Making ends meet is tough these days.

It can be overwhelming as you walk the aisle of your local pharmacy or visit a mall. I get a bit intimidated at the lotion, potion and makeup counters.

Community members will have several opportunities this summer to provide feedback on TheRide's upcoming budget proposal.

Michigan lawmakers have approved a state budget that increases money for education but delayed a decision on how to cut taxes, unable to yet bridge disagreement between Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Republican legislative leaders.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Republican-led Michigan Legislature have reached a budget deal for the 2023 fiscal year.

The budget was approved by the U-M Board of Regents 7-1.

Depending on the surveys you read between 60% and 70% of Americans live this way. There is a way to step off the hamster wheel, but you have to ask yourself are you really serious about doing so?

Roughly 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. It’s a living...but there IS a better way.

In June, Birmingham Public Schools adopted a budget that had an estimated $1.58 million shortfall -- now they’re saying it’s actually a $14 million shortfall. That has implications for people’s property taxes.

The fiscal year is about to end in a couple of months and that means it’s budget season for the City of Detroit.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is proposing to spend $74 billion in her budget for the next fiscal year.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has proposed a $74.1 billion state budget that would significantly boost education spending, pay bonuses to frontline workers and cut taxes for retirees and low-income families.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is rolling out some of her budget priorities for the year.

Many people make a New Year’s resolution to save money, pay off credit card bills that are coming in after the holidays, and just get their finances in order in general.

Michigan’s two main funds will take in billions more that previously forecast — good news for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and lawmakers before the budget cycle.

Now that many people have burned through their budget for holiday gifts, it’s time to start thinking about setting some new savings goals in the new year.

After serving our country, many veterans face new challenges that can impact their financial situations in ways that are different from average civilians.

After serving our country, many veterans face new challenges that can impact their financial situations in ways that are different from average civilians.

The holidays are right around the corner and we’re here to help you get your toy shopping list for the kids in your life ready to go.

It’s not just the shortages many of us are worried about -- it’s the rising prices, too.

A new challenge is encouraging consumers to take a day off from spending in an effort to save money by becoming more mindful of their buying habits.

If you’re scared to look at the balance on your bank account, or wondering where all your money went this summer -- you might be in need of a budget detox.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed a $385 million supplemental budget bill, two-thirds of which will go to Michigan hospitals and nursing homes confronting financial pressures due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has called for allotting $150 million in federal coronavirus rescue funds for local parks and trails, the second time she has proposed major recreation spending in less than a month.

Detroit will see an increase in funding of about $27 million. That money could go a long way to help repair buildings, replace books and equipment and set the district on a better path forward.

The funding raises the amount of money spent on each student from $8,100 to $8,700.

Michigan lawmakers have approved of a $17.1 billion K-12 budget, one that will eliminate a longstanding base per-student funding gap among districts and boost overall funding by 10%.

Of course, it depends on when you book and how savvy you are at tracking airfare deals, but scoring a great deal on a flight these days certainly isn’t impossible.

The University of Michigan Board of Regents approved the expansion of the Go Blue Guarantee promise to U-M Flint, Dearborn campuses.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Democratic lawmakers want $25 million to hire more staff and pay overtime to expand appointments and hours at branch offices facing a backlog of transactions due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer held a news conference Tuesday afternoon to announce a plan to invest more into early childhood education in the state.

After months of going back and forth, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and legislative leaders have come to an agreement on some COVID rules and the budget.

Michigan legislators have approved mid-year spending bills, including billions of federal coronavirus relief to boost pay for frontline government workers, incentivize unemployed people to return to work and upgrade infrastructure.

A new tug-of war has emerged between Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and the city’s Charter Revision Commission.

LANSING, Mich. – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has prioritized frontline health care workers and those 65 years of age and older to receive the COVID-19 vaccine first. Gretchen Whitmer’s added use of social vulnerability as part of her vaccine distribution calculations has led to concerns about fairness among some -- especially among lawmakers, since thousands of Michiganders struggling to schedule vaccination appointments are calling legislators daily. But state Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit) says it is a life and death issue, and social vulnerability is included in the eligibility criteria for a good reason. “Blacks are 1.9 times more likely to die, Hispanic Americans are 2.3 times more likely to die and Native Americans are 2.4 times more likely to die,” Santana said on the Senate Floor Thursday. Duggan also sparred with Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel over vaccine dose distribution.

