10/29/2009 Credit card companies hiking rates ahead of new law Watch for skyrocketing interest rates. Many companies are trying to beat a consumer protection law takes effect next year. VIDEO

10/12/2009

Holiday air fares lower than last year
Experts say fares are about 15-percent lower than last year because of the economy and falling oil prices.
VIDEO

10/09/2009 Get the list: Va. sales tax holiday on energy-efficient products underway Heat pumps, dishwashers, washing machines, insulation, toilets and other products priced at $2,500 or less that are certified as being energy efficient with the Energy Star and WaterSense designations are tax-free through Monday. >>Exempt products list

10/08/2009

Homebuyer tax credit spurs Peninsula home sales
"There are going to be some people who are going to be kicking themselves," believes Rebecca Grossman, CEO of the Va. Peninsula Realtors Association.
VIDEO

09/02/2009

Dominion seeks to reduce fuel rate
If approved, the company said it would lower the bill of a typical residential customer who uses 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity a month by about 2 percent, or $2.19.

08/20/2009 Oceanfront vacationers hit with sales tax for items that are tax-free Up and down Atlantic Avenue, store after store charged five-percent sales tax on tax-exempt non-prescription drug items -- sunscreens with SPF, medicated mouthwash and first aid products. VIDEO

Cash for Clunkers to end Monday night Through Thursday, auto dealers have made deals worth $1.9 billion and are on pace to exhaust the program's $3 billion in early September. VIDEO

VW recalling 13,500 vehicles over transmission
The recall affects 2009 model year and a limited number of 2010 Jetta, Jetta SportsWagen, GTI and Eos vehicles built between September 2008 and August 2009.

08/18/2009 AP sources: Kaine to cut Va. budget by $1.3B A spokesman for the governor tell 13News there aren't budget cuts. He says Kaine will present a revised revenue forecast. VIDEO

08/13/2009 CooperVision cuts 570 jobs as it closes Norfolk plant The facility on Boissevain Avenue makes about 7 percent of annual soft contact lens production. CooperVision will relocate manufacturing to Puerto Rico, the U.K. and Australia.

08/11/2009

Va. Beach named best place in America to buy a home
A real estate Web site called zillow.com took several factors into consideration, including employment, inventory and quality of life.

08/06/2009 Save sales tax on school supplies this weekend Friday through Sunday, shoppers at retail stores in Virginia and North Carolina can buy school supplies, clothing and more without paying sales tax. VA tax-free weekend info NC tax-free weekend info VIDEO

08/05/2009

Va. tax questions? Use live chat
The new feature allows taxpayers to ask general tax questions or questions about their account.

08/01/2009

AARP looking to hire workers 55 and over
Barbara Murphy with AARP says many retirees are finding social security isn't enough to cover expenses.

07/30/2009

AP report: "cash for clunkers" program to be suspended
Dealers raised concerns of large backlogs in the system, prompting the suspension.

07/29/2009 Retailers hope tax-free weekend will spur back-to-school shopping The National Retail Federation predicts a 7.5% drop in back-to-schools sales this year, but retailers in Hampton Roads are hoping the upcoming tax-free holiday will help. VIDEO

07/28/2009 Library programs, computers book up fast The Norfolk Public Library system is breaking circulation and visitation records and officials say the economy and technology are the big reasons why. VIDEO

07/24/2009

Cash for Clunkers program underway
Most cars older than model year 2001 but younger than 25 years old qualify for the program, especially if they're gas guzzlers.
VIDEO

Minimum wage hike could threaten low earners' jobs The increase to $7.25 means 70 cents more an hour for the lowest-paid workers in the 30 states without a higher minimum and higher costs to employers. 13News report

07/22/2009 Savings helps Navy couple warm to spending freeze Finding it hard to save money, Karina Moretz and her husband decided to take a hard look at where they're spending money. VIDEO

