Consumers who have a strategy and know certain tax laws can save money if they act by Dec. 31.

  Here are some tips for what to do when the bag you paid to check shows up in baggage claim damaged, and how to possibly avoid the situation in the first place.

  Despite the signs that young adults are becoming more dependent on their parents, they may be doing O.K. when it comes to saving, according to a new study.

  Last-minute holiday travel bargains, how to navigate stricter return policies and other consumer-focused items from Monday's Times.

  Comments on this week's Your Money column, about the nation's personal savings rate.

  Employers might soon take the next step of bringing on permanent workers if recovery seems durable.

  The recession has accentuated what was already a growing home-energy challenge for low-income and many middle-class households across the nation.

  An industry group is rolling out an online portal that could eliminate many issues with mortgage modifications.

  Stock market professionals see a range of possibilities for 2010 ?and few are completely upbeat.

  The American savings rate hit a 16-year high in the spring, and the reasons went beyond the poor economy. Tighter credit and retirement accounts played a part.

  There is a gnawing concern among some doctors and researchers that certain prescription generic drugs may not work as well as their brand-name counterparts.

  A year of columns about household finances tells the story of the economy: money is tight and jobs are uncertain.

  Many stores have changed their rules regarding returns and exchanges since last year?s holiday shopping season, meaning consumers need to be more diligent.

  With lawmakers unable to agree on a year-end fix for a quirk in the Bush-era tax cuts, the federal estate tax is set to be repealed for one year as of Jan. 1.