About Me 0114: Women Making Money

In times of economic troubles, consumers are letting go of hopes that America will experience a sudden turn-around; instead they are buckling down, and taking their saving money practices to the a new level. These saving tactics apply to everyone from those struggling week to week, to families attempting less wasteful practices. Here are nine ways that today's consumers are saving according to a recent MarketPulse survey which aims to find the impact the economy is having on people's personal finances, shopping behavior, and money-saving strategies.

1. Staying in for dinner. Eating out can be one of the most expensive culprits of an over-stuffed budget. Families are now eating modest meals at home to avoid $100 checks after dinner.

2. Beautifying at home. Women are starting to rethink those weekly manicures and overpriced haircuts. Instead they are painting their nails at home and using do-it-yourself beauty products.

3. Making grocery lists. Instead of wandering hungry into the supermarket and tossing tons of packaged goods into the cart, consumers have taken a conservative approach to grocery shopping: they make lists and stick to them.

4. Rethinking non-essential groceries. Additionally, families are really starting to think about what they need and what they don't. Slices of fancy cheddar cheese may have seemed worthy in months past, but now there's no sense in splurging on items like that.

5. Making simpler home meals. Even family meals served at home can be costly when specialty ingredients and complicated recipes are involved. Many Americans have cut back in recent years by searching for simpler recipes online, and keeping ingredients lists to a minimum.

6. Clipping and searching for coupons. More and more, people are doing some good old-fashioned coupon clipping. Why not, when you can save 50 cents, 75 cents, sometimes even a dollar or two on essentials like milk, pet food, and school supplies? If you're going to buy it anyway, snatching some extra savings is never a bad thing.

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The CNN Washington Bureau’s morning speed read of the top stories making news from around the country and the world. Click on the headlines for more.

WASHINGTON/POLITICAL:

CNN: House passes payroll tax plan opposed by Obama

Another Washington political showdown took shape Tuesday as the House of Representatives passed a Republican plan that would extend the payroll tax cut and speed the process for government approval of the Keystone XL oil pipeline.

CNN: Keystone pipeline a tough decision for Obama

From the beginning, the Keystone XL oil pipeline project presented President Barack Obama with a choice certain to anger part of his political base.

CNN: Obama and the politics of disappointment

All politicians disappoint their supporters. It is a relentless truth in D.C. They make pledges they can't keep, say things they don't mean, and encounter stiff headwinds in office that were just distant breezes on the campaign trail. The bigger their failed promises, the bigger the disappointment.

CNN: Axelrod: Longer GOP primary helps Obama

President Barack Obama's top re-election campaign advisers predict that an extended Republican primary battle will produce a weakened GOP nominee, and that a longer process could drain the independent Republican super PACs of much of their money.

NATIONAL:

CNN: Sandusky prepared to fight child rape charges, attorney says

Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, who is accused of sexually abusing boys, remains "totally prepared and committed to proving his innocence" after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday, his attorney said.

CNN: Police arrest 3 in Florida A&M University student's beating

Three members of Florida A&M University's marching band have been charged with hazing a fellow member of the famous Marching 100 who took her complaints to police.

CNN: More women in combat means more mothers with PTSD

It wasn't until five months after Army Staff Sgt. June Moss returned from the Iraq war in 2003 that her real battle began. The horrors of the war - witnessing decapitated and burned bodies amid mass destruction - led to post-traumatic stress disorder.

CNN: Google joins fight against slavery with $11.5 million grant

Google Inc. announced Wednesday that it's providing $11.5 million in grants to 10 organizations working to end modern-day slavery and human trafficking. Gary Haugen, president and CEO of International Justice Mission, one of the grant recipients, called the move a "game-changing investment."

INTERNATIONAL:

CNN: 5 dead, scores injured in Belgium grenade, gun attack

A grenade and gun attack in this eastern Belgian city left five people dead, including the attacker, and 119 wounded Tuesday, authorities said.

CNN: As troops leave, Iraq wants surge of American business

As the United States completes its withdrawal of all military forces from Iraq by the end of the month, Iraq's prime minister made a pitch to leaders of American commerce and industry Tuesday: Iraq is open for business.

CNN: Ahmadinejad: Iran has 'been able to control' U.S. drone

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Tuesday that his country has "been able to control" the U.S. drone that Iran claims it recently brought down, Venezuelan state TV reported.

CNN: Alleged Libyan rape victim struggling to start anew in America

Hers is a struggle shared by all freshly arrived refugees in the United States. Learning English. Getting a job. Adapting to American culture.

BUSINESS:

CNN Money: Stocks pull back after Fed

U.S. stocks ended in the red Tuesday, giving up an earlier rally, after the Federal Reserve kept rates unchanged and issued a tepid outlook.

CNN Money: Keystone pipeline: How many jobs it would really create

The Keystone pipeline project is back in play as part of the payroll-tax cut debate, and Congressional Republicans say it would create jobs.

CNN Money: Existing home sales to be revised lower

If you thought the U.S. housing market couldn't get much worse, think again.

In Case You Missed It…

Republican presidential candidate Jon Huntsman tells CNN's Erin Burnett China is "no ally" of the United States.

About Me 0114

Monday, December 26, 2011

Women Making Money

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