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Claudia Buck

FILE- This May 2, 2012, file photo shows a sign advertising job openings outside a McDonalds restaurant in Chesterland, Ohio. The Labor Department said Tuesday, May 8, that U.S. companies in March posted the highest number of job openings in nearly four years, a sign that hiring could strengthen in the coming months after slowing this spring. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta, File)

Summer hiring heats up for teens

Last updated Tuesday, May 8, 2012 - 9:28am

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Petco needs dog grooming assistants. Sports Authority wants merchandise handlers. Jamba Juice can use some juicers. And RiteAid hopes to find a "wellness ambassador."

From pet stores to pharmacies, the job market for teens is warming up along with the weather.

And for teens thinking about a summer paycheck, now's the time to pounce. Hiring is expected to be better than during the pits of the recession, and there'll be less competition from jobless adults looking for part-time, seasonal work, according to several hiring studies.

Business, Summer jobs, Teens Read more Comments

According to a study released last week, 610,000 U.S. consumers jilted their existing bank and hooked up with a new one between October and December, specifically citing "Bank Transfer Day" as their reason.

More than 600,000 angry consumers switched banks

Claudia Buck The Sacramento Bee

Last updated Friday, February 10, 2012 - 1:53pm

Three months ago, many bank customers were fuming. They didn't like big bank bailouts, and they didn't like the $5 debit card fees that Bank of America and other institutions were rolling out.

Across the country, consumer activists and Occupy Wall Street groups urged customers to dump their old bank and switch to a new one, presumably with fewer fees. Through blogs, billboards and bullhorns, Nov. 5 was officially designated as "Bank Transfer Day."

So what was the result?

Business, Banking, Banks, Occupy protestors, Occupy Wall Street, Protest Read more Comments

Dental-discount website claims to track deals

Claudia Buck The Sacramento Bee

Last updated Thursday, July 14, 2011 - 1:24pm

Here's something to sink your teeth into: discounted rates for dental work.

That's the promise of Brighter.com, an online company based in Santa Monica, Calif. that offers discounts of up to 60 percent off everything from root canals to teeth whitening to braces.

Launched in May, it aims to give consumers more educated choices when choosing, and paying for, dental care. Brighter.com representatives say it has a total of 25,000 participating dentists in every state except Florida, Montana and Vermont. Coverage is coordinated through Careington, a Texas-based provider of discounted dental, medical and vision plans.

Business, Dentists, Website Read more Comments

Tax refund? Here's how you can spend it

Claudia Buck, The Sacramento Bee

Last updated Tuesday, April 26, 2011 - 3:39pm

If you're the average taxpayer getting money back from the IRS this year, you'll be sitting on an extra $3,000 or so sometime soon. That's a nice chunk of change. As for what to do with that tax refund, there's plenty of advice out there: spend, save, splurge.

More than a third of Americans getting a refund -- 37 percent -- intend to spend part or all of it, according to a Capital One Bank survey last month. Of those, the majority say they'll use it for everyday expenses (23 percent), followed by new clothes/accessories (11 percent), a vacation (6 percent), or electronics such as a new iPad or flat-screen TV (4 percent).

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IRS requires same-sex couples to split income

Claudia Buck, The Sacramento Bee

Last updated Wednesday, February 23, 2011 - 3:46pm

Many same-sex couples in several states are getting a tax break this year from the IRS, according to new requirements to report their combined income on federal tax returns.

Under so-called "income splitting," the IRS is requiring all same-sex married couples or registered domestic partners to divide their combined income equally and report it on their separate tax returns.

The IRS ruling applies in only three states - California, Nevada and Washington - that have community property laws and that recognize married same-sex couples and registered domestic partners.

Business, Gays, IRS, Taxes Read more Comments