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☆ Mortgage rates plunge to lowest level in more than a year
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-08 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Washington CNN —US mortgage rates plummeted this week after weaker-than-expected employment data raised the odds of the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates next month. The standard 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.47% this week, mortgage financing giant Freddie Mac said Thursday. Mortgage rates have steadily fallen over the past several weeks since reaching a 2024 peak of 7.22% in early May. Mortgage rates track the benchmark 10-year US Treasury yield, which moves in anticipation of the Fed’s decision on interest rates. Lower mortgage rates and a bigger housing stock will eventually entice more buyers to eventually enter the market.

Persons: Freddie Mac, That’s, ”, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s, “ Homebuyers, ” Lawrence Yun, Lisa Sturtevant, “ Organizations: Washington CNN, Federal Reserve, Las, P Global, Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, CNN, Treasury, National Association of Realtors, Fed, NAR, “, Bright MLS Locations: New York, San Diego, Las Vegas, Tampa, Denver, Minneapolis, United States

Here are some of the progressive measures Walz has enacted as governor:Child tax creditMany lower-income Minnesota families can access a state child tax credit, which Walz signed into law last year. Free college tuitionLast year, Walz signed a bill into law that made college tuition free for students from Minnesota families who earn less than $80,000 a year. Walz’s executive order directed state agencies to study the effectiveness of the care and investigate any health organization that denied it. The bill also raised the sales tax in the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area by 0.25% to create a permanent funding stream for Minnesota housing programs. Voting rights for ex-felonsLast year, Walz signed a bill into law that restored voting rights to more than 55,000 formerly incarcerated people in Minnesota.

Persons: Biden, Tim Walz, Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, Harris, Walz, ”, Roe, Wade, ” Walz, It’s, –, Walz “, Tim ”, Sandra Feist, “ Organizations: CNN, Minnesota Gov, Democratic, Tax Foundation, Free, North, Minnesota, US, Guttmacher Institute, Universal, US Centers for Disease Control, Income Housing Coalition, Twin, Republicans Locations: Minnesota, Iowa, Twin Cities, Minnesota . Minnesota

☆ Finding cheap birth control is becoming harder for many in states with abortion bans
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-03 | by ( Kaitlin Sullivan | Kaitlin Sullivan Is A Contributor For Nbcnews.Com Who Has Worked With Nbc News Investigations. She Reports On Health | Science | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

A renewed spotlight on protecting access to birth control may not help women who are already struggling to find affordable contraception in some states with the strictest abortion laws. Few community clinics have the amount of money needed to cover birth control each month, McCollum said. But over-the-counter birth control pills haven’t reached many women in rural areas. Because of the Texas policy change an estimated one-quarter of family planning clinics in the state closed by 2013. “If someone does not have insurance, we can pay for their visit and their birth control method,” McCollum said.

Persons: Robin Marty, ” Marty, Court’s Dobbs, Roe, Wade, Kate McCollum, McCollum, “, Adek Berry, haven’t, ”, Marty, Jitoria Hunter, It’s, ” McCollum, ” Hunter, Micaela Sanchez, it’s, Sanchez, ” Sanchez, Meta Anderson, ” Anderson Organizations: Healthcare, Medicaid, Getty, and Drug Administration, Target, Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, Center for Healthcare, Mississippi Delta Locations: Tuscaloosa , Alabama, Alabama, Southern, Mississippi, Texas, Dallas . Federal, AFP, ” In Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama , Mississippi, Louisiana , Arkansas, Oklahoma, In Texas, In Mississippi, Alabama , Texas, Dallas County, Dallas, Louise , Mississippi, Georgia

☆ Goldman Sachs adds 4 new stocks to its conviction buy list
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Yun Li | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Goldman Sachs added four new stocks to its conviction list going into August for equity investors looking to capitalize on the bull market. Dollar General , Philip Morris International , S & P Global and Woodward were the newest addition to the Wall Street firm's coveted stock list. For Dollar General, Goldman analysts believe the worries around low income consumer discretionary spend and competition are overdone. Meanwhile, Goldman said the market is underappreciating the growth opportunity for Philip Morris as the company innovates around its smoke-free alternatives to cigarettes. Both S & P Global and Woodward have recorded solid gains so far this year, rising 11% and nearly 17%, respectively.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Goldman's, Philip Morris, Woodward, Goldman Organizations: Dollar, Philip Morris International, P Global, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ally Financial, Citigroup, Amazon, Nvidia

☆ The reason why McDonald's stock is soaring despite a big earnings miss: Value meals
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-29 | by ( Kelly Cloonan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

McDonald's global comparable sales fell 1% year-over-year last quarter, missing analyst estimates. The company plans to focus on value going forward as low income customers grow weary from inflation. McDonald's same-store sales fell 1% in the most recent quarter, marking the first decrease in same-store sales since 2020. Its net income for the quarter fell to $2.02 billion, down from $2.31 billion the year before. Low income customers, in particular, are shying away from fast food as inflation soas.