Peninsula home sales up
The Virginia Peninsula Association of Realtors says second-quarter sales were up more than 32% from a year ago.
VIDEO

Mininum wage going up this week Some small businesses say the hike to $7.25 couldn't come at a worse time. VIDEO

07/16/2009

Look good for less at beauty schools
Students need training, so they work under the watchful eyes of licensed instructors and they cut you a good deal.
VIDEO

07/15/2009

Shop by the pound at Goodwill outlet in Va. Beach
All housewares are 59-cents a pound. Clothing weighing less than 20 pounds costs $1.39 a pound; over 20 pounds, it's $1.19 a pound.
VIDEO

Rebates for buying energy-efficient appliances
Rebates will apply to the purchase of certain Energy Star appliances, with an emphasis on heating and cooling systems, water heaters, clothes washers, dishwashers and refrigeration units.

07/14/2009

Business booms for small businesses, despite economy
"Most of it is a unique selling proposition. They have a personal relationship with their customers. You can't match that at a big box store," notes the president and CEO of Retail Alliance.
VIDEO

07/06/2009 TCC courses give free financial advice Still Hope Foundation, which empowers single moms to make sound decisions about money, is teaming up with Tidewater Community College. VIDEO

07/09/2009

You can find a lot to do for free at the library
Wednesdays at Virginia Beach City libraries are devoted to reading, art, music and more.
VIDEO

06/30/2009

Red kettles signal Christmas in July
Money is tight and many chapters can't afford to wait until the traditional holiday season to do fundraising for badly-needed programs.
VIDEO

06/29/2009 Countrywide deal funds to aid debt counseling The $50,000 will help eligible Virginia families facing home foreclosure, according to Virginia Attorney General Bill Mims.

06/18/2009 Bad gas complaints spike in Hampton Roads State officials told 13News that reports of gasoline problems dropped earlier in the week, but on Wednesday, they received 85 new reports.

06/16/2009 Theaters offer summer movie deals for your family On Tuesday and Wednesday mornings this summer, many theater chains are showing free or dollar movies. VIDEO

Teens compete with out-of-work adults for summer jobs
With the slow economy, many businesses aren’t hiring and if they are, managers are finding experienced adults knocking at the door.
VIDEO

06/15/2009 Spend a little to save a lot on vehicle maintenance The little things, from having properly-inflated tires to air filters, will keep money in your wallet. VIDEO

06/10/2009 Buy a book, help Portsmouth libraries About 19,000 donated books, tapes, DVDs, even greeting cards, will be for sale to benefit the library on Friday and Saturday. VIDEO

06/08/2009 Home vegetable gardens are worth the effort Diana Sims of Chesapeake started her garden from seeds, except for one tomato plant. She's had some problems, but the first-time gardener is hooked. VIDEO

06/04/2009 Get hooked on fishing in VA with no license weekend Starting Friday through Sunday, you don't need a fishing license for recreational rod-and-reel fishing. VIDEO

06/03/2009 State hotline connects people to services 211 is a hotline that Virginians can contact to get assistance with a problem, question or need. VIDEO

06/02/2009

Entry fees waived at national parks this weekend
All 147 Park Service sites that charge fees for entry, including parks in Virginia, will waive entrance fees from June 20-21, July 18-19 and August 15-16.
VIDEO

06/01/2009

Booking last minute can save big on summer vacation
From cruises to all-inclusive resorts, there are enough deals for your to afford a family vacation this year.
VIDEO

05/28/2009 Mystery shoppers help businesses help you Their job is to make sure businesses serve their customers right and you and the workers don't even know they're there. VIDEO

05/27/2009 Clothing makeovers can save you money Alterations can save you money and create a new look that fits your budget. VIDEO

05/22/2009 Obama creates new credit cards rules The president says the legislation will help trapped consumers get out of the "one-way street" that credit often becomes.

