2009 Poverty Rate Highest in 15 Years
The poverty rate in the U.S. rose to 14.3% in 2009 – its highest level in fifteen years, the Census Bureau reported on Thursday. Up from 13.2% in 2008, this was the second statistically significant…
Current Events
Stay updated on financial news, market trends, and economic changes that affect your money. From interest rate hikes to government policy shifts, we break down what’s happening now—and what it means for your finances.
August Sales Slightly Higher Than Expected
American consumers are keeping big spending in check by putting off buying cars, furniture, electronics, and appliances, but the back-to-school season fueled the second monthly retail sales increase in a row and slightly beat analysts’…
Most Consumers Paid No Overdraft Fees in Past Year
American consumers have been responsibly managing their checking accounts and keeping the costs of banking to a minimum. Most bank customers paid no overdraft fees over the past year, according to a report released on…
Advance-Fees Banned for Debt-Relief Agencies
Consumers will soon be protected from paying advance fees to telemarketing companies who promise to help alleviate debt problems, the Federal Trade Commission reported on Thursday. The FTC’s new rules apply to for-profit companies that…
ABA: Consumer Loan Delinquencies Continue to Decrease
Americans have been working hard to keep their debts paid on time – bringing down the rate of consumer loan delinquencies for the third straight quarter, according to a report released on Wednesday by the…
Unemployment Rate Down to 9.5%
The unemployment rate edged down from 9.7% to 9.5% despite the economy losing 125,000 jobs in June, the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported on Friday. Temporary Census jobs coming to an end…
Consumer Confidence Drops in June
After consistently rising for three straight months, consumer confidence in June is sharply down amid worries of the job market, the Conference Board reported on Tuesday. The index used to measure consumer confidence dropped from…
How Do ID Thieves Amass $10 Million? A Tiny Amount Many Times
It has become second-nature for consumers to diligently safe-guard their personal information to prevent identity theft and credit card fraud. We shred our sensitive financial documents before throwing them out, we’re learning to not be…
$1.5 Billion Approved for Hardest Hit States
The Treasury Department announced on Wednesday that Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan, and Nevada – the five states hurt most by the housing downturn – can begin to use the $1.5 billion in the Housing Finance…
May Unemployment Rate Falls in 37 States and DC
Unemployment rates were slightly lower in May across most of the nation, according to a report released today by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). While 7 states reported no change in…