Personal Economics

Factbox: What happens in a U.S. government shutdown?

By Richard Cowan and Susan Cornwell and Amanda Becker and Richard Cowan and Susan Cornwell and Amanda Becker, Reuters

In shutdowns, nonessential government employees are furloughed, or placed on temporary unpaid leave. Workers deemed essential, including those dealing with public safety and national security, keep...
Delaware Sues Opioid Manufacturers, Distributors Over Epidemic

By Nate Raymond, Reuters

(Reuters) - Delaware on Friday became the latest state to file a lawsuit accusing corporations of helping fuel the national opioid epidemic, suing a wide range of companies involved in making,...
Trump's drug czar nominee withdraws from consideration

By Sarah N. Lynch and Makini Brice, Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. lawmaker who was President Donald Trump's pick for drug czar withdrew on Tuesday after a report he spearheaded a bill that hurt the government's ability to crack down...
6 Tips for Renovating Your Home Without Getting Ripped Off

By Beth Braverman

Follow these steps to make sure that you’re not spending more than you need to on your home improvement projects.
The Risk That’s Growing Once Again in the Housing Market

By Diana Olick, CNBC

Homebuyers are increasingly opting to put less money down when purchasing their homes, increasing their risk should the housing market, and specifically home prices, falter yet again.

Making a Big Money Move? Why You Should Probably Consult a Financial Adviser

By Beth Pinsker, Reuters

People hire financial advisers with the very obvious goal of getting advice on how to handle their money. So why do investors often cut advisers out of consequential decisions? Some advisers say...
Are Fidget Spinners Dangerous? Consumer Group Issues a Warning

By Beth Braverman

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning that fidget spinners might not be suitable for everyone.
The Best City in America for Working Parents

By Beth Braverman

While it’s tough for working parents across the country, there are some cities where the load is a bit lighter, thanks to lower childcare costs and shorter commute times.
Here’s How Much More Your Health Insurance Will Cost Next Year

By Beth Braverman

Consumers who get health insurance through their jobs won’t see rate hikes in the double digits like those on the Obamacare exchanges, but they’ll still see the cost of health care go up.
Would Trump Take Away Your Mortgage Interest Deduction?

By Rob Garver

In the complicated world of federal tax expenditures, there is perhaps no provision more loved by its beneficiaries and more hated by academic economists than the mortgage interest deduction. For...

How to Cut Your Heating Bill Without Freezing Your Tail Off

By Cathie Ericson, LearnVest

Baby, it’s cold outside. And once the temperature drops, those utility bills start to rise—which can leave you and your bank account caught off guard. The energy-savvy among us may already have a leg...
Dead People Are Vulnerable to Identity Theft, Too

By Aliya Sternstein, Next-Gov

The Office of Personnel Management says deceased people whose identities were stolen during a monumental OPM background check hack should also be provided ID theft protection. So, the agency is...
Why Your New Credit Card Isn’t as Safe as Promised

By Beth Braverman

You’ve probably received a newfangled chip card that offers better protection against ID theft when used in a store. Too bad most stores aren’t accepting them yet. Three-quarters of retailers haven’t...
6 Global Cities to Visit Now That the U.S. Dollar Is Strong

By Sarah Stodola, The Fiscal Times

In global terms, it’s a great time to be carrying greenbacks. The U.S. dollar’s strength against the euro has been on American travelers’ radar for some time now, enabling them to scoop up economical...
The 12 States with the Hottest Housing Markets

By Janna Herron

Home values continue to increase across the U.S., but some states are getting a bigger boost than others. Overall, home prices rose 6.8 percent in October versus a year ago, and 1 percent compared...

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