Is your significant other making money mistakes that are affecting you? If your significant other is making a money mistake that’s affecting you, then you’ll want to take a look at these tips. “Couples fight over money more than other things like chores, what’s for dinner and togetherness,” said money savings expert Andrea Woroch. Money can be a big source of strife with your significant other, especially if you don’t do this:“The first common mistake I see a lot of couples make when it comes to money is postponing the ‘money talk,’” said Woroch. And set aside free money in your budget so each of you have a spending account.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is asking state Legislature for $5.5 billion to battle COVID. In a statement, the office said “There is $40 million in the pipeline for release to local public health departments. Local health departments may need to take some actions to accept the funding, but money should be very close to being released.”AdHowever, Frederick said that that is not enough. Whitmer proposes $67 billion state budget that prioritizes pandemic recoveryREAD: Michigan Gov.

Gretchen Whitmer submitted her third budget for the state of Michigan Thursday. Whitmer looks to draw down on the Michigan General Fund by $11.5 billion and the School Aid Fund by $14.7 billion. “This is a restrained budget,” Whitmer said. Whitmer wants $360 million to keep in place the $2 an hour wage increase for direct care workers and wants another $38 million to help nursing homes. $300 million has been planned for bridge repair and she wants to help Michigan cities with a $175 million budget stabilization for COVID response.

Gretchen Whitmer is expected to pitch a multibillion-dollar pandemic relief plan during Wednesday’s State of State speech that would prioritize coronavirus vaccinations and additional aid to schools and businesses amid the crisis. The proposal came a week after Whitmer sent the Republican-controlled Legislature a $5.6 billion relief plan that would use recently enacted federal aid and state funds. Whitmer said recent events -- such as the highly contagious B.1.1.7 strain closing down Michigan Athletics and putting athletes, coaches team-staff into quarantine -- should be considered. The precautions include mandatory mask wearing, limited indoor dining, social distancing; and indoor and contact sports not being permitted. Read: Tracking coronavirus cases, outbreaks in Michigan schoolsMore: Return to School

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan mayors on Monday asked the Legislature to act quickly to ensure two-dozen cities collecting income taxes do not lose revenue because non-residents are working at home during the coronavirus pandemic. The proposed “community stabilization plan” would prevent workers, who typically have city income taxes withheld from their paychecks, from seeking refunds. Twenty-four cities, including Michigan's three of it biggest — Detroit, Grand Rapids and Lansing — levy an income tax. Grand Rapids Mayor Rosaylnn Bliss likened the income tax proposal to a manufacturer-backed bill that would continue to tax business equipment where it is normally based and not elsewhere due to the pandemic. Local governments have long complained that municipalities cannot benefit from market growth in existing property values.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Should the City spend more on street repairs and maintenance, or more on pedestrian safety and affordable housing? Through an online-only survey, community members can help city staff and Ann Arbor City Council members develop a budget and decide spending priorities for fiscal years 2022 and 2023. The priority-based budget survey, conducted by The National Research Center, aims to collect meaningful input from a broad range of individuals living in and around Tree Town, according to a social media post by the City of Ann Arbor. It is currently available in English, Spanish and Simplified Chinese. Find the different surveys below:• English Survey: https://polco.us/sac754• Simplified Chinese: https://polco.us/s27cbd• Spanish: https://polco.us/scb0eb✉ Like what you’re reading?

DETROIT – With the Holiday Season approaching and a new stimulus deal still in the distance, many people are taking a hard look at their finances to budget for lean times. RELATED: How to get help while battle for second round of stimulus checks stalls in WashingtonHaving some type of a budget is essential -- especially as we head toward the Holiday Season, when spending is up for many. Look at your billsTake a look at all your bills and expenses to prioritize and determine what are the “must-pay” bills. Create a budgetAs for holiday spending, set a plan and create a spending budget for each person on your list. Talk to peopleIf you are having financial problems now, contact your landlord, your mortgage company and credit card companies.

