Tips on turning that temp job into a full-time position
That temporary job might not be the full-time position you want, but it could become one. Temporary hiring tends to foreshadow permanent hiring, said Meade Kelley, director of temporary services for temporary staffing companies Accountemps and OfficeTeam.

Fidelity becomes player in ETF wars

Even as stock market uncertainty grows amid volatile days like we had last week, there is a stealth war for retail investors' trading dollars. And it's heating up -- especially in the realm of exchange traded funds (ETFs), which are the fastest-growing segment of the retail investment market these days.

Do your homework when transferring balances
If you're thinking about applying for a balance transfer credit card to reduce your interest rate, think before you leap, says LowCards.com. If your interest rate is high because your credit score is low, it's unlikely you'll get the lowest advertised rate, and your introductory period for that rate may only be three to six months.

Jobless claims rise

The number of U.S. workers filing initial claims for jobless benefits rose unexpectedly last week, evidence that layoffs continue, and jobs remain scarce, the Labor Department said.

How will CTA cuts affect you?
Q.Who'll be affected by CTA service cuts? A.To start, most people who ride the L, plus anyone who uses the nine express bus routes being eliminated: X3 King Drive, X4 Cottage Grove, X9 Ashland, X20 Washington/Madison, X49 Western, X54 Cicero, X55 Garfield, X80 Irving Park and 53AL South Pulaski Limited.

Mortgage rates up but still a deal

Long-term home mortgage rates inched up this week, but they're still at bargain levels.

Kohl's comes through after rebate form snafu

Dear Fixer: The day after Thanksgiving, like thousands of other shoppers, I went to Kohl's to purchase specific items that qualified for a rebate. I was able to get all those items, and I was given a form to fill out for the rebates.

We pay more for gas, less for natural gas

Are Chicago area residents paying more for energy than folks in other big cities?

Ex-shopaholic offers ideas on how to save money
Elisabeth Leamy, widely known as the consumer correspondent on ABC's Good Morning America, wasn't always adept at managing her money. While in grad school at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism several years ago, she sank deep into credit card debt -- partly the result, she says, of too many shopping sprees at Water Tower Place. Now, though, her saving savvy is at an all-time high.

Daughter never repays loans from dad

Q. I've been remarried for about two years now. My husband has a daughter in her mid-20s. At that age you would expect her to be a responsible adult.

Finding a job eases slightly

Laid-off workers are finding it a bit easier to find work, and fewer are having to take pay cuts, according to the latest survey from CareerBuilder. The survey found that:

First-time home buyers face tax-credit hurdles

Home buyers looking to claim the federal first-time homebuyer tax credit won't be able to file their taxes electronically, and there are new documentation requirements they must meet designed to deter fraud.

BBB warns of misrepresentations in timeshare reselling

Financially strapped timeshare owners planning to sell their places to get extra cash or save money should be on the watch for predators who promise fast sales for a fee but don't deliver.

Positive signs for housing market

The number of people preparing to buy a home rose slightly in December, a positive sign heading into the spring home buying season.

Foreclosure looms? Get help here

Borrowers behind on their home mortgages and at risk of foreclosure can get free help modifying their loans at new Freddie Mac borrower help centers in Chicago and across the country.

How much do I love you? $63.34
Even Valentine's Day loses a bit of its heart in a slow economy. Because Valentine's Day falls on a Sunday, men won't feel as much pressure to buy flowers, candy and gifts, and will likely take their beloved out to dinner instead, reports the IBISWorld research firm.

Personal incomes grow again

The Commerce Department said Monday that personal incomes rose by 0.4 percent in December, the sixth increase in a row.

Online job postings jump 20% in January, up 600K in last 12 months

The search for jobs online got easier last month.

More filers qualify for Earned Income Tax Credit

Many more low-income tax filers may be eligible this year to take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit, which could add more than $5,600 to some families' refunds.

Beware of credit card changes under new law

If you've been living in a house of cards, read carefully. Just three weeks from now -- on Feb. 22 -- the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act (CARD Act) of 2009 goes into effect. Beware. Along with some new protections, the rules allow for more subtle and costly traps for unwary cardholders.

