Mortgages fall again -- to 4.83%

Rates for 30-year fixed U.S. home loans fell for the third straight week, offering a boost to potential buyers who may use a government tax credit to purchase homes. The 15-year rate declined to a record low, Freddie Mac said Thursday.

Retirement funds rebound for those with patience, mix
If you had a good mix of stocks and bonds in your retirement account and you left it alone through the market madness of the last year, more than likely you're in good shape now. A report by Fidelity Investments released Thursday shows a rapid recovery for retirement account holders who stayed invested and continued to contribute.

Layaways on rise, but know rules before signing to deal

More retailers are offering layaway plans so cash-strapped shoppers have another payment option than cash or credit. Under a layaway plan, buyers are not charged interest, but then they don't take home the product until it is fully paid for.

6 apps help shoppers find deal
BY SANDRA GUY sguy@suntimes.com

Now that holiday shopping has begun, what iPhone or BlackBerry apps will help you find discounts or save you money? Here are six popular apps:

HOLD THE REINS ON HOLIDAY SPENDING

The holiday season is approaching, and I know I'll spend more than I planned. How can I maintain control this year?

Buy gift cards at below face value

For holiday shoppers with little time and happy that gift cards no longer bear a stigma of thoughtlessness, Gift Card Granny (GiftCardGranny.com) provides a complete listing of discount gift cards on the Web. The comparison-shopping site lets people buy gift cards at less than face value. For example, a $50 gift card to a restaurant is on sale for $39. Gift Card Granny is the latest member of the Frugals, a group of frugal-living Web sites created by Luke Knowles, who founded FreeShipping.org.

T-Mobile hails no-contract smartphone as 1st that's prepaid

T-Mobile is selling a no-contract, prepaid smartphone, the BlackBerry Curve 8520. It says it is the first national carrier to offer a prepaid smartphone. The handset is $60 and provides the first month for free. A variety of data, text and video plans start at $50 per month. Other handsets that aren't smartphones also are offered through the package, available at Best Buy and some Wal-Marts, called T-Mobile Complete.

Airlines bumping up surcharges

It could cost you even more to travel next spring and summer.

Fewer shoppers using credit cards

Wary holiday shoppers will pay more often with cash or debit cards rather than credit cards this year, the National Retail Federation says.

'Black Friday' deals secret no more

Wal-Mart Stores confirmed Tuesday some of the deals for the day after Thanksgiving, including:

Want it delivered by Christmas? Order, ship early -- time is tight

Procrastinators will pay this holiday, as retailers and package-delivery companies set their "get-it-there-by-Christmas" deadlines as early as Dec. 16 this year.

Costco dropping Coke in price spat

Costco customers may have to look elsewhere for Coca-Cola products now that the retailer has stopped carrying them because the pair are fighting over prices.

Take quiz on cash troubles to avoid overspending
Shoppers should ask tough questions before they open their wallets this holiday, a consumer-credit agency warns. "Self-inflicted financial pain that could have negative consequences for years to come is a gift to no one," said Gail Cunningham, spokeswoman for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.

Don't be a dummy with debit card

Now that shoppers are using debit cards more often than credit cards, be sure to use your debit card in the wisest way possible during the holiday shopping season.

Time seniors must decide on Medicare

Every year seniors are faced with the tough task of making decisions about their Medicare coverage -- both for their basic healthcare coverage and for the Part D prescription program.

Utility fairs offer help to Peaoples Gas customers

Peoples Gas customers struggling to pay their heating bills can get information on programs available to help at upcoming utility fairs.

Seeking 1 AmEx account, they got 2 -- plus $150 bill
Multiple credit card accounts create one big headache - and an unwanted bill.

More and more houses in tony areas suffer from foreclosures

The pace of foreclosure filings quickened in some affluent suburbs between July and September, while slowing in towns that were caught up early in the home mortgage crisis.

