TheState.com: Living with Less

Living with less: People double up to save homes

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:10 EST

MYRTLE BEACH — Merry Dailey needs a roommate.

She lost her job at a Myrtle Beach-area Wal-Mart in November after finding out she has some serious health problems, and she’s caring for her disabled husband, who also had to leave his job at the same store last year.

“I’m at bankruptcy right now,” Dailey said. “Right now, I’m fighting to be able to hold on to this house. I said a prayer last night.”

As homeowners and renters are trying to make ends meet, more people will be sharing living spaces.

“People are cutting costs, and they are going to try everything they can to control expenses,” said Tim Koch, finance department chairman of USC’s Moore School of Business. “Every possibility, every option for doing that, will come to the fore this year.”

You can extend FDIC insurance past first $100,000

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:10 EST

OK, more likely than not, you don't need easy access to $50 mil-lion in FDIC insurance.

But some banks are promoting a one-stop banking solution for small-business owners, nonprofit organizations, retirees and others who demand FDIC insurance when they invest huge sums in certificates of deposits.

Michigan-based Flagstar Bank is running ads: "Have it all. One bank. One rate. One statement. And access to $50 million in FDIC insurance for your CDs."

After federal regulators seized California-based IndyMac Bank in July, retirees and other savers with serious money are increasingly concerned about the safety of their savings above $100,000.

"We're not really seeing customers concerned about Flagstar Bank, but they are concerned about other relationships," said Trenton Hancock, Flagstar assistant vice president and product manager for retail banking.

Banks expected to raise customer fees after mergers

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:10 EST

If your bank is buying the competition or selling out to them, you may want to add the words �higher� and �fees� to your banking vocabulary.

Financial institutions will likely �use this as an opportunity to raise everybody�s fees,� said Ed Mierzwinski, consumer program director of the U.S. Public Interest Research Group. �This wave of mergers will result in bigger banks, and all our studies have shown that bigger banks have bigger fees.� In September, Charlotte-based Wachovia � South Carolina�s largest based on deposits � was bought by Citigroup in a deal brokered by federal regulators.

While such fees can range from charges for replacing a lost ATM card to returning your paper checks, one big one to watch out for, said experts, is fees levied against your account when you bounce a check or when the bank covers overdrafts � purchases, withdrawals or payments you make with not enough money in your account to cover them.

Consumers pay at least $17.5 billion a year in such overdraft fees, said Jean Ann Fox, director of financial services for the Consumer Federation of America, which is �big money� and the amount of those fees has been �steadily increasing.� The average high is $37.50, up 15 percent from 2005, according to a federation survey of overdraft fees and practices.

What she said consumers should also know:

Know options before hiring adviser

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:10 EST

Before the turbulent economy sends you running into the arms of a financial adviser, make sure you know all your options.

In addition to the various types of financial advice on the market, there are myriad ways advisers get paid for their services. Among them: commissions, hourly or flat rates for one-time help, asset-based fees for ongoing money management, or some combination thereof.

As you start your search, re-member that �financial adviser� is a catchall term and doesn�t mean that the person has obtained any specific training. You�ll want to understand the different professional designations you may en-counter and be mindful of potential fee structures.

FREE SERVICES: Many financial advisers, whether they work for a large brokerage or operate independently, offer free initial consultations that usually last about a half hour or more. But don�t expect to walk out with a detailed list of ideal investments. What the meeting should give you is a sense of how your adviser plans to approach your portfolio. One way to guide the discussion might be to ask what issues he or she thinks need to be addressed most urgently.

FEES VS. COMMISSIONS: Some advisers work on a �fee-only� basis, meaning they charge a predetermined amount for their services. Others, however, may also earn a commission from a third-party for selling financial products. If you�re going to a stock broker, for instance, the prospect of earning a commission may influence him to suggest a particular mutual fund or an annuity, said Samantha Macchia, a principal of Summit Financial Strategies Inc. Financial advisers are required to disclose whether they get any outside money from third parties.

