Joshua Lott / Reuters

Candy bars are often subject to sales tax, although the cookielike nature of some bars can pose problems.

On this Halloween, as you prepare to satisfy your sweet tooth, get ready to shell out a few extra pennies for the tax man, at least in the 17 states that have special taxes on candy.

The Tax Foundation, a Washington-based think tank that supports "sound" tax policy, has chosen today to release a new report on the growing trend among states to raise taxes on candy and soda, at least partly in an effort to combat the nation’s rising obesity rate.

The foundation says 17 states that exempt groceries from sales taxes make an exception for candy, while 22 states plus the District of Columbia exempt soda. That means candy and soda are subject to taxes of 2.9 to 7.25 percent that are not levied on other foods and beverages.

Another four states have special excise taxes on soda and an additional 14 have been considering them in the legislature. Tax rates vary from 21 cents per gallon in Arkansas to 1.9 percent in Tennessee.

The Tax Foundation notes that singling out candy and soda for special treatment in the tax code can be complicated. Many states struggle to define candy, exempting cookie-like bars such as Kit-Kat and Twix, for example. Sports drinks and diet sodas are generally but not always treated as soda. Starbucks’ bottled Frappucino beverage is subject to soda excise taxes in two states and exempt in two others, the report says.

Some see these taxes as an easy source of new revenue and a way to modify behavior, but the Tax Foundation report concludes that “singling out soda and candy for taxation is a poor method of combating obesity.”

Such taxes unfairly burden those who enjoy soda and candy responsible and have “unin­tended consequences,” such as encouraging the overconsumption of food and beverages that are taxed at a lower rate, the foundation says.

What do you think?

Rob Chatterson

The next time you visit a restaurant, chances are you won’t hear the server urge you to “Get the water, it’s excellent.”

But these days, more and more diners are choosing to pinch pennies by cutting out costly beverages in favor of a free glass of water.

Market researchers NPD Group recently reported that orders for drinks you pay for have fallen by 6 percent over the past five years.  At the same time, they said, requests for water have been on the upswing.

The weak economy isn’t the only reason people seem to be ordering fewer sodas, coffees and beers, but cost was a big factor, the folks at NPD say.

Do you love dining out but hate the credit card bill hangover? Here are 8 some tips for enjoying a restaurant meal without worrying so much about money.

Pick food you love: If you’re going to go out for a meal, make it worthwhile. Pick a restaurant you really like or are absolutely curious to try, and order food you love. Take advantage of all the ratings and reviews websites to make sure you are getting a good meal for your money. You’ll feel better footing the bill if you like the food.

Skip the beverages: Nix the soda and stick with water. Or, if you must enjoy your meal with a bottle of wine, bring your own. Many restaurants will allow that for a corking fee. It can still save you money.

Skip the other extras: When you get to the restaurant, you’re hungry so you order an appetizer. Then you’re tempted by the dessert list so you splurge on coffee and a sweet treat. Those little extras can add up to a hefty bill.

You don’t have to deprive your sweet tooth completely, however. This great post from Wise Bread is a few years old but has some good tips, including grabbing a tub of ice cream from the store — for a fraction of the cost — on the way home instead.

Split an entrée: Let’s face it, even the best restaurants will often give you a big enough portion to share with a friend, child or loved one. It’s a good way to cut calories, too.

Save some for later: If you absolutely must have all that pasta or steak for yourself, try to the meal into two, and ask for a doggie bag.

Take advantage of freebies: Lots of restaurants offer free bread or provide a salad with an entrée, and kid’s meals often also come complete with additions such as milk. Make sure your server brings all those extras.

Look for coupons and deals: Check out local websites and publications for buy-one-get-one free entrée deals and other promotions. Daily deals such as Groupon also can be great if you know you’ll use the coupon and enjoy the experience. Check out The Bad Deal for some great tips on using daily deals wisely.

Our final tip is to tip: Even if you cut down your bill, don’t skimp on the tip. Your server has to pay rent and buy groceries, too.

Readers, what did we miss? Share your tips for eating out on the cheap below.

Related:

Frugal food: Brown bag options that won't break the bank

Frugal food: Protein that doesn't kill your pocketbook

Back hurt? Stomach feel queasy? Headache coming on? Maybe it’s another day at the office.

Nearly all of our readers said this week that the they believe the stress of work can literally make you sick.

One reader called work-stress illness “the 21st century plague,” while others lamented that layoffs, reorganizations and colleague infighting can definitely lead to health problems.

They were responding to a post this week on research finding that things like not feeling like you have the time to reach the goals set for you can be associated with feeling lousy.

Still, one reader offered a different perspective: “Big deal... try the stress of unemployment.”

For some readers, all that stress just isn’t worth it. In a separate post this week, we reported on a theory that women aren’t making it to the top management spots at the same rate as men because they are at least perceived to be less confident.

Some readers wondered whether some people are choosing not to pursue the management track.