Qualified or not? Comcast finally delivers Netbook
Dear Fixer: I signed up for Comcast's cable, Internet and phone service in late July. Comcast had a promotion in which new customers who signed up for the "Triple Play" bundle service for one year would get a free Dell Inspiron Mini Netbook computer.

Attorney general backs bill protecting consumers in debt
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is backing legislation to ban debt-settlement companies from charging upfront or monthly fees and that caps payments to firms promising to reduce credit card debt. The legislation would cap fees at 5 percent of the savings resulting from settling a debt, rather than a percentage of debt enrolled.

GM, Ford go after Toyota owners with free financing deals, rebates
General Motors Co. and Ford Motor Co. announced sales incentives aimed at luring owners of Toyota Motor Corp. vehicles, after the Japanese carmaker expanded recalls to fix accelerator pedals that may stick in some models.

Electrolux check finally comes out in the wash

Dear Fixer: My partner and I built a three-flat at 1413 and 1421 S. Kenneth in Chicago in 2008. We contacted Sears to supply us with appliances -- stoves, refrigerators, stackable washer/dryers -- for every floor in the two buildings. They did a great job.

President lurches toward center on economy

The president took a decisive step back to the center in his State of the Union address -- especially when it came to proposals that would affect the economy. In fact, he sounded so fiscally conservative that the Republican address, which followed his speech, looked like an amateur imitation -- without any of the charisma.

Debt settlement is no sure cure

Debt-strapped consumers are being warned by consumer advocates that using debt settlement companies could leave them deeper in debt.

How to stay smart with infomercials
Want to avoid being wooed by a bevy of infomercials that promise the moon? Consumer Reports offers tips in its February issue to help make those adds less irresistible. The ads rely on neuroscience. They take viewers "on a psychological roller-coaster ride," by pumping up dopamine levels in the brain, advertising expert Martin Lindstrom said in the magazine article.

Haiti donations can be claimed on 2009 taxes

People who give to charities providing earthquake relief in Haiti can claim those donations this tax season.

Web sites offer help with 'cash for appliances' deals
Looking for retailers offering "cash for appliances" in your neighborhood or wondering which appliances will get rebates? Illinois has announced a two-part "Cash for Appliances" program aimed at helping people buy energy-efficient appliances and get rid of older ones that gobble electricity.

Ignoring lessons of history will cost the U.S. dearly

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

Claiming all '09 credits, deductions will take work
If you thought you had the tax laws figured out, guess again. Every year, Congress makes changes -- some big, some little -- making it just a little more difficult to complete your tax return. Assistance can range from asking a professional to prepare your taxes, to using a software program or reading a guide, to consulting the Internal Revenue Service Web site.

Refund is music to our ears
From missing iPhones to Haiti calling card scams, there's always something to watch out for.

Tips on saving cash on gas use

The Citizens Utility Board has tips to help consumers save:

Mortgage rates below 5%

It got cheaper to buy a house this week as the average 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage dipped below 5 percent. The rate averaged 4.99 percent, down from 5.06 percent a week earlier, mortgage giant Freddie Mac said Thursday.

Toyota recalling 2.3M vehicles

NEW YORK -- Toyota Motor Corp. built its reputation in the U.S. as a maker of safe and dependable vehicles, but the quality of the Japanese automaker's fleet continues to be tarnished by serious safety recalls.

Hard to channel a refund from DirecTV resolution

Dear Fixer: I have an account with DirecTV. I got behind in my bill, and on Nov. 21, DirecTV took $767.20 out of my bank account without notice.

Rural bankers' economic optimism rising: survey

OMAHA, Neb. -- Rural Midwest and Plains bankers who responded to a monthly survey remain optimistic about economic prospects despite signs of continued regional weakness.

Freshmen agree: It's all about the money

Money appears to be high on the minds of this year's college freshmen, reflecting the influence last year of the struggling economy on enrollment, financial aid and life goals, a survey released Thursday says.

Quick tax return loans costly
Rhonda Jones remembers racing to a neighborhood tax preparer to get her federal income-tax refund in just five days -- for fees ranging from $300 to $500. Only after Jones saw a flier for a free income-tax service sponsored by the Center for Economic Progress did she realize she was surrendering hundreds of dollars needlessly.

