Free Republic

American consumers are already struggling with the highest inflation in four decades - a phenomenon that is eating into buying power and eroding wages. But more economic pain may be in store, with one analyst estimating that the recent surge in gas prices following Russia's invasion of Ukraine could add up to $2,000 in annual costs to the typical household budget. The average cost for a gallon of regular gasoline has surpassed $4 per gallon for the first time since 2008. Many consumers have seen prices at the gas pump rise swiftly, with the price of regular gas jumping 41...

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama says he is making difficult cuts in the nation's budget to allow needed spending increases in education, technology and public works projects. In a broad preview of his administration's blueprint for the budget year that begins Oct. 1, Obama says the combination of cuts and new spending will result in an overall freeze in annual domestic spending for the next five years. "This budget asks Washington to live within its means, while at the same time investing in our future," the president said Saturday .. to release his budget on Monday.

Many people wear military camouflage as a fashion statement, but not many can say they've worn the real fatigues of an American service member. Now a local business woman is giving new life to retired uniforms. Eve Baum moved to Central Pennsylvania from Canada six years ago. Armed with a degree in fashion design, she started a small handbag business from home. But she says "something" was missing. "I was doing some life searching," Baum said. "I wanted to do something with a purpose." In 2007, that purpose came in the form of a local soldier who wanted to honor...

Here are some proposals from the 2008 Presidential candidates for shoring up Americans' financial security Americans of all income levels face some tricky times ahead when it comes to their personal finances. What steps would the men and women vying to be the next President take to help bolster your bottom line? Below, in alphabetical order, we lay out some of the stances the current candidates have taken on investing, saving, and other "pocketbook" issues. Hillary Clinton New York Senator Hillary Clinton would automatically sign up U.S. workers for 401(k)-like plans, which she would call American Retirement Accounts. The government...

SOPHISTICATED INVESTOR Pocketbook issues Candidates' policy differences and their affect on finances By Thomas Kostigen, CBS.MarketWatch.com Last Update: 9:19 PM ET Oct. 4, 2004 SANTA MONICA, Calif. (CBS.MW) -- You should know the policy effect of your vote for president. And to that end, a Washington law and lobbying firm has compiled a short list of expected changes that a vote for President George W. Bush or Senator John Kerry will mean. From energy to health care to financial services and tax and trade, Williams and Jensen looked side by side at the differences between the candidates. In some cases,...