$3 toasters? That's Target's Black Friday deal, site says
Looking for a $3 gift deal on small home appliances? Target may be the ticket. The retailer's Black Friday specials include $3 coffee and sandwich makers, toasters and slow cookers, according to gottadeal.com.

Mud Hens players, Boyd's order have this in common

Dear Fixer: I ordered several items from Taylor Gifts but never received the merchandise or a refund.

Holiday shopping without the financial headaches
You can have fun shopping for holiday gifts without overspending. One west suburban husband and wife talk about their strategies, which include sticking to their budget and writing down what they've purchased for everyone. “We still have a really nice Christmas, but at least I feel like it’s in control now,” says Cindi Duncan.

Small donations yield big results

When Wendy Smith was a teenager, her family sponsored a child from Cambodia who was about Smith's age. The experience, she says, had "a very big impact on me."

Turkey Day spending gains wings
Thanksgiving revelers are expected to break out the trimmings and spend more this year than last year on food, drinks and festivities, according to a study released Tuesday. Sales are expected to increase 3 percent from last Thanksgiving, to $29.9 billion, with turkey the single-biggest purchase, according to research firm IBISWorld.

Hotels sweeten policies on making calls from rooms

It might be cheaper to make that call from your hotel room.

Fresh angle on free Web concerts

A new Web site allows music lovers to watch concerts for free online, choosing from five different camera angles as they watch.

Free airport Wi-Fi for holidays, but not here

The gift of free Wi-Fi access will be handed out this holiday season at airports, airplanes and in public places by Google, Yahoo, eBay and Microsoft, all looking to market themselves this holiday season by playing Santa.

Performance pays

Employers plan to continue handing out performance-linked stock-plan benefits at all employee levels, and some are boosting those benefits, according to a new Charles Schwab survey. Among the other findings:

Telemarketers face lawsuit

Attorney General Lisa Madigan filed a lawsuit against two telemarketers Tuesday alleging they scammed Illinois consumers with false promises of reducing their credit card interest rates, and her office advised consumers on how to avoid being ripped off.

Hotel room rates to slip, not plunge, in '10: report

That hotel room will be cheaper next year, but not the same bargain it was this year.

Law to boost credit fees: banks

Banks expect to raise credit-card rates and fees, reduce credit limits and require higher credit scores due to reform legislation passed this year, according to the Federal Reserve Board's October senior loan officer survey.

Fewer year-end bonuses, gifts

Regarding that year-end bonus, for many -- forget about it.

There's still hope for those trying to buy, keep a house
Terry Savage: While mortgage foreclosures continue to rise along with the growing unemployment rate, there are a few small rays of hope for homeowners in trouble -- and those looking to buy a home. Last week, Congress approved the extension of the current $8,000 First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit. Instead of expiring Nov. 30, it will be available for purchase contracts signed by April 30 (with closings by June 30).

Hope for those trying to buy, keep a house

While mortgage foreclosures continue to rise along with the growing unemployment rate, there are a few small rays of hope for homeowners in trouble -- and those looking to buy a home.

Stocks jump after G-20 pledge to aid economies

NEW YORK -- The Dow Jones industrial average stormed to its highest level in more than a year Monday as a falling dollar boosted prices for commodities including gold and oil. Stocks also jumped as investors grew more confident that governments around the world will keep interest rates low to help the global economy.

Owner of defective tree will see the lights at last
Christmas tree lights are naughty, not nice.

Borrowers facing foreclosure get option to rent own homes

Can't pay the mortgage? You still might be able to stay in your home. Mortgage giant Fannie Mae is going to give borrowers on the verge of foreclosure the option of renting their homes.

Missing grades, payment put former student to test

Dear Fixer: I attended National-Louis University's Michigan Avenue campus from the summer of 2000 through the fall of 2001 and completed all my classes.

$3.6 mil. in tax refunds returned

Missing your income tax refund?

Importing oil, money hurts U.S.