“A significant portion of women don't WANT to be in charge, because they don't aren't willing to sacrifice their life for the sake of some fancy job title and a fat paycheck. Maybe the question shouldn't be ‘Why aren't more women at the top?’ but rather ‘Why are men so quick to sacrifice time with their families for the sake of career advancement?’” one reader wrote.

Still, other women lamented that their male bosses disregard their ideas or take credit for them, or said that when women act confident it can be labeled arrogant or bossy.

Other women said they have found a way to make it work.

“I guess I am one of few women that does speak up because I do work just as hard as the men in my office, and I deserve the same rewards. I have a family dynamic that allows me to be able to make exceptions and everyone is happy, and I do acknowledge that is very rare,” one reader wrote.

Greg Carroll left his job as an executive chef in 2009, when  his boss asked him to slash his 500-person staff by half. Since then, Carroll has done some catering, some consulting and some cooking in private homes. But full-time work has proven elusive.

So a few months ago, the 51-year-old Carroll posted an ad on Care.com, a site that pairs caregivers with potential employers. As a divorced father of four, he’s changed diapers, coached soccer and cooked healthy meals for his family. “I’m a great dad … so I thought (child care) might be something to look at.”

Heather Snyder

'Manny' Travis McGowin (center) with his two charges, Carson (left) and Lucas (right).

Carroll is part of a growing trend of men turning to child care work as a way to earn money in a difficult economy. Candi Wingate,  president of the Norfolk, Neb.-based Nannies4Hire.com, estimates she’s seen a 10 percent jump in men looking for childcare work since the economy turned south. Johanna Flattery, with Care.com, said men advertising for child care jobs on the site has risen more than 30 percent since October 2008.

Some of these men are unemployed teachers, or daycare workers looking to go the “manny route.” Some are dads, like Carroll, with plenty of real-world experience but no formal background in caring for other people’s kids. And some have virtually no child care experience, but hope someone might give them a shot, anyway.

The overwhelming majority of nannies and babysitters in the U.S. are women, and plenty of potential employers reflexively shy away from hiring men to care for their kids. Child care is still considered by many to be a “woman’s job,” and parents may wonder why a guy would want to warm bottles, wipe up snot and play with Webkinz.

There are plenty of reasons why families would want to hire a man to watch their kids, said Flattery. “Anecdotally, we’ve seen a lot of mothers with pre-teen boys and teenagers who tend to pursue a male care provider. The reasons have been because these men can ‘keep up with’ the boys and participate in activities.” And single moms with male children often seek out men as care givers because they want a male role model for their sons.

Travis McGowin, a firefighter and part-time “manny” from Prattville, Ala., started working with children at a local YMCA and kept on doing child care throughout fire school.

“I do continue to do this for the extra income, especially because of the way the economy has gone in the past few years,” said McGowin. But he also just loves working with kids.

“Kids accept people for who they are, instead of superficial things. If you have a genuine interest in what they’re doing, they’re going to be interested in you. If you show them love and interest, they’ll love you,” explained McGowin. “Kids have this whole unconditional love thing, and that’s what kept me in it the longest, more so than the money, actually.” 

Have you noticed more men getting into child care? And would you hire a man to care for your children?

Scott Grannis/Calafia Beach Pundit

The misery index – a measure of inflation plus unemployment rates – hit the highest level in nearly three decades last week.

That’s definitely bad news for our pocketbooks, but many of us have experienced much deeper misery.

It turns out we’re still quite a ways from the misery Americans suffered in the mid-1970s and early 1980s, when the index topped out at or near 20, with unemployment of nearly 8 percent and inflation of 12 percent. Last week’s reading was nearly 13, including the 9.1 percent unemployment rate and 3.9 percent year-over-year inflation.

Scott Grannis, a blogger and former chief economist for Western Asset Management, notes that our misery this time around is mostly due to high unemployment —which is hovering around 9 percent — although inflation has also recently been on the rise.

Back in the 1970s and 1980s, we were bedeviled by both high unemployment and extremely high inflation, which anyone who tried to buy a house in those years probably remembers well (if not fondly).

Scott Grannis/Calafia Beach Pundit

Of course, that particular trip down memory lane is probably little comfort to the many of us grappling with the current weak economic conditions, and especially to the 14 million people who are unemployed.

Related:

Feeling pinched by higher bills, less money? You’re not alone

Older Americans’ challenge: Not time to recover from recession

Winter wonderlands are cute and all, but they get pretty cold too.

By Zillow

While September brings the first day of fall, October can be the harbinger of the winter and all of its frigid pitfalls. It's best to be prepared for the frost and snow with a few simple tasks that will prevent drafts, frosty windows and every homeowner's nightmare: Busted pipes.

A good place to start prior to tackling problem areas in your home is a home energy audit. This will pinpoint specific places in your house where heat escapes. The U.S. Department of Energy has a do-it-yourself energy assessment, or you can hire someone to do the audit for you.

Weatherstripping

Cold air can seep in through those little gaps between your door and the door frame, quickly reversing any effort you take to heat your home. Weatherstripping covers the sides and top of the door and a sweep fills the space between the threshold and door bottom. Hardware stores and home centers sell numerous products in metal, foam, rubber and plastic for this purpose and many can be installed in an afternoon.