Keep your wallet above water

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:10 EST

After pinching and reorganizing their household budgets, people still often overpay for commercially bottled water.

The typical American con-sumer spends annually $1,400 on bottled water vs. 49 cents for the same amount of water from our kitchen faucet, according to the Center for a New American Dream, a nonprofit consumer group.

To help you calculate how much more you may be spending for bottled water, New American Dream provides a cost calculator at www.newdream.org/water.

Consider these numbers: -.002 of a cent � The average prices for a gallon of water from your kitchen sink. -$1 � The average price for a 20-ounce bottle of water.

What�s more, about 40 percent of the bottled water sold in stores is tap water, according to New American Dream. Columbia�s water supply is used by Aquafina.

Understanding annuities for retirement

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:10 EST

Looking for a relatively safe tax-deferred or tax-free retirement saving plan? An annuity offers one possible option.

An annuity is a long-term retirement contract between an individual and an issuer, namely an insurance company.

A person contributes to a fund over time, which the issuer later provides back to the individuals in payments during retirement years.

The decision to establish an annuity and which type to go with requires careful consideration. If you�re interested in this retirement income vehicle, you might want to visit one of these sites to learn about the pros and cons of different annuities:

AARP (www.aarp.org/money/financial�planning/sessionsix/variable�annuities.html): Examines annuity types, and benefits and risks involved with a variable annuity.

Guidelines to navigating mutal funds

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:10 EST

If you�re in the market for a mutual fund, you�ll want to make sure to pick the right one.

There are hundreds of funds to choose from. So how should you go about investing in the right one? Here are some guidelines from Daniel Jimenez of Bankrate.com that you�d be wise to follow:

Set long-term goals

It�s important to know what your timeline is. If you don�t need the money for 20 years, you can af-ford to be more aggressive in your fund choice. You could potentially invest in a riskier sector like emerging markets. A shorter time horizon means you�ll want to stick with a more conservative fund.

Look for a well-managed fund

Understanding your pension fund

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:10 EST

It seems that fewer and fewer businesses offer a company-sponsored pension fund for their employees these days.

Yet, for those that still do, the news is a bit brighter for workers. Under the Protection Act of 2006, employers that offer pensions must fully fund a company�s plans.

If you�d like to learn about pensions, how they work, and even how to track down an unclaimed pension several Web sites offer a wide range of information.

Here are a few good places.

Investopedia: www.investopedia.com/articles/retirement/07/how � pensions � work.asp Article that breaks down how pensions work, and employee and company perspectives on pensions.

How to complain -- and get results

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:10 EST

The journey from the check-out lane to the family garage can be bundled with regrets, especially if purchases fail to live up to advertised promises or expectations. That's what happened to a friend of mine, Deborah Gilbert, a photographer. She purchased an outdoor canopy that was difficult to assemble and was missing a few parts. It was a do-it-yourself nightmare, she said.

But by filing a complaint directly with the manufacturer, Gilbert received new parts, company assistance and an apology. Here's how she did it:

�Go to the manufacturer Although retail stores and distributors are often willing or able to help with defective merchandise, I've had superb responses from manufacturers. Locate contact information on the package or visit the company's Web site. From small food items to large machinery, most reputable companies provide a toll-free customer service number.

�Stay calm "I was polite. They were polite," Gilbert said about the canopy company. In plain but polite language, she told them that the canopy was difficult to assemble because key parts seemed to be either missing or in-compatible.

�Use humor She tried to provide a funny, but accurate description of her attempts to wrestle with the horizontal and vertical parts of the canopy. "I had to fight with it," Gilbert told the customer rep, adding that she would have to start a weight-lifting program in order to successfully assemble the canopy.

