Amid stubborn inflation, 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck
Despite higher prices, consumers are still spending, although not as much as they were a year ago, which is giving their budgets some breathing room.As of January, 60% of all U.S. adults, including 45% of high-income earners, were living paycheck to paycheck, according to a new LendingClub report. That’s down from 64% a year earlier, suggesting […]
54% of Americans are dipping into savings to pay for everyday expenses
Inflation is still taking a hefty toll on households, recent reports show.Prices continued their upward momentum in January, rising 0.5% for the month and 6.4% over the past 12 months, according to the latest consumer price index data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.To make ends meet, 27% of Americans said they’ve had to take money […]
Addiction among older people is rising. How to spot the signs and get help.
In the 2021 movie “The Good House,” Sigourney Weaver plays an alcoholic in her early 70s. While there are dozens of movies about young people battling substance abuse, it’s startling to see an older person struggle with addiction.It’s easy to forget that older people can suffer from what doctors call “substance abuse disorder” just like […]
How would a gas stove ban affect wok cooking and the Asian American community?
When Charlene Luo was looking for a condo to buy in 2021, she had two nonnegotiable requirements: one, enough space to host friends for dinner; and two, a gas stove with the capacity to install a powerful range hood.Luo, a data scientist, cooks every day and hosts a supper club from time to time in […]
Tyre Nichols, George Floyd and police abuse: Time for a public-union reckoning?
As the family of Tyre Nichols endures the release of the video of the young Black man’s fatal traffic stop with Memphis police, and the nation still smarts from the civilian-filmed 2020 murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis cops, a book hitting this week argues it’s time to disband the public labor […]
Where is Monterey Park and what does the shooting mean to Asian-Americans?
The mass shooting in Monterey Park, Calif., stunned the Asian-American community. Not only because the shooting happened on Lunar New Year’s Eve, but also because it happened in Monterey Park, a predominantly Asian city that holds a special place in the Asian-American landscape. On Saturday night, a gunman opened fire at a party inside the… […]
High medical costs made more Americans delay care last year
We want to hear from readers who have stories to share about the effects of increasing costs and a changing economy. If you’d like to share your experience, write to readerstories@marketwatch.com. Please include your name and the best way to reach you. A reporter may be in touch. A record share of U.S. adults said they […]
Opinion: ‘Young people know more about TikTok and Minecraft than money.’ Teenagers want to be smarter about finances — teach them.
A recession looms, inflation has skyrocketed, interest rates are rising, and many Americans’ personal finances are in jeopardy. The financial knowledge necessary for students like myself to navigate these turbulent times is in short supply, but the demand is high. The circumstances of peoples’ economic struggles are complex and systemic, as are the potential solutions. But there […]
How the Girl Scouts will keep women rolling in dough throughout their lives
The Girl Scouts are known for being smart cookie sellers. But the organization is also working to keep its girls rolling in dough as they grow up. In fact, just in time for the new Girl Scout cookie season, Charles Schwab SCHW, -6.77% has teamed up with the Girl Scouts of the USA to “modernize and […]
Afraid of a recession and not ready to retire? Do this.
With talks of company layoffs and a possible recession, it’s prudent for older Americans who aren’t quite ready to retire to have a backup plan. Retirement Tip of the Week: Look over your resume, go through your list of contacts, brush up on any skills you need for your job and pretend you’re applying for […]