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World's cheapest gas: Top 10 countries

While Americans and Europeans bemoan the cost of gasoline at the pumps, people in some other parts of the world enjoy filling up their tanks cheaply thanks to subsidies provided by wealthy, oil-rich governments. Here are the 10 cheapest countries on Earth to fill a gas tank.
Smoke and mirrors in Obama's budget? Five examples of creative accounting.

President Obama's proposed $3.7 trillion dollar federal government budget works some economic magic, from disappearing programs to mystery funding sources.
Here’s a look at five key head-scratchers in the 2012 budget:
Top 5 overlooked stories of 2010

Here are five 2010 developments that probably didn't get as much attention as they should have, given their potential import to America in the years ahead.

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Home prices hit post-boom lows: What does that mean for housing market?

Despite fresh optimism about the housing market, home prices in the Case-Shiller Index fell during the first quarter, suggesting that the market is still stabilizing.
Gas prices lower on Memorial Day: How much will you save?

Gas prices have fallen an average 27 cents a gallon since April and are 12 cents lower than last Memorial Day. With gas prices down, experts predict more Memorial Day travel, dining, and shopping.
The New Economy
Unemployment rate hits three-year low. Hooray? No, boo!

The unemployment rate for April was 8.1 percent, the lowest rate since President Obama took office. But the unemployment rate is falling for all the wrong reasons. 
Why stock market is spinning its wheels despite positive trends

Consumer income and spending are up, but the stock market has been largely stagnant since February. Two big trends could be behind the Dow's tepid spring.
Student debt: How big a risk does it pose to the economy?

Student debt represents a financial challenge for America, some economists say, but in a way that's different from the big buildup in mortgage debt that led to a deep recession.
Home prices: New numbers raise hopes they're finally starting to stabilize

Declines in home prices may be slowing, according to one report, while another has found the first year-on-year increase in prices since July 2007.
The New Economy
Job growth slows in March. Is it payback?

The disappointing March employment report suggests job growth is coming back in sync with economic expansion after unusually strong job growth in the winter. 
Gas prices: How much will they hurt the economy? (+video)

Gas prices are slated to hit new highs within months. How might that affect the modest economic recovery? Here's a clue: Every 10-cent rise per gallon in gas prices costs the US economy $11 billion.
World's cheapest gas: Top 10 countries

While Americans and Europeans bemoan the cost of gasoline at the pumps, people in some other parts of the world enjoy filling up their tanks cheaply thanks to subsidies provided by wealthy, oil-rich governments. Here are the 10 cheapest countries on Earth to fill a gas tank.
Obama: No 'silver bullet' for gas price pain. GOP says drill more.

Staking his ground, and perhaps his reelection, on a 'green' ideology, President Obama said in his weekly Saturday address that high gas prices confirm the need for an “all-of-the-above” energy policy. Republicans push more domestic oil production.
America's big wealth gap: Is it good, bad, or irrelevant?

The gap between rich and poor is at its widest since the Roaring '20s. Obama complains that it's unfair, but a growing chorus of economists and sociologists say it's worse than that.
Obama plan to lower mortgage payments could help, but how much?

President Obama unveiled his plan to cut mortgage payments for 'responsible homeowners' in trouble. But the housing crisis is so massive that no one program can solve it, experts say.
Cities brace for bad news in Obama's next federal budget, top mayor says (+video)

The Obama administration is preparing its 2013 federal budget proposal and is letting some allies know how spending cuts will affect them. For Antonio Villaraigosa, president of the US Conference of Mayors, the news has not been good.
2012 economic outlook: What's in store for next year?

With the housing market and auto sales showing some signs of life, pundits predict a better economy for 2012. But the ripple from a European downturn could erode the economic pace in the US.
Retailers gearing up for big pre-Christmas shopping in next two days

Fathers and other pre-Christmas procrastinators are expected to hit the stores in force on Friday, kicking off a calendar-enhanced flurry of holiday shopping that should warm retailers' hearts.
The New Economy
Unemployment: the drip, drip, drip of good news

The latest jobs numbers are another modest boost for the US economy. The best employment trend, though, may be what you don't see. 
So how did that happen? Unemployment rate dives to 8.6 percent.

Why did the unemployment rate drop so much? There are good reasons and bad. While the economy is in fact adding jobs, it is also true that many Americans may have given up looking.
Unemployment rate falls. Job gains ease fears of new recession.

The unemployment rate fell to 8.6 percent last month, down from 9 percent. It's the latest sign that the US economy is steering clear of a new recession. Still, pitfalls linger.
Cyber Monday deals 2011: six tips to nab them

Cyber Monday deals 2011 will come fast and furious. Here are six ways to ensure you'll get great Cyber Monday deals in 2011.
So far, Black Friday seems to be bustling. Is the economy improving?

Black Friday weekend may give economists a snapshot of how shoppers are feeling going into the holiday season. Even though some consumer numbers are sluggish, Americans may spend when they hit the malls.
Black Friday 2011: Best deals not always at Walmart, Amazon

Black Friday 2011 is prompting other retailers to offer lower prices on some items than Walmart does. Amazon's Black Friday 2011 deals remain a mystery.
Markets swoon, hit by thunderbolt news of a Greek debt referendum (video)

Stock markets in the US and Europe fell Tuesday, stunned by news that Greeks will vote in January on national austerity measures tied to resolving Greece's sovereign debt woes.
US economy grew at 2.5%. Will that quiet talk of a double dip?

Growth rate for the US economy was 2.5 percent in the third quarter, the government reported. That's an improvement over the first half of 2011, when concerns escalated about a double dip recession.
Annual PPI: Wholesale prices rose in September

Annual PPI – a gauge of wholesale prices – rises to 6.9 percent. But without energy and food, core annual PPI up only 2.5 percent.
Herman Cain: Who came up with the 999 plan?

With Herman Cain now a GOP front-runner in some polls, DCDecoder offers a four-point primer on Cain's 999 plan.