As any human resource executive can tell you, frustration and office temper tantrums by employees are not unusual. But two new studies indicate that incivilities in the workplace appear to be increasing.

Termed "desk rage," by one survey, it includes arguments between employees, pen throwing managers and workers kicking expensive computer equipment in fits of aggravation.

In a telephone survey commissioned by Integra Realty Resources, Inc., nearly one-third of 1,305 workers who responded admitted to yelling at someone in the office, and 65% said workplace stress is at least occasionally a problem for them. Work stress had driven 23% of the respondents to tears, and 34% blamed their jobs for a loss of sleep.

Maintaining a credit score about 730 is becoming more critical as credit markets remain tight. So readers who always pay on time, but have high debt utilization ratios, are finding it harder to get new credit. One reader asked:

What is the quickest way to improve my credit score? I pay more than the min, and no delinquency but my debt to income ratio is really high. How do I obtain a better score?

Paying down debt using the round robin strategy can get you there the fastest. People with the best credit score only use 10% to 20% of their available credit, so the faster you can pay down your debt on each card, the better your credit score will be. (If you're looking to minimize your interest and a quick improvement in credit score doesn't matter, then use the snowball effect strategy instead.)

After doing a round of holiday cleaning at our apartment, I discovered a treasure trove of gadgets which still worked, but no longer met my needs. Thankfully I also found Gazelle.com, a company that buys old electronics for resale or recycle.

I tested out Gazelle.com with three items I had on hand; an old camera without a power adapter, a Dell PDA with all original wires and manuals, and a digital video camera with power cord. For my collection of slightly used gadgets I am being paid $124, more than I could likely get on eBay due to the lack of accessories.

Selling your stuff to Gazelle is simple:

1. Look up your item on the Gazelle site.
2. Answer a few questions about the quality and accessories.
3. Click "calculate" and see what Gazelle will offer you.
4. Send your items back to Gazelle with free shipping label.
   
5. Get paid via check, Paypal or Amazon gift card.
   

Currently Gazelle buys goods from 11 categories including; video games and consoles, GPS units, phones, movies, digital cameras, laptops and more. If the item you want to sell isn't already in the catalog you can request a customized quote, which is calculated within 24 hours.

Recently, newspapers, magazines, and the internet have been buzzing with articles about the declining economy and its effect on relationships. Apparently, while there are numerous reasons for marital strife, most therapists agree that the biggest cause of friction between spouses is money. In fact, according to numerous surveys, the majority of divorced partners cite financial problems as the primary reason for their split.

This makes sense; after all, when things are going well, and a couple has enough money to cover all expenses and most discretionary purchases, relationships are easier to sustain. On the other hand, when money gets tighter, couples often have to make difficult decisions, putting their relationships to the test. Needless to say, the recent downturn in the economy has made these sorts of issues particularly relevant.

With winter coming on and Christmas on the horizon, money problems are looming large for many American families. This is especially true in Colorado Springs, where over 200 employees of Dr. James Dobson's Focus on the Family (FOTF) were recently fired. A non-profit, evangelical organization, FOTF describes its mission as "nurturing and defending families worldwide." In the pursuit of this goal, it produces radio programs, runs a "homosexual conversion" program, and heavily lobbies voters and politicians to pass laws in support of its agenda. In fact, FOTF does so many bulk mailings that it has its own zip code.

With times tight, everyone is looking for ways to save money. One way to do that is by making sure you get the most bang out of every hard-earned dollar you spend. So today we're going to reveal some retail rip-offs that give you less than your money's worth.

These tips aren't about scrimping or cutting out life's little luxuries -- we just want to show you some places where you are paying big price mark ups and may not realize it. Once you see just how little you are getting for your money, you can save a lot with just a few simple changes. Like...

1. Wine in restaurants
The markup on wine in restaurants is outrageous -- 100 to 200% more than what you would pay at the store if you buy by the bottle. It's a whopping 300 to 400% markup if you buy wine by the glass! To make it even worse, the highest markups are on the lowest priced wines.

Here's one thing you can do to combat wine markups: If your state/restaurant allows it, bring your own bottle and pay a small fee for the restaurant to open and cork it for you. You'll normally pay about $10.

Option two: Find out if the restaurant has an "off premises" license that allows you to take open wine bottles home with you. If so, you'll save money when you buy the full bottle even if you don't plan to drink it all. Simply cork it at the end of your meal and bring it home to enjoy later.

The adage my dad used to tell me that "If it looks too good to be true, it probably is" looks like it applies here: In the news today, a suburban Chicago car dealer is selling a PT Cruiser for $1, if you buy a $40,000 luxury SUV.

The Cruisers that Frank Mancari is selling are used 2008 models with about 10,000 miles on them that usually retail for $10,000. The Chrysler Pacifica has a list price of more than $39,000. It's a great way to get people in the door as car sales drop around the country, but a little difficult to swallow when you do the math, as Steve Rhodes of the Beachwood Reporter did.

