Payroll tax

Retail sales ticked up by 1.1 percent last month according to the Commerce Department. The growth was better than expected, despite higher gas prices and the payroll tax increase that went into effect at the beginning of the year.

The nation's largest retailer may see slump in February sales figures.

Steve Presser, proprietor of Big Fun toy store in Cleveland, says although the deal to avert the fiscal cliff eases uncertainty among consumers, the payroll tax increase raises a whole other list of issues.

The short-term stimulus plan had pumped billions into the economy.

The 2 percent payroll tax rise means that a person who earns $50,000 a year will pay $1,000 more in taxes.

For two years, paychecks have been a little fatter thanks to a payroll-tax cut. But did it stimulate the economy, and what happens when it goes away?

Parts of the broadcast spectrum will be auctioned off to help cover the costs of the payroll tax cut and extended long-term unemployment benefits. Even a sliver of spectrum could bring a big chunk of cash.

Congressional negotiators have agreed to a deal that would extend the payroll tax cut through the end of the year, which means more money will go into more people's pockets and perhaps, they will go out and spend it.

News out of the U.S. and Europe today could mean more spending at home and more debt problems in Greece. But Josh Brown of Fusion Analytics says neither piece of news will make a huge difference in the markets.

A tentative deal has been reached to extend the payroll tax cut, as well as some unemployment benefits and Medicare payments. As the economy stays sluggish, we're in an era of seemingly endless government stimulus.