What’s stopping small businesses from hiring? One popular story line of the recession is that small businesses, which employ about half the workforce, are afraid to hire because they don’t know what health-care reform and tax changes will mean. Based on that narrative, some stock market observers predict that the November [ Read More → ]

NEW YORK — This year’s back-to-school season isn’t as big a bust for retailers as they feared — or as last year’s — but it’s not great either. Americans are spending only when the item and price are just right, according to August reports from major chains released Thursday [ Read More → ]

Workers are paying a larger portion of their health insurance costs as businesses shift more of the burden to their employees to help ride out the economic downturn, an annual study shows. The average employee contribution toward premiums for family coverage climbed 14 percent this year to nearly $4,000, according to [ Read More → ]

James Mayer, The Oregonian Follow Share this story Story tools Brent Wojahn/The OregonianDanna Gunn of Portland shops for shoes on the opening day of Saks Off 5th in Bridgeport Village Thursday. The store features both discounted items from the full-price Saks Fifth Avenue line and merchandise made specifically for Off 5th. 3 0 Share In 1987, Saks [ Read More → ]

WASHINGTON - More than 3 million seniors may have to switch their Medicare prescription plan next year, even if they’re perfectly happy with it, thanks to an attempt by the government to simplify their lives. The policy change could turn into a hassle for seniors who hadn’t intended to switch plans [ Read More → ]

WASHINGTON - The Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday approved changes that make it easier for shareholders to nominate directors of public companies. The 3-2 vote allows groups that own at least 3 percent of a company’s stock to put their nominees for board seats on the annual proxy ballot sent [ Read More → ]

According to new research from Child Trust Fund provider, Family Investments, the monthly cost of being a student has risen 28% since 2004. Full time students now face total living costs of £718 up from £561 in 2004. If the cost of living continues to rise at current rates, those students [ Read More → ]

WASHINGTON — It’s starting to feel like another recession. Businesses are ordering fewer goods. Home sales are the slowest in decades. Jobs are scarce, and unemployment claims are rising. Perhaps most worrisome, manufacturing activity, which had been one of the economy’s few bright spots, is faltering. “The odds of a [ Read More → ]

Anna and Charlie Reynolds of St. George, Utah, were worried about losing their home to foreclosure last year. Then they got a lucky break—from an unlikely savior. Some investment funds are emerging as the best hope for millions of U.S. households, like the Reynolds, above, who were behind on [ Read More → ]

As you help pack up the minifridge, laptop and extra-long twin sheets for your college freshman, you might consider a few other last-minute chores: • Scour your health-insurance coverage for loopholes. • Reread your homeowner’s insurance policy. • Call your lawyer.Sending a child off to college for the first time is wrenching enough, [ Read More → ]