Money Mondays
We start off this week with some news about identity fraud. And it is not good news, is that right? A recent study by Javelin Strategy & Research and identity-theft protection firm Lifelock found that more people were victims of identity fraud last year than at any point in over a decade. The study […]
The Dow hit 20,000 last week. Why is it such a big deal that it crossed 20,000? It is a major milestone and a reminder of how far we have come since 2009 – more than triple the low we reached in March of that year. That said, the number itself is more symbolic […]
Today, we’re talking about investing as it relates to the news about Prince’s estate? You’ve got it. As details have emerged about Prince’s estate and his holdings, some interest has bubbled up about how he invested his wealth. And it was an unusual mix. He had a little over $100,00 in cash in four bank […]
For this first Money Monday of the year, you are here to point out some stories to watch in 2017, correct? Mellody: That is correct! While I don’t have a crystal ball, it is clear there are some stories that we know we will need to keep an eye on this year. Each of […]
Today’s Money Mondays segment focuses on interest rates. The Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee will meet this week, and most of the people that follow it believe that the Committee will raise interest rates. This is something we have been expecting for some time, but it looks more certain now with unemployment falling […]
What is new in the auto loan industry that we need to know about? Mellody: You may have already heard that the auto industry is booming. Last year, auto sales broke records. And in november, U.S. auto sales rose 3.7% compared with a year ago. Wage growth, consumer confidence, and cheap gas have all contributed […]
We have a big reminder for the holiday shopping season, even though it has already kicked off. Mellody: I want to remind our listeners about seasonal fraudsters and scammers. It has almost become an annual tradition here at Money Monday, but it is important because every year sees criminals come up with new tactics […]
How will the presidential election impact our finances and the broader economy? Mellody: Obviously, the result of this election – the election of Donald Trump – will have huge consequences. Before we get to financial issues, we have to talk about the broader impact this will have on our community. We have seen the […]
There is good news this morning: fewer people are being excluded from the banking system, correct? According to a survey from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or the FDIC, which insures Americans’ bank accounts up to $100,000, more Americans are gaining access to a checking or savings account, a sign that the improving economy […]
Open enrollment is back again. What do people need to know? We do talk about it every year because it is really important. This is the one time of year when people are able to make changes to their healthcare coverage and more. If you are covered through Medicare, the open enrollment period started […]
What should we be thinking about if we are impacted by a natural disaster? As we watch the remnants of Hurricane Matthew swirl off the Atlantic Coast, I was thinking of those who were impacted by Katrina, and Sandy, and other events that have impacted great numbers of people in our country. Thankfully, Matthew does not […]
Saturday marked one year since the deadline for retailers to officially switch over to EMV microchip cards. Tell us about how the transition has gone. Mellody: It has gone fairly well, considering what a huge undertaking it is. It is no small thing to change how people pay for things with their credit or debit cards, […]