The city of Ann Arbor released a new Priority Based Budgeting Survey on Monday which seeks to gauge public opinion on city spending. On Oct. 5, City Council approved to employ The National Research Center to conduct the survey. Though city officials plan for multi-year budgets, City Council are limited to adopting one fiscal year at a time. City officials are asking all residents to share their insights through the online-only survey. The survey’s results will be shared by City Council members in December and will be made visible to the community on the city’s budget public process website.

LANSING, Mich. – Billions of dollars from the federal government have helped keep Michigan afloat amid financial hardships caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. With the federal government’s help, two of the major traditional budget concerns in Michigan -- K-12 schools and local revenue sharing -- will not take any cuts. House Appropriations Chairman Shane Hernandez tells Local 4 News that the federal government bought Michigan some time. “They bought us time to understand COVID, understand how we deal with it and open our businesses and schools," Hernandez said. Hernandez believes that Michigan businesses cannot afford to operate under such heavy restrictions much longer.

DETROIT There has been a lot going on in Detroit over the last couple of months, from COVID, protests, to now the string of violence. Chief Craig said they are handling it all, but he has to be honest, its a lot. Eight whole weeks, said Chief James Craig with Detroit Police. READ: Detroit ProtestsThats how many weeks there have been of nightly protests against police brutality. No they come out of the neighborhood police stations.Larry: Chief Craig, Having the adequate resources to mandate these protests and the crime thats going on here in Detroit, is that stretching your resources?

DETROIT In the early days of the coronavirus Michigan was already behind in funding per patient, according to a new report from democrats on the senate government oversight committee. As doctors and hospitals anxiously watch an uptick in cases that new report says Michigans response plan may have been hobbled by a lack of federal funding. June 25, 2020 update: Michigan coronavirus (COVID-19) cases up to 62,306, Death toll now at 5,886According to the report, which was done by the Committees minority staff, by April 10th, Michigan had more than 30,000 cases but had only received $31,000 per patient. At the same time, North Dakota only had 278 cases but received nearly $330,000 per COVID-19 case. The lack of funding also means Michigan needed more supplies but may not have had the money to compete against other states when bidding for critical equipment.

LANSING, Mich. Wednesday is a busy day in Lansing with the State Senate and State House are both in session. The Senate met at 10 a.m. to discuss school funding and concerns about the budget deficit -- an estimated $3 billion. One of the larger concerns has been that the state has not released the number of nursing home COVID-19 deaths in some time. The last number released was 768 -- Michigan officials said that number is lower than the real number. Lawmakers will also meet over unemployment, with many residents still waiting to get their first unemployment check.

LANSING, Mich. Lawmakers met in Lansing Friday to discuss a massive hole in the states budget -- all due to the cost of COVID-19 and the stay-at-home orders. The School Aid Fund is down $2.2 billion, making school districts brace for big cuts. RELATED: Lawmakers warn Michigan schools to prepare for significant budget cutsChris Kolb, Michigans Budget Director, is also insisting that the federal government assist the state, but theres no guarantees any help is coming. You can watch Shawn Leys full story above. The Consensus Revenue Estimate for 2020-21 and 2021-22 can be read below.

Have you ever seen this quote floating around the internet? “Impossible only means you haven’t found the solution yet.”

In a memorandum issued Wednesday, Treasury is calling for two $250 billion cash infusions to individuals: A first set of checks issued starting April 6, with a second wave in mid-May. The price tag for the upcoming economic package alone promises to exceed Treasury’s $1 trillion request, a rescue plan not seen since the Great Recession. Trump wants checks sent to the public within two weeks — a huge logistical task — and is urging Congress to pass the eye-popping stimulus package in a matter of days. The amount that would be sent out in checks Americans is also not yet decided. ___The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education.

Published: February 6, 2020, 10:38 am Updated: February 6, 2020, 11:30 am(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. Gretchen Whitmer’s fiscal year 2021 Executive Budget Recommendation was outlined on Thursday at the state Capitol. State Budget Director Chris Kolb outlines the governor’s budget recommendation during to a joint session of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. Whitmer delivered her second State of the State address last week. She introduced a plan to fix Michigan roads without increasing the gas tax.