How to protect yourself from ID theft

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:10 EST

It is the largest case of identity theft in the country. More than 41 million credit and debit card numbers were stolen by an inter-national ring that hacked into the computer networks of nine national retail chains, including Barnes & Noble, BJ's Wholesale Club, OfficeMax and TJX Cos.

The August indictments serve as a warning to consumers. But they also can serve as a reminder to take a few simple steps to protect yourself from this kind of crime, which affects as many as 8 million Americans each year, costing billions of dollars and countless hours to correct the problems it creates.

By law, when a data breach occurs, a company is required to send a letter to notify customers of their possible exposure, said Steve Ely, a divisional president for credit reporting company Equifax Inc. But he said companies often downplay the problem to minimize damage to their reputation. "Ninety-nine percent of the time (breach letters) look like a piece of junk mail, and people throw them away."

That's a mistake. Such a letter may be the first indication that your personal information has been compromised.

And indictments like those announced Tuesday aren't likely to prevent your data from getting into the hands of other criminals, warned Paul Stephens, director of policy and advocacy at Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, a nonprofit in San Diego.

Tax-free weekend: What's on the list and what's not

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:10 EST

South Carolina's ninth annual tax-free weekend starts today and runs through Sunday.

Here's what tax free and what's not.

WHAT'S TAX-FREE

Adult diapers

Saving at a wicked clip: The art of maximizing coupons

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:10 EST

Michelle Harrison recently paid 10 cents for $40 worth of groceries.

"And it would've been more, but the store had a 20-coupon per transaction limit," Harrison says, laughing.

She and fellow coupon diva Frances Bullock say it's not hard to get there.

The frugal friends say in a typical week they save about 70 percent off their grocery bills after a couple of hours of clipping and sorting.

And during a store's triple coupon promotion, they can get most of their groceries for free. So many items, in fact, they often have enough to donate to area food pantries.

How to save on your summer trip

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:10 EST

Trying for a late summer getaway despite soaring prices of gas and airline tickets

There are ways to get out of town without breaking the bank. We asked travel experts and dug through savvy sources to uncover ways to save, whether it's a grand tour of Europe or a road trip to Grandma's house.

HOTELS �Check rates with hotel Hotel-booking Web sites such as Hotels.com aren't always your best option. Sometimes you can get a better deal by going to the hotel's site or calling the hotel directly.

�Shun the 800 number Don't call a hotel's 800 number to make a reservation; you'll likely be directed to the national center. Call the hotel directly and ask for the manager on duty, who is motivated to fill rooms, and begin negotiating for a discount.

�Beware of special deals That "third night free" offer could be more expensive than a regular booking, for instance.

How to dial down your cell phone costs

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:10 EST

If you have ever incurred cell phone fees, you know that they can sting. Depending on your plan, the penalty for going over your minutes can range from 5 cents a minute to 45 cents.

If you�ve regularly been getting slapped with fees regularly, it�s probably time to change your behavior /� or change your calling plan./ Amy Bickers, associate editor at Kiplinger.com, offers three ways to avoid cell phone fees:

Keep track of your minutes

Keeping track of your minutes is not hard, and it is certainly worthwhile. You can check how many minutes you have used on the Internet by setting up an online account with your phone carrier. You can also can check them on your phone, typically by calling into the phone company�s automated system.

Buy text messages in bulk

The hidden problems of driving on empty

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:10 EST

High gas prices mean boom business for tow-truck drivers.

More drivers are finding themselves stranded on the side of the road without gas. The most common excuse the tow opera-tors hear is that customers thought they could make it to the next station. �It�s sad,� said Ronnie White, owner of a Youngsville, N.C., towing service, who has not seen it this bad in his 24 years in business. �They are trying to get to a station to pay 3 cents less (per gallon), and they end up paying me $50 for one gallon of gas.�

A lot of people are apparently driving on empty. AAA Carolinas, which has 1.6 million members, reported a 4 percent year-over-year increase in calls from S.C. members needing gas.

