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November 27, 2012 For holiday shoppers, retailers' approach to fees, returns and other practices can bring praise or anger. And when customers rant or rave, Consumer Reports takes note — and compiles them into its annual "Naughty and Nice" list of companies.

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On Morning EditionPlaylist

November 26, 2012 Thanksgiving weekend spending shot up nearly 13 percent from last year, and there's more time between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year for people to shop. And if a deal to avoid the fiscal cliff comes just before Christmas, as some expect, it could brighten the economic mood of last-minute shoppers.

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November 24, 2012 The idea behind Small Business Saturday is to direct consumers to mom-and-pop stores that probably didn't get swamped by the Black Friday bonanza. These small businesses might not have the best deal on a TV, but experts say they are an important factor in overall economic recovery.

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On Weekend Edition SaturdayPlaylist

November 21, 2012 Like many other brick-and-mortar retailers, Wal-Mart is trying new strategies to serve customers whenever they want to buy. In one new experiment in four select markets, the retail giant is promising to deliver eligible items ordered online in just a few hours.

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On Morning EditionPlaylist

November 19, 2012 The White House and Congress continue to work on a deal that avoids the fiscal cliff and cuts deficits in the long run. President Obama wants to raise tax rates for the wealthy. Republicans want to raise revenue by closing loopholes and limiting deductions for high-income people. But could that raise enough money?

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On Morning EditionPlaylist

November 16, 2012 Lots of people and companies are making donations to help the victims of Hurricane Sandy, but food and clothing aren't always the most helpful things. Most charities would prefer money so they can target help to the greatest needs.

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On Morning EditionPlaylist

November 14, 2012 Most lenders require borrowers to wait seven years before securing a new mortgage after losing a home to foreclosure. But in the wake of the housing crisis, millions of families have a recent foreclosure on their record — and some are finding ways to buy a new home in as few as three years.

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On All Things ConsideredPlaylist

November 13, 2012 The alternative minimum tax is looming over about 27 million more taxpayers this year. It's just one part of the so-called fiscal cliff — a big cluster of automatic spending cuts and tax hikes that will occur if Congress does not act. Those taxpayers could end up paying an average of $3,700 more without a fix.

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November 13, 2012 KHNPeople hoping to save a few dollars by choosing insurance with low upfront costs may be losing out. Hospitals and other health care providers sometimes fail to apply discounts when individuals, rather than insurers, are paying the bills.

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November 11, 2012 From higher payroll taxes to automatic cuts in military spending, the looming budget crisis could drag the economy back into recession and create turmoil in the financial markets, economists say. To better understand what's at stake, have a look at some of the key phrases involved in the crisis.

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November 7, 2012 Concerned that the White House and Congress won't be able to agree on how to avoid deep spending cuts and tax increases, many investors sold stocks.

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