-$3.80: President Obama issued his $3.8 trillion budget this week. Schools and students and small businesses were the biggest winners. Who wasn't cheering: The rich. And, facing a record deficit, future generation of taxpayers. Guess that's what you get for teaching them about money.

+$1,000: Look, ma, no hands! Toyota's gas pedal issue may be fixed, but the firm's president formally apologized today as a recall is considered for the Prius and the U.S. launches an investigation. And because the car industry is in a take-no-prisoners mood, GM, Ford, Hyundai, and Chrysler are all offering incentives to disgruntled Toyota owners. Mad at Toyota? Driving an Elantra could be your best revenge.

-$47: Obama tells Congress on healthcare: "Finish the job." Right. Because maybe if he just asks nicely . Meanwhile, out in the field, med students and doctors admit their education kinda glossed over stuff like health care systems and medical economics. Lesson: Don't get sick! (Or, really, if you can't afford your care, tell your doctor.)

-$350: How much is a college degree worth? Close to $1 million? Or more like half that? Wow. Sure puts six-figure student debt in some new perspective.

x0.1: Is there anything better than a pay raise? How about a perk you might actually get! Yep, even CIA agents are moonlighting these days. Wanted: James Bond-type, must provide own high-tech spy toys, martini shaker.

-$14:The incredible shrinking consumer good, episode #64: Toilet paper! From the company's POV, it's a better (read: sneakier) alternative to raising prices. From my POV, it's just less quilted softness for my dollar. But it could be worse.

-$18.70: Hey, Denver and Anchorage, feeling a little bit broke? Could it be the bar tab that's killing budgets America's two drunkest cities? Try buying off the bottom shelf like the rest of us. Or use these magic words to get a more generous pour. Or, just get off the sauce.

This week's total: +$27.22. Well, not enough for those Super Bowl tickets, I'm afraid. Maybe I can ask my Congressman for his freebies.

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