Retailers offering free shipping Thursday
Stores looking to extend holiday shopping season. Read more »
Secondhand stores in Springfield see surging sales
Video

Shoppers are searching for savings during the holiday season. Read more »
Christmas tree sellers may be running low
Video

If you're still looking for a real tree, here are some tips. Read more »
New coffee house has dual mission in Springfield
Video

Heroes Coffee supports nonprofit organizations in Springfield, as well as making a mean peppermint mocha. Read more »
Car leasing makes a bit of a comeback
Video

But, while you can get a good deal, leasing is still not for everyone. Read more »

More Shopping Tips

Contact KY3 Reports

Hefty cleans up in test against Glad garbage bags
Video

The test had a similar result to a test five years ago. Read more »
Consumer product recalls

Here are links to the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Food and Drug Administration, which issue many of the recalls that you hear about on newscasts. Read more »
Useful Websites on consumer issues (including links to RECALL information)

Here are links to groups ranging from the ALS Association to World Against Toys Causing Harm. Read more »
Consumers can get free advice on 'Ask an Expert' message board

Video

The local 'Ask a Credit Counselor,' 'Ask a Financial Expert,' 'Ask a Home Remodeler,' and 'Ask a Realtor' message boards are offered exclusively on KY3.com and provide answers to the toughest questions, 24 hours a day. Read more »
Debate over Missouri payday loan companies heats up
Video

During an external legislative hearing in Springfield on Thursday night, those both for and against the payday loans had their say about a proposed law to place stronger regulations on the industry. Read more »
Building codes for new homes require better life-saving smoke alarms
Video

Firefighters say survivors of the fatal fire in Springfield on Monday said they didn't hear the home's one smoke alarm on the second floor. Read more »
IRS promises to help unemployed taxypayers
Video

The federal agency says it's taking this tax season to help people having trouble meeting their tax obligations because of unemployment or other financial problems. Read more »

More Contact KY3 Reports

Consumer Reports

Hefty cleans up in test against Glad garbage bags
Video

The test had a similar result to a test five years ago. Read more »
Not organizing your financial papers can cost you money
Video

It's important to know what to keep and what to throw away. Read more »
Myths make motorists spend more money on maintenance than needed
Video

Consumer Reports' auto experts have this reality check so that you can be sure your money is being well spent. Read more »
Tests on bagged salads found signs of poor sanitation by preparers
Video

The tests didn't find disease-causing bacteria such as E. coli, listeria, or salmonella but they did detect other bacteria. Read more »
Testers try to cut through hype about 3D-TV
Video

Testers will evaluate the quality of the 3D and how well the TVs perform as conventional sets. Read more »
Altima, Forester, Traverse win 2010 vehicle tests
Video

Vehicles at Consumer Reports' test track go through more than 50 tests and evaluations and are driven thousands of miles. Read more »
Paint companies struggle to make paints environmentally friendly
Video

Coming up with a rainbow of colors is easy for paint companies. But lowering the levels of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, has been a lot tougher. Read more »

More Consumer Reports

Digital TV Transition

Company offers free help for in-home DTV problems
Video

Since June 12, full-power TV stations nationwide have been broadcasting exclusively in digital format. Read more »
DTV converter coupons are available again; stations set dates to turn off analog signals
Each station in Springfield is turning off its analog signals on a different date. Read more »
Mediacom offers free cable service to digitally-challenged homes

The offer lasts until June 12. Read more »
DirecTV agrees on terms for carrying KY3's HD signal

The high definition broadcast should be available on that satellite service in time for the Super Bowl on Sunday. Read more »
Congressman Blunt opposes delay in DTV transition

Video

He says it's a public safety issue, as well as a contract issue. Read more »
Despite publicity, many won't be ready for digital TV transition

Video

Analog signals are scheduled to be turned off on Feb. 17. Read more »
Antenna could be to blame for bad digital signal

Video

Upgrading to a stronger antenna could give you a clear picture. Read more »

More Digital TV Transition

MSNBC Money

Homeowners who get aid see credit scores dive
Some homeowners who sign up for the government's mortgage assistance program are getting a nasty surprise: lower credit scores.

Credit score - Mortgage - Business - Government - Financial Services
Want a bigger tax refund? Don’t itemize
Did you know you can legally take a deduction that is more than the total of your receipts? It's called the standard deduction and for a lot of taxpayers it's a money and time saver.

Tax - Itemized deduction - Tax refund - Standard deduction - Accounting
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3 ways to build a secure retirement plan

Take these three steps to build a solid plan to ensure security in retirement.

Pension - Retirement - Business - United States - Seniors
Fixing flaws in retirement planning
Necessity, they say, is the mother of invention. That would explain the flurry of new changes taking place in the retirement planning industry.

Retirement planning - Business - Retirement - Investing - Financial Services
U.S. sales tax rates hit record high

Forbes: While the White House's push to raise federal income taxes for the wealthy gets the attention, the sales tax rates imposed by state and local governments has crept to its highest level ever.

United States - Sales tax - Income tax - White House - Politics
ConsumerMan: The hazards of kids and credit
Credit card companies have a simple strategy: Get your customers while they are young. Most students these days graduate with thousands of dollars in unpaid credit card bills.

Credit card - Personal finance - Business - Home - Money Management

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