Damage control: For repeat of-fenders, the damage can be ex-pensive. Driving on low fuel can seriously damage your car.

Sediment � rust, dirt and other debris � collects at the bot-tom of the fuel tank. When you run low on gas, the sediment can clog up the fuel pump and dam-age the fuel injector and fuel filter, AAA Carolinas� Carol Gifford said. �It can be very expensive and very hard to fix,� she said.

Negotiate your way out of bank, card fees

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:10 EST

You open your bank statement or credit-card bill and there�s a new fee assessed to your account. Banks and credit-card companies make billions a year from such fees. To beat the fees, Kiplinger magazine has four tactics:

-Don�t get complacent

Part of the reason why so many customers end up paying fees is they don�t contest them. If fees show up on your account statement and you don�t agree, place a call to the bank representative. In most cases, if you are a good customer, banks will give you a break.

-Call on weekends

Few managers work on the weekends, and it may improve your chances of getting the fee excused if the manager is not around.

Shoring up your finances: Focus on fundamentals

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:10 EST

Consumers are finding themselves caught.

Card companies are getting tougher, sometimes canceling unused cards or raising rates seemingly for no good reason. And 30 percent of banks said in a recent Federal Reserve survey that they had tightened standards on consumer loans.

The impact of running up debt and missing payments can be tremendous.

Say you have $5,000 in credit card debt and your interest rate is 12 percent. If you pay $100 a month you won�t pay off the card in full for almost 25 years. During that time you will not only have to pay off the original $5,000, but you also will be spending about $4,700 in interest.

If you miss a payment along the way, the pain can become much worse. Credit card companies often reserve the right to increase your interest rate to higher levels if you miss payments � even if your payment just was bogged down in the mail.

Find savings every day

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:10 EST

--Use cash instead of credit cards. You'll be more aware of how much you're spending.

--Don't be afraid to buy second-hand goods. Used books, clothes and accessories can often be found online in good condition at a fraction of the retail price.

--Check cable, cell phone and banking statements for any services you may not need or even know you have.

--Go online to comparison sites before making any big purchases.

--Learn to cook and rely less on eating out. Eating just a few extra meals a week at home can add up to significant savings over time. --Try activities that don't cost money:; Hiking, card game nights, borrowing movies from the library, etc.

Expert put brakes on myths for saving gas money

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:10 EST

Some things will stretch gas dollars; some won�t. Steve Mazor runs the Automobile Club of Southern California�s Automotive Research Center and put tips to the test to see whether they are myth or truth. A few major myths and a couple of tips:

MYTH: Oil companies run up prices to cash in on Sunday drivers so the best time to fill up is Wednesday. TRUTH: Just because that day is farthest from the weekend doesn�t mean drivers will save at the pump. �Really, prices are being dictated regionally so I don�t think that plays a role anymore,� Mazor said.

MYTH: Morning is the best time of day to pump gas because gas is denser when it is cooler. TRUTH: It is true that gas is denser when it�s colder, but double-walled underground gas tanks retain the temperature of the gas at the time it was pumped underground. To meet demand, tankers pump gas underground around the clock. �We sell gas so quickly that if it was hot when it went in, it will be hot when it comes out,� Mazor said. The difference may amount to �a few cents a tank.�

MYTH: A clean air filter makes a difference. TRUTH: A few cars had slightly better fuel economy when dirty air filters were replaced, but when cars were tested with blocked air filters, fuel economy �didn�t get worse, as we expected,� Mazor said. In fact, some cars slightly improved fuel economy with dirty air filters, but �you make your car a polluter for maybe 1 percent better fuel economy.�

MYTH: Gizmos or additives like acetone will save gallons. TRUTH: These products don�t help even a little bit, Mazor said. �We have tested many fuel additives and products . . . or devices that go on the battery cable, and none of them have ever shown any measurable fuel economy improvement,� Mazor said.

