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.
Key reports released this week point to the economy losing steam. Consumers are nervous about the economy despite the recent drop in fuel prices. Only 22 percent of people surveyed felt the economy was heading in the right direction in June – the lowest percentage in five months, according a Bloomberg consumer poll. “The steady … Read more
Sales of existing homes rose in April in all regions of the U.S. and were 10% above the level from a year ago, the National Association of Realtors reported on Tuesday. Home prices also continued to rise, and the national median home price of $177,400 was 10.1% higher than it was a year ago. Lawrence … Read more
Unemployment rates in most cities across the U.S. generally improved over the year and the national jobless rate fell by one percentage point, according to a government report released on Friday. From January 2011 through January 2012, the jobless rate fell in 345 out of the 372 metropolitan areas surveyed, while it increased in 16 … Read more
Another so-called mortgage debt relief company preying on unsuspecting homeowners in two related scams has been halted by the federal government. Putting a new twist on an old trick, the alleged scam operation lured homeowners into filing so-called “mass joinder” lawsuits against their lenders with false promises of debt forgiveness, halting and reversing foreclosure, credit … Read more
While your working on your taxes over the next few months, it may be a good idea to check and be sure that you filed your 2008 tax return. The Internal Revenue Service announced on Thursday that it has over one billion dollars in unclaimed tax refunds for the tax year 2008, and says the … Read more
The housing recovery has been slow and the small progress has often been hampered by a step or two backwards. But overall, industry experts generally speak positively about the direction of the real estate market. Last month, new home sales last month dipped 0.9% from December’s revised figures, but remain 3.5% above levels from January … Read more
As the cost of health care continues to rise, consumers flocked to tax-advantaged Health Savings Accounts in record numbers last year. J.P. Morgan Treasury Services said the average Chase HSA balance of $1,547 in 2011 is 4% higher than it was in 2010, and that the average balance of nearly $1000 for new Chase HSA … Read more
Pending home sales slipped 3.5% in December after reaching a 19-month high, but were 5.6% above levels from the same month in 2010, the National Association of Realtors reported on Wednesday. Pending home sales are contracts that have not yet gone to closing, and are a good indicator of sales to be completed within the … Read more
Now that the holiday season has passed, it’s time to start thinking about the next big event – tax season. The Internal Revenue Service announced that the deadline for filing 2011 tax returns and paying any taxes due will be on a Tuesday, April 17th this year. You will have two more days because the … Read more
Amid better jobs reports and pre-holiday spending, consumers have a more positive outlook on the economy for the first time since summer. Consumers’ overall feelings about the economy surged in November, according to a report released by the Conference Board on Tuesday. Consumer confidence – which measures – rose in November to 56 from 40.9 … Read more