05/20/2009 Experts help set the stage for home sales Real estate agents say it takes two things to sell a house -- the right price and the right condition. That's where home staging can help. VIDEO Extended interview

05/19/2009 What you make depends on what you do Many people wonder what they'd make if they had a different job and whether it's worth making a career change. VIDEO

Many people see opportunity in economic downturn Experts say you don't have to spend a lot of money to make a new start by re-tooling your job skills or changing careers. VIDEO

05/15/2009 VCU to raise tuition 5 percent Tuition and mandatory fees for a typical Virginia undergraduate will go up $338 to $7,117 for the 2009-10 school year.

05/13/2009 RealtyTrac: April foreclosures rise 32 percent That means one in every 374 U.S. housing units received a foreclosure filing last month. VIDEO

05/07/2009

Columbia Gas wants to lower summer bills
Columbia Gas of Virginia says the proposed rate cut would reduce the monthly bill by $6.77 to $34.97, not including taxes, for customers who use the average 2,300 cubic feet of gas.

05/04/2009

Unemployment Express Office opens in Portsmouth
A line began forming first thing Monday morning at the facility, located at the Victory Crossing Shopping Center in Portsmouth.

05/01/2009

Small home upgrades can have big impact
Kitchen and bathroom improvements are still the key, but new paint and carpeting will give the highest return on your investment.

VIDEO

04/29/2009 Va. Natural Gas announces rate decrease Officials say they're lowering rates because the price of natural gas has dropped.

04/24/2009

Worst may be over for new home sales
After a staggering 74 percent decline from the peak in July 2005, new U.S. home sales appear to be bottoming out.
VIDEO

04/22/2009 Expect to pay more for locally-grown produce Mike Cullipher, a fifth generation farmer and owner of Cullipher Farm in Pungo, expects to see a nearly six-percent increase in produce prices at harvest time. VIDEO

04/23/2009 Check 'n Go leaving Virginia The Ohio-based payday lending company had 68 storefronts in the state earlier this month.

04/16/2009 Creativity is key to raising money Debbie Mollura, owner of Creative Gifts Galore, says gifts and donations can look even better by remembering one word - presentation. VIDEO

04/15/2009

Hampton Roads malls beating trend of vacant stores
Several malls are looking to fill vacant storefronts, but analysts say the region's doing better than other areas of the country.
VIDEO

04/09/2009 April 15 often 'taxing' time for filers Tax preparation help is free from the IRS for those who meet the financial requirements, but anyone can get their tax questions answered in person. VIDEO

04/06/2009 Free bread available to the military Every Wednesday at different military locations, the Armed Services YMCA distributes two bags of bread products per military member or dependants. VIDEO

04/02/2009

Suffolk gardening project saves money and revives lost art
Organizers of a new community gardening project say the lagging economy is what sprouted the idea but they hope it grows to much more.

04/01/2009

When outlet shopping, don't forget those coupons
One local outlet mall has coupons available in their Guest Services office, but many shoppers don't know about them.

Va Natural Gas gives customers another rate break
The Norfolk-based utility says the latest rate cut will reduce the average residential customer's monthly bill in April by $9. The cut is due to a decline in wholesale natural gas prices.

03/30/2009 Redo your home by reusing what you own "Find things that might have a new life in a different place," recommends home decorating specialist Betzy Butzer. VIDEO

Dominion Va. Power asks for 6.9% rate hike The State Corporation Commission allowed Dominion to increase its rates 18 percent last summer to cover rising fuel costs, but the company's last base rate increase was 17 years ago. VIDEO

03/27/2009 State budget cuts threaten inspections that impact your money You expect to get what you pay for, but that guarantee could be lost if state inspectors aren't checking items like gas pumps, scales and scanners at the grocery store and more. Extended interview 13News Report

03/26/2009 Extended warranties can cost you more than repairs would Buyers expect the warranties to protect them from costly repairs on their aging vehicles, but some aren't what they seem to be. VIDEO

Bonus Social Security payments to begin in May People who collect Social Security or disability benefits will receive a one-time, $250 payment beginning in May, as part of the president's economic recovery program.

