hi, everyone. welcome to "on the money." i'm sharon ep er son in for becky quick. weathering the storm. record warm across the northeast. torrential rains out west and, yes, it is snowing somewhere. the economic impact of this weird weather. many happy returns. what to do with the gift card you can't use or the fruitcake you will never eat. new year's is just around the corner. how to make financial resolutions that are right for you and how to keep them. and keep on trucking. who's behind the wheel and what's driving a big change in the transportation industry? "on the money" starts right now. >> announcer: this is "on the money." your money. your life. your future. >> december has been a month of weather extremes with record-breaking snowfall in the

temperatures in the east. is this unusual weather? heating or cooling the economy. that's our cover story this week. >> december's heat wave sent more than 1,000 record high temperatures across the northeast and midwest. out west it's another story. winter is in full force with treacherous road s and packed slopes. in drought-stricken northern california, winter is more than welcome. at this tahoe ski resort, 152 inches of snow and counting. no drought buster but a boon for a business that's been dry. businesses are seeing green and not the good kind. >> we need the temperatures to change or at least be seasonal so we can get the product out and get the facility open. >> by this time last year upstate new york was buried by snowstorms. what a difference a year makes.

buffalo broke a 116-year-old record and boston which blew past its all-time snow record last year has temperatures in the 60s. louisiana. vegas. nino. >> we have seen a record-setting el nino pattern over the pacific ocean trance importanting warmle air across the united states. >> how much impact does this have on the my? paul welsh is the vice president of weather strategy at the weather company. paul, we have seen such a variation in weather across the country recently. heavy snow and rain in the west. record-breaking warm weather in the northeast. 70-deagree temperatures in new york city this week. what impact is it having on business? >> the mild temperatures in the east actually is a net positive for the economy as a whole. it's a net positive because we are spending less money to heat our homes. of course gas prices are really low.

shopping during this critical holiday season. we know from surveying we have done that the kind of weather that keeps people home and going out is really temperatures that are very, very cold or ice and snow. we haven't seen any of that. >> what businesses and industries are benefitting from the weather now? >> the home centers are continuing to do stronger business than they would normally. it's warm enough in the east to work outside and cut grass, of all things. golfing is doing well. all of the outdoor entertainment activities are doing well. restaurants, especially compared to last year in the north east, restaurants are doing great business because people can go out to the stores. >> you say mass merchants are doing well. >> they have enough assortment that they can actually make up for the fact that demand for traditional seasonal -- especially seasonal apparel which is getting hurt now, they can offset the impact. also for the large national retailers you mentioned how cold

of course those of us in the east forget it's been a decent, strong, cold winter in the west. the other 50% of us are actually feeling winter. that's compelling strong sales for seasonal products that we are not seeing here in the east. >> does that mean department stores, although they are faring poorly on the east coast might be doing all right on the west coast? do you think the net will be they will be hurt this season? >> i think they are going to get hurt, but i don't think they are going to get hurt as a lot of people, especially in the northeast might be thinking. also, interestingly, we have an easy comparison to the weather last year which is a key metric for retailers. last december was the second warmest on record. it will probably fall to this december. that means last year demand for seasonalle apparel is low following a cold november.

year on a comparative basis to last year won't as bad as people think. >> what's causing the weather? global warming or el nino? >> el nino. something we have been talking about for months now, the warming of the pacific off the western part of north america and south america. but i will say that the effect of climate change is actually am polyidentifying or juicing the impact. we are seeing warm temperatures expected with el nino which is every seven or eight years or so. we are seeing warm temperatures the likes of which we have never seen before. >> what's expected for 2016 as well. we'll see a warmer than normal year? >> we'll continue to see the el nino impacting the climate across north america. i think the southern half of the u.s. is going to be cold and wet. that's bad news for retailers. that's the area where spring typically starts. i think we are going to see a later start to the spring buying season as we move into '16.

