AP rolls out weekly and monthly personal finance package

NEW YORK -- The Associated Press is rolling out a package of new weekly and monthly consumer-oriented content for use by its members and subscribers to offer readers insight on how they can earn, spend, invest and save money.

“We’re tapping the extensive knowledge that exists across the AP to produce categories of this content on a regular schedule,” said Managing Editor Kristin Gazlay, who oversees financial news. “For example, we’ll deliver weekly stories from our retailing, technology and transportation teams, plus a weekly story that examines career and workplace issues. Energy and health care will be topics covered monthly. And the personal finance, real estate and financial markets teams will continue or increase their offerings.”

The material will be tight, bright and useful -- in the form of stories, Q&As and top tips -- aimed at helping readers make decisions large and small, from investing a sudden windfall to switching careers to dealing with a car mechanic to turning a hobby into something that pays.

Personal Finance Editor Trevor Delaney is the editor for the expansion project.

Here’s the schedule of new and enhanced fixtures being rolled out this month.

Weekly:

MONDAY

Careers: Weekly coverage that will be supported by a mini-team.

Personal Finance: The personal finance team will produce “Your Money,” a column of responses to reader questions. (Moves second and fourth Mondays.)

TUESDAY

The New Frugality: Coverage that’s squarely framed around consumer behavior and how people are coping with the recession.

WEDNESDAY

Technology: The technology team will provide a consumer technology offering on topics such as trends, gadgets and buying guides.

Transportation: The airlines and auto teams will coordinate coverage of travel-related consumer issues, such as car ownership concerns, analysis of the latest auto dealer incentives, frequent-flier programs and airport amenities.

Personal Finance: The personal finance team will provide the “On The Money” column.

THURSDAY

Retail: The retail team will offer a story that addresses how consumers are spending their money.

Personal Finance: Weekly “Of Mutual Interest” mutual fund column.

FRIDAY

Personal Finance: “Recalls This Week,” roundup of consumer product recalls.

Monthly:

1st Week

Health: Monthly health care column. Health topics could include saving on prescription drugs, navigating insurance claims, negotiating with doctors, etc. (Moves the first Tuesday.)

Personal Finance: Monthly retirement column. (Moves the first Thursday.)

2nd Week

Real Estate: A financially oriented enterprise story focused on real estate. (Moves the second Tuesday.)

Energy: Monthly energy column. Energy topics could include gas prices, home heating/cooling, appliance trends, etc. (Moves the second Friday.)

3rd Week

Money & Markets: Once a month, this team plans to expand on one of its centerpiece stories.

Personal Finance: Monthly “Family Finance” column highlighting financial issues tied to family relationships, for instance, estate planning, caring for seniors, etc.

4th Week

Money: A column targeted toward individual investors; will include quarterly reports on the stock market (Moves the fourth Tuesday.)

Personal Finance: “Financial Bookshelf,” a roundup of new releases. (Moves the fourth Friday.)

INVESTING CONTENT

CEO Interview: One will run each month. (Moves the fourth Thursday.)

In addition, Gazlay said, prospective topics include the new rules of car buying, the best question to ask in a job interview, the humble grocery coupon going high tech, investing rules that no longer apply, and how to cut cell phone, cable and other costs.