Mary Tomkins is a freelance writer located in Spartanburg, SC, with emphasis on economic news and research on the financial industry.
The Federal Trade Commission issued a warning to consumers on Friday not to be duped by the latest scam – sweepstakes scammers posing as government officials. Here’s how the scam works: The crooks call the…
Ford Motor Company closed last week on its Department of Energy loan of $5.9 billion, according a statement released on Thursday by Department Secretary Steven Chu. The loan to Ford is the first to be…
Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes edged higher for a third consecutive month in September, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), released on…
The number of newly unemployed workers claiming jobless benefits fell last week, according to report released on Thursday by the Labor Department. For the week ending September 12, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial…
International buyers are showing less interest in U.S. real estate due to the global recession and severe ongoing credit crunch, according to a statement released today by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The 2009…
Retail sales rose 2.7% in August, according to a government report released on Tuesday. Analysts had expected an increase of 2%. But the increase is likely to be only temporary – the big boost in…
The self-employed person generally enjoys the freedom and flexibility that comes with being their own boss. We prefer to make our own rules, make our own schedule, and make our own money. And with that…
Non-farm employment decreased by 216,000 and the unemployment rate shot up by 0.3% to 9.7% in August, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Economists had expected a jobless rate of 9.5% for August.…
Here’s a look at some financial bad habits that can eat into your chance of ever getting ahead. Refund Anticipation Loan (RAL) These types of loans are sometimes offered by tax preparation companies when you…
The number of newly laid off workers filing for unemployment benefits for the first time has dropped slightly from the week before, the government reported Thursday. Initial claims for unemployment in the week ending August…