money

Areavoices.com: Be prepared for inevitable expenses

For my family, 2011 was the year of unexpected expenses. The clothes dryer broke in January. The water heater started leaking in November. Our rickety picket fence fell down in...

life Mon, Jan 09, 2012 - 8:48am

Emily Sumner launched her downtown Montevideo business Petalpark with lots of experience in floral design. She credits the Entrepreneur's Assistance Network with providing her with the technical assistance that helped her get the business off to a successful start. (Tribune photo by Tom Cherveny)

Nonprofit business assistance group based in Montevideo, Minn., needs help of its own with funding

MONTEVIDEO -- Roughly one-half of all new businesses fail within the first five years, according to the Small Business Administration. A nonprofit organization that has been helping startup businesses in...

news / region Mon, Jan 09, 2012 - 12:00am

Gift of choice can come with restrictions: Tips to get the most out of your gift card

It was the most requested item on people's Christmas lists this year -- and no, it wasn't an iPad, a Kindle or any piece of technology with a touch screen...

news / local / business Tue, Jan 03, 2012 - 12:00am

Lottery money plans

The Minnesota Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources wants to hear ideas about how lottery money should be spent. Seven percent of money spent on the Minnesota State Lottery goes into...

news / state Mon, Jan 02, 2012 - 12:00am

Michelle Ramirez is surprised with a Corn Capital Cash gift by Chamber of Commerce Director Nancy Standfuss.

Olivia businesses use holiday season to say thanks

OLIVIA -- This marks the 20th anniversary of a unique holiday tradition offered by Olivia businesses. Along with the usual holiday events and promotions, businesses in Olivia sponsor the "Spirit...

news / region / business Mon, Dec 19, 2011 - 5:04pm

Jhaylen Carlson, 3, identifies the characters Tuesday on a table decorated with scenes from the movie "Toy Story" at Runnings Fleet Farm in Willmar. He was Christmas shopping with his parents and sister. Tribune photo by Gary Miller

Willmar, Minn., retailers report shoppers are far more optimistic

Holiday shoppers are in a good mood this year. Local retailers say they see signs that customers are shaking off their recession worries and starting to spend again. "We've had...

news / business Wed, Dec 14, 2011 - 12:00am

NLS school officials approve audit, final levy

NEW LONDON -- The New London-Spicer School Board approved the audit of the district's finances through June 30, 2011, and certified the final 2012 local tax levy of $4,039,684 at...

news / education / business Tue, Dec 13, 2011 - 12:00am

Experts advise taxpayers to keep their paperwork on hand for a minimum of three years in case of an audit. Some say seven years is a safer option. Tribune photo by Gary Miller

It's that time of year again to put a plan in place for tax season

The income tax filing deadline is still a long way off but it's not too soon to start planning, say financial experts. Some tax breaks are still available -- for...

news Tue, Dec 13, 2011 - 12:00am

The Village Financial Resource Center blogs about personal finance at realmoney.areavoices.com.

Areavoices.com: Are you feeling left behind?

The feeling of being "behind" can mean different things to different people. It is one thing to be behind on a home fix-it project or career-related task, but what about...

life Mon, Dec 12, 2011 - 9:12am

Areavoices.com: Can a space heater save you money?

One of my favorite things about winter is sitting under a huge pile of blankets and quilts with a good book and a cup of homemade hot chocolate. In the...

life Fri, Dec 09, 2011 - 9:18am

Areavoices.com: Seven practical tips for saving money

Living without a savings account is tantamount to a trapeze artist flying without a safety net. A recent National Foundation for Credit Counseling's Financial Literacy Survey reveals almost two-thirds of...

life Tue, Dec 06, 2011 - 9:07am