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Friday

Oil Prices Recede, and So Do Conservation Habits

When gas prices hit $3 a gallon in early summer, consumers began to change their driving habits. But now that gas is cheaper, they don't appear as focused on fuel efficiency. Volatile oil prices are shaking things up in the energy industry, leading to new technologies and efforts to find new sources of fuel.

Oil Prices Recede, and So Do Conservation Habits

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Thursday

Marketplace: Last-Minute Stock Trades Could Cost You

By buying a few of the year's hottest stocks and dumping some losers, your portfolio manager might suddenly looks like a genius. But Marketplace's Steve Tripoli talks with Madeleine Brand about how such trades made in this last week of the year end up costing consumers in taxes and transaction fees.

Marketplace: Last-Minute Stock Trades Could Cost You

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Wednesday

In God We Trust; All Others Must File Documentation

The IRS will begin requiring documentation to deduct cash donations of any amount next year. That means church-goers who put cash in collection baskets may have to switch to checks if they want to claim it on their taxes.

In God We Trust; All Others Must File Documentation

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Marketplace: Stay Warm and Avoid a High Heating Bill

You can keep the heating bills under control this winter with a few low-tech, cost-cutting strategies: wearing socks and using the heat your house is already generating rather than cranking up the thermostat. Noah Adams gets tips from Marketplace's Steve Tripoli.

Marketplace: Stay Warm and Avoid a High Heating Bill

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Subprime Mortgages Trip Vulnerable Borrowers

A new report predicts more African Americans and Latinos will lose their homes to risky loans. Many prospective home buyers are said to sabotage themselves by taking out high-cost subprime mortgages.

Subprime Mortgages Trip Vulnerable Borrowers

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Tuesday

The Color of Money

Financial Diet to Trim Your Holiday Waste

Did your holiday spending break the bank? Personal finance contributor Michelle Singletary suggests transferring credit card balances and prioritizing bills to get out of holiday debt as soon as possible.

Financial Diet to Trim Your Holiday Waste

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Economy

U.S. Real Estate Market Dodges a Crash Landing

Housing slumped in 2006 after several years of double-digit annual growth in many sections of the country. The slowdown has led to an uptick in foreclosures and layoffs in the construction industry. But the pain, so far, seems fairly contained. And many economists believe the U.S. has avoided a worst-case crash landing in real estate.

U.S. Real Estate Market Dodges a Crash Landing

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Business

Deep Discounts Dent Holiday Shopping Profits

Retailers offered many products at a sharp discount this holiday season. The strategy attracted buyers but put a hefty dent into profits. Retail analyst Kurt Barnard talks with Renee Montagne about the shopping season.

Deep Discounts Dent Holiday Shopping Profits

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Saturday

Young Donors Turn to Microloans

A new kind of philanthropic giving — particularly among the young and web-savvy — is facilitated by a nonprofit organization called Kiva. Donors are encouraged to give microloans to entrepreneurs in the developing world.

Young Donors Turn to Microloans

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Charity and Profit in the 'Red' Campaign

Part of the profits from iPods, Gap T-shirts and other items with the (RED) label go to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. It's a profitable tool for the companies involved.

Charity and Profit in the 'Red' Campaign

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Friday

Transfer Charitable Donations Directly from IRAs

Until the end of the year, some Americans can take advantage of a law that lets them donate money directly from their IRA without paying any tax on it. It's a pilot program, but an idea that's been around for years.

Transfer Charitable Donations Directly from IRAs

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Fractional Giving of Art Threatened by New Rules

Fractional giving allows people to donate a painting, or other work of art, a little bit at a time, providing a tax benefit over many years. But new rules are putting limits on the practice. Museums say it could have a chilling effect on art donations.

Fractional Giving of Art Threatened by New Rules

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Thursday

Business

Greyhound Attempts to Change Bus Travel's Image

For many, traveling by bus isn't generally associated with the adjectives "nice" and "clean." But Greyhound is trying to spruce up its service and its terminals so that it can better compete for the travel dollar.

Greyhound Attempts to Change Bus Travel's Image

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