Personal Finance - The Salt Lake Tribune

Business Insight: To find happiness, be sure to take the right road

Wed, 22 May 2013 09:53:03 MDT

Business Insight: To find happiness, be sure to take the right road

by Dawn House The Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 22, 2013 09:53AM MDT

Lynda Wallace, author of “A Short Course in Happiness: Practical Steps to a Happier Life,” says the debate over happiness is often confused, and that dispelling the myths surrounding the mental state is the first step toward achieving it. What makes us happy? One of the most reliable ways to answer that question is to study what very happy people have in common. Turns out there are four things very happy people do that make the difference. I call them the Four Elements of Happiness, and we ca...

Copyright 2013 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

SBA starting new lending program for veterans

Tue, 21 May 2013 21:49:13 MDT

SBA starting new lending program for veterans

by Joyce M. Rosenberg The Associated Press

Published May 21, 2013 09:49PM MDT

New York • The Small Business Administration says it has lined up pledges from more than 120 banks to increase lending to veterans. The agency said Tuesday it’s starting a program, the SBA Veteran Pledge Initiative, aimed at increasing lending to veteran-owned businesses by 5 percent a year for the next five years. The 20 major banks known as SBA National Lending Partners are making the pledge along with about 100 regional banks across the country. The program is expected to help an additional 2...

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

PayPal bringing more mobile pay to brick mortar world

Tue, 21 May 2013 18:36:03 MDT

PayPal bringing more mobile pay to brick mortar world

by Heather Somerville San Jose Mercury News

Published May 21, 2013 06:36PM MDT

San Jose, Calif. • PayPal is doubling down on efforts to bring the mobile payment platform to brick-and-mortar stores and restaurants, offering new pay-from-your-smartphone services that threaten to make the physical wallet obsolete. At an event at PayPal headquarters in San Jose on Tuesday, President David Marcus unveiled mobile features for shopping, eating out and attending sports games without needing to use cash or a credit card. The eBay Inc. subsidiary is pushing for a shift from the deca...

Copyright 2013 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

JPMorgan shareholders spare Dimon, but seek changes

Tue, 21 May 2013 18:29:02 MDT

JPMorgan shareholders spare Dimon, but seek changes

by Christina Rexrode The Associated Press

Published May 21, 2013 06:29PM MDT

Tampa, Fla. • Jamie Dimon, the CEO and chairman of JPMorgan Chase, easily survived a vote Tuesday that would have called on him to give up his role as chairman of the nation’s largest bank. But shareholders sent a message that the bank needed better oversight, giving only narrow approval to three of the bank’s board members. It was a mixed verdict in a closely watched test of corporate governance at U.S. companies. Dimon emerged in a stronger position after the proposal to split his roles won j...

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Use your smartphone to find e-coupons and discounts

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:11:32 MDT

Use your smartphone to find e-coupons and discounts

by Claire Martin The Denver Post

Published May 19, 2013 01:11AM MDT

With one child in college and another in high school, seeing a movie on the big screen is a rare indulgence for our family. So when our high school student wanted some concession-stand popcorn after we bought our tickets, I rolled my eyes as she walked over, wallet in one hand and cellphone, of course, in the other. “What did that set you back?” I asked when she returned, popcorn in hand. “Two bucks,” she said. “I had a coupon on my phone.” D’oh! And so the younger generation schools the older w...

Copyright 2013 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Latest oil boom may have transformative effects

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:09:28 MDT

Latest oil boom may have transformative effects

by Jonathan Fahey The Associated Press

Published May 19, 2013 01:09AM MDT

The surge in oil production in the U.S. and Canada, and shrinking oil consumption in the developed world, is transforming the global oil market. The threat of chronic oil shortages is all but gone, U.S. dependence on Middle Eastern oil will continue to dwindle, and oil will increasingly flow to the developing economies of Asia, according to a five-year outlook published last week by the International Energy Agency. The changes will have “significant consequences for the global economy and oil se...