will probably start off 16 relatively mild. but the risk there, sharon, is even mild temperatures in january, february and march are cold enough to snow and, worse, cold enough for ice storms. we'll continue to see the weather play a big role in shaping the economy and in shaping consumer spending as we move into 16. >> thank you, paul. great to have you. we'll be looking out for 2016. i wish you a happy new year. >> thank you. you, too, sharon. >> now here is a look at what's making news as we head into a new week "on the money." the economy grew at a fairly brisk pace in the third quarter. the finale reading of the gross domestic product showed an increase of 2% on an annualle basis with strong consumer and business spending. that was slightly ahead of expectations. the gdp is the broadest measure of the size and scope of the u.s. economy. the dow posted triple digit moves higher the first three days of the holiday shortened

climbed as well. stocks were mixed on a half day of trading on thursday. you have probably noticed gas prices have dropped to their lowest levels since 2009. with the national average falling below $2 a gallon, according to aaa. prices have fallen because of an increase in warmer weather. they are expected to stay low through the holiday travel season and the post office is busier than ever. that's no surprise. what is surprising is the agency is picking up a share against private sector companies y fed ex and u.p.s. they are expected to have a 40% share of holiday deliveries this year up from 35% last year. up next, we are "on the money." if a gift you got wasn't quite right tips on how to exchange it without the hassle. later, new year's resolutions for your wallet. as we go to break a look at how

>> what time is it? >> let's go. >> i feel like it's an hour ago.

it's the most wonderful time of the year. but it's also an expensive time of year. and the holiday season may end up costing you more than you think. consumers celebrating christmas, hanukkah and/or kwanzaa will have spent an average of $805 on food items, decorations and gifts for the holiday season. that's the most in the history of the national retail federation's holiday consumer spending survey. spending on gifts for family will add up to $463. up from $459 last year. also a survey high.

nearly $78. co-workers will add up to $26. others such as pets and babysitters ring up around $28 by the end of the season. to speed things along, 46% of holiday shopping was done online. that's up from 44% last year. for those struggling to find the perfect gift, they look no further than gift cards. they top the list as the most requested gift item by consumers for the 9th year in a row. >> chances are there is a gift or two you received over the holidays that you don't want to keep. about two-thirds of americans told the nationalle retail federation they return gifts most or some of the time. with tips on how to return gifts is emma johnson who runs the blog wealthy single mommy.com and stacy tisdale from black enterprise. thanks for joining us. >> thank you. >> thank you. >> i want to start with you, emma. what's the appropriate etiquette? there are things under the tree

>> it's really about being kind, grate ful ful and gracious. gift. how often has someone said, look, if it isn't the right size or color, i have the receipt. take them up on the offer and go for it. >> i give a lot of gift cards. i hope the people don't want to return them. but there are places that i know i'm never going to shop at. should i save it? card? >> luckily with a gift card you don't have the social awkwardness because the person who gave you the card doesn't know what you spent it on. there are a lot of options you can do with a gift card if you want. still, it's estimated that americans left $43 billion in unthe redeemed gift card value on the table since 2008. $43 billion. hoarder. later. be present and realize the power

you can redeem them for cash, pay bills, pay down debt, exchange for cards you want. think of it as throwing away cash when you don't use them. >> if you can't return an item, what do you do? >> you have options. you can toe nate donate it to charity. the charity benefits. you benefit because you feel good and there is usually a tax write-off. you can regift because some things you want to get out of the gift pool permanently as the contribution to society. or sometimes you just get rid of it. or use it. you put out the ugly snowman candle when your aunt is coming over as a way to be gracious and honor the spirit of the holiday. >> there are ways to maximize returns you are making. >> it's a case-by-case basis. some offer full credit like rei and nordstrom. they are famous for the generous return policy. you don't even need a receipt in

macy's, target, home depot, they usually require a receipt for a full re fund. others offer partial refund or store credit depending on the last sale price. the general rule of thumb is go to the retailer's website, check the policy and proceed. >> all right. what if you want to exchange perhaps a gift card or can you donate it to charity? what can you do with a gift card? >> there are three options with a gift card from a retailer you don't want. first, ek x change it for cash. exchange it for a card you want or donate to charity. be careful to make sure people are going to a reputable site. check the better business bureau, do a google search and check on the charity. you can turn them in for cash, donate to charity or exchange them for cards you want. those websites that will let you sell them for cash allow that and there are others that will match you with someone who has a card you really want. a lot of options.

of great options. of course we'll say thank you so much, we love it and we won't tell. >> that's the way to go. >> thank you, stacy tisdale and emle ma johnson. up next, we are "on the money." promises to keep. financial resolutions for the new year to pay off in more ways than one. later, on the road again. the changing face of the