Windows
This may be another area where additional weatherstripping or caulk is needed to fill any visible gaps, though that still might not be enough remediation to prevent drafts. While windows add much needed winter light, they can let out a lot of heat — up to 12 times more than a wall if they're single pane. Blinds can keep a little heat in, but heavier shades or curtains will minimize heat loss.

Fireplace
Fantasizing about a cozy evening in front of the fire? Your romantic night might be cut short if your fireplace hasn't been serviced. The National Fire Protection Association recommends that chimneys are swept at least once a year.

Furnace
It's also recommended that furnaces be serviced once a year. A heating system can break down at the most inopportune time is it's not serviced. Worse, it can pump carbon monoxide into a home or eventually stop working. While a furnace service can run up to $100, the cost benefits are undeniable, considering the cost of a major fix or replacement.

Ducts
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a home with central heating can lose between 10 and 30 percent of its heated air before that air reaches the vents if duct work is not well-connected and insulated, or if it must travel through unheated spaces.

Pipes
Frozen pipes are a royal nuisance, but with a little effort, many instances can be prevented. The best way to tackle these is to wrap pipes that run the exterior of the home with heating tape. Turn off the water and drain the remaining water at the inside valves. You can also purchase insulated covers for additional prevention.

By Kara Reinhardt
Cheapism.com 

Depending on how you look at it, shoveling snow can be a good way to get out of the house and get some exercise or a good way to strain your back and freeze your bum off. If you tend toward the latter, you can make the job quicker and easier by picking up an electric snow shovel for as little as $100. With high-end snow blowers commanding a few thousand dollars, even $500 is a bargain for a model bearing a name like Toro or Craftsman.

Low-cost snow blowers -- or snow throwers, as they’re also known -- can rid the average driveway, walkway, deck, or patio of up to eight inches of snow. Unlike pricey, two-stage snow blowers, which have an impeller to hurl the snow, models in this price range use an auger not only to churn up the snow but also to throw it and help propel the machine along. The augers on these snow blowers graze the ground, making them suitable for smooth surfaces such as a paved driveway but not for rougher ground.

Electric models have many advantages over their gas counterparts. They’re cheaper, lighter, quieter, and easier to start and maintain. However, a gas-powered snow blower can handle a larger space and isn’t restricted by a cord. Choose one with push-button electric start to avoid the sometimes strenuous pull-cord start.

Power is typically listed in amps for an electric motor and cc’s for a gas snow blower. No matter what the measure, the higher the number, the more powerful the machine. A larger snow blower that cuts a wider clearing path can finish the job faster. The intake should be at least two inches higher than the snow, so note that number if you live somewhere that sees deep snowfalls. (Meteorologists at AccuWeather.com predict that winter will hit the Midwest particularly hard this year.) Look for a model that can throw snow at least half the width of your driveway (or the widest area you need to clear). An adjustable chute lets you aim the flying snow.

Below are Cheapism’s top picks for affordable snow blowers.

• The Toro Power Shovel 38361 (starting at $99) may be basic, but users say it easily trumps a regular shovel for clearing small areas. This electric snow shovel -- the lightest and cheapest model on our list -- has a 7.5-amp motor, a 12-inch clearing path, and a 6-inch intake. It can fling snow up to 20 feet. (Where to buy)
• The GreenWorks 26032 (starting at $200) is powerful and easy to use, according to reviews. This electric model has a 12-amp motor and a discharge chute that can be adjusted 180 degrees. It clears a 20-inch path with a 10-inch intake and throws the snow up to 20 feet. (Where to buy)
• The gas-powered Toro Power Clear 418ZE (starting at $399) houses an 87-cc engine with the electric start feature. Users credit this machine with cleaning up after record snowfalls. It offers a 12-inch intake, an 18-inch clearing path, and a throwing distance of up to 25 feet. Its chute can be rotated 210 degrees, making it the most adjustable on our list. (Where to buy)
• The WORX WG650 (starting at $228) exceeds reviewers’ expectations for its price and weight. This electric snow blower is capable of catapulting snow up to 30 feet. It features a 13-amp motor, an 18-inch clearing path, a 10-inch intake, and 180-degree chute adjustment. (Where to buy)
• The Craftsman 88780 (starting at $500) boasts a 179-cc engine and electric start. It cuts a 21-inch clearing path and the chute can be adjusted 190 degrees. Users appreciate the 13-inch intake, which handles even deep drifts. (Where to buy)

More from Cheapism:
Cheap Snow Blowers
Best Coupon Sites
Cheap Red Wine
Coffee Makers Review

We all know the deal: Women now make up a significant chunk of the overall workforce, but they are still much less likely to be found at the highest echelons of corporate life.

In a recent post on Harvard Business Review’s blog, authors Jill Flynn, Kathryn Heath and Mary Davis Holt argue that one reason women might not be making it to the corner office as often as men do is because women don't toot their own horns.

