There are so few breaks available for the cost of driving, I wanted to be sure you knew about this one. The IRS has increased the mileage rate to 58.5 cents. That means, starting July 1, taxpayers can use 58.5 cents a mile to claim deductions for business use of their cars. The IRS normally sets mileage rates once a year, in the fall. But it made a mid-year change this time around, to help people out with the pressures of high gasoline prices.

Looking back, last year, the mileage rate was 48.5 cents. For the first six months of this year, it was 50.5 cents.

Let's hope employers follow the IRS' lead and reimburse their employees at the new, higher rate.