November 20, 2009

Your Money

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 »
NorthStar powers up new plant, forsees up to 500 new jobs
Video

The plant manager says he plans to bring on about 75 employees every six months to make batteries, mostly for cellular telephone towers. Read more »
Rise in posted openings gives job seekers more hope
Video

In the Missouri Career Ccenter's seven-county area, employers have posted orders for 804 jobs, close to double the number from six months ago. Read more »
Homebuilders see reason for optimism around Springfield
Video

The number of permits for new homes in Greene County is way down this year but June is up from previous months. Read more »
Missouri offers loans to struggling small businesses
The Missouri Small Business Loan Program is offering businesses with five or fewer employees loans of between $2,500 and $25,000. Read more »

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Personal Finance

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 »
Your Money: Tell us how you cut expenses or stretch your income

We're looking for your ideas to share with others. Read more »
Searches for lower heating bills could lead to more fires
Video

This may the beginning of Fire Prevention Week but that hasn't stopped firefighters from having to battle several fires in the last few days. Read more »
Credit-card companies hit consumers with more fees
Video

Consumer Reports says you might want to shop around for a better deal if that's what's happening to you. Read more »
Don't give up credit cards completely if you want to improve credit score
Video

That all-important number can affect everything from your ability to borrow to your ability to get a new job. Read more »
Bank offers incentives for customers to use savings accounts
Video

At a time when even certificates of deposit are offering nominal interest rates, Wood and Huston Bank has a product that's really worth something. Read more »
Workers have options when employer won't pay
Video

It's a problem that more people face as the number of unpaid wage claims have spiked. Read more »

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Calculators

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Shopping Tips

More shoppers opt for cash over credit this Christmas season
Video

Analysts expect consumers to spend 3.2 percent less than last year. 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 »
Give us your Black Friday shopping tips
Shoppers and retailers are preparing for the holiday shopping blitz. Read more »
Holiday shoppers should beware of return policy 'gotchas'
Video

Some of the best companies for returns are Nordstrom, Kmart, and Kohl's. Read more »
Consumers should find great buys on electronics this fall
Video

Electronics prices have dropped to near record lows. Read more »
Food Recall: Hazelnut spread may contain peanuts
The recall covers Kroger Hazelnut Spread in plastic, 13-ounce jars with a March 2011 sell-by date. About 65 cases were distributed to Kroger supermarkets in as many as 16 states. Read more »
Gasoline prices dip near $2 in Missouri
The AAA Auto Club's daily online Fuel Gauge Report indicates Missouri has the cheapest pump prices in the nation. Read more »

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Contact KY3 Reports

Some consumers may have to repay Uncle Sam for tax break
Video

The $250 tax break was designed to give consumers more money in their paychecks to encourage them to spend the U.S. economy out of a recession. 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 you with answers to your toughest questions, 24 hours a day. Read more »
Hidden camera shows need for caution when hiring duct cleaning company
Video

Hidden camera investigation follows complains from a half dozen customers of Indoor Air Solutions who say they were pressured into paying too much to have their ducts cleaned. Read more »
Sony, Magnavox models win tests of Blu-ray video players
Video

Blu-ray players allow you to watch high-definition video discs. Read more »
Bounty, Walgreens and Kleenex brands win paper towel tests
Video

When it comes to the green paper towels tested, most brands using recycled paper were not up to the job. Read more »

More Contact KY3 Reports

Consumer Reports

Sony, Magnavox models win tests of Blu-ray video players
Video

Blu-ray players allow you to watch high-definition video discs. Read more »
Bounty, Walgreens and Kleenex brands win paper towel tests
Video

When it comes to the green paper towels tested, most brands using recycled paper were not up to the job. Read more »
Tests show higher-than-safe doses of BPA in several canned foods
Video

While there are no federal restrictions on BPA in food packaging, the government has set a guideline for safe exposure. Read more »
Moen and American Standard models win tests of showerheads
Video

A good showerhead can really make a difference. Showerheads can be easy to install, but figuring out which to buy is tough. Read more »
Tires are expensive but worth replacing for safety's sake
With tires rising in price, many people are putting of replacing theirs. But Consumer Reports says that's a bad idea. Read more »
FTC tries to police online product reviews but rules are hard to enforce
Video

Some bloggers get freebies or payments from companies to say positive things about their products. Other companies ask employees to write reviews. Read more »
Researchers look for healthier snack foods
Video

Supermarket shelves are crammed with versions of crackers and chips that look healthy but really aren't that good for you. 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

8 ways to slash your holiday budget
It's possible to enjoy the holidays without spending lots of money. Here are eight simple ways to trim your budget.

Economic - Budget - Personal Finance - Home - Money Management
Newsweek: Students increasingly hit by high-interest loans
Not long ago, low-interest student loans were easy to come by. But the downturn and ensuing credit crunch put an end to that. Consumer advocates see nothing wrong with schools that offer to help finance their students' educations. It's rates as much as 10 percent higher than federal student-loan rates that have them worried.

Loan - Finance - Student loan - Business - Credit crunch
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To lower rates, Citi customers must spend
For Citibank credit card holders, there is one way to escape the bank's rate hikes currently under way: Meet a monthly spending requirement.

Credit card - Citibank - Citigroup - Business - Financial services
Survey: 60 percent plan to find new job in 2010
Nearly two-thirds of U.S. workers intend to look for new jobs next year, according to a poll released Thursday that could indicate workers' frustration and discontent.

United States - Employment - Business - Job Search - Business and Economy
Many parents wrongly claim college tax credit
More than 314,000 taxpayers made inaccurate claims for a popular tax credit that helps pay college expenses, getting $532 million they weren't entitled to receive, a government report said Thursday.

Tax credit - Government - Tax - Taxation - Business
A guide to holiday tipping during a downturn

This holiday season, a leaner budget might clarify which people truly make a difference in your life. The challenge will be figuring out how much to tip them.

Christmas and holiday season - Holiday - Christmas - Travel and Tourism - Accommodation

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