Money Matters

2025 will see another cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security checks, but data shows these increases have not kept up with inflation. Social Security COLA Falls Short of Inflation Demands While the payments have increased by historically high percentages in recent years, they are not high enough to account for the true cost of living for … Read more

Despite a miserable view of the economy, Americans are spending like never before. From retail therapy to essential services, customer behavior just isn’t making sense. But what’s driving this surge in spending when the economy seems so bleak?  A Pricey Pandemic During the pandemic, Americans trapped inside turned to online shopping for everything from luxury … Read more

A new economic report shows that an enormous majority of Hawaiian residents have been priced out of the housing market due to a number of factors. Shedding Light on a Serious Problem Image Credit: Shutterstock / the__creador Economists at the University of Hawaii have shared some insights into the shocking state of housing affordability in … Read more

Real estate mogul and author Grant Cardone predicted that the future of homeownership will look drastically different sooner rather than later. Is Homeownership a Pipe Dream for the Average American? Image Credit: Shutterstock / New Africa In an economy that has seen home prices double in some areas over the past few years, Americans who … Read more

GM decided to use the $6 billion they had available to buy back stock instead of investing in the development of new EVs. The competition is rife. Can they really afford to do this?  GM Strategy or Bust? Image Credit: Shutterstock / Gorodenkoff GM might not have used the billions it had to build new … Read more

California: the land of sunshine, innovation, and, well, some of the highest taxes in the United States. From the beaches of Los Angeles to the tech hubs of Silicon Valley, residents find themselves obligated to a raft of state taxes. #1. State Income Tax Image Credit: Shutterstock / NATNN California boasts the highest state income … Read more

Officials argued against the now-required financial literacy and college or career preparation courses, but Oregon legislation has mandated them as a step needed for graduation. Oregon Mandates Financial Literacy Courses for High School Students Separate courses on financial literacy are now a state-mandated requirement to graduate for Oregon high school students. The state is also … Read more

Colorado’s ski towns are stirring up a storm with a controversial idea: taxing homes that sit empty for most of the year.  Empty Homes, Empty Wallets Resort communities across the state are pushing for a “vacancy tax” to tackle the housing crisis that’s hitting locals hard.  Pushing for Change in Resort Communities The Colorado Association … Read more

Are you constantly shocked by your property tax bill, or are you considering moving to another state and trying to gauge the fiscal landscape? What might your tax bill look like in these states in 2024? 1. New Jersey Image Credit: Shutterstock / Mihai_Andritoiu New Jersey holds the dubious honor of the highest property taxes … Read more

Scam payments are being made on payment apps every single day – now, the government is investigating one specific payment network and the major banks that own it.  Zelle App Scams Payment app scams – particularly those perpetrated on US-based digital payment network Zelle – have become so pernicious and widespread, that federal authorities are … Read more