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MinnEcon Blog

Changing household roles in this economy

The recession is changing how we spend and where we work. In some cases, it’s also reshaping the roles of spouses and families. Susan Haugen of Edina opened a window on that in a recent post she sent us — intriguingly headlined: “The spousal balance of fortune.” Haugen, a source in our Public Insight Network,…
by Paul Tosto

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A mill shuts, a Minnesota worker waits and hopes

There are employed and unemployed Minnesotans. And then there are people like Val Littfin. Until last week, Littfin, 52, was working happily at Hedstrom Lumber in northeast Minnesota. Then came word the mill was shutting down for two weeks because of the economy and would reopen at only two-thirds capacity. Littfin, who’s from Grand Marais…
by Paul Tosto

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More on College in Canada savings

A few weeks ago, Dave Schaenzer of Minneapolis wrote us about sending his kids to college in Canada and the potential savings given the exchange rate. We asked him to tell us more. He wrote back with some detail (edited for space). My wife is a dual citizen of Canada and US. Our children are…
by Paul Tosto

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Making the Feds refinancing deal work

When someone describes their current economic outlook as “bright” these days, it’s worth a deeper look. Chris Erickson of Minneapolis saw it as bright after recently discovering the family home’s eligible for a Home Affordable Refinance that could save “a couple hundred dollars each month and tens of thousands of dollars in interest over the…
by Paul Tosto

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Call of the wilderness in a down economy?

Tourism is a big deal to Minnesota’s economy and summer is an especially crucial time. So we were intrigued by a recent note from Steve Piragis, an outfitter in Ely on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and someone who keeps us posted regularly on the economy of northern Minnesota. Steve, part…
by Paul Tosto

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Couple more thoughts on Minnesota’s jobless data

Annie Baxter drew a detailed picture of Minnesota’s unemployment situation in her fine story and MinnEcon post. I just wanted to follow up with a few more quick thoughts. Like Annie, I was really moved by Paulette Odette, the Thief River Falls woman who in January lost her 15-year job. Paulette’s story came to us…
by Paul Tosto

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MN jobless rate inches up to 8.2 percent

Minnesota’s jobless rate inched up to 8.2 percent in February, state officials said this morning. The rate’s now tracking lower than the 8.5 percent national rate. But it’s still painful — 23,200 jobs were cut in March with manufacturing leading the decline. We continue to see the highest unemployment rates for Minnesota in more than…
by Paul Tosto

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Taxes, taxes, taxes and something beige

Down to about 25 hours in Minnesota to get your 2008 taxes in the mail, unless you’re in one of the counties affected by Red River flooding, in which case you have another 30 days and 25 hours. Not sure what to say about taxes. I did find some interesting rankings of Minnesota’s tax burden…
by Paul Tosto

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What’s your take on the tax season?

Too long. Too complicated. Too much money. Those are the comments we typically hear today, April 15. So tell us what was different this year about doing your taxes. If you could wave the magic wand and make it easier, what would you do? Post below or click here and tell MPR News Or if…
by Paul Tosto

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Retirement confidence hits the skids

Can’t retire now. It’s an uneasy refrain we’ve heard from many in our Public Insight Network since the markets took a dive last fall: Minnesotans conceding they simply can’t afford to leave the job market and, in some cases, retirees who’ve told us they now need to find work. One of our network folks, a…
by Paul Tosto

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