Category: personal finance

FTC Sues Amazon for Tricking Consumers

Just when Amazon finally settled its Federal Trade Commission (FTC) lawsuit over violating children’s privacy laws, the FTC has Amazon in its sights again. The FTC has announced two possible suits against the behemoth online retailer. Amazon is under fire by the FTC for “deceptive designs” to convince consumers to enroll in Prime. The FTC…


Get Headed Down a Debt-End Course

Facing your debts can be depressing for several reasons. First, all the stuff that caused the debt is not so wonderful and new as it used to be. And the interest rates … Yikes! But the worst, the all-time most horrible thing about facing debt is the realization that given the present rate of repayment,…


Closing Prices for Crude Oil, Gold, and Other Commodities (July 3)

Benchmark U.S. crude oil for August delivery fell 85 cents to $69.79 a barrel Monday. Brent crude for September delivery fell 76 cents to $74.65 a barrel. Wholesale gasoline for August delivery fell 8 cents $2.46 a gallon. August heating oil fell 7 cents to $2.38 a gallon. August natural gas fell 9 cents to…


How Major US Stock Indexes Fared July 3

Stocks drifted higher Monday as momentum slowed on Wall Street following a powerful rally to start the year. The S&P 500 edged up 0.1 percent, rising to its highest level since April 2022. The Dow rose less than 0.1 percent. The Nasdaq composite rose 0.2 percent. Tesla rose after it said the number of vehicles…


Self-Employed? Shouldn’t You Be Making Quarterly Payments?

Starting a new business enables you to enjoy the freedom you want. You are in charge and can run your business how you see fit. You can also get many tax breaks previously unavailable as an employee. Of course, it also means you may need to pay quarterly taxes. People That Need to Make Estimated…


Why You Have Rising Property Taxes and What You Can Do About It

Homeowners have recently seen property taxes become higher than ever. The surge in the cost of owning property started with the arrival of COVID and continues to rise. Many people wonder why and want some tax relief. Some homes have had their property taxes increase more than 37 percent since 2020. CBSNews reports that the…


Closing Prices for Crude Oil, Gold, and Other Commodities (June 30)

Benchmark U.S. crude oil for August delivery rose 78 cents to $70.64 a barrel Friday. Brent crude for August delivery rose 56 cents to $74.90 a barrel. Wholesale gasoline for July delivery rose 2 cents $2.63 a gallon. July heating oil rose 3 cents to $2.45 a gallon. August natural gas rose 10 cents to…


How Major US Stock Indexes Fared June 30

Wall Street rallied to cap a winning week, month and first half of the year after reports suggested pressure on inflation may be easing. The S&P 500 jumped 1.2 percent Friday to reach its highest level since April 2022. It surged 15.9 percent in the first half of the year. The Dow rose 0.8 percent…


American Banks Closed 273 Branch Locations in May

At least 273 bank locations closed across the United States in May, while 46 opened that month. Many major banks have announced that they’re closing down branches in 2023, as more and more customers are making deposits via their phones or to keep tabs on their balances, all without leaving their homes. Others still rely on…


What You Need to Know Before Making Tax-Deductible Car Donations

Many people need a free car. They may currently be out of work and are trying to find a job, but cannot get to it without a car. Some people needing a car may be women who are now divorced and have no way to get to work and cannot afford a car. Still others…