Women, the authors write, either really aren’t as confident as men when it comes to work, or they are perceived by their male peers as being less confident.

The authors mention a survey from the Institute for Leadership and Management that found men were more likely to be confident. But they also noted men may perceive things that women do as a lack of confidence.

They list four “low-confidence behaviors” that male and female managers have cited. These include being less likely to take public credit for their accomplishments, not asking for promotions, avoiding being in the spotlight and failing to speak up when you have an opinion.

Readers, do you think some women aren’t getting ahead because they aren’t seen as being as confident as men?

Related:

More Americans prefer male bosses, but gap is narrowing

You girls need an education!

TODAY financial editor Jean Chatzky talks about soaring student loan debt, and how parents can help their children get an education without an onerous debt load.

Getty Images stock

Is work stress literally making you sick?

The stress and strain of work really could be taking a physical toll on you, and you may be surprised to find exactly what it is about work that hurts in various parts of your body.

Researchers who examined more than 70 studies looking at the relationship between work and illness, found that long hours and a heavy workload were clearly correlated with illness, according to a post on PsyBlog.

They did find that the typical factors we associate with stress — such as long hours and a heavy workload — are correlated with illness and physical ailments such as headaches and stomach problems.

The researchers found that "organizational constraints" like not having the time or authority to reach the goals set for you are most strongly associated with physical symptoms, especially gastrointestinal problems and fatigue.

The researchers also saw strong correlations between role conflict — when your boss tells you to do one thing and another person gives you different instructions — and tummy troubles. Co-worker conflict was associated with having trouble sleeping.

Researchers are hesitant to say that work stress causes illness and physical ailments, since in most cases the studies look only at the correlation between stress and illness.

Related:

Yes, your commute is bad for you, too

Fake a sick day? Non!

Are you trying to save on groceries for the family? Hoping to eat healthy but having trouble budgeting for it? Looking for low-cost options for dinner parties?

Join us here at 9:30 a.m. PT/12:30 p.m. ET Tuesday for a weekly Today Money chat on how to eat well and save money.

Related:

Brown bag options that won’t break the bank

Protein the won’t kill your pocketbook

If you’ve ever suspected that part-time working moms have the best of all worlds, new research backs you up. A study published recently in the Journal of Family Psychology reports that moms who worked less than 33 hours per week were less depressed, had less work-family conflict and spent more time on learning opportunities for their kids than both stay-at-home moms and full-time moms.

The study, conducted by Cheryl Buehler and Marion O’Brien, from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, looked at how part-time work affected mom’s health, life at home, parenting and marital satisfaction. There’s been plenty of research (and internet flaming) comparing the parenting outcomes of working moms to stay-at-home moms – but that misses a pretty significant chunk of the American workforce. About a quarter of all U.S. women work part-time schedules, according to the Department of Labor, and a majority of mothers work part-time at some point in their adult lives.

Over 1,300 moms were followed for 10 years, and interviewed at eight different time periods: when the kids were a month old, 6, 15, 36 and 54 months old, and in their first, third and fifth grade years.

And over those years, the study found that moms who worked full-and-part-time jobs reported being less depressed than stay-at-home moms. The authors theorized that this could be because moms home with young children tend to be more socially isolated than their working counterparts. Or, it could be that women prone to depression have more trouble seeking work or keeping a job, the study said.

Moms who work part-time have fewer concerns that their work is impacting life at home – no surprise there. And moms who work part time were able to provide more extra-curricular learning opportunities for their kids – things like going to the park, taking lessons, going to the museum. “Mothers who are working part time presumably have more time to spend with the child doing things that are enriching,” said O’Brien. But interestingly, the study didn’t find much difference on this front between part-time working moms and moms who weren’t employed.

The study authors had assumed that moms who worked part-time would report higher marital satisfaction than moms who worked full-time jobs, but that didn’t pan out. “There’s no relationship between work status and satisfaction with the marriage,” said O’Brien.

Mom is doing the lion’s share of the child care and housework, whether she works part-time or she’s a stay-at-home mom, according to the study. That burden of household chores doesn’t appear to shift over to dad until mom is working full-time hours, said O’Brien.  But still, “mothers always do more, even when they’re working full time,” she added.

The conclusion? Part-time work has some real advantages for mothers and families in terms of lower stress. But part-time work isn’t always an option for mom (or dad, for that matter), due to financial realities and the impact scaled-back hours can have on a career. “A lot of women find it’s not possible for them to work part-time due to the structure of the workplace,” said O’Brien. “Since we would like to see families healthy and happy, it would be nice for workplaces to take more account of part-time work and see it as a viable way of contributing to work, and not just a lower-status kind of thing.”

What’s your work situation, and what would be your ideal? Do you think the grass is always greener when it comes to stay-at-home and working moms?

Is buying in bulk really going to save you money? If you want to be a smarter shopper, watch this video.

Getty Images file

Make extra salad the night before instead of spending money on the salad bar.

Ah, lunch.