Q.What is your greatest concern for America's financial future?

IMPORTING OIL, MONEY HURTS U.S.

Q.What is your greatest concern for America's financial future?

Kiplinger: Northwestern University a deal at $51,850 a year

Three Illinois universities and three liberal arts colleges are rated among the 100 best values in private higher education.

Post office shipping prices to rise next year

Get ready to pay more to ship certain packages through the post office next year. The U.S. Postal Service is boosting overall prices for priority mail by 3.3 percent beginning Jan. 4, the agency said Wednesday.

Homeowners saving with lower mortgages

The Federal Reserve's efforts to lower mortgage rates are paying off. Rates on fixed 30-year loans averaged 5.03 percent, Freddie Mac reported last week, down from 6.46 percent last year. On a $200,000 mortgage, that reduces the monthly payment by about $182 to $1,077.

Gimme a break, Mr. Landlord

Two-thirds of independent landlords will reduce rents to help tenants remain in their homes. And one-third of these landlords say they have lowered rents over the past 18 months, according to a new survey.

Limits of automatic 401(k) plans

Automatic enrollment in 401(k) plans, which is on the rise, appears to significantly boost participation in the plans, but the process may leave some workers with too little in savings when they retire.

How moms make ends meet
Moms are cutting back on household spending, making more home-cooked meals, sacrificing quality for everyday value for themselves and making special shopping trips to save money, according to a survey on how the recession is changing family habits. While mom is buying herself lower-quality clothes -- if she's buying any at all -- and cutting back on the quality of cosmetics and health products she buys for herself, she's not scrimping on the quality of food or clothing for her kids, the survey showed.

Fewer employers help fund workers' health-care plans

Fewer employers are contributing to their workers' consumer-driven health-care plans, according to a new report from the Employee Benefit Research Institute.

Better credit card deal via credit unions

Credit unions offer much lower annual percentage rates, less punitive penalty rates and engaged in far fewer unfair or deceptive practices than their banking peers, according to a report from the Pew Charitable Trusts. In July 2009, purchase annual percentage rates ranged from 12.24 percent to 17.99 percent at bank issuers, compared with 9.9 percent to 13.75 percent at credit union issuers. Cash advance APRs also were substantially less, and penalty APRs were 28.99 percent at bank issuers, compared with 17.9 percent at credit union issuers.

Look before you buy: Check expiration dates of online items

Beware stolen merchandise being fenced online, especially in time for holiday bargain seekers, the National Retail Federation advises.

Online book price war rages over Grisham tome

It was a weird day in the book price wars. The cost of John Grisham's Ford County, released Tuesday, moved up and down like stock market shares as rivals Amazon.com and Walmart .com extended, then rescinded, their high discounts for top-selling pre-orders.

Half of all kids on food stamps at some point
If she didn't get food stamps, Angie Minix and her two boys would have had to survive on the peanut butter-and-jelly diet. The Sauk Village mom isn't alone. In fact, nearly half of all U.S. children and 90 percent of black youngsters will be on food stamps at some point during childhood, and fallout from the current recession could push those numbers even higher, researchers say.

Help with heating bills available for poor
Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas customers in need of help with their heating bills can apply now for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Customers may be eligible if their income is 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. For a family of four, that is a 30-day income level of $2,756. For a single individual, that is $1,354.

What's your holiday budget?

Do you have lots of presents to buy this holiday season? If you do and you've created a holiday shopping budget, we'd like to hear from you. E-mail us with your daytime telephone number at fknowles@suntimes.com.

Battered investors tired of hearing recession over
Terry Savage: The American public is starting to get more than mildly annoyed at those who tell them the economy is bouncing back. For every economist or politician who tells you the recession is over, there are a dozen people who think we're in the midst of a depression. For every administration official who points to the success of the stimulus plan in creating jobs, there are many thousands of ordinary citizens in line at the unemployment office.

