A steep fall in homebuilding has eased supply shortages and reduced prices for commodities like lumber.
Debt and Benefits
If you manage your FSA wisely, it can mean substantial tax savings: 23 percent, on average. The breaks are even bigger for high earners.
A new class of software is trying to make it easier to manage a flexible spending account.
When it comes to managing their 401(k)'s, American workers are neither naughty nor nice. They're simply neglectful.
Consumers are expected to ring up $135 billion more on plastic during the holiday season.
Money invested today in home energy improvements could pay dividends both at tax time and in lower future utility bills.
Consumer
If you can resist the siren call of Microsoft's Vista operating system, due in January, this can be a great time to buy a desktop or notebook computer.
The wine industry's pain is your gain this holiday season: A global glut of wine grapes has connoisseurs and bargain hunters stocking their cellars.
ILLUSTRATIONS BY RYAN SNOOK FOR USN&WR