You're already down some cash by agreeing to the sticker price of the SUV, instead of any negotiated price. As Rhodes points out, maybe you could get the Cruiser for $8,000 and the SUV for $32,000 without the deal. With the deal, the two cars would cost $40,001 together. Not much of a deal so far.

The deal was to have ended Monday after the five Pacificas were sold, but Mancari says he may extend it to other models.

Neither vehicle gets great gas mileage. The Pacifica gets about 15 mpg in the city while the PT Cruiser gets less than 20 miles per gallon in the city. With gas prices dropping, returning to the gas-hog days of the past with an SUV may look like a deal now. But wait until gas prices go up again, because you know they will.

Aaron Crowe is an unemployed journalist in the San Francisco Bay Area. Read about his job search at www.talesofanunemployeddad.blogspot.com

Eileen Wilbur, a 74 year-old blind woman living by herself, recently got a nasty shock when her daughter was helping her go through her mail. Apparently, Ms. Wilbur had failed to pay part of a water bill from the preceding year, and the city was now threatening her with a lien against her home. The bill, which Attleboro officials noted was among 2,000 that went out, was for one cent.

The letter went on to inform Ms. Wilbur that, unless she paid by December 10, she could face a $48 penalty, in addition to court proceedings. As her daughter, Rose Brederson, noted, Ms. Wilbur has lived in the house for almost 50 years and would most certainly pay the penny. However, given that the bill cost 42 cents to mail, one wonders how the City of Attleboro hopes to make its money back. What's more, while Ms. Wilbur is undoubtedly an outlier, it's reasonable to ask how many of the 2,000 bills, which cost $840 to mail, were worth less than the price of postage.

When confronted with this situation, City Collector Debra Marcoccio responded by pointing out that Attleboro's billing is completely automated, and is not audited by human beings. She went on to defensively ask why Ms. Wilbur didn't pay the one cent the year before, when it was first due. Like anyone else who's ever been through this sort of mess, I have a pretty good idea about what happened: the 1¢ bill is either unannounced interest on the water bill, or represents fractions of pennies that have accrued on Ms. Wilbur's account, which the billing software decided to add to her latest bill. Regardless, this is the sort of thing that any human being (or even a bureaucrat) with a fully-functioning cerebral cortex could probably have handled with a minimum of fuss.

Last weekend, I went to the Westfield Galleria in Roseville, a suburb of Sacramento, to check out the grand opening of its new wing of stores.

I guess Westfield has a lot of confidence that Roseville is recession-proof and residents still have money to spend -- the new shops included Louis Vuitton, Lush Cosmetics, H&M and Hot Topic. New stores opening there next year include Tiffany and Burberry. The stores were crowded but most people simply ogled, then exited empty-handed (I did my part to prop up the economy by buying a $6 Bath Bomb at Lush).

Global recession notwithstanding, Westfield also opened a humungous mall in London this month, even though Brits say they don't like shopping in malls. Simultaneously, Dubai is crowing about being home to the world's largest mall, with 600 retailers. Meanwhile back here in the U.S., home to more than 2,000 shopping malls, retailers are going out of business right and left, leaving darkened windows and abandoned space behind. Malls now seem more appealing to skateboarders than shoppers as a place to cruise. So are they on their way to extinction?

One reader recently wrote:

"Since the country has recognized the banking hardships being faced today, I have received two notices reducing my credit limit on my cards to the amount that I presently owe. My maximum's on both of these cards was double what they reduced it to. I recently got a divorce and my credit file is full of bills and statements that are attributable to my ex-husband, however, I haven't had a chance to sit down, go through the list and make the corrections. I am not late, I pay these cards on time, and feel extremely angry about their arbitrary action."

Unfortunately, I hear this problem too often. Even if you are just an authorized user on the outstanding credit cards, the credit card companies can include the record on your credit report. When you know you are separating from a spouse, the first thing you should do is contact all your credit card companies, tell them about the pending divorce, ask that they freeze any joint accounts (which means no new charges will be allowed) and ask that your name be removed as an authorized user on any accounts under your spouse's name.

Separating your financial entanglements as soon as possible is critical as soon as you start a divorce process. Don't wait until the divorce is final. You could be held responsible for any debts your spouse runs up during the divorce process if you don't notify the creditors on accounts you hold jointly.

I stumbled upon a long-forgotten Starbucks gift card the other day and rejoiced. Here was $10-worth of coffee and treats -- luxuries I no longer allow myself in the name of frugality -- just begging to be spent. And a week before payday, too. Bonus!

Why is finding a gift-card better than finding that proverbial $5 in your pants pocket? Because unlike the five-spot, you can't do anything BUT spend the gift card. No saving it. No redeeming it for cash. No trading it in. You're forced to go out and spend it on what it was intended for. Coffee. Books. Music. Home electronics.