Battered investors tired of hearing recession over

The American public is starting to get more than mildly annoyed at those who tell them the economy is bouncing back.

Get an early line on holiday deals
Web sites that compile deals, discounts and door-buster sales from major retailers are launching services to help shoppers find bargains. DealNews.com has launched its "Black Friday Guide" at dealnews.com/ black-friday.html, detailing rumored and published deals that retailers are expected to offer the day after Thanksgiving.

Shopping for smartphone? Web site lets you compare

Man loses Comcast e-mail just when he needs it most
Comcast lost e-mail hassle months in the making.

Little to no growth in 2010 starting salaries, survey says

Starting salaries are expected to remain pretty much flat in accounting and finance, information technology and administrative fields, according to Robert Half International's 2010 salary guides.

Web tix broker: long run of hits -- but now error

Dear Fixer: I purchased two tickets to a White Sox game through Onlineseats.com on Sept. 9. I have used this broker close to 50 times over the past three years and have had good experiences. As the name implies, I ordered my seats via their Web site. Any time an order is placed, this particular broker gives a discount code for either 10 percent or $35 off the next order.

Heartburn relief at a lower cost
People with heartburn are paying too much green for the little purple pill, Nexium. That's according to research from Consumer Reports on Health that finds relief can be had for less than what the popular heartburn pill costs.

Make your own holiday gifts to save a bundle, mom says

Frugal mom Serena Beltz says that this holiday season she's focused on handmade gifts and decorations.

Some paralyzed by money woes

Goblins, ghosts and ghouls have nothing on fears of foreclosure, financial ruin and frighteningly high unexpected bills, a credit-counseling agency says.

Job-hunting tips as holidays near

Looking for a new job? Don't take a holiday from your job search. During the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's holiday season, many job seekers take a vacation from the job search -- bad move. Employers hire and interview throughout the year.

Home prices in Chicago rose 1.7 percent

Home prices in the Chicago metropolitan area rose 1.7 percent in August from June, and while over the year prices dropped 12.7 percent, that was an improvement over July's 14.2 percent annual decline, the latest Standard & Poor's Case Shiller report showed.

Blame the dollar: Gasoline jumps 26 cents in a month
There is more pain at the pump. The average price of unleaded regular gasoline in Chicago spiked 26 cents a gallon from a month ago to $2.85 and jumped 17 cents from a week ago, according to AAA. Prices are advancing toward the year-ago level of $3.05 a gallon.

Whose property taxes went up most in Chicago?
Four out of five Chicago homeowners will see their property taxes go up when they get their bills later this week, Cook County Assessor Jim Houlihan said Monday. In the West Garfield Park neighborhood, the median tax bill will jump 46.4 percent, the highest spike in the city, according to the numbers compiled by Houlihan's office. "I think it's outrageous. It doesn't seem fair," said Latonya Nelson, 39, who rehabbed a 100-year-old graystone opposite the park with her husband.

Foreclosures highest in Rockford area

The Rockford metropolitan area had one of the highest year-over-year increases in foreclosure activity in the third quarter with the number of properties receiving notices spiking 64 percent.

Beware fees in pre-loaded gift cards

Holiday shoppers looking to give gift cards of pre-loaded American Express, Mastercard or Visa credit cards should realize they are paying $4 to $7 to buy the card, plus the amount of the card itself, the Consumer Federation of America warned Monday.

Overdraft fees hit seniors hard

Checking accounts with high-cost overdraft fees hurt older people disproportionately, according to a report by the Woodstock Institute, a Chicago advocacy group.

Jobs: fewer cutting, more adding

There was good news in the latest hiring survey from the National Association for Business Economics -- things aren't as bad as they were.

Money woes should be the mother of invention

Is there any way out of America's financial woes? If you stand back and take an honest look at the growing debt and the promises we've made, the situation seems hopeless. Not only have we promised baby boomers their Social Security and Medicare benefits, we're now close to adding health care for all, and money to buy a new car.