Posts

Private sector employment increased by 247,000 jobs in April, a significant decrease from the stunning revised 479,000 increase in March, driven mostly by small businesses struggling for wages, according to the ADP National Employment Report, released Wednesday, May 3. By Yaёl Bizouati-Kennedy See: How To Get Rich With a Normal JobFind: 22 Side Gigs That Can Make You Richer Than a Full-Time Job “In April, the labor market recovery showed signs of slowing as the economy approaches full employment,” Nela Richardson, chief economist, ADP, said in the release....

Interest rates are on the rise, and that’s good news if you want to stash some cash in a CD, or certificate of deposit. But there’s more to choosing the best CD than the interest rate alone. Most CDs apply a penalty of three months’ interest if you withdraw the money prior to the end of the term, which can negate the advantage of higher rates. By Karen Doyle At a Glance About CDs No-Penalty CDs Best No-Penalty CD Rates Changing Interest Rates Compare CD Rates If you like the idea of a CD — including higher interest, a rate that’s guaranteed for the term of the deposit and FDIC insurance — but are concerned that you might want to take the money out before the end of the term, consider a no-penalty CD....

Skyrocketing oil prices became a major concern for consumers when an upward trend began in early 2022, as the COVID-19 pandemic began winding down. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine only made matters worse, sending oil prices soaring and leading to supply concerns that have hurt American consumers at the gas pump. Today, after six months of declines, oil prices are still about 30% higher than they were in January 2020, just prior to the COVID-related shutdowns that sent demand — and prices — plummeting....

By Josephine Nesbit Holiday Spending: Get Top Holiday Shopping and Savings TipsSee: If Your Credit Score Is Under 740, Make These 4 Moves Now “If you’re an individual and you’re thinking about buying a large-screen TV, maybe slow that down, keep that cash, see what happens,” Bezos told CNN in a recent interview, as reported by Jalopnik. “Same thing with a refrigerator, a new car, whatever. Just take some risk off the table....

When looking for a new side hustle, Audible probably isn’t the first idea that comes to mind. As the world’s leading producer and retailer for audiobooks, Audible mostly attracts bookworms who’d rather spend their commute listening to a New York Time’s Bestseller than their local radio station. By Ashleigh Ray Check Out: 10 Most Expensive Vinyl RecordsLearn: Should You Still Buy a Home in Today’s Market? But if you know how to use it, you can make money with Audible and it can become a really lucrative side gig....

Anyone who’s ever dealt with bureaucracy and government programs compared to private-industry customer service knows that government agencies leaves something to be desired. While companies must deliver high levels of customer service and be responsive to customer needs to build a loyal following and stay in business, the government has no such incentive. For years, dealing with programs such as Social Security, Medicare and SNAP — or even trying to reach out to the Internal Revenue Service to have questions answered — has been an exercise in frustration....

Americans continued to pay more for food in April — particularly for eggs and dairy products — though the rate of inflation eased from previous months, according to the latest U.S. government figures. By Vance Cariaga POLL: Do You Think the Fed Raising Rates Will Help or Hurt the Economy?Discover: Consumer Price Index: How Much Did Inflation Increase in April 2022? Overall food prices for April 2022 climbed 0.9% from the previous month....

By Dawn Allcot Earbuds Earbuds offer an easy and convenient way to listen to music, watch YouTube videos or browse TikTok in public spaces without disturbing others. Today’s wireless models offer crystal clear sound and an unobtrusive look. Whether you’re searching for a waterproof model for outdoor excursions or earbuds you can wear in the office to block out noise from coworkers, the best name brands are on sale today....

With the holidays quickly approaching, you might be feeling the strain of extra expenses taking over your budget. In today’s economic climate, even working professionals and those with full-time jobs are looking for creative ways to supplement their income to stay on top of all the extra expenses. To help boost your income in light of extra holiday spending, gift-giving and travel plans, you might want to consider whether it’s time for you to pick up a second job....

A kid’s brain is like a sponge soaking up information, which makes childhood an ample timeframe to learn about many topics — including money. It’s especially important since teaching good financial habits early on can help make them successful as they grow. By Selena Fragassi Compare: What To Teach Your Kids About Money at Every AgeExplore: 7 Surprisingly Easy Ways To Reach Your Retirement Goals One group of teenagers in Charlotte, North Carolina aims to do just that....

