Money Matters

When fuel prices hit an all-time high a few years ago, many airlines began charging passengers to check their bags. The fees are unpopular, so there are probably lots of frequent fliers happy that airlines are now raking in less money from them. But don’t laugh too hard — what they’re getting still isn’t chump change.

Have you ever bought a cheap airline fare, only to be hit with fees later on that turned it into a far more expensive ticket? Congratulations — you’re a victim of ‘drip pricing.’ And the problem, which spawns several industries, has gotten so pervasive that the Federal Trade Commission is stepping in.

It’s not unusual for college students to graduate with a hefty student loan debt. But according to a new study, many don’t know how much they owe — and some aren’t aware they owe anything at all.

If you’re a Verizon Wireless customer who was grandfathered in with an unlimited data plan after the company eliminated the option for new customers, enjoy it while it lasts — the company will be moving you to a tiered plan soon.

A man in the UK who was upset with his accountant chose a rather unusual way to express his irritation: he paid off his $1,200 bill for services rendered in coins. But the accountant got the last laugh by taking his client to court.

With the unemployment rate being what it is, a lot of people these days are being forced to work for minimum wage. But exactly how much you get could depend largely on what state you’re in.

Here’s the good news: Americans have better credit scores now than we have in the past few years. But there’s bad news, too: credit standards are now so high that it may not matter much.

Back in the 1980s, American Airlines decided to boost its corporate coffers by offering unlimited lifetime airpasses for $350,000. Only 66 people purchased them, but now that American has yanked the passes from some of those travelers, they’re suing.

Posting a Facebook update and making sure it gets the maximum exposure could soon be as simple as opening your wallet, if you can believe it. The social media giant is rolling out a new program that will allow its members to pay a small fee to highlight or promote their posts.

Seems the path to riches may involve a moving truck. According to a new study, some states are more conducive to building wealth than others, and where you live could help you climb the economic ladder.

Which social media site do you think drives more consumers to make actual purchases, Pinterest or Facebook?

Many analysts predicted doom and gloom for gas prices this summer, with some saying they could reach as high as $6 per gallon. But it seems those concerns were for naught — fuel costs have been on the decline and are now expected to stay well below last year’s prices.