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Pooling friends’ money with yours for Powerball? Beware

Fri, 17 May 2013 22:02:17 MDT

Pooling friends’ money with yours for Powerball? Beware

by Barbara Rodriguez The Associated Press

Published May 17, 2013 10:02PM MDT

In workplaces across the nation, Americans this week have invited their colleagues to chip in $2 for a Powerball ticket and a shared daydream. The office lottery pool is a way to improve your odds and have a little fun with co-workers. And besides, who wants to be the only person at work the next day when everyone quits? With $600 million on the line, this is the time to play. It’s the largest-ever Powerball jackpot and the second-largest world jackpot of all time. And it could get even bigge...

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Study: More high school students saving for college as costs rise

Fri, 17 May 2013 22:00:29 MDT

Study: More high school students saving for college as costs rise

by Jennifer Napier-pearce The Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 17, 2013 10:00PM MDT

Magna • For Cyprus High School senior Alexius Artez, going to college has always been a goal, but she didn’t actually start thinking about how she was going to pay for it until her junior year. “I was really set on the U. [University of Utah] and then things started to become reality,” Artez said. “I was like, there’s no way I can pay for that.” So she’ll attend Salt Lake Community College this fall instead, where tuition will be $2,924 compared with $6,511 at the University of Utah. Rising tu...

Copyright 2013 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Dow, S&P shine in 4th week of gains

Fri, 17 May 2013 18:27:02 MDT

Dow, S&P shine in 4th week of gains

reuters

Published May 17, 2013 06:27PM MDT

Stocks continued their climb into uncharted territory on Friday, racking up the fourth week of gains in a row as encouraging economic data prompted investors to pick up shares of growth companies. The Dow and the S&P 500 finished at fresh record highs, driven by gains in energy and industrial shares. The indexes have pushed to a series of never-before-seen levels as part of the rally that has lifted equities more than 16 percent for the year so far. In a sign of how far the market has come, the...

Copyright 2013 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Watercooler: Better ways to search online for a job

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:01:03 MDT

Watercooler: Better ways to search online for a job

mcclatchey Newspapers

Published May 17, 2013 05:01PM MDT

Although the employment picture is brighter, finding the right job remains a challenge. There are, however, websites specializing in employment listings that can enhance the hunt for a new job. If you’re in the market for work or even a career change, here are a few places that might help: EmploymentGuide.com • Explore job openings in a specific industry or by location, at http://www.employmentguide.com/browsejobsnew.html. FlipDog.com • Find jobs in a local area, or by most popular cities, sta...

Copyright 2013 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Natural gas rate hike would cost typical Utah user $50 more a year

Fri, 17 May 2013 11:58:53 MDT

Natural gas rate hike would cost typical Utah user $50 more a year

by Steven Oberbeck The Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 17, 2013 11:58AM MDT

For most of the past five years, Utahns have enjoyed the benefits of an abundance of natural gas that has kept the lid on monthly bills for the fuel used to keep their homes warm and their water hot. But a recent rebound in the price from a five-year low means that’s likely about to change to the tune of about $50 a year for the typical residential customer. Questar Gas is asking state utility regulators for permission to increase the amount it collects by $61 million. If the state’s Public Serv...

Copyright 2013 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Small SUVs fair poorly in crash tests

Thu, 16 May 2013 22:02:12 MDT

Small SUVs fair poorly in crash tests

by Tom Krisher The Associated Press

Published May 16, 2013 10:02PM MDT

Detroit • Only two of 13 small SUVs performed well in front-end crash tests conducted by an insurance industry group, with several popular models faring poorly in the evaluations. Subaru’s 2014 Forester was the only vehicle to get the top “good” rating in the results released Thursday. The 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport was rated as “acceptable.” But fast-selling models such as the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V and Jeep Wrangler received only “marginal” or “poor” ratings from the Insurance Institute ...

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Big banks weaken rule on derivatives, alarming critics

Thu, 16 May 2013 18:32:02 MDT

Big banks weaken rule on derivatives, alarming critics

by Marcy Gordon The Associated Press

Published May 16, 2013 06:32PM MDT

Washington • A rule intended to loosen the largest U.S. banks’ control over the trading of complex investments and help safeguard the financial system was weakened Thursday by regulators. Critics say the changes will allow major Wall Street banks to continue to dominate the $700 trillion derivatives market. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission approved the rule on a 4-1 vote. Commissioner Jill Sommers cast the dissenting vote. Under the rule, investment firms would be required to request pri...