How to make sure your card rewards you

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:10 EST

Some rewards cards will pay you cash, but often there�s a ceiling on the maximum payout each year. Other cards promise points for every purchase, but they may expire after just a year. Still others reward some purchases, such as gasoline or travel, far more than food or pharmaceutical purchases.

The rules for rewards and cash-back cards can be confusing, according to separate studies released last week by Consumer Reports and Bankrate.com. Unwary consumers may be better off passing on some of the rewards programs out there, they conclude.

That�s because the rewards and cash-back cards often carry much higher interest rates than non-rewards cards and may have so many restrictions that it�s hard for consumers to claim a payout.

Consumers who don�t pay their cards in full each month, for example, may find that �if the (interest) rates are high, the cost to carry a balance will often erase any savings the rewards program may offer,� said Amanda Walker, senior project editor at Consumer Reports.

The study published in Consumer Reports, the monthly magazine of the nonprofit Consumers Union in Yonkers, N.Y., found that 85 percent of Americans participate in at least one rewards program. Some offer rewards at a particular retailer, others double as credit cards that can be used anywhere, it said. About 3 percent of those surveyed participated in 10 or more programs.

How to save $ on food

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:10 EST

These days, it's almost as scary to fill your grocery cart as your gas tank. A gallon of unleaded costs as much as 20 percent more than it did a year ago. Food costs have zoomed up 6 percent in that time, with double-digit increases for staples like milk and bread.

Retail analyst Howard Davidowitz framed it this way in a recent National Public Radio interview: "Americans used to spend 10 cents (of every dollar) on food and energy; they're now spending 17 cents.''

The good news is that most people can find ways to save money.

Just ask Martha Kenyon of the Redland, Fla., a mother of six who has always fed her family on one income.

"I basically buy what's on sale, and I buy a lot of it. I have my prices in mind - I know what I'm willing to pay for grapes, for example - and if it's not for sale at that price, I wait. My kids eat a lot of fruit, but they eat what's on sale. That's the way I've always purchased.''

When should I insure jewelry and laptops?

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:10 EST

When is it a good idea to get insurance policies for jewelry, digital cameras or golf clubs that may not be covered by other insurance?

You can buy personal article policies, otherwise known as floater policies, that insure any-thing from diamond rings to art-work to musical instruments. They have the option of buying the policies as add-on coverage to their homeowners or renters insurance or as stand-alone policies.

State Farm spokesman Kip Diggs said 70 percent of floaters are bought to cover jewelry, and one of the fastest growing areas of floater policies is for jewelry pieces that cost $25,000 or more.

More often, though, consumers are buying policies to cover their treasured rings, necklaces and earrings that cost more than $1,000 or $2,000, prices that can put them above the range of what is covered in their standard homeowner or renters policies.

Mike Maley, a vice president at Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co., said separate policies to cover jewelry cost between 1 percent and 3 percent of the value of the item. And the size of the market is potentially big, Maley said, noting that Americans spent $63 billion on jewelry and watches in 2007.

Don't whine over wine prices, try to budget

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:10 EST

Here's how to be a savvy shopper for budget wines:

_ Consider second labels. Many wineries make more than one wine. A portfolio can include pricey reserve wines and award-winning show stoppers as well as less expensive, downright decent everyday quaffing wines made under the same standards and supervision. In the $10 range, some of these extended families are more obvious than others. Beringer Vineyards, for example, produces Stone Cellars ($8) and Beringer Founders' Estate ($8.99), while the Beaulieu Vineyards umbrella includes BV Coastal Estates ($6.99), and the prestigious Robert Mondavi family of wines offers the Woodbridge line ($7.99).

_ It's OK to go biggie. Large bottles of Stimson Estate Cellars, which is part of the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates wines that include Chateau Ste. Michelle and Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, cost about 25 cents per ounce. A smaller 750 milliliter bottle of the same is about 31 cents per ounce. If you are looking for party wine, checking the unit prices will keep the budget in check. Also, many stores give case discounts.