Individuals and households new to SNAP benefits may be wondering what they can and cannot buy with these benefits. How do you know which purchases are eligible versus those which are not? Here’s a quick summary of what you can use SNAP to buy and items which cannot be bought for your household. By Heather Taylor SNAP Benefits: How Long Do They Last?Advice: 3 Easy Tips To Turn Your Credit Woes Into Wows...

Americans eligible for Health Savings Accounts will be able to deposit more money into the accounts beginning next year following a recent inflation adjustment by the IRS. By Vance Cariaga See: Consumer Price Index Shows March Inflation at 8.5%, Highest Since 1981Find: Despite Tight Labor Market, Private Sector Added 455,000 Jobs in March The agency on Friday announced that in 2023 you can save up to $3,850 with an individual health insurance plan, CNBC reported....

The Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting has become a pilgrimage for those looking to kneel at the altar of billionaire co-chairs Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger. The two are known as no-nonsense, practical investors who believe in the long-term growth of undervalued businesses. By John Csiszar Small Business Spotlight 2022: Nominate Your Favorite Small Biz Discover: 22 Side Gigs That Can Make You Richer Than a Full-Time Job But what makes them especially popular in the investing community is the folksy wisdom they dispense in seemingly endless quantities....

Bitcoin and its cryptocurrency brethren have been all the rage in 2021, and record numbers of investors are now getting caught up in the excitement. And while the critics do raise plenty of interesting questions about the long-term viability of crypto, there’s no denying that vast fortunes have been made by some. One of the areas of crypto investing that has mostly been overlooked, however, is the risk of owning crypto investments — not the risk of capital loss, which has been much discussed, but rather the risk of being duped, scammed or outright robbed of your investment....

By Gabrielle Olya 2021 Small Business Spotlight: Check Out Our Small Business Stories, Plus the Nominated Businesses Near You In this edition of our Small Business Spotlight series, we’re featuring Ravenwood Coffee & Creations in Clarksville, Tennessee, a family-run business that offers locally roasted coffee and hand-blended herbal teas, sells local art and other creations from local crafters, and serves baked items from local bakers. Here, we chat with co-founder Erica Jennett about how she and her family knew it was time to turn their side hustle into a full-time business, how they help support other small businesses and why aspiring business owners shouldn’t be intimidated by the major players in their field....

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that we often cannot predict when and how we might need to have extra cash on hand. By Jordan Rosenfeld According to Pamela Yellen, founder of Bank on Yourself and New York Times bestselling author of two books on money including “Rescue Your Retirement,” 63% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, and 47% have run out of their emergency savings. Here It Is: Our 2022 Small Business SpotlightThe Future of Finances: Gen Z & How They Relate to Money...

The holidays tend to be a very social season full of gatherings with family and friends. Although you may be looking forward to all of the festivities and merriment, you may be dreading the dent in your wallet that all of these events can leave. Between buying hostess gifts, preparing foods for potlucks, participating in white elephant exchanges, purchasing new holiday attire and traveling to and from parties, the cost to attend these events can really add up....

Making $1,000 per day is a big goal. When you think about it, you’re talking about bringing in $365,000 per year if you don’t take weekends off. Although the goal is ambitious, it’s possible — especially if you’re willing to invest the time and energy to grow a hustle into a profitable living. By Cynthia Bowman Ways to Make $1,000 in a Day The following ideas will help you learn how to make $1,000 or more in a day....

Airbnb rentals are in demand this summer, according to Guesty, the world’s leading management platform for the short-term and vacation rental industry. “The U.S. is seeing a major increase in Airbnb and short-term rentals in urban cities across the United States during summer 2021,” said Andrew Wasserstein, communications and branding manager at Guesty. According to Guesty, the top U.S. cities for Airbnb rentals this summer are Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, Philadelphia, San Antonio, San Diego, Dallas and Austin, with a 71%-294% increase in summer Airbnb bookings compared to last summer....

Inflation poses a threat not only to holiday shopping events such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but also to the holidays themselves. According to a new survey by Personal Capital, one in four Americans plans to skip Thanksgiving this year in order to save money, and 88% are cutting at least one dish from their Thanksgiving meal to trim costs. By Nicole Spector Discover: 9 Costco Brand Items That Aren’t Worth the Money Advice: If Your Credit Score Is Under 740, Make These 4 Moves Now Though skyrocketing costs aren’t to be taken lightly (certainly not in a society where most of us are working numerous jobs to get by), they’re also not the end of the world....