Holidays | featured news

Republicans in the House have blocked a bill that would have extended jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed beyond the holiday season.

The creator of the widely syndicated comic "Garfield" has apologized for a strip that ran on Veterans Day that some critics saw as making fun of the holiday honoring those who served in the U.S. military.

Amid the deluge of holiday music that comes in November and December, Mariah Carey’s Merry Christmas II You and Susan Boyle’s The Gift are poised to make all those other seasonal crooners sound like off-key carolers.

Who says nothing's free on planes anymore?

Are you filling Santa's bag this year using paper or plastic? Millions of Americans will trim the tree this year with a credit card balance still left over from last year. Don't let this be you. It virtually guarantees you aren't saving enough to protect against the many uncertainties in the economy. And chances are, if you're charging up your credit cards, you also aren't investing enough in your retirement and education funds to make sure the future is secure.

If you want to show up at a Halloween party dressed as a character everyone will know -- but you don't have a ton of cash to blow -- try making your own outfit. Instead of buying $50 to $100 worth of plastic junk that you'll throw away on November 1, head to the thrift shop and craft store.

If you want to show up at a Halloween party dressed as a
character everyone will know -- but you don t have a ton of cash to blow -- try
making your own outfit. Instead of buying $50 to $100 worth of plastic junk
that you ll throw away on November 1, head to the thrift shop and craft store.

“For the holidays, the tablets will be mostly Android-based, plus the iPad,” said Mike Vitelli, Best Buy’s President of North and South American business, in an interview.

There are only 96 more shopping days until Christmas. This year, experts say, you should be shopping early for more than just gifts. "Airline fares are 20 to 30 percent above last year's rates, and they vary day to day," said Tom Parsons of Bestfares.com.

Far more Americans are predicted to hit the road this weekend to celebrate July Fourth than did last year.

More Americans are planning vacations away from home this Fourth of July weekend, even as summer travelers plan to stick to tight budgets, according to two recent surveys.

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