When you've taught yourself to do without, it's a sinful luxury. Not to mention an exciting taste of the way things used to be. For example, I long ago weaned myself off the expensive habit of buying new hardcover books. When something comes out I want, I either put my name on the list for it at the library or borrow it from a less frugal friend. But with a $30 gift certificate to Borders..well? My hand is forced. And doesn't it feel wrong, oh, so deliciously wrong to walk out of there with the latest bestseller in a crisp paper bag? Oh yeah, baby!

As we've reported here on WalletPop, gift cards are growing in popularity. Many retailers are also doing away with pesky expiration dates as well. With the economy going further south every day, I predict these little squares of plastic will take on a new cache. A license to spend, if you will.

So go ahead and give your loved one a vicarious thrill. Hand over that $50 gift certificate to Victoria's Secret or Best Buy and bid them spend, SPEND! On whatever they want!

This time next year, they'll thank you for the experience.

Recently, some film critics have noted a resurgence in "feel good films," the sort of fun, mindless entertainment that one watches when things are starting to get difficult in the real world.

Citing the inexplicable popularity of Beverly Hills Chihuahua, some suggest that the stalled economy has left moviegoers yearning for the kinds of films that will enable them to forget about the difficulties of everyday life.

Admittedly, there is a fair bit of evidence to back up this idea. The top ten movies over the past month or so have skewed heavily escapist, with goofy comedies, sex farces, children's films, and violent fantasy flicks all doing quite well. In fact, even the few movies set in the "real" world were either civics lessons that peaked around the time of the elections (Oliver Stone's W) or period pieces, like The Secret Life of Bees and Changeling. As far as contemporary America was concerned, it basically has served as the background for unrealistically redemptive, feel-good comedies (Soul Men, Role Models, Sex Drive) or romances (Zack and Miri Make a Porno, Nights in Rodanthe).

If you're looking for a way to save money at the grocery store, shopping for a Thanksgiving meal is a good way to find deals that you normally won't find the rest of the year.

Turkeys are historically less expensive in November and December than in other months, so now is the time to clean out your freezer to make room for as many turkeys as you can. And as a high-protein, low-fat food, it's a healthy meal.

And some Thanksgiving side dishes, such as cranberries, are cheaper now than they are the rest of the year.

Amidst the doom and gloom of the economy, there comes, occasionally, a glimmer of hope in the way of a bargain about to happen. According to the latest info from the Department of Energy (DOE), that bargain will come in the cost of heating your home this winter.

In a report released this week, DOE's Energy Information Administration said heating oil prices are projected to average $2.75 per gallon, a reduction of about 17% from the 2007-2008 heating season. Propane prices are projected to average $2.22 this winter, a decrease of 10% from last winter. And natural gas prices are projected to average $13.02 per thousand cubic feet, a slight increase of 2% from last winter.

Bottom line, it's looking like heating your house this winter is going to be close to an all time bargain.

In these hard economic times, many sports fans have had to cut out expensive tickets and settle for the nosebleed section, or even staying home. New Jersey Nets chief executive Brett Yormark doesn't like to see his team's fans struggle, though. Known for his efforts to give back to his basketball team's supporters, he's championing a new program to help unemployed Nets fans weather the rough times.

Through the new Nets Unemployment Program, the team will give away 1,500 free tickets to unemployed fans who register with the program. Fans can submit resumes at njnets.com, which the team will then pass on to potential employers, including its corporate partners. On November 22, the Nets will host a career fair at the Izod Center, where the team plays its home games.

Kudos to the Nets for reaching out like this. Most professional sports teams put regular game attendance out of reach even for many middle-class fans, with ticket prices looking more like car payments. Yormark has tried other outreach programs in the past, including $299 season tickets and paying for one hour of tolls at Exit 16W on the New Jersey Turnpike to thank fans. It's good that at least one team in pro sports recognizes the base of its franchise.

Looking for a safe place to stash my money recently, I debated whether I should choose the one-year CD that currently yields 4.2%, or the free airline ticket for opening up a new bank account. Or should I open an account at the bank that will make a $100 donation to charity in my name, or the one that gives me $250 for referring friends who also open up accounts?

My choices are numerous these days, as banks battle it out to get my money. USA Today reports on the trend of banks offering airline tickets, charitable donations and even cash to drum up business as they search for low-cost funding.

Finally, one area where we can get more for our money. Now that more non-traditional lenders are turning into bank-holding companies (American Express being the latest), there's more competition for the deposits they need to stay funded, so plan on seeing more banks offering you more perks if you just hand your money over to them. It also means they'll bid up the rates offered on CDs, jumbo CDs and other deposits. I'm hoping they bid it up to a 5% yield; a federal credit union did just that recently for a nine-month CD. And if a positive return sounds better to you than an airplane ticket, check out Bankrate for the highest CD yields, updated daily.