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that means it's time to start thinking about your resolutions. it can certainly pay off of those who made financial resolutions in to 15, fidelity study finds nearly half have less debt and are in better financial shape than they were last year. joining us nows, fidelle ti senior vice president of retirement ken herbert to talk about resolutions people are making and keeping. it's your money, your future. ken, thanks for joining us. what are the top financial resolutions people make -- save more? >> absolutely. that tops the list again this year. consistent with the past few years the top three resolutions are save more, spend less, and pay off debt. what's interesting is that we started this survey coming out of the great recession from several years ago. while spending less and paying off debt remain among the top three they were much, much more popular coming out of the great recession.

still important but it's come down a little bit. people are very focused on savings goals. >> are these resolutions that you would recommend that if i dill dell ti would -- fidelity would recommend and how do you get it done? >> we believe tlls here is a hierarchy to get your personal economy in order. saving more, particularly if you have access to an employer-sponsored plan it makes sense. start there. save as much as you can up to the match. then we believe it's important to ensure that you have an emergency fund in place. the third thing would be to make sure you are paying off debt. generally speaking they align closely to the guidance we provide. >> a lot of this comes down to behavior. so people make the resolutions

have done none of it. how do you stick to it. >> people say sticking to a financial resolution is easier than others. for example, if my resolution is to save more for college, i can put an automatic savings program in place. it is a one time activity. if my goal is retirement i can increase my savings by 1% and it's done. there is no question that it's behavioral. one of the top tips we have heard from customers and investors about how to be successful is being able to see the impact on the bottom line. >> great advice. thanks for joining us. happy new year. >> happy new year to you. >> thank you. up next, "on the money." a look at the news for the week ahead. and women in theworkplace

for more on our show and our guests go to our website otm.cnbc.com. follow us on twitter twitter @onthemoney. mere are stories that may impact your money this week. on tuesday, the s&p case schiiler home price index for october will be released. on tuesday we'll get a report on december. wednesday, we'll get another look at real estate with pending home sales for november. new year's eve is thursday. it's also national champagne day. so get out the bubbly. markets are closed on friday as we begin 2016. a labor shortage has trucking companies turning to a rarely tapped pool of potential drivers -- women. morgan brennan joins us with more. >> hi, sharon. forget the cb radio wielding macho stereo type of a trucker. more women are getting behind the wheel of big rig trucks. that's a trend likely to accelerate.

type and she knows it. the team driver with her husband has travelled across the country delivering freight for werner enterprises. when she parks at a truck stop people do a double take. >> oh, you drive, too? they step back like, oh? really? yeah, i drive. >> dearing is part of a growing population of women drivers recruited by trucking companies battle ing a severe driver drought. there is a shortage of 150 to 200,000 drivers over the next three to five years as baby boomers retire and a recovering economy means more demand for more trucks hauling good. werner, swift, kov nanne covenant and snyder turned to an untapped labor pool. women like tiffany. offering 401(k), tuition reimbursement and starting salaries in $50,000 to $60,000. >> women now comprise 6% of the overall u.s. truck driver

five years ago. >> it is a man's world still a little bit. it's getting away from that. i'm amazed every time i go into the truck stop how many female drivers i'm seeing. >> part of the appeal -- modified trucks with easier to drive automatic transmission and driver cabs with ergonomic changes to better accommodate women's bodies. plus the ability for females to counterparts. >> when you work in a male dominated profession you make typically more money than in a female-dominated profession. as a truck driver, you make the same amount of money as your male peers because you are either paid by the mile, the load or the percentage. >> werner enterprises whose fleet consists of 9% women higher than the industrile average reports female drivers are actually outperforming men. >> our female drivers, as an example, have a 25% lower accident cost.

accidents, not the big ones. maybe attention to detail is better, or concern is something they bring to the party that makes them better drivers. >> recruiting is starting young. the women in trucking association created a girl scout badge to educate young women about potential careers in transportation. companies say all of this is only the beginning. >> i think the trucking industry could use a few more women. >> the 28-year-old dearing says she and her husband john plan to make it a long-term career. many women getting into it are doing so as team drivers with their husbands. trucking companies are hiring more solo female drivers as well. >> why are we see ing this now? why is there a push for companies to hire women and why didn't they t s stereotypes die slowly. that's what the werner ceo told me. the macho male trucker stereotype and negative ones

heavy machinery. executives at other companies are saying a big part of the recruitment is getting the word out that women are welcome at these companies. >> seems like a lucrative career and a good one. it's a great story. thanks, morgan. that's the show for today. i'm sharon epperson. becky will be back next week with some of the newest tech gadget s for the new year. each week keep it here. we are "on the money." thanks for joining us. we'll leave you with a look at some of the people who put the show together every week and