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Business Insight: How to hire the right team player

Wed, 15 May 2013 21:34:39 MDT

Business Insight: How to hire the right team player

by Dawn House The Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 15, 2013 09:34PM MDT

Bruce Piasecki, author of “Doing More with Teams: The New Way to Winning,” says in a global economy even the most brilliant individual cannot compete with a cohesive, high-functioning team. Why not look for the best performer among applicants? In this swift and severe new world, companies cannot afford bad hires. Owners and captains must select the most workable team possible for efficiency, cost-competitiveness and long-term survival. That means choosing loyal, inventive team players who ...

Savvy Consumer: How to be young, have fun, on the cheap

Wed, 15 May 2013 21:34:39 MDT

Savvy Consumer: How to be young, have fun, on the cheap

good Housekeeping Reports

Published May 15, 2013 09:34PM MDT

Sometimes our lives can become so hectic that we forget to stop and have fun. Here are some tips to help bring out your youthful, cheery side. Swing by Forever 21 • You and your closest pal can treat each other to a few pairs of sparkly $3.80 earrings. Quality friend time plus bling equals an afternoon of delicious decadence. Think retro • The 1980s — and Alexis Carrington — are calling. Microwave some popcorn, silence your phone and queue up old episodes of “Dynasty,” “Dallas” and “Knots Land...

Stock indexes rise for another record close

Wed, 15 May 2013 17:34:03 MDT

Stock indexes rise for another record close

bloomberg News

Published May 15, 2013 05:34PM MDT

New York • U.S. stocks rose Wednesday, pushing benchmark indexes to fresh records, as data showing weakness in manufacturing fueled bets the Federal Reserve will be in no hurry to scale back stimulus. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose 0.5 percent, to 1,658.78. The benchmark equity gauge has set a record in nine of the past 10 sessions. The Dow Jones industrial average added 60.44 points, or 0.4 percent, to a record 15,275.69. More than 6.5 billion shares traded hands on U.S. exchanges Wednesd...

Judge reinstates Wells Fargo fine tied to overdraft fees

Wed, 15 May 2013 17:20:03 MDT

Judge reinstates Wells Fargo fine tied to overdraft fees

reuters

Published May 15, 2013 05:20PM MDT

A federal judge has again ordered Wells Fargo to pay $203 million to settle class-action litigation accusing it of imposing excessive overdraft fees on checking account customers, reviving an award that had been thrown out last year. U.S. District Judge William Alsup reinstated a penalty he first imposed in August 2010, saying the fourth-largest U.S. bank violated a California law that protects consumers against fraudulent misrepresentations. “Wells Fargo was profiting off its most vulnerable cu...

Recalls for Land of Nod dolls, Nissan models

Wed, 15 May 2013 12:34:02 MDT

Recalls for Land of Nod dolls, Nissan models

good Housekeeping Reports

Published May 15, 2013 12:34PM MDT

The following products and vehicles were recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Unless otherwise indicated, discontinue use of the products immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information about the products, call the manufacturer or CPSC’s toll-free hotline, 800-638-2772. Only some cars or trucks recalled are affected. Contact a dealer for your model to see if it is included in the reca...

Dow, S&P 500 close at record highs, again

Wed, 15 May 2013 10:01:34 MDT

Dow, S&P 500 close at record highs, again

the Associated Press

Published May 15, 2013 10:01AM MDT

New York • The stock market is back in record territory after an upturn in small-company stocks. A survey released Tuesday by the National Federation of Independent Business found that small business owners were slightly more optimistic in April. That helped send the Russell 2000 index of small company stocks up 1.3 percent, more than other market indexes. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 123 points to close at a record 15,215 Tuesday, a gain of 0.8 percent. It was the 18th straight Tuesday...

Bloomberg editor apologizes for snooping on clients

Mon, 13 May 2013 16:38:02 MDT

Bloomberg editor apologizes for snooping on clients

combined News Services

Published May 13, 2013 04:38PM MDT

New York • The editor-in-chief of Bloomberg News apologized Monday for the financial news service’s practice of accessing private data on clients through the company’s information service. Journalists at Bloomberg News, until recently, had been able to see when clients last accessed their Bloomberg information terminals and what broad categories of functions they used. Goldman Sachs had complained that a Bloomberg reporter was using the information to investigate if a Goldman employee had depart...