Figures on government spending and debt (last six digits are eliminated). The government’s fiscal year runs Oct. 1 through Sept. 30. . . . read more

Jeremy Lesniak owns a small Web design firm in Randolph, Vt. He has 10 employees and hundreds of clients. Sick isn’t an option.

“I have two cell phones and a pager” he said. “I have taken partial sick days or just worked from home, but I haven’t had a real one in over six years.”

The swine flu epidemic had employers desperately trying to keep sick workers at bay, calling into question companies that didn’t. But the economic meltdown has stepped up pressure on worker bees and bosses alike to produce from home rather than heal in bed, said Dave Couper, a career coach and corporate human resources consultant in Los Angeles . . . read more

Skyrocketing premiums have stunned some consumers who buy their own health insurance policies. People in several corners of the country are facing increases of 20 percent or more from some insurers.

Congress has asked the largest health insurer, WellPoint Inc., to testify about rate hikes of up to 39 percent for its Anthem Blue Cross plans in California, and President Obama wants federal oversight of rate increases. Insurers say rising medical costs are to blame for the price hikes.

There are steps consumers can take to shrink their payments while all this haggling takes place. Here are things to consider: . . . read more

The government is giving homeowners another year to refinance their loans under a little-used program designed to help borrowers whose homes have plummeted in value.

The Obama administration effort, known as Home Affordable Refinance Program, had been scheduled . . . read more

If you decide to hire a professional to help prepare your taxes, it’s important to remember that you are still ultimately responsible for what’s on your return.

Here are some tips to remember before you hire someone to assist with your taxes . . . read more

Closed-end funds are generally not for hands-off investors. But they can offer benefits over more common open-end mutual funds, if an investor is willing to take on the added risks and rewards from differences in how they operate. Here’s a look at key differences:

Despite their exclusive-sounding name, closed-end funds don’t maintain the equivalent of a velvet rope restricting access to VIPs.

The reality is that investors in closed-end funds tend to be wealthier than the average client in conventional open-end mutual funds, which far outnumber closed-end funds.

Yet it’s not a matter of cost that gives closed-end funds their more exclusive reputation. It’s the difference in how closed-end funds operate that introduces an extra layer of potential risk, and draws a different pool of investors. . . . read more

Your boss shows up late, sneaks out early, ignores e-mails and winces at work-related questions.

Sound familiar? Many managers are burned out from trying to get more work done with fewer staffers and resources. Some have even stopped caring.

That can frustrate employees who can’t get questions answered, are waiting in vain for decisions to be made and feel like the workplace is in limbo.

Here are some tips for those trying to cope with a boss who’s given up . . . read more

A monthly poll showed consumers’ confidence took a surprisingly sharp fall in February amid rising job worries. The decline ends three straight months of improvement and raises concerns about the economic recovery.

The Conference Board said February 23 its Consumer Confidence Index fell almost 11 points to 46 in February, down from a revised 56.5 in January. Analysts were expecting only a slight decrease to 55 . . . read more

Short-term interest rates inched lower in the bond market Monday after a Federal Reserve official reiterated that record-low interest rates are still needed to help the economy.

Rates rose and bond prices fell as Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco president Janet Yellen became the latest Fed official to stress that the central bank isn’t in any rush to boost borrowing costs for millions of Americans. The remarks come after the Fed took a surprise step Thursday and bumped up the discount rate, the interest banks pay for emergency loans. . . . read more