Al Sunshine

DIG OUT OF DEBT
Now that the holidays are over and the bills are piling up, you'll be seeing plenty of ads for companies offering to help get you out of debt.

So-called debt consolidators offer to help find ways for you to pay your bills. However, the American Bar Association warns that many of these companies could land you even deeper in debt.

Experts suggest that you ask for full explanations, check the exact terms of any new loans and make sure you can afford them before signing on the dotted line.

DRIVING FOR DOLLARS
General Motors is trying to increase its market share by appealing to customer loyalty. And that could mean money in your pocket.

Millions of GM coupons worth $500 will be mailed to GM owners and to others who are interested in buying GM vehicles. And there's more good news...Chrysler says it may match the GM discount coupons.

MORE MILEAGE
Here's more good news for car owners. A new kind of automobile has hit the highway. It is inexpensive and could help lower your gasoline bills.

The Honda Insight may be the car of the future. It has both a gas engine and an electric motor. Honda predicts the car can get up to 70 miles per gallon, but only a handful of customers have bought them so far. Nevertheless, Honda will try to sell 4,000 cars this year.

The car costs around $20,000. Dealers hope its price and gas savings will attract more buyers.

AIR FARES FALLING
As predicted, some airfares are dropping as airlines try to get passengers back on board.

The latest round of discounts follows record low bookings over the New Year's holiday due to Y2K fears.
Southwest Airlines was the first major airline to drop rates, offering a coast-to-coast trip for under $200. TWA is advertising a 50 percent reduction on some of its flights. United and US Airways also have joined in slashing fares.

PIZZA TO GO
You won't be seeing the usual commercials from Papa John's Pizza anymore. A Dallas judge has ordered the company to remove its "better ingredients, better pizza" slogan from storefronts and pizza boxes.

The judge also ordered Papa John's to pay Pizza Hut almost $500,000 in damages for unfairly damaging its product. Papa John's has to stop using the slogan by Jan. 24.

Y2K GOES AWAY
Now that the Y2K scare has vanished, consumers are trying to figure out what to do with all their extra emergency supplies.

While most retailers are taking them back as returns, there are other ways of unloading emergency goods you may never need.

Of course, you can still use a generator during hurricane season. You also can store canned foods and keep batteries going longer by packing them in your freezer. These items always will come in handy during an emergency.

If you have Y2K items that you would like to donate, the agencies aiding the victims of the recent flooding in Venezuela will put them to good use. Give a call to Neighbors 4 Neighbors at 305-597-4404 and they will help get the supplies to the proper channels.

Watch Al Sunshine on CBS4 News weekdays at 5:30 p.m.