_ Go global. The Italians, French and Australians produce inexpensive wines that hover in the $5.99-$7.99 range.

_ Build relationships. Talk to wine-shop owners about how to spot bargains. Once you start, it becomes a fun sport.

Top-ranked vehicles in J.D. Power's 2008 quality study

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:10 EST

J.D. Power and Associates today released its annual survey of initial quality for 2008 model year vehicles, based on questionnaires from more than 81,500 new-vehicle owners.

These are the top performers and runners-up in each category. Activity vehicles refer to cross-overs and sport utility vehicles.

Sub-compact car: �Winner: Honda Fit �Runners-up: Kia Rio, Hyun-dai Accent

Compact car: �Winner: Honda Civic �Runners-up: Toyota Prius, Hyundai Elantra

Compact sporty car: �Winner: Mazda MX-5 Miata �Runners-up: Subaru Im-preza, Pontiac Solstice

How car buyers can negotiate for the best deal

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:10 EST

Consumers in the market for a new car this year may be able to drive some hard bargains with some auto dealers.

J.D. Power and Associates is predicting that fewer than 15 million new cars will be sold this year, said Bob Schnorbus, the firm�s chief economist. More than 16 million were sold in 2007, according to the firm�s data. Though some dealers might be hungry to make a deal, don�t expect that they�ll give in to your offers without a fight.

In response to the cutback in demand, manufacturers have curtailed production to reduce supply � a factor working against the consumer in search of a bargain, Schnorbus said. Dealers are also cutting their orders to manufacturers, reducing the amount of inventory, he said.

Meanwhile, underwriting standards for car loans have gotten stricter, he said. And don�t count on huge incentives to ease the sticker shock either, he said.

�I don�t think that the auto companies are mentally or financially able to go back to wild incentive days,� he said.

It's not just mpg: How much will cars cost you?

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:10 EST

Consumer Reports studied more than 300 cars to decipher the actual cost of operating a car for five years. Depreciation was the largest expense, 48 percent of the total cost. Fuel was second at 21 percent. The next is loan interest at 12 percent and insurance at 11 percent.

SMALL Least expensive � Toyota Yaris (manual), $23,250; Chevrolet Aveo (manual), $24,750; Honda Fit, $25,250; Most expensive � Mitsubishi Lancer, $32,750; Subaru Impreza, $32,000, Nissan Sentra, $31,500

FAMILY Least expensive � Toyota Prius, $27,500; Toyota Camry (4-cylinder), $30,250; Chevrolet Malibu (4-cylinder), $31,750 Most expensive � Volkswagen Passat (V6), $44,750; Mitsubishi Galant (V6), $41,500; Dodge Avenger R/T, $41,000.

UPSCALE Least expensive � Acura TSX, $39,750; Volvo S40; $40,250, Lincoln MKZ, $42,000 Most expensive � Jaquar X-Type, $52,000; Cadillac CTS, $51,250; Saab 9-5, $50,250

LUXURY Least expensive � Lincoln Town Car, $54,250; Volvo S80 (6-cylinder), $55,250; Infiniti M35, $57,250 Most expensive � Mercedes Benz S550, $101,750, BMW 750 Li $94,250; Mercedes Benz CLS550, $88,000

Tips for pinching pennies -- for almost any situation

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:10 EST

Here are a few suggestions for wringing excess expenses out of even the tightest budgets - whether you're preparing for a growing family, dealing with a job loss or trying to inflate that cash cushion just in case.

Several of the best ideas came from Christina Brown, also known as the Northern Cheapskate (www.northerncheapskate.com).

She's traded her career as an academic adviser to be a full-time mom whose new job includes not only taking care of her 2-year-old and 10-month-old sons, but also stretching dollars. "As my toddler says, `Daddy makes money, mommy saves it,'" she said.