‘Cash for appliances’ starts Jan. 31

Gov. Quinn on Tuesday announced Jan. 31 as the starting date for Illinois shoppers who buy water heaters that meet Energy Star energy-efficiency criteria to get a 25 percent discount at the cash register.

Pain at pump lessened in past week

The average price of unleaded regular gas in Chicago fell 7 cents a gallon to $2.70 Tuesday, down from $2.77 a week earlier, according to AAA, the Oil Price Information Service and Wright Express. Oil prices fell last week. But prices are 75 cents a gallon higher than a year earlier and 11 cents higher than a month ago.

Paying for tax preparation? Watch out for claims, hidden fees

If you use a paid tax preparer, be wary of claims like "Get your refund in one day!" These products are not simply advances on your IRS refund -- they are interest-bearing loans based on your expected refund, according to the Woodstock Institute. If the refund turns out to be less than expected, you still must repay the loan. They also can have hidden fees. The institute suggests:

Cadbury deal would make Kraft No. 1

Kraft Foods' $19.5 billion deal to buy chocolate and gum maker Cadbury will create the world's largest candy company, greatly expand Kraft's share of that lucrative business and open opportunities worldwide to sell its other snacks.

American Airlines last major airline to boost bag fees
American Airlines boosted fees for checking bags, completing increases among the biggest full-fare carriers as the industry seeks revenue from sources other than tickets. The charge for a first checked bag will be $25 and a second piece will be $35, American said Monday.

Take the bite out of owning a puppy

A new pet can cost thousands of dollars a year, but you can take a bite out of the costs:

$125,000 fix: The Fixer's biggest fix ever
Dear Fixer: Indiana American Water Co. bills all businesses that have fire sprinklers once a month for what is termed "fire protection." Basically, it is a water rent. The business rents the water in the event the sprinkler system is required. In January 2009, however, I was double-billed -- and no one seems able to correct the problem.

Prices at the pump on the rise
Retail gas prices ticked higher Thursday, adding less than a penny overnight to a new national average of $2.758 a gallon, according to AAA, Wright Express and Oil Price Information Service. A gallon of regular unleaded is 16 cents more expensive than last month and 96.6 cents more expensive than a year ago.

COBRA subsidy extended 6 mos.

The economic stimulus package enacted by Congress last year subsidized 65 percent of COBRA premiums for unemployed workers for up to nine months, starting in March 2009. But with unemployment still above 10 percent at year's end, Congress decided to extend and expand the benefit.

30-year mortgage rate 5.06%, down a bit for 2nd week in row

Rates for 30-year home loans edged lower for the second straight week, a report said Thursday, but remained above last month's record lows.

Membership can have its privileges, drawbacks
It's not a credit card or a debit card. If you've never had a charge card, you may wonder how it compares with the plastic you already carry. Charge cards -- primarily issued by American Express -- require cardholders to pay off balances in full each month.

Baggage gripes down as fliers seek to avoid extra fees
Helped by fewer flights and travelers trying to avoid baggage fees, airlines did a much better job of handling luggage this year than last year, according to the Transportation Department. The rate of complaints about lost, damaged, delayed or stolen bags was down 26 percent through October, compared with the same 10 months in 2008.

New state site helps find housing

A new bilingual Web site, ILHousingsearch.org, helps people find rental housing throughout the state.

Getting fit doesn't have to turn into a spending craze
The fitness club, exercise equipment and diet ads are flying, targeting those with resolutions to get in shape. But in the midst of still tough economic times, one can shed extra pounds and get fit without shelling out big bucks, says fitness and nutrition expert John Rowley.

Short-circuited ComEd bill payment untangled
Dear Fixer: On Dec. 28, I called the 1-800 number on my ComEd statement to make a payment to my account. I made a payment of $173 and there was a service fee of $3.50.

Amount of counterfeit euros up

BERLIN -- The number of counterfeit euro bank notes withdrawn from circulation rose 8 percent during the last six months of 2009, with the euro20 ($28.80) bill the most widely forged, the European Central Bank said Monday.