VIDEO: EDITOR'S INSIGHTS

Highlights from The Kiplinger Letter
What to watch for an upturn in the economy, plastic surgery discounts, and a gap in Obama's cabinet.

BLOG: WASHINGTON MATTERS

A New Year's Resolution: Face Reality
The U.S. can win almost any war, but it has yet to develop the resources for rebuilding a conflict-torn country. That may -- and should -- change under an Obama administration.

CENTER: SMALL BUSINESS

The recession has depressed prices small firms are fetching at sale. Can you hang on?

CENTER: SMART TRAVEL

Flying doesn't have to be such a hassle. What you can do to make the best of today's unfriendly skies.

ON THE HORIZON
"It’s not just the Detroit Three automakers that are in serious trouble. Foreign carmakers are also feeling the big squeeze from the U.S. recession."

-The Kiplinger Letter

Dec. 19, 2008

EXECUTIVE POLL

With prices so low, should the federal gas tax be raised to promote energy conservation and independence?

FEATURED FORECAST THE LATEST FROM KIPLINGER

COAL:
THE NEW
BLACK GOLD

As the global warming battle
continues, look for coal-to-fuel
projects to gain momentum.

MORE KIPLINGER FORECASTS

KIPLINGER RECOMMENDS USEFUL ADVICE FROM THE EXPERTS

Economy

Consumer Wallets Open -- Slightly

Spending will increase, but it will be years before consumers are the driving force of again since they will keep reducing debt and increasing savings.

Legal

Be Ready Before Investigators Knock

A business should always be prepared for the possibility of a government investigation. Here are 15 tips to make sure you are.

Customers

Best Customers Aren't Just the Big Buyers

Identifying and coddling your best customers is crucial in a bad economy, but you have to know who they are. And the definition has changed forever.

Green Tips

Green Computing Roars Ahead

The biggest developments in the greening of IT and computing are good news for business, since they are about cutting costs as well as energy use.

See More Recommends

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING

"Here we go again with another article asking the government to provide health care and more assistance to qualified students...Uncle Sam please help me. As an international traveler and a person that makes a good living, I have seen enough of these "great health care systems" in Europe to know that when standardized health care comes to the US I will be going the private doctor route. Whatever happened to the American's that wanted to support themselves, without the government. New Age...what can Uncle Sam do for me?"

POSTED BY: John

"While it might be good to raise the tax on gasoline, diesel taxes should be reduced. Everything we consume is transported using diesel. If shipping is cheaper, prices will also be lower -- encouraging us to buy more to stimulate the economy. After all that's what Obama says he wants, to spend our way out of this mess."

POSTED BY: Elden Schenk

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CURRENT LETTER

By Knight Kiplinger

The Kiplinger Washington Editors

Jan. 2, 2009

2009: A Rough Start
But a Better Finish

The recession will be painful through the first six months of the new year, but a recovery will start in the second half. This week’s Kiplinger Letter looks at the pluses and minuses of the economic picture and explains how you can tell when an improvement is close.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: Metal Prices, Small Business, Selling, Health, Obama's Cabinet, Regulations, Water Highways, Coal and the Middle East

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