Judi Mahaley almost didn't notice the $9.87 billing to one of her little-used credit cards.The Lawrence woman checks her statements online to avoid receiving paper statements. She was checking this particular card's statement to review her finance charges when she saw the a mysterious charge ...

Welcome to the new Common Cents blog, written by Mike Belt and Shanxi Upsdell.Belt will write about a variety of consumer economic subjects and how they are affecting people's pocketbooks and bank accounts. He also will write longer, more in-depth stories in print and online.Upsdell will write ...