If you’re an adult who works, it’s all too easy to be tempted by convenient but costly and often calorie-laden options such as takeout food and restaurant meals.

If you have kids, despite efforts to improve school lunches, the cafeteria can still be a place to spend money on less healthy items.

As part of our new frugal food series, we sought out some expert tips on brown-bag (or reusable lunch bag) meals that are low-cost and healthy.

FOR ADULTS

Two for one: Marilyn Townsend, a nutrition education specialist with University of California at Davis, says the easiest way to prepare a brown-bag lunch for the next day is just to cook extra at dinner the night before.

“If you’re going to all the work of making the stew or casserole or the rice whatever it is, make extra,” she said.

The same is true for salads – make a little extra and you can throw it in a container for the next day.

To save more money, make a separate container of dressing with oil and vinegar instead of buying a pricier bottle from the store.

That will also keep the calories down.

“People don’t attribute … calories to dressing, so they put a huge scoop of, say, guacamole on a salad, or sour cream,” Townsend said. “I’d lump all those under the category of dressings (and they’re) pretty much 90 to 100 percent fat.”

Make it from scratch: Generally speaking, Townsend notes, the more processed a food is the more it’s going to cost. Avoid high costs by making your lunch items from scratch. Resources such as the federal Expanded Food and Nutrition Education program  can help low-income families learn to cook healthy meals.

Hoard containers: You don’t have to spend money on reusable containers for your lunch. Townsend recommends saving a little money by simply reusing deli containers, yogurt tubs and other items.

Save on sandwiches: Instead of buying pricier deli meats, mix up tuna or egg salad.

Free drinks: After the initial investment of a reusable water bottle, you and your kids can keep your drink budget down by filling up on water rather than juice or soda.

FOR KIDS

Townsend notes that kids may feel a lot of peer pressure to eat school lunches, so you want to make sure what you are giving them is fun as well as nutritious.

Yogurt cups can be yummy and also provide good nutrition.

Fruits and vegetables: You can get pretty good deals on fruits and veggies if you buy locally and in-season. To make it a little more appealing, this may be where it’s worth splurging on a little container of dressing for dipping.

Buy in bulk: If you do find a food that your child likes and is nutritious, look for bulk buys to save money.

Readers, what are your tips for healthy and cheap brown-bag lunches?

The CEO of Intercon Solutions provides a catered lunch for his workers every day.

By Eve Tahmincioglu

During tough economic times there are still employers making sure their workers eat lavishly, or at least get a square meal, during the daily grind by providing food freebies.

Facebook, DreamWorks Animation and Google are among the top companies offering food their employees love, including everything from chocolate-themed lunches to energy drinks, according to research from Glassdoor, a career website that offers company reviews by employees.

“It’s a unique perk,” said Samantha Zupan, a spokeswoman for Glassdoor. “At a lot of companies, you might get a free soda or a candy bowl, but when it comes to a full spread of food that’s a unique value proposition for employees today.”

Indeed, it’s particularly unusual at a time when so many employees face layoff fears, benefit cuts and furloughs, and most are opting to spend less time and money on lunch and snacks on the job.

But for some lucky ones, bosses are chiming: “Let them eat cake,” or at least a sandwich.

A list of the top 10 companies with good eats was culled by Glassdoor from 375,000 employee reviews and released earlier this month. The list includes Susquehanna International Group, a financial institution, social networking site Linkedin and travel site TripAdvisor. The list also includes financial research firm Factset, business news service Bloomberg, semiconductor maker Marvel Technology and social game developer Zynga.

Zynga’s web page about employee benefits states the following:

“Zynga workers are a well-fed bunch. Our great culinary staff provides meals for our entire workforce five days a week.”

Companies are offering grub at these firms mainly because they want to boost morale and company loyalty, Zupan said, especially given the dire predictions that many employees are going to jump ship once the economy turns around.

“Employers are doing what they can to juggle costs and keep employees happy,” she noted.

And some seem to be happy. Here’s a sampling of comments from employees provided by Glassdoor:

“Free food! Beautiful place to come to work every day. People are generally happy and friendly (when not in fear of being laid off after a bad movie release.)”
-DreamWorks Animation employee.

“It is really easy to gain weight with all the delicious food.”
-Google employee.

Some lucky employees are chow-hounding, but most workers have to fend for themselves. While 77 percent of employers provide free coffee and 47 percent have vending machine snacks and beverages, only 26 percent offer food or a subsidized cafeteria as an employee benefit, according to the Society for Human Resource Management.

Unfortunately, many of you are bypassing lunch or quickly eating at your desks.

A series of surveys by Right Management, a talent management company, found 35 percent of workers almost always take a lunch break, down from 47 percent last year, and more are staying at their desk to eat when they do, with 34 percent saying they do, up from 20 percent last year.

“Workers may feel devoted to their work, which is fine, but given the level of stress in today’s workplace I wonder if the reluctance to take a break is an expression of devotion or a negative consequence of the unrelenting pressure some organizations are exerting on their workforces to get more done with fewer resources,” said Michael Haid, senior vice president of talent management at Right Management.

