Latest from The Spokesman-Review

• Frugal Corner: Negotiators have their day

  May 25, 2009 in City on Page A5 Haggling – it’s the new black. A recent Consumer Reports survey found that fully two-thirds of Americans have tried to negotiate a better deal on something in the past six …

• Strapped seniors take health risks

  May 18, 2009 in City on Page A5 Seniors on fixed incomes have always struggled to keep up with rising costs. A new survey suggests they’re cutting more deeply into essentials during this recession, though.

• Frugal Corner: Jeans sales hint at recovery

  April 27, 2009 in City on Page A5 Americans cut back on their clothing spending across the board in 2008. All, that is, except for blue jeans. And spendy, high-end blue jeans in particular were selling at a …

• Frugal Corner: Most collegians rely on plastic

  April 20, 2009 in City on Page A5 Most of us know that college graduates leave school with a sheepskin and a pile of student-loan debt. But a recent report shines a light on a new and growing …

• Frugal Corner: Cost of driving outpaces fuel

  April 13, 2009 in City on Page A5 While fuel costs have dropped recently, the overall cost of driving hasn’t changed much as other costs go up, according to a new AAA survey. The AAA analysis found that …

• Credit cards don’t guarantee fairness

  April 6, 2009 in City on Page A5 If a new report is any indication, it’s tough to find a credit card out there that isn’t trying to pull the wool over your eyes. The Pew Charitable Trusts …

• Frugal Corner: Give your home a spring checkup

  March 30, 2009 in City on Page A5 Routine maintenance around the house may not be the most alluring of spring projects, but making sure the basics are in good condition can save you money on repair bills … 1

• Consumers grow more comfy with coupons

  March 23, 2009 in City on Page A5 More people are using coupons these days. No surprise there. And people are less self-conscious or embarrassed about pulling out a wad of coupons when they’re in line at the …

• Frugal Corner: Credit reports really are free

  March 16, 2009 in City on Page A5 When it comes to credit reports, it’s become a battle of the jingles. The Federal Trade Commission has launched a series of musical videos for Annualcreditreport.com, the Web site where …

• Questions address foreclosure relief

  March 9, 2009 in City on Page A5 Wondering if you qualify for help under the Obama administration’s new foreclosure relief plan? Here’s a series of questions and answers from McClatchy Newspapers that should help you figure it …

• Frugal Corner: Consumer comparisons

  March 2, 2009 in City on Page A5 What a difference a penny makes. In a recent study by researchers at Washington State University, shoppers made different choices based on whether a price was rounded to the nearest …

• 401(k) plans force difficult choices

  February 23, 2009 in City on Page A5 The declining stock market isn’t the only thing eroding workers’ retirement savings. Increasingly, big companies are suspending contributions to their workers’ 401(k) plans – 90 had done so as of …

• Frugal Corner: Debt collectors have boundaries

  February 16, 2009 in City on Page A5 Debt collectors long have been a subject of complaints to regulators. In 2007, a fifth of all complaints filed with the Federal Trade Commission involved debt collection – more than …

• Frugal Corner: The ultimate laundry list

  February 9, 2009 in City on Page A5 Here’s something to think about the next time you find yourself grumbling about the laundry. A handwritten list of “Grandma’s” recipe for doing the laundry hangs on the wall at …