Michigan’s minimum wage will rise by 25 cents on July 1, climbing to $7.40 an hour for most workers.
“At a time when workers are feeling squeezed by the rising costs of everything from gas to groceries, the minimum wage increase will help citizens keep pace with the growing demand on their pocketbooks,” sid Gov. Jennifer […]

Michigan Catholic, the newspaper for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit, has been featuring a series of articles called “Michigan in Crisis,” focusing on the economic problems in southeast Michigan and what is being done to help the region’s residents.
This week’s piece: Honey Do Ministries. It’s a program in Macomb County that matches up unemployed […]

Are you looking for a family get-away without the cost of a hotel? Even when you go camping, the nightly fees can add up fast. (See Michigan’s State Park Campsite fees)
There are some options:

Consider the “primitive” rather than the “modern” or the upgraded campsites. If you are staying only one or two nights, you can […]

USA Today has this article today (it’s on the front page of today’s print edition): Foreclosures take an emotional toll on homeowners.
A snippet:

Crisis hotlines are reporting a surge in calls from frantic homeowners. The American Psychological Association (APA) and other mental-health groups are publishing tips on how to handle the emotional stress triggered by the […]

Here are the department and specialty store fliers that were in my home-delivery edition of The Monroe Evening News today:

Meijer has senior discount day Monday May 12 for age 62 and older, 15 percent off all regular and sale-priced general merchandise and apparel items. This week’s sales include outdoor grills, outdoor furniture and a kids’ […]

This story by my co-worker Dean Cousino appears on page 3A of today’s print and e-editions of The Monroe Evening News:
There is no letup in the number of needy people getting food from the weekly Helping Hands Ministry at Community Lutheran Church in Flat Rock.
“We’re still seeing an increase in people coming to the food […]

One of the first posts on this blog was Contributing to the Church, which focused on time and talents that you can contribute to your church or congregation, especially for those who don’t have much in the way of treasure to contribute.
As I did explain then, it does take cash to keep the electric bill […]

The Tractor Supply and Menards sales fliers were in my home-delivery edition of The Monroe Evening News today:

TSC has a big selection of lawn mowers in its flier, along with tires, batteries and other parts for that equipment. And if you’re into raising chickens (I have a friend who does that as a hobby), there […]

Lowe’s Home Improvement sales flier came in the mail to my home the other day. There’s a lot of eco-friendly products in the flier good through April 27 including solar landscape lights, Garden Safe weed and grass killer and CFL light bulbs.
Another promotion that might get your attention is a mail-in rebate offer on Olympic […]

Would you have believed it without a photo?
$3.61 a gallon at 1:05 p.m., Wednesday April 23, Shell station at corner of Monroe St. and Noble Ave., Monroe, Mich.
Here’s the Monroe, Mich., database at GasBuddy.com
Some headlines:

CNN reports $100 fill-ups arrive at gas pumps.
MSNBC reports Gas prices soar 2 cents overnight.
Toledo Blade reports Gas prices hit record […]