The decision not to go out to eat can also be about saving money.

Edwin Narvaez decided to leave his job as manager of a Starbucks in 2009 for the non-profit world and is now a manager at Arriba Juntos, an employment and training organization in San Francisco. He took a $4,500-a-year pay cut and found it much more economical, and healthier, to bring his own lunch.

He makes extra for dinners and packs the leftovers for himself and his wife to take to work every day.

“It really was a decision of being smarter about our finances as you know that going out for a majority of meals can be expensive and with this economy it is not a good idea, and also I needed to get healthier as I was almost 300 pounds,” he explained, adding that he’s now 234 pounds.

Tough times also have led to some workers unable to afford a solid meal for lunch, even if they pack it themselves.

That’s one of the reasons Brian Burndage, CEO of Intercon Solutions, a computer recycling company in Chicago Heights, Ill., decided to keep providing free catered lunches for all his 50 employees every day instead of getting rid of the perk, which his accountants suggested.

“Unfortunately, our lunch has turned into probably one of the best square meals for some workers,” he said. “You have couples who now have a single income. Times are tough all over.”

While the company has seen sales growth slow in this economy, Brundage still feels compelled to spend $150,000 annually on the employee lunches.

“We’re trying to do the right thing by our staff,” he said about the meals where all employees, including everyone from warehouse workers to sales staff to upper management, sit together to break bread.

“The family that eats together stays together.”

A new University of Kansas study indicates that men are more likely to cheat on their spouses during tough financial times.

Halloween is fast approaching, and here are some deals for spooky savings and giveaways from our pals at Hip2Save.

Disney Stores are holding Halloween events Friday and Saturday, including free gifts for kids in costume.

CVS also is holding Halloween parties with free gifts for kiddos in costumes.

Lowes will host an event Saturday where kids can build a Halloween Monster truck.

Check out the full array of Halloween and non-Halloween deals here.

No matter how old you are, chances are you’ve been hit in some way by the current economic hard times, and you may be feeling the repercussions for some time to come.

This week on Life Inc., we wrote about a government report noting that older workers could be especially hard-hit in retirement because they don’t have time to play catch up from the stock market drop and housing bust. In addition, it’s extremely tough for the 50-plus crowd to find a new job if they lose their current one.

The post prompted many readers to recount their own stories of hitting economic hard times just when they thought they’d be gearing up to enjoy their golden years.

“Lost 40% of my IRA in '08, laid off at 64, forced to sell my home for 35% less than 5 years ago. Good health and job skills, but no jobs,” one reader wrote.

More than 60 percent of our readers told us they’re worried about having enough money for retirement.

Another worry: Whether Social Security will be there to provide a safety net in old age.

In another post this week, we wrote about a study showing that 50 percent of young adults don’t think Social Security will exist at all by the time they reach retirement age.

Many readers share the same worries, and some fret that political gridlock will keep the government from making reforms that could bolster the fund.

“Changes that need to be made aren't going to happen because of all the political bickering. BOTH parties are to blame,” one reader argued.

Back to the here and now. The Occupy Wall Street protesters may get criticized for not having a clear vision, but there’s no doubt they’ve already accomplished one thing: They’ve gotten us talking about the haves and the have-nots in this country.

This week, we reported on a nifty tool that lets you see what percent you are when it comes to wealth. That prompted a heated discussion among our readers over how you make it to the wealthiest 1 percent. 

One reader noted that for some, becoming wealthy may not be the ultimate goal.

 “In other words, don't be a teacher, an artist, a policeman, a soldier, a minister, or a craftsman, and certainly don't waste your money on other people. Being a money-maker is the only goal worth while. And a money-maker is a taker, not giver. What a rotten prescription for a livable society!” the reader wrote.

No matter how wealthy you are, it’s nice to save some money here and there. This week, we offered some frugal food tips for getting protein in your diet without breaking your pocketbook.

Over on our Today Money Facebook page, many readers shared their own tips for reducing their grocery bill. They included cooking from scratch, reusing leftovers in other meals and planning out meals before you head to the store.

U.S. Census Bureau

The last few years have been tough on many Americans who work in the manufacturing industry, but they haven't been nearly as tough on the manufacturers’ profits.

U.S. manufacturers have seen a steady uptick in profits since bottoming out in late 2008, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

After-tax profits for U.S. manufacturers totaled $159.7 billion in the second quarter, according to the Census Bureau. That’s nearly triple what they were in the second quarter of 2009, when corporations were just starting to emerge from the deep economic blows of 2008. The data is seasonally adjusted.  

The Census data also include any money the manufacturers made or lost by producing or selling goods in other countries.

Joel Naroff, economist with Naroff Economic Advisors, said that’s one reason profits have been on the rise over the past couple of years.

“Globalization is, to no small extent, driving a fair amount of these profits,” Naroff said.

Another big help: The weak U.S. dollar.

“The weak dollar has begun to actually do what it’s supposed to do and that’s to generate more exports,” Naroff said.

