The Strategic Petroleum Reserve was established to protect the economy from an embargo. But just the threat of releasing oil into the market can rein in speculation in oil futures, too.

A faster-cooking kitchen range is the incentive for one family to switch to natural gas. But if you hope to save money, that's just the start.

There's news this morning that folks who do the ordering at factories are increasingly wary. The Markit U.S. Purchasing Managers Index was a disappointment, its worst showing since late 2010.

If you've been to a gas station recently, you know that prices are down -- on average, about 20 cents lower per gallon than a month ago. That's in part because the price of oil is at an eight-month low.