-Tweak your insurance Raising deductibles on her car and home insurance put $30 per month in Brown's pocket. I saved about $100 annually by switching from monthly payments of my insurance premium to annual payments. Only you know if you are disciplined enough to save the lump you'll owe your insurer each year.

-Clip coupons, print coupons, use coupons Coupons are everywhere - online, printed from in-store kiosks, and inevitably heading toward cell phones. Yet of the $300 billion in coupon savings in 2006, shoppers saved just $2.6 billion, according to the Promotional Marketing Association.

Before you buy, read the fine print about fees

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:10 EST

Travelers have to be more strategic to avoid some airline fees. Before you buy tickets, read the airlines' contracts of carriage so you know what kind of fees you may encounter. Read the section on baggage if you plan to check more than one piece, and look at the prices for changing tickets.

United recently began charging $25 for a second piece of checked luggage for coach-class customers on domestic flights. US Airways, Delta, Continental, Northwest and Air Canada have joined United in charging this fee. On most of these carriers, if you have elite frequent-flier status, you can avoid the charge.

These fees apply to luggage that meets normal size restrictions. If your bags are overweight or oversize, plan to pay more. On United, for example, if a bag exceeds 62 linear inches, you will be charged $100 extra per bag. If a bag weighs more than 50 pounds, you'll pay $100 per piece. If a bag is overweight and oversize, the fees will be combined. The carrier will not accept bags more than 115 linear inches and-or more than 100 pounds.

You'll also pay if you are checking bags beyond the second bag.

On US Airways, your third through ninth bags are $100 each for luggage weighing 50 pounds or less, $150 each for bags weighing 51-70 pounds and $200 each for bags weighing 71-100 pounds. On Delta's domestic flights, the airline charges $25 for the second bag, $80 each for bags three, four and five, $110 each for bags six, seven and eight, and $180 each for bags nine and 10.

Recession-proof your insurance

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:10 EST

This year�s recession will cause at least 4.2 million people to lose their health and life insurance coverage, according to a recent report by the Center for Economic and Policy Research. Byron Udell, founder and CEO of AccuQuote, a term-life insurer, recommends these strategies to help you maintain your health, life and disability coverage when the economy is looking grim:

-Switch to term-life insurance If you have a group policy, you most likely will lose your coverage if you lose your job. Look into getting an individual term-life insurance policy. Not only is the coverage portable, but it�s usually less expensive and if you�re in good health, you can probably get more coverage.

-Compare health insurance plans Start this process before you run into a situation where you are forced into getting a new policy right away. If you lose your COBRA rights upfront, you could end up in a tight spot. But if you lose your job and you can exercise COBRA rights to retain your current employer�s health insurance policy, do so. Even if you think you might be able to buy coverage at lower expense under an individual policy, COBRA can offer you good protection while you are choosing.

-Take care of medical issues If you need significant medical care, do it now, while you�re still employed and insured. While many medical procedures can�t be timed, don�t put off until tomorrow what you should do anyway today, while you still have a job.

-Got a valid disability claim? If you are entitled to apply for disability coverage under your current employer, and if there�s any doubt that you may lose your job, consider delaying it. Collecting disability can be a serious impediment in finding future employment, and it could mean that you�d be unable to get your career back on track fast enough, even if you recover from your disability later. However, receiving such benefits also means a steady flow of income.

Right turns deliver gas savings, just ask UPS

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:10 EST

Here's how to cut gas costs, help the environment and feel like a UPS driver (minus the brown pants).

Stay out of the left-turn lane.

Drivers for UPS use a route-cutting technology that minimizes left turns. Last year that enabled the company to save 3 million gallons of gas and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 32,000 metric tons�the equivalent of taking 5,300 passenger cars off the road for a year.

UPS' route-planning methodology focuses on efficiency and safety, according to Marvin Hill, a manager in the company's industrial engineering department in Chicago.

"In a nutshell, it's a very complex system that plans our dis-patch for