Americans are more confident in the U.S. economy than at any point in the past five years, thanks to surging home values, a brighter job market and record-setting stock prices.

NEW YORK — You can recycle your waste, grow your own food and drive a fuel-efficient car. But being socially responsible isn't so easy when it comes to the clothes on your back.

It's not a big breakthrough.

WASHINGTON — U.S. home prices rose 9.3 percent in February compared with a year ago, the most in nearly seven years. The gains were driven by a growing number of buyers who bid on a limited supply of homes.

WASHINGTON — Americans are more optimistic the job market is healing and will deliver higher pay later this year. That brighter outlook, along with rising home prices, cheaper gasoline and a surging stock market, could offset some of the drag from the recent tax increases and government spending cuts.

U.S. homebuilders broke the 1 million mark in March for the first time since June 2008. The gain signals continued strength for the housing recovery at the start of the spring buying season.

Recovery seems to be on the minds of many these days as the economy continues to shake off the after-effects of the recession. Housing prices and sales are climbing, the unemployment rate is falling and near record-low mortgage rates are bringing potential buyers who had been reluctant to make a move during the housing downturn back into the market.

Sounding the alarms before you answer that cry for help

‘If it sounds too good to be true’... you know the story

WASHINGTON — Uncompromising and politically emboldened, President Barack Obama urged a deeply divided Congress Tuesday night to embrace his plans to use government money to create jobs and strengthen the nation's middle class. He declared Republican ideas for reducing the deficit "even worse" than the unpalatable deals Washington had to stomach during his first term.

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If it sometimes seems like no one is driving that car in front of you weaving in and out of traffic, you could soon be right.

WASHINGTON — Buying your own health insurance will never be the same.

I’ve been a reporter for more than 30 years, and an investigative reporter for nearly 25 of them. As part of the ABC15 Investigators, I focus on consumers who’ve been scammed, cheated or just plain annoyed, usually by someone trying to get their money.

WASHINGTON — Efforts to save the nation from going over a year-end "fiscal cliff" were in disarray as lawmakers fled the Capitol for their Christmas break. "God only knows" how a deal can be reached now, House Speaker John Boehner declared.

A new report Tuesday by state tax officials shows that Arizona consumers appear to be holding back on the pace of their spending.

WASHINGTON — Home prices increased in September in most major U.S. cities, more evidence of a housing recovery that is providing a lift to the fragile economy.

WASHINGTON – Holiday spending is expected to increase by 3.5 to 4 percent this year, as a rising number of consumers plan to spend more and fewer expect to pull back, according to a new national survey.

All the world's a stage, very literally, in Joe Wright's wildly theatrical adaptation of "Anna Karenina."

NEW YORK — Forget about the "fiscal cliff."

WASHINGTON — Some reward.

It's tempting to think that if we just elect the right people next week, the clouds will part, the sun will break through and everything will be fine again. But it's not that simple. Whoever is president the next four years will face daunting problems. We've dug some big holes for ourselves.

It certainly won't match the boom years of the last decade.

Homeowners giddy about the current double-digit increases in values should not count on the trend continuing, a pair of economists said Thursday.