The first truly hot day of the year triggers a reflex for millions of people. As the humidity climbs, you might find yourself cranking the thermostat down to 68 degrees, shutting vents in the guest room, and leaving ceiling fans spinning wildly in every corner of the house. It feels proactive. It feels like you … Read more

The U.S. trade deficit widened sharply in December amid a surge in imports, and the goods shortfall in 2025 was the highest on record despite President Donald Trump’s tariffs on foreign manufactured merchandise. The second straight monthly deterioration in the trade deficit reported by the Commerce Department on Thursday suggested that trade made little or … Read more

China sees an opening to turn President Donald Trump’s tariffs to its advantage by reshaping global trade in ways that would insulate its $19 trillion economy from U.S. pressure far into the future. Beijing is exploiting the uncertainty created by Trump to try to stitch China’s vast manufacturing base into the world’s biggest economic blocs, … Read more

Inflation ticked down to 2.4%, the unemployment rate fell, and U.S. employers added 130,000 jobs in January, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, whose reports economists view as the “gold standard” of data. On paper, the economy appears to be stabilizing. But many Americans say they’re struggling to afford groceries, and even high-income earners … Read more

If there’s one expense that American drivers can commiserate over, it’s higher gas prices compared to previous years. The average annual retail price of gasoline has skyrocketed since 2002, from $1.36 to as high as $4.09 in 2022, based on data from the U.S. Department of Energy. Unfortunately for millions of Americans, some states have … Read more

If you’ve ever paid off a 30-year mortgage only to realize you’re still writing a four-figure check to the county for property taxes every year, you know the feeling. It’s like you never truly own your home; you’re just renting it from the taxman. Right now, there’s a growing movement across the country to change … Read more

Every time you hit the checkout line, the total at the bottom of the receipt tells a frustrating story. We’ve been hearing about cooling inflation for months, yet your favorite brands are still jacking up prices. If you’re wondering why the math isn’t adding up, you aren’t alone. The truth is, businesses are done playing … Read more