Republicans grill Bernanke over inflation threat

By JEANNINE AVERSA

'American dream' out of reach for many in Kootenai County

Affordability gap driving lifelong locals elsewhere

Just 30% of people make enough to buy a home, and that excludes financial factors like debts from student loans or car payments and money in savings for a down payment. So who can afford to buy a home in Kootenai County?

Why you should buy wine like a collector

We frequently hear two things from even our best customers about buying wine from a wine shop; first, it takes an extra stop, and second that wine from a wine shop is more expensive than from a grocery store. The first one is absolutely true, we are an extra stop. The second though is absolutely false. We regularly keep wine on the shelf from $8 and up, most times it is better quality and more unique than what you find at your typical supermarket.

Cheap money

Interest rates remain at record lows

COEUR d'ALENE - Times may be tough, but money is cheap. With interest rates remaining at record low levels, and expected to stay that way into 2012, consumers have one of their best opportunities in some time to buy a car or refinance a mortgage, thanks in part to super-low inflation.

Staples buys Office Depot for $6B

Move to keep pace with change as online sales grow

NEW YORK - Evolving shopping habits have forced yet another retailer to think outside the box.

Cyber Monday transforms as shoppers are more connected

The Monday after Thanksgiving is still a time when millions of Americans pause to check out online deals and check off items from their gift list

VIDEO: Washington among top five most expensive states to buy a home

Homebuyer.com ranked Washington in the top five most expensive states to buy a home based on median price and percentage of income toward payment.

It is about more than money

With better employment in the county and with interest rates dropping again last week, there are likely more qualified buyers in the market than at any time in recent history. The problem many of those prospective buyers are having is finding suitable properties to buy.

Housing reports cause confusion

It is no wonder that people have such a hard time getting a grasp on the housing market. Reports this week, like many others, are mixed. On Tuesday the Associated Press issued a headline stating that. "U.S. home price gains slow in June." Aside from the fact that tomorrow is the first day of September and the article was created in late August this article caused concern for some.

Edible? Yes. Incredible? That's up to you.

If you want to know trends at the grocery store just ask a cashier. While many different items come through the checkout line, there is an old trend that is new again and in almost everyone’s basket. Here is your hint: they come by the dozen and shoppers are very particular about how they’re bagged. Yes, we’re talking about eggs!

What would Buffett do?

In light of the current uncertainty in the real estate market, if you were thinking of Jimmy Buffett, your answer may be, "Blend another Margarita." If, on the other hand, you were thinking Warren Buffett, your answer would likely be, "Only buy something that you'd be perfectly happy to hold if the market shut down for 10 years."

Time really is money

You must have seen the news last week as headlines screamed, "Rising Homes Sales Point to a Recovery." It seems that the economy is so slow that any news is good news, although the discriminating reader is bound to suspect any improvement, given that real estate prices continue their decline.

Big stakes on Black Friday

Where did $50 million in pandemic education relief money in Idaho go?

State paid over $2.6 million in administrative fees to ClassWallet, the vendor of software that Idaho hired to run its Strong Families, Strong Students Program

In 2020, Idaho found itself with $1.25 billion in federal funding to spend on coronavirus relief. Of that money, $50 million went to a program providing families with education spending grants. To get the money in those families’ hands, Idaho awarded a lucrative no-bid contract to a company represented by longtime Idaho Republican Tom Luna.

Searching for airfares doesn't have to be a gamble

NEW YORK - Searching for airfares often seems to be a game passengers are set up to lose.

BlueStreak bluegrass band at JACC

The Jacklin Arts and Cultural Center will present BlueStreak, a bluegrass band, on Feb. 7. The concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the center, 405 William St., Post Falls.

Buying pushing prices to record highs

U.S. home sales surged in June to fastest pace in 8-plus years

A gleaming return

Why gold is making a comeback

Gold is having a summer revival.

Defying inflation, Americans ramped up spending last month

Most economists to anticipate holiday shopping jumping by a record amount this year

Strictly business

Herbalife stock surges after Icahn grabs stake