Income expected to rise in 2015, while some costs fall

You might find a little more cash in your wallet this year — possibly from a raise, but certainly from lower costs. An improving economy could lead to higher pay in a year when gasoline, electricity and property insurance all will cost less, economists say. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

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» Consumers ready to shop in 2015

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Florida Trend Exclusive
A hint of maturity? - Florida's jobs picture

Florida's not back yet. The state lost about 10% of all its jobs during the recession, among the worst declines nationwide, and is still one of 21 states that haven’t gained back all of the jobs they had before the recession. Take a look at the sectors that have recovered and those that have lagged statewide and in each of the state’s 10 biggest counties. Access full story.

[Illustration: Jeff Papa]

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Busy waters off Florida: Illegal immigration surges from across Caribbean

A recent spike in Cubans attempting to reach the United States by sea has generated headlines. But the numbers of Haitians and other Caribbean islanders making similar journeys are up even more. And while federal law grants legal residency to Cubans reaching U.S. soil, anyone else can be detained and deported. [Source: AP]

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Look out, boomers: Gen X is right behind you

Generation Xers — who grew up in the long shadow of the baby boom — will start to hit the 50-year mark as the oldest boomers turn 69. In the workplace, they also are feeling cultural pressure from below — as some 83 million millennials flood the market. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]

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Americans saved $14 billion on gas in 2014

American consumers saved $14 billion on gasoline this year compared to 2013, according to new estimates from auto group AAA. Broken down by household, consumers saved $115 when filling up at the pump in 2014, AAA said in its monthly gas price report. [Source: The Hill]

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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Orlando named one of the most hacked cities in America [Tampa Bay Business Journal]
A recent article from Forbes revealed a far more dubious notoriety for Orlando than its friendly moniker as the City Beautiful. The article cited data from Enigma Software Group USA LLC saying Orlando computer infections per capita 386.91 percent higher than the national average for 2014.

› Hotels make Wi-Fi free, cancellations tougher [Florida Times-Union]
Big changes are coming in 2015 for hotel guests: One will save travelers lots of money and another may cause a few headaches.

› 2015 important one in KSC's post-shuttle transformation [Florida Today]
A storied Kennedy Space Center launch pad could roar back to life this year with the maiden flight of the world's new most powerful rocket, four years after a shuttle last blasted off from the site.

› UF ranks No. 3 on Kiplinger’s best values list [Gainesville Business Report]
For the third year in a row, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance has ranked the University of Florida No. 3 nationally and No. 1 among Florida public universities on its list of the 100 best values in public colleges for 2015. UF has been among Kiplinger’s top 10 best values in public colleges since 2005.

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› BBX Capital Real Estate building a development pipeline across South Florida [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
With seven projects in the pipeline across South Florida, including four in Broward and Palm Beach counties, BBX will be a key player in the development landscape of 2015.

› Florida offering Obamacare plans on state-financed site [Fort Myers News-Press]
Florida Health Choices, originally envisioned as Florida's alternative to federal health reform, will begin a marketing push on Monday to sell Affordable Care Act-compliant insurance plans on its website.

› Holiday business is booming in St. Augustine [First Coast News]
St. George Street was packed with tourists Saturday night, a glimpse of what has been happening over the past 6 weeks. Kathy Catron with the St. Augustine/ Ponte Vedra Convention and Visitors Bureau says since the Nights of Lights began the Saturday before Thanksgiving, it has been the best season ever.

› Same-sex weddings: Faux pas businesses should avoid [South Florida Business Journal]
Millions of dollars are expected to pour into Florida's economy as the state begins issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples Jan. 6.

In case you missed it: Miami gets our pick for "Floridian of the Year."   [Photo: Nick Garcia/Blind Light Studio]