Gov. Kaine considers jobless benefits changes The $787 billion economic stimulus package Congress passed and President Barack Obama signed presents a list of four criteria for states to consider that expand benefits or relax eligibility. VIDEO

03/25/2009 Charities benefit from Va. Beach woman's dedication to cutting coupons In one week, Marcia Goldsticker saved more than $350 and spent just $10.00 for products for foodbank charites. VIDEO

February new home sales rise unexpectedly The numbers provided some hope that developers have slashed prices and construction to such a large extent that sales have finally hit bottom and the worst may be past. VIDEO

03/23/2009 Economy forces some out of boat ownership As people make decisions on where to spend their money, some are just walking away from their boats, as one Hampton marina is finding out. VIDEO

03/20/2009 Talk isn't always cheap when you're trying to save money It seems everyone has a cell phone and can't imagine being without it. But with the tight economy, some people are cutting back on the options or, more dramatically, going without. VIDEO

Thrift stores can save you money and keep you looking good Take your time and you can find famous label business suits, maternity and evening wear and children's clothing. VIDEO

03/19/2009 Free gas: Too good to be true With consumers searching for the best deals and retailers using gimmicks and promotions to encourage spending, sometimes the deals aren't as good as they seem. VIDEO

03/18/2009 Consignment sales have bargains for children's items In Norfolk and Virginia Beach, two upscale consignment sales are targeting things for your child. VIDEO

03/16/2009

Obama tries to loosen credit for small businesses
He said small businesses "are the heart of the American economy" and "the heart of the American dream" and the core of "America's story."
VIDEO

03/15/2009

Bernanke: Recession will "probably" end in 2009
Fed chief cautiously optimistic on outlook of economyin "60 Minutes" interview.

03/13/2009 Website offers great deals at great Hampton Roads restaurants As people look to stretch their hard-earned dollars, many are cutting out dining out. But you don't have to. VIDEO

03/12/2009 Despite ailing economy, jobs are out there With soaring unemployment levels, local career experts advise use a common sense approach to find work. VIDEO

Va. gets $164M for energy efficiency The funding will help residents add insulation to their homes, seal leaks, and modernize heating and air conditioning equipment.

Smithfield Foods posts 3Q loss of $103.1M
The nation's largest hog producer and pork processor said Thursday its loss amounted to 72 cents per share for the period ended Feb. 1.

03/11/2009 Economy takes a bite out of Girl Scout cookie sales Local scout leaders say sales are about 10% behind the goal for this year. VIDEO

Eating healthy doesn't have to cost a lot Celebrity chefs give Oprah viewers recipes they can make at home and a local cooking instructor has tips for saving money and still eating right. VIDEO

03/09/2009 Free movie Mondays at Hampton Roads' Red Box machines Red Boxes are in many stores across Hampton Roads - grocery stores, Wal-Marts and more. VIDEO

03/07/2009

President Obama comments on unemployment numbers
The President says crisis is time of `great opportunity'

03/06/2009 Millions to fight crime headed to Virginia, North Carolina President Barack Obama's stimulus package includes money for Hampton Roads localities.

03/05/2009 Free services help you survive a layoff From filing for unemployment to using free job search services, it's a full-time job to find a new one in these economic times. VIDEO

Stimulus money stimulates online schemes, experts warn The Hampton Roads Small Business Development Center has joined several national groups to warn consumers about the promise of free money that really isn't. VIDEO

03/06/2009 US jobless rate bolts to 8.1 percent, 651K jobs lost The 8.1 percent mark for February is the highest since late 1983. VIDEO

03/04/2009 Va. financial institutions warn about data breach A system used to process Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover Card transactions was breached late last year.

02/28/2009

Obama tells powerful lobbies: Bring it on
President Obama says he's ready for a fight with lobbyists to help the ailing economy.