Still, even as manufacturers have seen their bottom lines improve, job gains have been scarce.

About 11.7 million people are currently employed in U.S. manufacturing, according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data. That’s about two million fewer than when the recession began in December of 2007, although it is an improvement over a low of around 11.5 million in late 2009.

Some companies have automated more functions so they can boost productivity without adding a lot of workers, while others have simply found a way to squeeze more work out of their existing workforce.

The big question now is whether such gains can last. Naroff said compensation costs may have increased since the second quarter, and manufacturers may also be paying more for the commodities they use to make their products. Those factors could mean that profits start to slow, he said.

Justin Lane / EPA

People representing Occupy Wall Street and other groups hold a march on the Upper East Side of Manhattan to protest policies that they say favor the very rich.

The Occupy Wall Street movement has prompted a lot of talk lately about the 99 percent, the 53 percent and, of course, the wealthiest 1 percent of the population.

It may have gotten you wondering, when it comes to income, what percent am I?

A cool new tool from The Wall Street Journal asks you to enter your household income and then spits out your rank by wealth.

The tool defines household income as adjusted gross income plus other sources of money, such as Social Security benefits.

If you’re curious and feeling a little wonky, the IRS has tons more data on adjusted gross income, based on tax return filings. You can find it all here.

iOMe Challenge

Grandma and Grandpa may be getting a Social Security raise, but half of their grandkids are pretty sure they won’t see any Social Security at all.

That’s according to a new poll from the Strategic Research Institute at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wis. It’s working with several other organizations on the iOMe Challenge, which seeks to help young people think about their financial future.

Apparently, they don’t think there’s much future there at all, at least when it comes to Social Security.

The online survey, which included a nationally representative sample of 642 18- to 29-year-olds, found only 5 percent expect that the Social Security benefits they stand to receive at age 67 to be about the same as the ones retirees are receiving today.

In addition to the 50 percent who don’t think it will exist at all, another 28 percent thought it would exist but the benefits would be much smaller. Eighteen percent weren’t sure what would happen.

Social Security is at risk of running short of funds unless some changes are made, because the general population is both aging and living longer. Proposals include raising the Social Security tax cap, increasing the age at which you start collecting Social Security and reducing benefits.

David Wegge, executive director of the Strategic Research Institute, noted that no matter what happens with Social Security, millennials will likely have to rely more on their own savings than previous generations. That’s because pensions also are becoming much less common.

“There’s much more responsibility that’s being placed on an individual’s shoulder,” Wegge said.

The survey found that about four in 10 millennials are setting aside some money for retirement each month. The ones who don’t think Social Security will be there when they retire were also the least likely to be currently saving for retirement.

Even those who are setting money aside are generally not saving very much.

That’s not surprising given the current economy. The unemployment rate for 25- to 34-year-olds was at 9.7 percent in September, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For 20- to 24-year-olds, it was 14.7 percent.

Even those who have jobs may not have much left over at the end of the month. In general, younger workers tend to earn lower wages because they are just starting out, and that may be especially true right now.

In addition, Wegge noted, many younger workers may be trying to pay off student loans.

“I think that generation is coming into the workforce at a very challenging time,” he said.

Related:

Social Security recipients are getting a raise

Who pays if Social Security tax cap is lifted? Not many taxpayers

Of Social Security and Ponzi schemes

Experian

People who live in New York or Los Angeles may gloat about their superiority of restaurants and cultural amenities, but towns in the Midwest have something to brag about, too: better credit scores.

A new report from credit monitoring agency Experian finds that eight of the 10 cities with the highest average credit score are in the Midwest.

On the flip side, eight of the 10 cities with the lowest credit scores are in the South.

Wausau, Wis., takes the top spot, with an average credit score of 789. It’s one of four Wisconsin cities that are in the top 10 in terms of average credit scores.

Harlingen, Texas, has the lowest average credit score of 686. It’s one of four Texas cities that fall into the bottom 10 in the credit score rankings.

Credit scores generally range from 501 to 990. A higher score is considered better, with those consumers expected to be most likely to pay off their debt on time. The survey looked at representative sample of consumers in the first half of this year.

The national average was 749, little changed from 2010. Exerian estimated that average U.S. debt, excluding mortgages, was $24,542, down slightly from the previous year.

New York ranks 37th with average credit scores of 762. Los Angele is 96th with an average score of 738.

The report notes that there’s a clear link between unemployment and credit scores. Many of the cities making the top 10 had lower-than-average unemployment rates.

The exception was San Francisco, which had an average credit score of 781 and an average unemployment rate of 10 percent during the period being studied.

Want to see how your city fared? Check out this interactive map or take a look at this list of cities.

TODAY Money financial expert Sharon Epperson joined us for a live Web chat Wednesday to answer your questions.

Here’s one of her answers to questions from the live chat. (See below for the full Q&A and video of Sharon’s TV appearance this morning.)

Shawn asked:

"Hi Sharon. What do you think of gold as an investment for the common person. I've watched you for years reporting on CNBC report on the commodities market and I was curious if you thought the average person should invest in precious metals. Thanks!"

