bob hansen explained. >> spending time looking at the new fiat 500. she says she likes the size. >> you do not feel like you're in a tiny car. >> she is also looking for ways to help the family budget. >> we want to save money on gas, a payment. save money on payment. >> that is why many people are returning to the car lot this year, attracted by gas mileage and low interest rates. >> they are basically paying you to take the car at this point. >> car sales are one of the troop bright spots in the struggling u.s. economy. -- true bright spots in the struggling u.s. economy. compacts are popular. >> when gas prices go up, so do economy car sales. >> vw has watched its sales skyrocket over the past year. one reason? the turbo diesel. >> $3, $4 a gallon -- people have a tendency to want to go for a car that gives them better mpg. >> will -- cold sweat and says their september sales are the best -- volkswagen says their september sales are the best they have had since 1972. beetle looksat' different from this 1. >> shoppers are finally letting go of 10-ye

bob hansen says families are spending more on their funds than ever before. -- one thing you're not cutting back on is their cell phone bill. >> it is a priority. you have to have it. >> melissa shows that nearly $300 a month. >> i have to be connected constantly. connected to my kids, clients, parents, siblings. to go that connection comes at a price. and a new federal study says spending for phone service went up more than 4% last year, an whenside of the timgn of the ti people are cutting back on nearly every expense and for their cellfor phone bille. >l. ." >> this financial advisor says they have gone from being optional to require an -- requirement. but watch out, this seems to be an opportunity to spend more money. >> i think people shop around for the best smart phone. they did not shop around for the best data plan. >> she said she stands her bill from time to time looking for ways to cut back. not a bad idea, especially when the bills are taking a bigger chunk out of that family budget. -- melissa said she scans her bill from time to time looking for ways to cut back. >> make sure

bob hansen explains. >> they were looking over the new fiat 500. she says she likes the size. >> it is fun. i would like to save money on gas and the payment. >> a lot of people are returning to the car lot this year. >> you have as low as 0%. they are basically paying you to take the car. >> compact cars are leading the ookingas people are l for fuel-stingy cars. vw has watched its sales skyrocketing. >> people have tended to gravitate towards the cars that will give them the better miles per gallon. >> volkswagens said their sales and september good since 1972. shoppers are letting go of their used cars. is now a good time to shop? savvy shoppers store looking for deals. >> there is great incentives on the last year's models. 20n a get a great deal on th 2012. >> the ravens survived an dallas.of dilution from dalldem >> keith mills will of have highlights. >> here is a look at last night's winning maryland lottery numbers. numbers. as a pastor, my support for question 6 is rooted in my belief that the government should treat everyone equally. i w

reporter bob hansen says you need to do your homework before signing up. >> leo looks through the raspberries he grows in his backyard. he owns his home, and that makes him popular among people trying to sell reverse mortgages. but this 81-year-old retired navy captain does not think it is for him. >> they don't tell you about everything. >> it eliminates the payment. but it does get tacked on to the loan balance every time. >> this radio show host says reverse mortgages have made it possible for many people to stay in their homes when times are tough. a reverse mortgage allows the homeowner to stop making mortgage payments and receive monthly income, added to the ultimate balance of the mortgage. it continues until the homeowner either moves our passes away. >> it can be a good security blanket or a good financial instrument, but it is not for everybody. >> it does take away your monthly payments on the house, but you are still responsible to pay your insurance and your taxes. deputy district attorney paul greenwood specializes in financial abuse of the elderly. it can include reverse mortga