Life & Money

Andrea Coombes' Ways and Means

Inspiring savings
Having trouble putting money aside each month? These low-wage workers who manage to save as much as 5% of income might offer some inspiration.
• 10 money tips for college students

vital signs
Hospitals on the hook
 A new Medicare rule will force hospitals to pick up the tab for costly -- and avoidable -- medical errors. That could force hospitals to put a bigger focus on patient safety.

capitol report
Congress' long list of to-do's
 Lawmakers have a slew of potential bills to debate, including another stimulus package and a law giving credit-card holders more rights. But it seems unlikely much will get decided by year's end.

travel
Have card, may travel
 Cheap, convenient passport card's restrictions limit its usefulness.
• Who should get a passport card?

U.S. wholesale prices drop for fifth straight month
BY RUTH MANTELL
December's rate of inflation at the wholesale level falls for the fifth consecutive month, Labor Department data show.

The 15-Minute Tip: Spotting peer-driven money scams
BY JENNIFER OPENSHAW
You’re savvy, you know you didn’t really win the Irish National Lottery and a Nigerian princess doesn’t really need your help to get her millions out of the country, despite the many emails you’ve received on these subjects.

Your rocky relationship with money could be leading you astray
BY ANDREA COOMBES
The maelstrom sweeping through the U.S. economy has had one positive effect: More people are taking a hard look at their finances -- working to pay down debt, cut back expenses and shore up their savings.

Four ways to prosper even as you hunker down at home this winter
BY JENNIFER OPENSHAW
Look out the window at the brutal winter weather in some parts of the country and you might decide never to leave your house again. Can you turn winter blues into a comfy but also financially rewarding nesting opportunity? You bet.

Hyundai, Ford take top honors at Detroit auto show
BY RON AMADON
The Hyundai Genesis takes the Car of the Year award at the North American International Auto Show -- the first for a Korean brand -- while Ford captures the Truck of the Year honors for its redesigned F-150 pickup.

Wanted: A surgeon general who can cut to the chase on health
BY KRISTEN GERENCHER
The U.S. Surgeon General may be best known for cigarette warnings that helped to cut the percentage of American smokers in half over 40 years.

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