02/26/2009

Thrift stores are bargain-hunter's dream
The old saying "one man's trash is another man's treasure" is very true when you hit a thrift store. A few tips will help you make you a smarter shopper.

Obama continues Bush space plan, adds extra money for NASA Obama emphasizes global warming research and continues plans to retire space shuttles next year while eventually returning astronauts to the moon.

International Paper's Franklin mill to take 2 weeks downtime "Due to a slowdown in orders for our products, we are announcing lack of order downtime," Jeannine Siembida, mill manager, announced Wednesday.

02/25/2009 Sell unwanted items online to get extra money Sherrill Via styles hair by day and sells on eBay at home other times. She calls it her online garage sale. VIDEO

Circuit City seeks incentives for wind-down team The company said $4.63 million in bonuses is needed to dissuade 154 employees from leaving before what was the nation's second-largest electronics retailer closes for good.

02/24/2009

K-Mart store in Va. Beach to close in April
Liquidation sales began this week at the store on Holland Road.

AirTran, other airlines, launch fare sale for travel into fall The discount carrier that stops at Newport News-Williamsburg airport launched a fare sale to all its destinations through the usually busy summer travel season. Tickets must be booked by March 5 and are for travel through Nov. 4.

02/23/2009 Mosquito control could fall to James City Co. residents Officials are considering eliminating routine mosquito spraying to save as much as $18,000. VIDEO

Sen. Warner talks with Norfolk business owners about the economy
"If ever there's a time to check our Democratic hats and our Republican hats at the door and put the country’s interests first, it's now," Sen. Warner said.
VIDEO

Voucher helps pay for visit to the vet A $20 voucher, available online, can help cover some of the cost of basic health care for your pet. VIDEO

Obama meets with governors, announces $15B for Medicaid plans
Speaking at the close of the three-day winter session of the National Governors Association, Obama also addressed concerns about the stimulus plan raised by a handful of Republican governors who have called the plan overly large and wasteful .

Prepaid Va. tuition program extends deadline The program allows parents and others to purchase credits at current rates to cover a child's tuition and fees at any state-supported university or community college.

02/20/2009 Summer camps ready for kids, despite the economy Everyone, it seems, has to do more with less these days and the people running summer camps face the same dilemma. VIDEO

02/19/2009 People skills prized by employers It's the question a lot of people are asking: what are employers looking for in new hires? VIDEO

02/18/2009 Obama unveils $75 billion mortgage relief plan The president's plan is designed to keep as many as 9 million Americans from losing their homes to foreclosure.

NSU plans 4-day week for summer semester Norfolk State University says the move will cut energy costs and consumption.

02/17/2009 Obama signs huge stimulus, readies foreclosure aid President Barack Obama says the measure represents the "essential work of keeping the American dream alive in our time." Stimulus Package Details

Smithfield Foods to cut 1,800 jobs, close 6 plants Smithfield's town manager told 13News that officials assured him the company is committed to keeping a major presence in town. VIDEO

02/16/2009 $1 billion from feds to Virginia offsets latest loss Governor Tim Kaine says there'll be money for low-income and middle-class tax cuts, federal aid to local schools and money for road and infrastructure construction. VIDEO

02/12/2009 Foreclosures in Va. drop 30 percent in January RealtyTrac says the drop could be connected to lender moratoriums on foreclosure sales.

02/10/2009 Stamp prices to increase in May The U.S. Postal Service announced Tuesday that the price of a first-class stamp will rise to 44 cents on May 11. The Forever Stamps, if bought now for 42 cents, will remain valid.

Virginia launches Website for stimulus projects The Website allows anyone to submit ideas for projects funded by federal stimulus money to a state Web site. >>Va. Stimulus Website

02/09/2009 Dominion offers service disconnect notification program Dominion's third-party notification program lets customers designate a relative, clergy member, social service agency or friend to be notified in the event that electric service is in danger of being disconnected for nonpayment.

