Your Money

In That TV Ad, What Exactly Are Those Parents Worried About?

6:37pm August 20, 2015

by Marilyn Geewax

The TV ads say rules involving retirement advice must be "fixed," but they may leave you scratching your head. Brokers and insurance agents are behind the ads, which aim to block tougher new rules.

About one-third of households carry credit card debt over from month to month, down from 44 percent in 2009.

Watchdog: Consumers 'More Responsible' With Credit Card Debt

1:43pm August 12, 2015

by Susanna Capelouto

Before the Great Recession, many Americans piled up too much credit card debt. Now, they seem to be a little wiser about using plastic, says the head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

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You may not pay in Chinese yuan notes, but a drop in their value affects your spending power.

China Cut Its Currency — And Touched Your Life. Here's How

8:23pm August 11, 2015

by Marilyn Geewax

China lowered the value of the yuan, and that sent all sorts of prices lower. So you may soon be paying less for gas, food and lumber. But there are downsides too: U.S. stocks fell hard.

Graduates wait for the start of the commencement ceremony at Williams Stadium on the campus of Liberty University on May 9 in Lynchburg, Va.

Why Lowering Student Loan Interest Rates Isn't A Game Changer

1:20pm August 11, 2015

by Danielle Kurtzleben

Hillary Clinton wants people with student loan debt to pay lower interest rates. That kind of assistance may not help the people who need it most.

The Marriner S. Eccles Federal Reserve Board Building in Washington, D.C. The Fed's next meeting is set for Sept. 16-17.

You're The Judge: Can The Job Market Stand Interest Rate Hikes?

2:46pm August 07, 2015

by Marilyn Geewax

On Friday, the Labor Department said the July unemployment rate held steady at 5.3 percent. If you had to choose, would you take that to mean the economy is too cool or too hot? Weigh the evidence.

Untangling The Many Deductibles Of Health Insurance

12:57pm August 05, 2015

by Michelle Andrews

Some people wind up having to pay hospital deductibles on top of other medical deductibles. But those do not apply to outpatient procedures.

Jim and Lyn Schneider installed solar panels and batteries because bringing grid power to their house in central Wyoming was going to cost around $80,000.

When Relying On The Sun, Energy Storage Remains Out Of Reach

8:02pm August 04, 2015

by Leigh Paterson

The ability to store energy could revolutionize the way electricity is made and used. But for many utility companies and regular folks, energy storage is still too costly and difficult.

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Alabama Drivers Are Filling Up On Cheap Gas

10:52am August 04, 2015

by Kyle Gassiott

Motorists everywhere are noticing: Gasoline prices are dropping again. Some experts expect them to keep falling — down to perhaps $2 by winter. But in Alabama, gas prices are nearly that low already.

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In Alabama, including this station near Montgomery, gasoline prices are below the national average, in part, because of low fuel taxes.

Oil Prices Tumble Again, Hurting Drillers But Helping Drivers

6:49pm August 03, 2015

by Marilyn Geewax

Oil prices are falling, down sharply since mid-June to just over $45 a barrel. That has affected gasoline prices, now down to an average of $2.65 a gallon, about 85 cents less than a year ago.

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Why Peer Pressure Doesn't Add Up To Retirement Savings

11:18am July 31, 2015

by Shankar Vedantam

People often do what their neighbors do. A firm decided to get more people to sign up for retirement plans by telling employees how many of their coworkers had signed up. What happened next?

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