Small Business News You Can Use (4/14)

Job growth hasn't been as robust as many were hoping for and projections are that it will take at least until 2014 to regain the millions of jobs lost during the recession - even longer, if the March pace turns out to be a trend and not an anomaly. But this is America, where anything is possible - our glass can be half full if we want it to! Mortgage rates dropped again this week, keeping housing affordable for potential buyers. Inflation stayed cool in March, as energy costs began to plateau after a three-month surge, keeping overall growth in consumer prices modest. Consumer sentiment slipped modestly in early April as higher gasoline prices hit household budgets but optimism over the economic outlook lifted consumers' expectations, a survey released on Friday showed.