Clark Howard

Unemployment rate ticks up despite job gains

Unemployment rate ticks up despite job gains

In the hotly anticipated last jobs report before the presidential election, the Labor Department says employers added 171,000 new jobs in October. The gain was more than economists surveyed by CNNMoney expected. The unemployment rate ticked up to 7.9%, in line with economists' expectations.

Private employers added 184,000 jobs and government shed 13,000 jobs, the report said. Thursday, payroll processor ADP reported private employers added 158,000 jobs in October.

In Sandy's wake, banks waive fees

In Sandy's wake, banks waive fees

Several of the nation's biggest banks are waiving fees for people affected by Superstorm Sandy.

JPMorgan Chase is giving customers a break on overdraft fees and late fees on credit cards and loans through Wednesday. Citibank closed its branches in parts of New York, but waived out-of-network ATM fees for its customers in those areas, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Open enrollment: Choosing your health care

Open enrollment: Choosing your health care

It’s open enrollment season at workplaces across the country. Maybe you got a letter at home or an email at work about it. For a lot of us, that means it’s time to make some important decisions about health care and retirement savings. And with all the options available, it can be confusing, even a little overwhelming.

Let’s look at health care first. Here are some basics to keep in mind.

Clark Howard: Wait and see on Windows 8

Clark Howard: Wait and see on Windows 8

Today is Microsoft’s big coming-out party for its new operating system called Windows 8 that goes across multiple platforms – laptops, desktops, cell phones, and, for the first time, Microsoft’s own hardware, a tablet called Surface.

Microsoft is really gambling that you’re going to love this new way of computing that blends all the different devices you have across one software platform. This is actually way beyond anything Apple has ever done.

Credit Score Counsel

Credit Score Counsel

Some important information about your credit score.

To monitor your score with Credit Karma, click here.  For more info on credit from Clark, click here.

Apple unveiled a new smaller, lighter tablet called the iPad Mini.

iPad Mini: Should you buy it?

The worst-kept secret in the world is out: Apple's new smaller, lighter tablet, the iPad Mini.

Apple rolled it out Tuesday, along with an updated, full-size iPad (surprise!) That model has dominated the tablet market, and with the Mini, Apple looks to engage its competition in the 7-inch format. The three major players there -- Amazon's Kindle Fire, Barnes & Noble's Nook, and Google's Nexus 7 -- have sold about 15 million units combined.

Come sail away: Cruise lines float deals

Come sail away: Cruise lines float deals

Dreaming of a vacation on the high seas? This could be your week to grab a deal.

The cruise industry, still struggling in the wake of last year's Costa Concordia disaster, has declared this week National Cruise Vacation Week. And while this is a canned sales "event", there are some serious savings to be had.

Gas prices set to plunge

Gas prices set to plunge

Drivers across the country are about to get some relief at the pump, after a summer of soaring prices.

USA Today reports the cost of a gallon of gas could drop by as much as 50 cents over the next few weeks, as a rise in inventories coincides with the typical post-summer slowdown in driving, and stations switch over to less expensive winter blends of gas.

The Cell Phone ATM

The Cell Phone ATM

A new way to recycle your old cell phone.

To learn more about the EcoATM, click here.

Microsoft's Privacy Upgrade

Microsoft's Privacy Upgrade

 A new way to help control your internet privacy.

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