Economy

The recession may have left unemployment rates a mess and killed the housing market, but if you’re looking for a silver lining, here it is: we’re all better shoppers now because of it.

How do dying trees affect the state's economy you ask?  Well, stop and think about all the things and stuff that's made from forest products. From lumber and building materials to paper products, to thousands of jobs,the forest products industry is a major driver of the Texas economy.  If trees are dying off, we all feel it.

According to a new study, waiting at home for deliveries or scheduled repairs to cable, phones, internet service or utilities costs Americans a staggering $37.7 billion a year in lost income.

Dust off all the cliches. There's nothing new under the sun.  All things old are new again.  Remember that funny looking rabbit ear antenna that used to sit on top of  your old TV set?  Don't laugh, but rabbit ears are making a comeback.

In September, Bank of America announced it would soon begin charging customers a $5 monthly fee for using their debit cards, saying it was recouping losses from new laws that limited how much it could charge merchants when debit cards were swiped during transactions. But after a firestorm of negative publicity, BofA waved the white flag of surrender and scrapped the controversial plan.

While child care-givers such as babysitters and nannies have traditionally been women, the recent dip in the economy lead some men into the profession as well. Dubbed “mannies,” the guys are often unemployed teachers, daycare workers or fathers.

A study by scientists at Rice University says Galveston officials should seriously consider abandoning the west end of the island -- and retreating to the area behind the seawall to avoid being swamped by rising seas.

The holidays can be expensive, and this year 21 percent of Americans plan to get a second job to help pay for all the gifts and travel costs that go with the season.