Gas prices climb sharply

The average price for a gallon of unleaded gas was $3.57 Friday on the Kansas side of the metropolitan area, according to the latest data from AAA. That was up from $3.36 a week ago. On the Missouri side, the average price was $3.49 on Friday, up from $3.27 last week, AAA said.

2012 US medicine sales show shifts by drug type

U.S. sales levels for many widely used drug categories shifted significantly in 2012, with sales in some classes declining sharply due to an infusion of cheaper new generic pills. Other categories grew, mainly with the introduction of new, generally expensive medicines.

You need a retirement plan

What is your idea of the perfect retirement? A place on the ocean? Being closer to children and grandkids? Retirement dreams differ, and so do our time horizons. But this much is certain: Saving for retirement isn’t easy, and for most people it’s on the back burner.

Identity thieves not as active in Missouri, Kansas

Data collected by IdentityProtection.com, a new website from Equifax, said there were about 4,000 identity theft complaints filed by consumers in Missouri last year. That ranked Missouri at No. 27 among states. Kansas was ranked 30th, with 2,077 identity theft complaints last year, the report said.

Straightforward videos aim to enhance financial education

Bruce Palmer, who recently relocated to the Kansas City area after many years in Florida, believes his labor of love, Be Street Smart About Money, is an effective learning tool on using credit, balancing a checkbook, budgeting, protecting your identity and other personal finance basics. If he is successful, the benefits will be felt for generations to come.