Money, Wealth & Power—A Daily Look at the Financial World
Federal data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Census Bureau show that remote work has shifted from a niche perk to a routine part of how millions of Americans earn a living. In 2023, more than one in three employed people did at least some work from home on days they worked,…
New federal data show how tight many household budgets have become, even for families in the middle of the income scale. As more people look for side income to cover basics, some turn to options like selling plasma, underscoring how fragile “comfortable” now feels when prices rise faster than paychecks. The U.S. Bureau of Labor…
As Arctic air settles over large parts of the country, home heating bills are becoming a painful line item in many family budgets. The U.S. Energy Information Administration has released its latest forecast for the 2025–26 heating season, and the message is blunt: what Americans pay to stay warm will depend on the fuel they…
Frugal living expert Austin Williams argues that real “must-haves” are rarely found on a store shelf. In his view, the way Jan and Your expectations shift over time matters more than any single purchase, because habits either build savings or drain it. I use his guidance to highlight five common “necessities” that careful savers skip,…
Goodwill has long asked shoppers to treat every purchase as final, a trade-off many people accepted in exchange for low prices and a sense of doing good. That bargain is starting to change. Several regional Goodwill organizations are rolling out new return and fitting-room rules that look more like those of a mainstream retailer. These…
When someone dies, their bank account enters a clear legal process; it does not become a private stash for whoever holds the debit card. Banks, courts, and federal insurance rules all play a role in what happens next, and those rules decide who can access the money and when. According to national banking guidance, more…
New car prices have pushed many Americans to the sidelines, turning what used to be a basic tool for work and family life into a hard financial choice. By 2026, even modest sedans often require bigger loans, longer terms, and tighter budgets. The most realistic way back into the market is to treat car buying…
Americans from Phoenix to Philadelphia are opening power bills that look more like mortgage payments. The shock is not a one-time mistake. Energy inflation has turned what used to be a steady monthly cost into a rolling crisis, as old equipment and harsh weather collide with rising demand. Recent February rate data and expert warnings…
U.S. consumer debt has climbed to record levels while the job market shows signs of cooling, a mix that turns everyday borrowing into a potential fault line for the wider economy. With total obligations reaching $18.8 trillion and labor conditions softening, households are more exposed if paychecks slow or disappear. The danger is not only…
Generation X grew up on promises of stable careers, affordable homes and rock solid pensions, only to hit adulthood just as those guarantees were quietly dismantled. Now, as they near retirement, the numbers show a cohort squeezed from every direction and robbed of the rich life they were told to expect. I look at nine…