Sharon replied:

“I enjoy reporting about gold and commodities every day for CNBC and I do believe it is important to have a diverse mix of stocks, bonds and alternative assets in one's portfolio. Gold can be a part of that alternative mix -- say 5-10-% of your portfolio. A great way to get into gold, as you've heard me mention on the air, is an exchange-traded fund like the GLD or IAU. I also think you can get exposure to gold in some large cap mutual funds that invest in gold mining stocks. See more ways to invest in gold here.”

Here’s the full chat archive and Sharon’s TV appearance:

If you have a question for our TODAY Money experts, submit it here. 

To sign up for an e-mail reminder for our next chat, click here.

By Kara Reinhardt
Cheapism.com

When the expression “feel the burn” applies as much to your wind-whipped cheeks as it does to your quadriceps, it may be time to put away your bike for the winter.

A stationary bike lets you keep riding even as the streets and bike paths succumb to snow and ice. If you plan to ride more than five miles a day, it may be worth it to spring for an expensive exercise bike. But more moderate users can find high-quality models for less than $400.

Try to test out the different types of stationary bikes and select one that’s comfortable for you.

An upright exercise bike mirrors a regular bicycle, with pedals beneath the seat. A recumbent bike is designed with pedals out in front of a wider seat with a back to let the user recline. This makes recumbent models suitable even for older and heavier users, as well as those who are rehabilitating after an injury. But don’t think the added comfort of a recumbent bike translates to an easier workout; a study shows it’s possible to burn as many calories as you would on an upright model. Upright bikes tend to be lighter and take up less space, although many recumbent models have wheels to make them easier to move.

Budget stationary bikes may not boast customizable workouts or high-resolution displays, but they often come with electronic consoles to monitor stats such as speed, distance, time and calories, and sometimes additional data such as pulse rate. Many do offer preset workout programs and resistance levels. Make sure the resistance can be set high enough to challenge you as your fitness level improves. Conversely, the lowest resistance should make pedaling easy enough that it doesn’t discourage you from working out. Finally, look for a seat that can be adjusted to fit your height.

Below are Cheapism’s top picks for affordable exercise bikes.

• The Schwinn 240 Recumbent (starting at $399) counts both fitness buffs and beginners among its fans, according to reviews. Experts, too, appreciate the built-in lumbar support, 16 resistance levels, and 18 workout programs -- impressive for the price. This bike has a 300-pound weight limit, the highest on our list. (Where to buy)
• The Marcy Recumbent Mag Cycle (starting at $154) is a no-frills option for consumers who want to pay as little as possible for a quality bike. It offers eight resistance levels that must be changed manually and no preprogrammed workouts. Reviewers appreciate its smooth, quiet operation and ease of use. (Where to buy)
• The ProForm 290 SPX (starting at $297) is a low-cost version of the upright spinner bikes at the gym. There’s no electronic display, and some users complain that the seat is uncomfortably hard, but this bike is intended to be ridden standing up; the pedals have toe cages to keep your feet in place. (Where to buy)
• The NordicTrack Upright GX 2.0 (starting at $294) boasts 20 resistance levels and 18 preset workouts, plus an iPod port and speakers. Users say it’s sturdy and offers excellent value for the money. This bike bests the others on our list with a lifetime warranty on the frame, along with one year on parts and labor. (Where to buy)

More from Cheapism:
Cheap Exercise Bikes
Cheap PCs
Cheap Champagne
Cheap Mattress Sets

AP

Gas is among the expenses that may be pinching families these days.

Your bills seem to be going up, and yet you seem to be bringing in less money. Sound familiar?

You don't have to be unemployed to feel the nation's economic squeeze. Several recent economic reports have pointed to the difficulties even those who have held on to their jobs are facing.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis reported last month that personal income fell very slightly in August, meaning that overall people earned slightly less than they had in July.

Despite that drop, however, consumer spending rose a bit in August as Americans were hammered by higher prices for food and gas.

On Wednesday, the government said that consumers once again likely paid more for food and gas last month, as compared to the previous month. But consumer prices for everything else rose only very slightly in September.

The reports are discouraging because they come after years of tough economic times. Median income has fallen 6.4 percent since 2007 after adjusting for inflation. A deep recession that officially lasted from December 2007 until June 2009  has been followed by a sluggish economic recovery and a high unemployment rate hovering around 9 percent.

A story in the latest issue of Bloomberg Businessweek compares the state of working Americans today to those in the 1960s, when  household debt was low, savings were high and salaries were on the upswing.

Cut to today and the case of Tamra Loomis, a 32-year-old single mom who earns $17 an hour but has to cut corners where she can, using coupons, growing vegetables and even using her parents’ Internet connection instead of paying for her own.

“At this point, I’m paycheck to paycheck,” Loomis told the magazine. “A lot of people aren’t hiring, and when they are, they offer even less than what I make.”

Related:

Living paycheck to paycheck, or worse

Frugal food: Protein that doesn’t kill your pocketbook