ECONOMY

The Saltire, the flag of Scotland, flies near the Union Jack in Gretna in Scotland. Some economists say Thursday's vote on Scotland's independence could have wide-ranging economic impacts.

Like It Or Not, Scotland's Drama May Hit Your Wallet

4:37pm September 16, 2014

by Marilyn Geewax

Some economists say Thursday's vote on Scotland's independence could have wide-ranging economic impacts. They fear that a breakaway from the U.K. could trigger another global financial upheaval.

Kevin Evans relaxes in his small apartment after arriving home from work. Evans, who lost income and his home in the recession, is now having his wages garnished after falling behind on his credit card payments.

Millions Of Americans' Wages Seized Over Credit Card And Medical Debt

10:52am September 16, 2014

One in 10 working Americans between the ages of 35 and 44 is getting his or her pay docked for not paying debts. And in most states, the law allows a quarter of wages to be withheld.

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Conrad Goetzinger and Cassandra Rose struggle to pay their bills as $760 is garnished from their paychecks every two weeks by debt collectors. Twice, Goetzinger's bank account has been emptied by collectors after he failed to payoff a loan for a laptop.

Economy

With Debt Collection, Your Bank Account Could Be At Risk

8:36am September 16, 2014

A 1968 federal law allows debt collectors not only to garnish wages but to take from a debtor's bank account. Consumer advocates say the outdated law is overly punitive and out of touch with reality.

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A soldier guards a pipe en route to the Kawergosk Refinery near Irbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq, in July. Fighting in northern Iraq forced the closure of the country's largest oil refinery, Baiji, and cut production fr

With Turmoil Roiling Abroad, Why Aren't Oil Prices Bubbling Up?

8:32am September 16, 2014

by John Ydstie

Conflict in oil-producing regions usually sends oil prices higher. But the cost of oil has actually dropped, despite turmoil in the Middle East. Economists say it's a matter of supply and demand.

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Visitors look at old boil tanks at the Heineken Experience in Amsterdam last month. As it celebrates 150 years of brewing, Heineken has also reportedly rejected a takeover offer from SABMiller.

Economy

Heineken Owners Reportedly Rebuff SABMiller's Purchase Offer

8:08pm September 14, 2014

by Bill Chappell

In a move seen as a way to fight off Anheuser-Busch InBev, brewer SABMiller reportedly offered to buy Heineken. The family that controls Heineken rejected the idea, Bloomberg News says.

Economy

A Dozen Puffins Will Get You 800 Mackerel: Inside The Weird Economy Of Zoos

4:35pm September 12, 2014

by Gabrielle Emanuel

Zoos and aquariums almost never buy or sell animals. But trade is thriving.

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Soybeans in a field in Springfield, Neb., on Wednesday. The nation's corn and soybean farmers will bring in by far the largest harvest ever this year, driving down the price of the commodities, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Food Is Cheap, At Least Compared With 4 Years Ago

2:30pm September 12, 2014

by Dan Charles

Global food prices are at a four-year low because of good harvests in the U.S., Europe and China. But food still costs more than it did in the 1990s, even accounting for inflation.

Not every business has been hurt by the Ebola epidemic: Stephen Kollie says his newspaper stand is thriving because people are hungry for the latest Ebola information. But many of his usual expatriate customers have left the country, he says.

Fast-Moving Ebola Slows Down Liberia's Economy

10:30am September 11, 2014

by Ofeibea Quist-Arcton

Farmers are too frightened to tend their fields. Customers have stopped going to restaurants, bars and other shops. So now people in Liberia's "breadbasket" region are depending on food donations.

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Aficionados line up outside Hot Doug's, a gourmet hot dog diner in Chicago, in May. Owner Doug Sohn has announced that he will shut the doors in October after nearly 14 years.

Why Food Pilgrims Will Wait Four Hours For A Taste Of The Sublime

12:04pm September 10, 2014

by Maanvi Singh

Psychology tells us that waiting for an experience can boost our happiness, as can talking about the experience afterward. That's one reason food pilgrims seem to be queuing up and Instagramming it.

Ferguson's Plan To Cut Back On Court Fees Could Inspire Change

11:02am September 10, 2014

by Joseph Shapiro

The council in the Missouri town met Tuesday for the first time since the shooting of Michael Brown. A plan introduced would address one source of tension: heavy collection of court fines and fees.

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