CNN Money has this report: Work harder, take home less — real income fell for middle class families.
A snippet:
The median real income for working-age middle-income families in the United States dropped $2,000 between 2000 and 2007, from about $58,500 to $56,500, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Tuesday.
As a result, the 2000-2007 business cycle was the […]

Today was the first day of fall classes at Monroe County Community College.
I wonder how many students decided to park their cars this semester and will use Lake Erie Transit to get to campus instead. (Those who show a MCCC student ID when buying LET bus passes at Telegraph Rd. bus station can get the […]

How much gas is in your gas tank?
If you are likely to visit the gas station soon, it may be worth your time and trouble to do that errand today.
CNN Money has a story about gas and oil prices in light of Tropical Storm Gustav.
MSNBC also mentions the potential gas price impact in its story.

The Detroit News has this report today: Economy depresses Michigan well-being.
A snippet:
Both private medical and social service agencies say demand is up for treatment of anxiety, depression and substance abuse as a gloomy mix of steep fuel costs, plummeting housing values and job market uncertainty takes its toll.
Doctors and therapists report that talk of financial […]

There’s a lot of buzz in the regional media about when and where Sen. Barak Obama and Sen. John McCain will be visiting Michigan and Ohio during the next few days.
It’s too early to say whether any of the nearby campaign stops will be open to the public, but if you get an invitation to […]

Here are some morning headlines that are probably no surprise to those who live in the Monroe area:
Detroit News: Michigan income down, poverty up
A snippet:
Pounded by the nation’s highest jobless rate and paying more for everything from gas to food, Michigan’s growing poor are finding it tough to get by, say experts and those trying […]

Let’s say you’ve run out of money.
That has actually happened in my home. There was a day in May 2005 when I looked through the kitchen cupboard. I realized we’d be out of groceries in about four days - and the bills that were due would eat up all of my incoming paycheck.
In the circumstances […]

Christian Science Monitor has this story: Warehouse shoppers - Do you save enough to justify the trip?
A snippet:
While these clubs offer significant savings, experts say the warehouse experience can also incite unplanned spending, a situation many shoppers hope to avoid during an economic downturn.
“People like to […]

MSNBC has this report today: Pinching pennies like your grandparents.
A snippet:
In today’s fast-paced society, the Hillbilly Housewife Web site — with its traditional recipes for making cornmeal mush and tips for turning leftover rice into breakfast pancakes — would seem to be a relic of a bygone era.
But with food and gas prices rising at […]

I dislike Internet stories that require repeat clicks, so I passed over this one when it was first posted. But I’ve seen links to it elsewhere and, yes, this is worth reading.
CNN Money’s best and worst ways to raise emergency cash.
Best way: Raid your emergency fund.
Don’t have an emergency fund? Can’t figure out how to […]