Money

Americans may have fewer entertainment dollars to spend these days, but according to new attendance estimates, they seem to be spending more of them at theme parks — and the Harry Potter phenomenon has a lot to do with it.

Some people really like to smoke, while most who do are simply addicted to nicotine and can’t stop. And then there are those who hate cigarettes, smokers, smoke and the smell that comes with smoking, not to mention the enormous health problems and financial costs associated with this vice.

You know about shopping holidays like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but how about Back-to-School Saturday?

Virginia Hopkins was looking forward to getting her tax refund. And why wouldn’t she be, as Uncle Sam owed the waitress from Cleveland $754. When she finally received her letter from the IRS, she tour it open and then got the shock of her life. Hopkins was staring at a check for $434,712.

Since 2009, the federal minimum wage has been $7.25. About 2.2 percent of the US workforce is paid at this minimal level.

Once upon a time, people used credit cards as back-up funds, tapping into them only when an unforeseen emergency arose. But now, thanks to the current state of the economy, a staggering number of consumers are using their cards for routine bills like mortgages and groceries.

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says the price tag on proposed fixes to Montana's Fort Peck Dam following major flooding along the Missouri River could top $225 million. But with money short, Corps officials said Wednesday they will be able to afford only $46 million in interim fixes for now...

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — The new three-year contract for Montana men's basketball coach Wayne Tinkle includes a requirement that the Griz generate at least $80,000 each year in game guarantees. It also allows Tinkle and his assistants to share any additional money up to $150,000 brought in by the so-called "money games...

It’s always a nice surprise to pull up to a parking meter and find time left over from the previous driver. But in Denver, new sensors could keep it from happening.

Student loan debt may be skyrocketing, but the students themselves will likely leave school with some nice presents — a new survey shows Americans will spend almost $5 billion on graduation gifts this year.