01/29/2009 Va. jobless rate climbs, remains lower than national average The Virginia Employment Commission says the 5.2% rate indicates the national recession is now hitting Virginia. >>Look at the stats >>Upcoming job fairs/VEC

Circuit City heads to bankruptcy court Chase Bank USA is asking the court to break its agreement with Circuit City following the electronics retailer's plans to liquidate its remaining 567 U.S. stores.

Post Office may cut mail delivery days The Postmaster General says paying bills and communicating on the Internet has "structurally changed the way America uses the mail." VIDEO

01/28/2009

New stores opening at Peninsula malls
Despite the troubled economy, Peninsula Town Center and Patrick Henry Mall are filling empty spaces.
VIDEO

01/16/2009 Good news and bad news in vehicle repair business Truck Fleet Repair in Norfolk says this is the slowest time in its 37-year history. Many auto shops, though, say people are repairing their cars rather than buy new ones. VIDEO

Circuit City close-out sales begin Saturday The Richmond-based company, which is the nation's second-biggest consumer electronics retailer, says it will lay off more than 30,000 workers as it liquidates its remaining 567 U.S. stores.

01/15/2009

DMV offers $4 discount for three-year car registration
The Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles says the change will help reduce costs.

01/13/2009 Norfolk sheriff wants cost-saving color change for squad cars Sheriff Bob McCabe says white squad cars would save $300 to $500 in brown paint per car.

01/09/2009

Hampton Roads unemployment not as high as U.S. rate
Unemployment in Hampton Roads is growing, but not nearly as much as it is nationally. Employment counselors say military and defense industries help keep unemployment lower.

VIDEO

12/31/2008 New payday lending law designed to protect borrowers Lawmakers limited borrowers to one payday loan at a time and extended the length of time they have to repay it, effectively limiting how many loans they can get each year. VIDEO

12/09/2008 Recession brings hard times for local restaurants Several popular restaurants have recently gone under, despite the fact that they could pack in the customers. But that was before the economy took a nosedive. VIDEO

12/08/2008

Yoder Dairies closing after nearly 80 years
The company is stopping its home-delivery service after losing nearly 1000 customers since January. Yoder is also closing its Virginia Beach store.

11/25/2008 Businesses offer incentives to get customers into stores Hampton Roads retailers hope to cash in as shoppers start their Christmas shopping in earnest. VIDEO

11/24/2008 Purse parties let you find your inner designer If you like designer labels but can't afford them, you can still have a one-of-a kind look -- design your own. VIDEO

11/21/2008 It pays to donate plasma As people look for ways to make extra money, plasma centers are seeing more donors. Compensation amounts vary, but donors can make as much as $600 a month. VIDEO

11/20/2008 You can eat healthy and save money, too From creating your own 100 calorie snack packs to eating "normal" size foods, you can get your body fit without taking a big bite out of your budget. Video: 13News Report Jim White's Recipes

11/13/2008 Women are becoming CFOs of their homes A recent study finds more women are making the financial decisions for their families and today's moms see themselves are role models for teaching children about money. VIDEO

In tight times, buy almost new to save money Smart shoppers believe there are some things that you should never purchase brand new - from jewelry to books. VIDEO

Getting your free credit report isn't always free A catchy ad for a Website promising to give you your credit score for free has strings attached -- a monthly monitoring fee. Video: 13News Report Government's free Website

11/12/2008 Lower winter heating costs predicted The Energy Information Administration revised its short-term energy outlook Wednesday to reflect the dramatic drop in crude oil prices.

11/10/2008 Doing home repairs yourself can save you money When money's tight, many people put off hiring somone to make repairs around the house. But there are many things you can do yourself. For most jobs, it will cost you more in time than money. VIDEO

08/07/2008 Thieves skim credit/debit card at gas pumps Thieves can tap into your private information when you pay at the pump. VIDEO