- HP's Challenge to Cisco
- Ford, Hyundai, Audi Gaining Interest
- This Drug Firm Will Snap Up 50% By Mid-2010: Trader
- Warren Buffett Ranked #14 On Forbes 'Most Powerful People' List
- What to Expect From Disney Earnings?
- HP's Shot Across Cisco's Bow
- USC Football Blog Leads All-Access Space
- Clowning Around At Work
- Ahead of Earnings Disney Restructures Studio
- US Will Borrow Less as Banks Pay Back Funds: Geithner
- Wal-Mart Holiday Forecast Light, Profit Beats
- US Mortgage Refinancing Up; Buying Demand Sinks
- Intel Agrees to Pay AMD $1.25 Billion to Settle Disputes
- Kohl's Profit Beats Street, But Outlook Falls Short
- United Tech to Buy GE Security Unit for $1.82 Billion
- Gold Hits $1,122, Barrick Chief Says Selloff Possible
- Wall Street Pay Is Often too High: Bill Gates
- Morgan Stanley Gets Aggressive in Luring Brokers
MOST SHARED
- Jobless Claims Post Another Drop as Picture Improves
- Wal-Mart Holiday Forecast Light, Profit Beats
- How the Droid and Google Threaten the GPS Makers
- CNN Anchor Lou Dobbs Says He is Leaving Network
- Highest State Foreclosure Rates
- Pricier Beer Helps AB InBev Operating Profit
- Rising Jobless Biggest Threat to World Trade: WTO
- Obama Most Powerful Person in World: Forbes
- US Will Borrow Less as Banks Pay Back Funds: Geithner
- Jobless Claims, Wal-Mart Earnings to Sway Sentiment Thursday
Text Size 
"Despite the seemingly low rate of inflation, my costs in the service sector have continued to escalate. Auto insurance, auto repair, cable TV, telephone bills, real estate taxes, medical and dental expenses along with food prices, restaurant meals, and of course, gasoline. I understand that the CPI is adjusted downward for the increased value provided by technological improvements in the things we consumers purchase. That seems far-fetched to me. I wonder if the members of the Federal Reserve Board are confronted by these costs, considering their lofty economic status. Does Ben Bernanke stand in the checkout line at Krogers?" -- Bob G., Louisiana
"Inflation is hitting us in our food, gasoline, and housing." -- Evonne B.
"I feel the consequences of inflation in my utility and gas bills. Additionally, grocery costs continue to rise. Still, all things being equal, when I realize the cost for cell, land line, computer, and cable service -- things which really are not essential -- I find that I have some ownership with rising costs as well." -- K., Maryland
"Since the 'official' inflation rate is low, my paycheck doesn't increase nearly enough to cover the actual cost of living. Insurance, without a doubt, is the most inflationary expense. In the past three years my homeowners insurance increased by 400%. An $8.00 weekly raise doesn't do much to cover a $150.00 increase in my monthly mortgage payment because of spiraling insurance costs." -- Ray M, Florida
"For my wife and I, we're seeing more stealth inflation where the prices remain steady but the goods are being sold in smaller quantities. Aside from that observation, our current spending hasn't been noticeably curbed by inflation." -- Brian B., Georgia
"Healthcare." -- Joan S.
"Clearly medical insurance. I just had my medical premiums increase 13% starting this month (April 2007). A letter was sent out prior to this, notifying us that this increase across the board for everyone is going to start in April 2007. Gas is not an issue for me since I don't drive a gas-hog SUV or excessively-large truck." -- Jeff S., Washington
"Number 1: Taxes. Federal, Social Security, state & local. It kills mine and my husband's paychecks. Number 2 : Environmentalism. It's out of hand and creates more taxes. And just like taxes, it drives up the prices on everything we buy such as our home, car, utilities, food and clothing! If both were to ease up instead of grow, I'd be able to afford to pay for our kids college tuition and afford to retire before I'm 67! Maybe even afford a vacation. It's a terrible thing when the government takes what they want out of our our pay before we pay our rent, mortgage, feed or clothe ourselves or anything else. Nothing in the economy is more burdensome." -- Jacqui F., California
- Billboard allows music lovers to watch concerts for free online, with five different camera angles.
- US real estate prices have fallen dramatically, but some places are still doing well. See the best-performing zip codes this year.
- An Italian cashmere maker aims to make profits while creating ideal conditions for his workers.
- Just in time for the holidays, the Triumph company of Japan offers the latest innovation in women’s undergarments.
- Vote and suggest your own, and remember--there's a fine line between a hero and a zero.
- The NYT explains what the Senate needs to do to improve cost and quality in U.S. health care.
Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes