One lesson the average American should have learned from the recent financial crisis and gradual recovery is that putting more money into savings is, in general, good, says veteran financial expert Jeff Gorton.

"When things are fine, most of us are prone to commit less of our money to savings; when the economy is down, however, we realize that having money is far more important than spending it on things we don't need," says Gorton, a veteran Certified Public Accountant and Certified Financial Planner™, and head of Gorton Financial Group, (www.gortonfinancialgroup.com).

The personal savings rate in July 2005 hit an all-time low at just 2 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But in May 2009, near the beginning of the recession, the average American's savings rate hit a high of 8 percent.

"That rate dwindled as the economy recovered, which is unfortunate because you can do more with accumulated money, including benefit from investments yielding compound interest, which means that interest also earns interest in an investment," says Gorton, who suggests practical ways to trim spending in the short term in order to get your financial house in order and accumulate more money in the long term.

•  Car buying says plenty about how a consumer views their money. For most Americans, the question is whether to buy new or used. The moment you drive a brand new car off the lot after the purchase, the car's value drastically drops. Many of the benefits you may enjoy in buying a new car can be had with a certified pre-owned car: low miles, good-as-new functionality and, usually, that new-car smell. And, a given model will have a history, so you can avoid cars that have been recalled. Buying a certified pre-owned car will save you several thousands of dollars versus buying new.

•  Summer vacation is an important lifestyle enhancer for many couples, but consider replacing the $400-per-night hotel with a condo rented through a private owner, especially if your vacation will last for an extended period. A condo rental should cost you in the ballpark of $200 per night, which totals $2,800 savings for two weeks.

•  Your home is probably your most significant asset if you're like most Americans. But with that grand house on the hill comes plenty of costs, many of which you may not need. As with a luxury car, rethinking the amount of luxury for a home can save you big on taxes, insurance and maintenance. The cost of maintaining a large home can be put toward lifestyle activities, such as travel and hobbies.

"Of course, these are all simply suggestions; money plays a major role in how we achieve happiness, and I've found through years of working with clients, a few tweaks here and there frequently yields greater satisfaction with their money," Gorton says. "You don't have to be on autopilot with your expenses."

About Jeff Gorton, CPA, CFP®

Jeff Gorton is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Financial Planner™ specializing in individual tax and retirement planning as head of Gorton Financial Group, (www.gortonfinancialgroup.com). He is also an Investment Advisor Representative under Alphastar Capital Management, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor, and has a life and health insurance license. Gorton works with individuals and their families to create and protect their financial legacies. He specializes in working with retirees in the areas of tax planning, benefits, retirement planning, estate planning and safe money techniques. He received his BBA in Accounting from the University of Oklahoma. Gorton previously worked for 10 years as the Chief Financial Officer for a large retail organization, overseeing their accounting, benefits and 401(k) retirement plans.

"Car Care just got more convenient. Two Jiffy Lube location now open in the Quad Cities."

Davenport, IA- "Jiffy Lube^® is North America's largest network of fast-lube service centers and our customers receive excellent value for their car-care dollar," said Dan Dabizljevic, Vice President of Operations. "We are dedicated to delivering high-quality service and demonstrating to our customers that we want to be their trusted, vehicle preventative-maintenance choice for life."

A day of celebration is planned to kick off the official grand opening of both Quad Cities Jiffy Lube locations. At the 3430 Elmore Ave location in Davenport the #22 Shell NASCAR will be making an appearance; along with NASCAR simulators and a live remote from Dwyer & Michaels. Events begin at 9 am including an official ribbon cutting at 11 am.

The 2777 18^th Street, Bettendorf location has a day of events as well, starting off with a Jumpin' Joey's bounce house for the kids. Zany Janie will also be making an appearance for face painting and balloon animals as well. The Bettendorf Jiffy Lube will also receive an official ribbon cutting at noon.

Both locations will be offering savings on our Signature Service Oil Changes all weekend long. Along with the service savings, customers will also be receiving FRN gas cards and certificates good towards their next oil change valued at over $45. At both locations you can also enter to win a pair of tickets to see Tim McGraw in Chicago and get access to a pre-concert appearance.

As always, Jiffy Lube^® customers receive free top-offs on motor oil and vital fluids between service visits for up to 3,000 miles.

• Other preventative maintenance services available at Jiffy Lube^® will include :

• Automatic transmission fluid exchange

• Fuel filter replacement / fuel system cleaning

• Light bulb replacement

• Serpentine belt replacement

• Battery cleaning & replacement

• Engine air filter & passenger cabin air filter replacement

• Radiator antifreeze/coolant replacement

• Windshield wiper replacement

• And more...

About Jiffy Lube

Jiffy Lube^® pioneered the fast oil change industry more than 30 years ago, today with more than 2,000 locations in North America over 22 million customers each year rely on the brand to keep their vehicles running right. Jiffy Lube^® helped define vehicle preventive maintenance by upholding the values that the company was founded upon: convenience, speed and quality service. But Jiffy Lube^® understands that vehicle maintenance can be stressful. Today, Jiffy Lube^® continues on the journey to help every driver be free from the anxiety of keeping their vehicle in top shape. Jiffy Lube^® helps keep your vehicle running right for the long haul, so you can Leave Worry Behind.

Contact

To learn more about Jiffy Lube Quad Cities visit: www.jiffylubequadcities.com

WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa is among the U.S. senators urging the Administration to give full consideration to the domestic steel industry's concerns about unfairly priced imports in a case that the manufacturer says caused reduced operating hours at a facility in Camanche in Clinton County.

"We write to express our concerns with the Commerce Department's preliminary determination in the antidumping investigation of Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) imports from Korea," Grassley and fellow senators wrote to Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. "This case has nationwide economic implications, and any final determination must be based on accurate data and objective methodologies.  As the Department continues the investigation, we ask that you fully consider the domestic industry's allegations and take action against any unfair dumping to the fullest extent of the law."

The trade case before the U.S. Department of Commerce involves Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG).  These products are used for domestic oil and gas exploration ? especially shale ? and are produced by companies including TMK IPSCO.  The company has reduced operating hours at several facilities, including its facility in Camanche, over "increasing pressure from unfairly traded imports."

Grassley and his fellow senators urged the Department of Commerce to consider all of the data associated with this case and fully enforce U.S. trade laws to ensure American businesses and workers are not harmed by unfairly priced imports.

The letter Grassley signed is available here.

A press release from TMK IPSCO is available here.

Legislation contains Loebsack's measure to protect Cedar Rapids from future floods

Washington D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today praised the overwhelming House passage of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA). This bipartisan legislation authorizes Corps of Engineers funding for improvements to ports, waterways and projects tied to flood protection, drinking water, dams and levees and environmental restoration. The legislation contains flood protection measures for downtown Cedar Rapids that Loebsack fought to expand after the Floods of 2008. He also pushed to move WRRDA forward in order to address critical flood protection and transportation concerns on the Mississippi River. Loebsack is a cosponsor of legislation that was incorporated into WRRDA that will explore the creation of public-private partnerships between the Army Corps of Engineers and private entities as financing alternatives for lock and dam capital projects.

"I am pleased that there is light at the end of the tunnel and this important legislation is finally on track to be signed into law, though it is way past due. Our outdated, crumbling infrastructure is an area I believe continued investment is highly critical. These projects will create jobs, have a direct impact on our economy, and provide safety and protection for Iowans. Iowa farmers, manufacturers, businesses and local economies rely on the Mississippi River infrastructure. It is clear that the locks and dams along the Mississippi River are deteriorating and significantly harming the economic development in the region. This bill is very important to Iowa, not just for the locks and dams, but also for much of our flood protection and Army Corps projects that are needed to keep our communities safe."

This conference report will now go to the Senate, where it is expected to pass and head to the President's desk for his signature.