His system puts food savings in his back pocket

In a way, Chris Willis, 33, has been preparing for the current economic downturn much of his life.

Electric car saves up to $60 a week

Jerry Hancock, Davidson

Sour economy doesn't worry BestSweet

Cough drop manufacturer is launching a new product in time for the flu season.

At a time when the economy is souring, one manufacturer in Mooresville is about to launch a new product.

Mass transit hits tipping point

More drivers beginning to alter travel habits.

Russ Gibson's tipping point came when gas prices ran up 20 cents in a week.

• Video | Turning to the bus

He's rewarding his good employees by paying for gas

Gary Swaim has been thinking – a lot– about rising gas prices and their effect on part-time, lower-wage employees.

Parking the Hummer

Three months ago, David drove a 2003 Hummer H2 to his uptown office; Lisa, a 2006 Infiniti M35.

Local buddies help track gas prices

CharlotteGasPrices.com allows volunteers to record fuel prices at various pumps on its Web site.

Hoping Plan B won't become dreaded Plan C

About a month and a half ago, Lindsay Daniel and the staff at her architectural design firm implemented Plan B.

They went uptown when life was down

A lost job brought about a new move – selling cookies and water on the streets of Charlotte.

If you've walked around uptown lately, you may have spotted them: A young girl with braids carrying a white wicker basket filled with fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies and brownies.

• Neighbors join forces to save on gas

Neighbors join forces to save on gas

Iron Station, a rural community in southeastern Lincoln County, is “close to nothing,” Beck says.

Quality, service keys for Shops at Nottingham Plaza

New tenants augment home furnishings store.

The Shops at Nottingham Plaza opened as a one-stop home furnishings destination in an area with plenty of new homes to furnish: Union County.

Easy riding through the gas crunch

Aiken, with three small daughters, drives a minivan. His wife, Beth, drives another minivan. His job is a 22-mile commute, one way. He found himself pumping about $30 of gas every two days.

A ‘strong face' denies herself pay

Karen Holder isn't ashamed to admit how business is going these days.

Specialty niche gives firm some insulation

At Paladin Industries Inc. in Hiddenite, about 110 employees cut, sew, stuff and shrink-wrap sofas, love seats and ottomans for customers in high-end boutiques along the East Coast.

Plastics maker reaping economies of scale

This factory owner says a pre-downturn move into a bigger building has turned out to be a money saver.

On Dec. 30, Lee Orlic and his company, Double O Plastics Inc., moved into a new building more than seven times the size of its previous space.