No, you don't need a 20% down payment to buy a home

Many Americans may be unnecessarily talking themselves out of homeownership. Thirty-seven percent of non-homeowners say not having enough saved for a down payment is holding them back from homeownership, but 62% of Americans incorrectly believe you have to have at least 20% of a home’s purchase price to buy, according to NerdWallet’s 2020 Home Buyer Report.

Cyber Monday draws $1.74 billion

The power of politeness

A pompous and arrogant customer in an antique shop was making the owner drag out fragile, old pieces, and then commenting on their poor quality and high prices. After about an hour, she looked at her watch and said she had to go.

Wal-Mart cuts profit outlook

Stock dragged down by sluggish sales, high health care costs

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. cut its annual profit outlook on Thursday amid sluggish sales, higher-than-expected health care costs and the need to invest more in its e-commerce operations.

Hawaii targets waterfall trespassers

HAUULA, Hawaii - The managers of Hawaii's state parks are turning to social media to counter online photos and statements encouraging people to visit a waterfall where a landslide killed eight people more than 15 years ago.

Home prices increase in 17 cities in June

Prices expected to fall through rest of the year

COEUR d'ALENE - Home prices rose in June for a third straight month as now-expired tax credits inspired a burst of home-buying. But prices are expected to fall through the rest of the year now that demand has faded.

Gas price may drop as oil joins commodities plunge

NEW YORK - Investors finally hit the brakes on oil, gold, silver and food prices. This week's sharp sell-off doesn't mean commodity prices' stunning rise over the last several months is over, but it is good news for anyone planning a road trip this summer.

Fiscally fit due to Fido

U.S. trade group: Spending on pets at all-time high

Common wine misconceptions

This time of year when folks are buying wine as gifts for friends and family we get many questions about wine - from grapes to packaging - that in many cases are simple misconceptions regarding the manufacture, flavors and origins of fermented grape juice so here are answers to some of the more common ones.

That time of year

A widely agreed upon axiom of the wine industry is that the most expensive "bubbles" you will buy are in the fourth and first quarters of each year. With the Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and other holidays in the fourth and Valentine's Day in the first quarter, the theory is well grounded in fact. Champagne and other sparkling wines are more in demand, and therefore consumers are a bit less price-conscious. After all, at these special times of year, we all want to treat our guests and ourselves to the best possible "bubbly" experience.

Boo-boos that can burst your credit score bubble

I recently received a pleasant email from a reader letting me know that he bumped up his credit score by almost 100 points with information I shared in this column. In that spirit, I thought I would share some more practical tips to avoid mistakes — and maybe boost your score as well.

New-car conundrum

Demand sky high, inventory rock bottom - and here's why

Automotive shortage an hidden repercussion of COVID-19

To list or not

With the frigid temperatures upon us it seems to many that no one could possibly be interested in looking for real estate. If that were true, there are nearly a thousand Coeur d'Alene Association of Realtors members that would take the winter off. Instead, we endure the cold and slick roads with the knowledge that only serious buyers are looking now.

Small business resolution: People first

The National Retail Federation reports that of America’s nearly 3.8 million retailers, 99 percent are small businesses. That means that unlike their big counterparts, most business owners don’t have big budgets or dedicated teams of MBAs guiding their marketing strategies.

IDFG sales, hunter reports back online

People once again can buy Idaho hunting and fishing licenses and tags online, but they will have to establish a user name and password to get entrance into the system.

McEUEN: Price a starting point

Oh, where to start? Lack of a price tag, future home of year round boat launch with ample and close by parking for boat trailers, future home of the American Legion ball fields? No answers to these questions, just that we will find out at a later date, just go along with us and we will fill in the blanks. Sure sounds a lot like the health bill, doesn't it? Before I buy anything I find out what the cost will be so that I can be sure it fits into my budget; that only makes financial sense.

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — Natural talent

Many of you have met one of our most talented and hard-working distributor sales people, Kevin Olsonberg. We work with him a lot so naturally he is at many of our winemaker dinners and tastings with the wineries he represents. Many of you also know that he is a talented musician, a rock and roll and country music drummer. Kevin was nominated for a regional Grammy Award not long ago. With his passion and background, we often talk music, all kinds of music. Kevin “grew up” if you will, emulating many of the great jazz drummers, and given the choice I suspect would love to be drumming with a jazz group.

Applying for Obamacare

Process could be just as daunting as filing taxes. Associated Press reports

Want cheapskates to spend? Hawk gizmos that save

NEW YORK - How do you get penny pinchers to spend these days? Pitch products that promise to save them money.

Housing ups and downs

Mortgage rates going down, but so is confidence of buyers worried about employment