KATU - News - Problem Solver

Frugal Living: Take the 'Food Stamp Challenge'

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 08:19:18 GMT

Could you feed your entire family healthy, organic food on a food stamp budget of just $275 per month? Mom and blogger Kari Patterson says it's easy, as long as you plan ahead and are strategic about it.

Frugal Living: Keep the family moving with just one car

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 02:28:08 GMT

Cutting the second family car can put you on the fast track to getting out of debt. Just ask the Phair family.

Frugal Living: Downsizing the dream house

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 01:37:25 GMT

You may think your dream home is the big house in the hills. But if you take a look at your overall finances, maybe something more modest is best for your family.

Frugal Living: Live without buying anything new

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:14:58 GMT

A Southeast Portland mom says it's possible to go through life with buy just about nothing new. KATU Problem Solver Shellie Bailey-Shah sat down with her to learn her secret.

Frugal Living: Five largest expenses

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:40:27 GMT

Recognizing what are commonly the five largest expenses is an important step in properly managing your finances. KATU Problem Solver Shellie Bailey-Shah shows you the top expenses.

Companies might be charging your phone bill without your permission

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 08:42:41 GMT

If you get a spam text message, you probably delete it. But check carefully, because it could be a sign of "text cramming" – charges you don't want on your account.

States, banks reach $25 billion foreclosure-abuse settlement

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:25:29 GMT

Federal and state officials announced at a news conference that 49 states had joined the settlement. Oklahoma announced a separate deal with the five banks.

Local couple hopes mortgage settlement will save their home

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:27:31 GMT

Struggling homeowners in Oregon and Washington still have a lot of questions about what the settlement means for them. Who qualifies for help? And do you need to file any paperwork to get it? Or will the help come automatically?

Family gets ripped off in mortgage phishing scam

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:07:43 GMT

The money went to an offshore bank account operated by someone pretending to be a Bank of America employee.

Green TVs can save you money without sacrificing quality

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 06:18:29 GMT

More people buy TVs in the days before the Super Bowl than any other week of the year. But this year you have new choices: Green TVs are designed to use much less energy than the TV you have now.