Business

Money, Work, Know-How

Stories for Minnesotans who want to develop careers, build businesses, find opportunities, make more money and spend it wisely — and about the people who can help them do it.

Last updated April 22, 2024 - 1:20 PM

Self employed? Here's how to avoid going broke when all your money is reinvested in the business

April 22, 2024 - 6:05 AM

From better money management to getting a second job, entrepreneurs share what they do when the business comes first.

How to save money at the pharmacy counter

April 15, 2024 - 6:02 AM

Health insurance benefits are the first tool, but shopping around, paying cash and accessing coupons are strategies to consider, as well.

Homeownership could cost you under $100,000 if you consider a manufactured home

April 08, 2024 - 6:02 AM

Formerly called mobile homes, these types of dwellings could be a good bet for prospective buyers struggling with record home prices and rising rents.

Farm out your groceries this summer with a CSA subscription

April 01, 2024 - 5:02 AM

Community supported agriculture offers big-time nutrition and local produce, as long as you're willing to cook — and eat — whatever your farmer provides.

Women's salaries are lower, and their expenses are higher. Here's how to push back

March 25, 2024 - 5:05 AM

Death might be inevitable, but the pink tax doesn't have to be.

With the Better FAFSA still in limbo, here's what to do as college decisions loom

March 18, 2024 - 5:03 AM

Delays and glitches with the simplified Free Application for Federal Student Aid has addled many students and their families.

Making six figures by age 21 is a possibility for tradespeople. Here's how to break into the construction field.

March 11, 2024 - 5:03 AM

With many contractors saying they can't hire enough workers, establishing a career in carpentry, masonry, heating and the like can be lucrative work.

Finding a nanny can be time consuming. Here are three ways to find the right caregiver

March 04, 2024 - 5:03 AM

From nanny agencies to a Facebook group, some options for finding a caregiver require more financial investment and others more time and effort.

Have an idea for an invention but no formal training? Here's how to do it

February 26, 2024 - 5:03 AM

Minnesota entrepreneurs share ways they turned an idea into a physical, commercial product.

Planning an international trip is complicated. These are the elements to consider.

February 19, 2024 - 11:09 AM

There's a lot to weigh beyond just destination when you want to travel abroad for your next vacation.

What every business needs to know about Minnesota's marijuana laws

February 12, 2024 - 5:03 AM

Even if you don't work in the cannabis industry, you still need to make sure your company's policies reflect the state's new legalization laws.

• How to find an internship that meets your needs as a company or student

  February 05, 2024 - 5:06 AM

  Interns can be more than cheap summer help with a little creativity.

• Being a boss isn't just about IQ. Developing emotional intelligence is a new necessity

  January 29, 2024 - 5:03 AM

  Working on your EQ can not only make you a better leader, but it can also influence your business' bottom line.

• Charging your electric vehicle is half the battle. Take these steps to make your home EV ready.

  January 18, 2024 - 1:07 PM

  What the experts say about the cost and logistics of readying your house with one of the two types of electric vehicle chargers.

• The year just started, but plan your time off now so you actually use all of it

  January 15, 2024 - 5:03 AM

  Take a breather — actually, take several — by using up all your vacation time in 2024.

• You've built a business that's ready to sell. Here's how some Twin Cities entrepreneurs did it.

  January 08, 2024 - 5:02 AM

  Whether it's an investor-backed startup looking for a substantial profit by selling the business or a person near retirement, having an exit strategy or succession plan is imperative.

• From borrowed attire to skipping showers: How to save money as a guest during wedding season

  January 01, 2024 - 5:02 AM

  The average guest spends more than $600 for each wedding they attend.

• Bypass the grocery store meat counter and buy the quarter-beef (or half-hog) to save money

  December 25, 2023 - 5:00 AM

  Since the pandemic's run on meat at grocery stores, the old-school lockers of rural Minnesota — purveyors of prime beef, steaks, even lutefisk and once destined for the chopping block — are enjoying a renaissance.

• How to use — and not lose — your FSA dollars as the end of year approaches

  December 18, 2023 - 5:00 AM

  FSAs can be a great way to save money on certain medical expenses, but research suggests that roughly 50% of workers each year wind up forfeiting funds.

• Winterization wonderland: Preparing your home and car for the season

  December 11, 2023 - 4:30 AM

  Breaking down the basics to keep warm and safe for many winters to come.

• How to make your workplace more inclusive and develop leadership around DEI

  December 04, 2023 - 5:00 AM

  To address that need and accelerate progress on companies' diversity, equity and inclusion objectives, the University of St. Thomas created a master of arts degree in diversity leadership.

• It's your funeral: Here's how to plan so your loved ones don't have to

  November 27, 2023 - 5:00 AM

  From burial to cremation to composting, what to know about options — and costs — when planning what to do with your or a loved one's remains.

• The holiday gift puzzle: Who should get a gift, and what should it be?

  November 20, 2023 - 5:00 AM

  From family to friend to coworkers, here's how to cope with the sometimes-stressful present-giving tradition.

• We forgot our manners during work-from-home — how to relearn office etiquette

  November 13, 2023 - 6:00 AM

  Pros offer Office Etiquette 101 lessons as workers return to their desks.

• How to thrift like a pro (even during the holidays)

  November 06, 2023 - 6:00 AM

  Twin Cities thrift and vintage store managers offer tips on how to snag the best finds, and provide creative and bargain gifts for people on your list.

• Let your dying wishes be known by estate planning — before it's too late

  October 30, 2023 - 5:00 AM

  Estate planning involves taking inventory of your assets and liabilities and deciding how your survivors deal with those upon your death.

• Now that recreational cannabis is legal, here's how to start your own pot business

  October 23, 2023 - 5:00 AM

  The state's Office of Cannabis Management hasn't yet published license applications, but they should be available in early 2025.

• From dollar stores to DoorDash, 5 creative ways Minnesotans cut their grocery bill

  October 16, 2023 - 5:00 AM

  The cost of food rose 11.4% last year, the biggest annual jump in nearly 50 years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported.

• Picking employee benefits can be confusing — here's where to start

  October 09, 2023 - 6:00 AM

  Employees must soon elect their benefit choices for 2024. Higher health care costs and greater choices introduce new complexity for Minnesota workers.

• Don't let your summer garden investment die off; preserve produce to save money in winter

  October 02, 2023 - 5:00 AM

  Preserving food rather than wasting it could save hundreds of billions of dollars in the U.S. each year.