Like many businesses, James River Bus Lines could not give its employees a pay raise this year because of the recession. Instead, the 81-year-old company is increasing benefits for its 180 employees, including raising the company’s 401(k) retirement plan match from 75 cents to $1 for every $1 the employee contributes. Stephen Story, president of the family-owned business, said improving the company’s benefits was a cheaper option than a pay raise and one that he hopes will help reward longevity with the company.

Jobless since January, Donald Money has already moved in with his elderly parents, stopped going to the movies and started using less of his prescription medication so it will last longer. This month, something else will fall by the wayside: Money’s unemployment check. The 43-year-old former printing press operator is among the more than 1.3 million Americans whose unemployment insurance benefits will run out by the end of the year, placing extra strain on an economy that is just starting to recover from the worst downturn in a generation.

Preparing for disaster might not seem like a priority to a company owner who is trying to bring in sales and cut costs during the recession. But the kind of planning that goes into mitigating the impact of a disaster can also help your company’s operations when all is well. Donna Childs, whose financial-services firm was dislocated by the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001, said disaster planning is often neglected since “most small-business owners feel overwhelmed because they see disaster preparation as a huge task.“

About 2,000 retirees from LandAmerica Financial Group lost health-care benefits or life insurance this week after the company canceled their coverage to cut costs.