Economics & Policy

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City May Declare a ‘Fiscal Emergency’ to Void Union Contracts

Officials in North Las Vegas are looking to use a law designed for physical emergencies to address its fiscal crisis.

Insult to Injury: Rise in People with Student Loan Debt—and No College Degree

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It’s bad enough to graduate from college with a mountain of student loans in a world where the prospects of landing a good job are terrible. But at least grads have something that should help their careers in the short- and long-term: a college degree.

The Growing Debate Over Prepaid Debit Cards

At an event in Durham, N.C. on Wednesday, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau director Richard Cordray announced that the agency is “decid[ing] how we should go about regulating prepaid cards to better protect consumers and to provide clear rules for prepaid providers.” The rapidly growing prepaid market is attracting both banks and non-banks, and more Americans, especially [...]

Sandwich Generation: Old Story, New Problem

Sandwich

Boomers were the first to struggle en masse with both the financial needs of kids in college and retired parents outliving their nest egg. Now, the kids may be out of college—but moved back home. Meanwhile, mom or dad has not only run short on cash—but needs a daily caregiver too.

Retirees Taking Early Social Security Benefits Hits 35-Year Low

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Boomers have got the message: For most people, it makes sense to delay Social Security benefits to age 70 if possible. More made the choice to delay in 2011 than at any time since 1976. Here’s how you can afford to wait too.

U.S. Households Still Digging Out of Recession-Related Debt

After the recession, many Americans began cutting back and slowly chipping away at their household debt. Unfortunately, this noble effort seems to have tapered off, according to a new University of Michigan study. In fact, according to the study, one in every five households now owes more in credit cards, medical bills, student loans and other debt [...]

Skechers Fitness Claims Shot Down; Turns Out You Really Have to Exercise

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In a blow to those who want to believe there’s a magic alternative to exercise, Skechers has agreed to pay $45 million to settle claims that the company exaggerated the fitness benefits of its rocker-bottom athletic shoes. It turns out they can’t do the exercise for you.

The Future of Retirement? 401(k)s That Look Like Old-Fashioned Pensions

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One of the biggest flaws in most people’s retirement plan is something that previous generations rarely worried about: monthly income guaranteed for life. But the fix is in, and before long your 401(k) may look a lot more like your dad’s pension.

Don’t Fall For a Facebook IPO Scam

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If somebody offers you exclusive access to IPO or pre-IPO shares, chances are good that they’re peddling a scam.

The American Dream Gets Another Facelift

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The American Dream of home ownership has taken some hits in the recession. But it remains alive and well, though with some twists that will help shape the nature of the budding housing recovery.

Post Office Hour Reductions, Called a ‘Win-Win,’ Feel More Like a Lose-Lose

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Last week, the post office announced that rather than close thousands of rural post offices around the country to cut costs and reduce a ballooning deficit, it would drastically reduce hours at many of those locations. Some, in fact, would now be open for as little as two hours a day.