Archive - Arena: Money

The Other Cost of Living

The Other Cost of Living

Property taxes in the Chicago area are high, especially compared with how much we earn to pay them

Learning to Get Paid

Learning to Get Paid

Thinking of riding out the recession by pursuing a degree? Some pay off more than others

Good Deal

Don’t forget about everyday retail discounts, which aren’t strictly recession relief but have sprouted like mushrooms since the recession began.

The Recession: What’s In It for You?

The sluggish economy isn’t all bad—tax incentives and seller discounts mean bargains for consumers

Life in the Big City

Life in the Big City

What does it really cost to live here, anyway?

Ticket to Ride

Ticket to Ride

CTA fares went up again. Once you figure in inflation, though, are we really paying more than we used to?

Ill Bills

Lack of health insurance isn’t a problem just for the uninsured

DIY-conomics

DIY-conomics

What do you really save when you do it yourself? A pseudoscientific experiment

Outside Influence

Outside Influence

The money funding Illinois candidates for the U.S. House doesn't all come from Illinois

Double Down

Double Down

Politicians seeking new revenue without raising taxes are fond of the old adage that the gambling industry is recession-proof. Wanna bet?