The economy is in turmoil. For many, debt is mounting, credit is tight, and spare cash is a luxury. You have questions, and Action News wants to help find the answers.


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For more financial information, click on the links below.


- To go to CNYcentral.com's "Money Talks" page, CLICK HERE
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- To contact CCCS of CNY, call 800-479-6026 or CLICK HERE

Manufacturing alive and well in CNY   

Empire State Container in Syracuse is one of a growing number of smaller businesses that have managed to survive the tough economic climate.

Wal-Mart, Amazon, Target in price war   

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is upping the ante heading into the holiday season, trimming the online preorder prices of some upcoming DVDs following last month's price cut on books.

Jobless rate tops 10% for first time since 1983   

The unemployment rate has surpassed 10 percent for the first time since 1983 - and is likely to go higher.

Obama to sign homebuyer, jobless bill assistance   

Longtime jobless people and prospective homebuyers will be the main beneficiaries when President Barack Obama signs a $24 billion economic stimulus bill today.

GDP: What is it and why should investors care?   

GDP is Gross Domestic Product and simply is a way to measure if an economy is growing or contracting.

Senate votes to extend homebuyer credit, jobless benefits   

The Senate voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to provide the jobless with up to 20 weeks in additional unemployment benefits and expand a first-time homebuyer tax credit to include a far larger pool of people entering the dormant housing market.

Clunker pickups traded for new pickups   

The most common deals under the government's $3 billion Cash for Clunkers program, aimed at putting more fuel-efficient cars on the road, replaced old Ford or Chevrolet pickups with new ones that got only marginally better gas mileage.

Jets training camp has $4 million impact on county   

A new report says the New York Jets training camp held at Cortland State this summer attraced 34,000 people and brought $4.26 million to the Cortland County economy.

Fed likely to keep key rate at record low   

The Federal Reserve is expected to leave interest rates at their already record low levels.

Financial 411: Managing your money   

We answer your questions about investing and financial coping

Get your money questions answered with 'Financial 411'   

Today on Action News Live at Five, a panel of financial experts will be on hand to answer your questions on all things money-related.

Consumer spending falls 0.5 percent in September   

Consumer spending plunged in September by the largest amount in nine months, reflecting the end of the government's Cash for Clunkers auto sales program.

Gov. Paterson warns budget deficit is growing   

Gov. David Paterson says the state now faces a deeper, $10 billion deficit over the next two years.

Changing face of manufacturing in CNY   

Manufacturing is still very much alive in Central New York.

Oswego breakwater wall project   

Good news for the Port of Oswego and Central New York.

Metro jobless rates fall as more workers drop out   

The unemployment rate fell in most metro areas for the second straight month in September, but economists say it's not a sign the job market is improving.

AP review finds problems with job creation numbers   

A review of jobs created or saved by President Barack Obama's economic recovery plan shows some of the numbers are overstated.

County considers OnCenter bailout   

In addition to the hotel room occupancy tax, the Oncenter also plans to raise tickets prices.

Tough times, tough choices for youth agencies   

Tough financial times send two intertwined youth agencies in different directions.

Gov't may say recession over but not job losses   

Economic numbers coming out in the next week or so are expected to make it technically official -- the recession is over, but not the pain.

New warnings about phishing scams   

Williams says the same guidelines as for phone, email or mailed messages apply: don't give information out unless you've initiated the call.

Financial 411: Target Retirement Mutual Funds   

Target date funds are mutual funds that have a stated retirement date in the future.

Morrisville State contends with latest budget cuts   

Morrisville State College is trying to trim its budget as Governor Paterson cuts $90 million from the SUNY system.

NY fiscal crisis strikes hard at higher education   

New York is poised to make another round of deep midyear cuts in both public university systems and in financial aid under the Tuition Assistance Program.

Expanded bottle bill to go into effect October 31   

Nickel deposits will be imposed on bottled water in New York state starting Oct. 31. after U.S. District Judge Deborah Batts issued an order lifting an injunction on the deposits.

Electric car plant to locate in Onondaga County   

Bannon Automotive chooses Onondaga County for Reva electric car manufacturing plant.

Fighting proposed state budget cuts   

There were passionate pleas Friday from dozens of groups, fighting to save their programs from the chopping block.

Retraining unemployed workers   

Pencil and paper in hand, it's back to the blackboard, and in this case, back to the drawing board for many Central New Yorkers.

Committee OK's tax breaks for Crucible   

An Onondaga County legislative committee has given its approval to a plan to place the Crucible steel plant in Solvay in an Empire Zone, qualifying its new owners for tax breaks.

Financial 411: Company reported earnings   

Company earning results are a hodgepodge of numbers - know what they mean!

Dodd says Wall Street compensation is outrageous   

Financial companies that were shored up by taxpayer money are now paying their employees big bucks in compensation and benefits.

Governor calls NYS 'ground zero' of financial crisis   

Paterson said he would not raise any taxes to make up for the $3 billion deficit in this year's budget.

Mahoney will implement Legislature's budget   

The day after the Onondaga County Legislature enacted a controversial budget,  County Executive Joanie Mahoney has directed her staff to implement the spending plan.

Volvo and Saab near bankruptcy   

It’s not just American car companies in trouble in this economy.

Financial 411: Roth 401k/403b plans   

Roth 401k/403b plans are being offered to employees as another retirement option.

Economy, politics, policy collide in NY   

This is the week you won't be getting that tax rebate check.

North Syracuse discusses police merger   

Village police officers, Onondaga County officials, and members of the Sheriff's Department met on Friday to talk about merging forces.

Fed boss sees no rush to boost rates   

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke sent a fresh signal yesterday that he's in no rush to reverse course and start boosting interest rates.

Watchdog doubts goals of Obama loan relief plan   

A government watchdog says the Obama administration's effort to help homeowners avoid foreclosure may not achieve its goal of helping up to 4 million borrowers and may not be enough to dampen the impact of the foreclosure crisis on the economy

Workers rally before public hearing   

County Executive Joanie Mahoney says workers must give up raises to help balance next year's budget, or face furlough days.  Union members say they won't stand for it.

Paterson sets target date for state budget cuts   

Gov. David Paterson has asked the Legislature to give him proposals by Wednesday for cutting $2.5 billion from the current budget, pressuring lawmakers to join him in backing politically dangerous spending reductions.

Modern gold rush?   

Gold and silver prices have been on the rise for a while but rumors of oil moving off the dollar standard has a lot of investors looking at gold.

Could filing for bankruptcy save your home?   

In severe cases, filing for bankruptcy could mean the difference between losing or saving your home.

Paterson orders $500 million cut in state spending   

Gov. David Paterson is ordering a $500 million cut in non-personnel spending by New York state agencies to help deal with a deficit estimated at more than $2.1 billion.

First time homebuyers: make your move!   

You are gambling if you wait because interest rates are so low right now. 

Financial 411: Avoiding the capital gains trap   

Avoid the capital gains trap if you intend to invest in mutual funds before year's end.

New jobless claims rise more than expected   

First-time claims for jobless benefits rose more than expected last week, a sign employers are reluctant to hire and the job market remains weak.

Tax hike, surcharge cut from county budget   

Onondaga County leaders held a private meeting to eliminate a property tax increase and vehicle registration surcharge from the county budget.

Financial 411: Investors track value of US dollar   

An increase or decrease in the US dollar affects many areas.

State hopes taxing rich helps solve budget woes   

This year, New York's deep-pocketed rich were required to dig even deeper to help shore up state finances.

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