Time is running out to do your Christmas shopping. Will you get a good deal, or will you be paying a steep price for your procrastination? Andrew Greenstein has the answers.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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Bob Marlin is no longer the head coach of the Cajuns men’s basketball team. Jeff Palermo reports on why Marlin was fired during the middle of the season…
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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If you’ve waited until now to start your Christmas shopping, it could be hit or miss on whether you’re getting a good price on those gifts. LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says whether prices will drop before Christmas depends on the item.
For example, Rice says Christmas lights may be on sale now, but they’ll be at a much bigger discount after Christmas. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a good deal on hot items, not only would you be less likely to find a good deal, you might be less likely to find the item in stock.
Rice says in some instances, you will need to do your homework to determine whether the price you’re paying is a good deal.
Cut 5 (13) “…relative to that”
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Many Americans are missing out on credit card rewards, according to a recent Bankrate survey. About 40-percent of U.S. adults lack a rewards credit card, and 23-percent of rewards cardholders didn’t redeem rewards in the past year. Bankrate Senior Analyst Ted Rossman says many people are missing out.
Cut 6 (10) “…real money here.”
Cash back is the favorite feature for 50-percent of cardholders, particularly among older and middle-income earners. Travel rewards appeal more to high-income groups but require more effort to maximize. Rossman says get a cash back reward to keep it simple
Cut 7 (10) “…everything you buy.”
Despite the appeal of rewards, many Americans miss out by failing to redeem them, highlighting a significant opportunity to capitalize on “free money” from strategic credit card use. Rossman says find out how many points or rewards you have and come up with a plan to use them.
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The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana is forecasting the state to turn a deficit into a surplus for the next fiscal year.
Cut 9 (05) “…increase in revenue,”
PAR President Steven Procopio says the changes in the tax code going into effect are expected to erase a 400-million-dollar budget deficit for the new fiscal year that begins in July. PAR says the original forecast for the general fund was 11.7-billion dollars; now, it’s 12.15-billion. Procopio says a lot of that added revenue comes from the increase in the state sales tax.
Cut 10 (09) “…the general fund.”
Furthermore, PAR projects its general fund forecast for the 2026-27 fiscal year to go from 11.87-billion dollars to 12.2-billion. Procopio cautions, however, that this is all speculative.
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Former Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire has joined the New Orleans Saints practice squad, marking a homecoming for the Baton Rouge native and former LSU standout. Edwards-Helaire was the starting running back on the Tigers 2019 national championship team and he says there’s no better feeling than to be back home.
Cut 12 (12) “…no better time.”
Edwards-Helaire has not played this season, as he was on the non-football injury list, before the Chiefs released him earlier this month. The former Catholic High of Baton Rouge star says he’s going to make the best of every opportunity he gets.
The Saints signed Edwards-Helaire because of a potentially season-ending injury to starting running back Alvin Kamara. The two-time Super Bowl champ says he’s trying to learn this new offense as fast as he can.