Buisness & Economy

Homeowners who can't afford their mortgage payments can get a better deal from their lender. But the process is complicated and potentially onerous, and concessions are offered only to borrowers who earn neither too much nor too little income to meet the lender's guidelines.

Shortly after Nevada reported its worst monthly decline in gambling revenue since the state began compiling such information in 1983, the tourism authority reported the second largest monthly drop in Las Vegas visitors.

Gift card tips
Use caution: Be wary of buying cards from retailers such as Circuit City, which recently filed for bankruptcy protection while it attempts to reorganize. When Sharper Image failed to emerge from bankruptcy its cards became worthless.

Starbucks is peddling $100 worth of gift cards for only $79 at Costco. Outback Steakhouse will give you a bonus $20 gift card with the purchase of $100 in gift cards.
A host of other retail and restaurant companies are offering all kinds of perks to get shoppers to buy such cards this year, but should you, given the number that either are going out of business or closing locations?

Savvy job hunters tailor their resume's content to each opportunity by emphasizing the skills, attributes and experiences that most closely align with a prospective employer's specified job requirements. Use the job posting as your guide. Pay attention to the keywords included in the advertisement and mirror that language in your resume, when applicable.

Tom Dowling, managing director of the Pittsburgh office of public relations firm Burson-Marsteller, deliberated recently as deadlines loomed for several key year-end and holiday-related decisions.
In front of him was an application for Steelers playoff tickets -- a hefty investment his firm typically makes to entertain select clients at Heinz Field during the post-season.

As leaders of Detroit's Big Three automakers went before Congress last week asking for an infusion of $34 billion in government cash, the head of the United Auuto Workers, Ron Gettelfinger, stood at their side with his hand outstretched as well.

It's the worst-case scenario for home sellers: To endure price cut after price cut until their house becomes stigmatized and hungry buyers smell blood.

Dear Mr. Walberg:

With the national spotlight on Congress' bailout of financial institutions, little notice has been paid to another part of the law passed last month that could affect smaller businesses -- the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act.