Even the Bureau of Labor Statistics is confused about your employment situation
At the end of every month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases an updated percentage estimating how many Americans are unemployed. But the question always comes up, what exactly does employed mean?...
View ArticleVoters in a California city weigh taxing vacant properties to help ease...
Like many Oakland residents, Candice Elder, 34, is alarmed at the rapidly increasing number of people pitching tents on sidewalks and under freeways in the city. Unlike most residents, Elder has worked...
View ArticleThe low-fee wars have no end in sight
Roughly one in three people in the United States have less than $5,000 in retirement savings. It doesn’t help that wages haven’t been getting much better. But for those lucky enough to have some money...
View ArticleWhat's better than no fees? Negative fees.
Roughly one in three people in the United States have less than $5,000 in retirement savings, but for those lucky enough to have some money stashed away, the cost of investing has been getting lower...
View ArticleForever Stamp hoarders: your investment just got a little more valuable
F or those of you who have stockpiles of Forever Stamps, some good news: the post office is planning to hike their prices. The U.S. Postal Service has proposed increasing the price of its first-class...
View ArticleWhy do gas prices end in 9/10 of a cent?
This series originally ran during February 2014. We're republishing it today in light of our Make Me Smart podcast's new Explainathon episode , which included the first question here. The rest are good...
View ArticleQuestlove on "chasing ghosts"
If you watch late night TV — "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," in particular — you probably know the show’s house band, The Roots. And perhaps you'd recognize its drummer and frontman,...
View ArticleHow food banks are reaching high-risk seniors
The AARP estimates more than 10 million people 50 and older are at risk of going hungry every day in the United States. In Florida, where many baby boomers retire, this food insecurity is compounded by...
View ArticleWill that extra money in your Social Security check add up to much?
Retirees and other Americans who get Social Security benefits will start receiving bigger checks come January. The 2.8 percent boost, which amounts to about a $40-per-month increase on average, is...
View ArticleWhat to worry about when you worry about smart speakers
In just the last week, Facebook and Google have announced new smart speakers with video screens. And Amazon is bent on putting Alexa in everything. On the one hand, people seem to want these...
View ArticleWhat to worry about when you worry about smart speakers
In just the last week, Facebook and Google have both announced new smart speakers with video screens. And Amazon is heck-bent on putting Alexa in everything. On the one hand, people seem to want these...
View ArticleBusinesses turn away from Saudi Arabia amid uncertainty about dissident...
(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … Businesses are turning away from Saudi Arabia after reports a dissident journalist was killed by the country’s security forces. Then, we hear from Paul...
View ArticleHow interest rates played a big part in the market swoon
(U.S. Edition) The Dow’s roughly 1400-point drop this week seemed to have a ripple effect across the global markets as well, but now things appear to have settled down as of Friday morning. We talk to...
View ArticleMortgage rates hit highest level in 7+ years
It’s getting more expensive to get a mortgage. Data out this week from Freddie Mac shows the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is 4.9 percent. That’s the highest it’s been in seven years. What does...
View ArticleCadillac is taking a ride back to Detroit. Will buyers ride with it?
(Markets Edition) The volatile nature of the markets, especially this week, can take a mental toll on anyone paying attention. It hasn’t been this active since February, so we talked to market pro...
View ArticleTrade consultants get a boost from tariff tensions
The tit-for-tat tariff war between China and the United States has been bad news for lots of importers in this country. In the last few months, the Trump administration has published three lists of...
View ArticleHere come the consultants
With an avalanche of tariffs to navigate, companies are facing a lot of uncertainty over how to plan ahead. Meanwhile, business is booming for trade consultants. We'll talk about it, but first:...
View ArticleWhen mortgages hit the roof
It’s become more expensive to borrow money for a house or condo. The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has climbed to 4.9 percent — the highest rate in seven years, according to data from Freddie...
View ArticleHere's why Obamacare premiums are going down for the first time
For the first time since the Affordable Care Act became law in 2010, premiums are going down for most policies sold in the federally run exchanges. One reason 2019 premiums will be 1.5 percent lower?...
View ArticleBanks count their blessings in recovery
Three big banks posted their quarterly results Friday. And they were good. When you hear that profits at a bank like JPMorgan Chase were up almost 25 percent, you have to wonder: Why? Well, one reason...
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