Money Matters

The price of movie tickets hit an all-time high last year — $7.93 on average, a four-cent increase from 2010. At the same time, box office earnings sank a full four percent. So what’s going on?

Coupons are making a comeback, thanks to Americans trying to find ways to deal with the economic downturn. According to NCH Marketing Services’ 2012 coupon facts survey, we redeemed $4.6 billion worth last year, a 59 percent increase from five years ago. But what do we use them for most?

Just about everyone was hit hard by the bad economy and had to change their lifestyles in at least some small way. Now that we’re all attempting to regain our footing, there’s actually one group of people having a harder time doing so than everyone else.

If you’re so happy with your bank, wireless provider and pay TV service that you didn’t switch providers last year, a new study says you’re in the minority.

Remember the summer of 2008 when the highest gas prices on record occurred and the price for a gallon of fuel hit $4.11? Hate to break this to yah, but a warm winter and tensions in the Middle East have some analysts predicting current prices will top $4 by this spring — and could even climb as high as $6.50.

Ever pull up to a gas pump and whip out the plastic to pay at the pump?  Convenience is a must in this day and age.  Why go inside and have to wait for the clerk when you can pay at the pump?

If you have a dozen Valentines — or just want 12 people to love you — Krispy Kreme is here to help. When you buy a dozen donuts at one of its franchises from now through February 14, you’ll get a dozen free Valentine’s cards, and each one is good for a free donut!

Americans shelled out more for holiday presents last year, and it looks like that trend will carry over to Valentine’s Day — analysts expect spending on gifts like flowers, candy, cards and jewelry to rise eight percent compared to numbers seen in 2011.

Tax day is right around the corner — but that doesn’t mean we’ll all pay our fair share. An IRS survey last year found the percentage of people who thought it was acceptable to cheat “as much as possible” on their returns doubled compared to 2010.

Economically, it’s been a rough few years. But things seem to be improving — a new survey says that for the first time since 2009, Americans aren’t pinching pennies quite the way we used to.

As if it wasn’t tough enough for low-income people to make ends meet, a new study indicates they may be paying more for car insurance than wealthier folks, too.

When people are shopping online, many rely on reviews written by previous buyers to help steer them in the right direction. But it seems some of those reviews may not be as honest as we think. In fact, some product manufacturers are actually paying shoppers to write them — albeit in a roundabout way.