Persons: —, McDonald's, Chris Kempczinski, Joe Erlinger, Kempczinski Organizations: Service, Consumers Locations: New York, McDonald's, U.S

☆ ‘It was humiliating.’ Evictions in these cities are worse than before Covid
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-24 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

New York CNN —A toxic mix of surging rental rates and vanishing support for renters has catapulted evictions above pre-pandemic levels in some major cities. Evictions have increased most significantly in Sun Belt cities where housing affordability has worsened and where renters often have fewer protections. Other cities, including Minneapolis (+44%) and Columbus, Ohio (+37%), are also experiencing higher levels of evictions than before the pandemic. Three-quarters of the 34 cities tracked by the Eviction Lab had evictions increase between 2022 and 2023. The vast majority of evictions are for issues related to nonpayment of rent, according to the Eviction Lab.

Persons: ”, Chris Salviati, Kristolyn Lloyd, you’re, ” Lloyd, —, Yuki Iwamura, “, Lloyd, ‘, ’ ” Lloyd, Diane Yentel, Brett Coomer, Jacob Haas, it’s, Haas, Heather Vargas, she’s, Vargas, ” Vargas Organizations: New, New York CNN, Princeton University ., Broadway, CNN, Bloomberg, Getty, Income Housing Coalition, Princeton’s, Houston, Harvest Time, Houston Chronicle, Investors Locations: New York, Sun Belt, Gainesville , Florida, Houston, Nashville, Fort Worth , Texas, Minneapolis, Columbus , Ohio, Columbus, Las, New York City, Covid, Manhattan, Queens, Texas, Florida, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Harris, South Carolina, Philadelphia, Wilmington , Delaware, Miami, Cleveland, San Diego, Citrus, Califonia, ”

Determining your budgetYou can figure out how much house you can afford to buy using our free mortgage calculator. While you may already have an idea of what you think you can afford, you'll need to find out how the bank sees you. It will include a list of all of your finalized closing costs and how much cash you'll need to close. The final walkthroughBefore closing, you'll also get a chance to view the home one more time. How to buy a house FAQsHow much down payment do I need to buy a house?

Persons: You'll, George Chedid, Dana Bull, They're, Bull, you've, Don't, it's, They'll, you'll, they've, Chedid Organizations: Compass, Federal Housing Administration, US Department of Veterans Affairs, US Department of Agriculture, you'll, Homeowners Insurance Allstate, Insurance Locations: Kendall Park , New Jersey, Chevron, Boston

☆ Biden announces plan to cap rent increases at 5% for half of American rental households
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-16 | by ( Eliza Relman | Dan Latu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewPresident Joe Biden on Tuesday rolled out a plan offering landlords a choice: cap annual rent increases at 5% for the next two years or risk losing valuable tax credits. These landlords control more than half the national rental market, according to senior White House officials. Corporate landlords who increase rent by more than 5% would lose the valuable tax benefit known as depreciation deductions. AdvertisementA focus on housing affordabilityAs president, Biden has pushed a series of pro-housing policies and generally favored more federal participation in housing policy. Tuesday's move is part of a series of recent housing policy announcements from the administration.

Persons: —, Joe Biden, Lael Brainard, Biden, Donald Trump, alledgedly colluding, Kamala Harris, Janet Yellen Organizations: Service, White House, Business, Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, Harvard, Tax, Republicans, Union Locations: Nevada, Clark County, Henderson , Nevada, State

☆ Opinion | A Tax Break for Waiters Won’t Convince Working People to Vote for Trump
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-15 | by ( Lauren Hough | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

When you’re paid in tips, you’re never really sure if you’ll make rent. At a rally last month in Nevada, Donald Trump announced that, if elected, he would exempt tips from federal taxes. 6 is “Large tax cuts for workers, and no tax on tips!” Republicans in Congress are already working on a bill designed to do just that. Last week, they introduced “Tax Free Tips Act of 2024,” which would end federal income and employment taxes on tips. The other half, which earns less than 32,000, already don’t pay federal taxes on their income.

Persons: didn’t, Grandma wasn’t, you’re, Donald Trump, ”, Jacky Rosen, Catherine Cortez Masto, Trump Organizations: Republicans, Senate, Democratic, Social Security Locations: Amarillo , Texas, Nevada

☆ Illegal Eviction Complaints Rise As Police Fail to Enforce
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-10 | by ( Cecilia Reyes | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +44 min

The nature of illegal lockouts means they are hard to track directly. One of the responding officers calls a sergeant over, who says there's nothing else they can do. While only 14% of lockout calls led to a police report, 86% of calls about shoplifting did. As they walk over, one of the officers tells the other to look up "illegal lockout" on his phone. A 2006 bill that would have defined illegal lockouts for all Illinois residents was defeated.

Persons: Alfred Perry, He'd, Perry, Dan Wright, Perry didn't, Wright, Bridget Bennett, Dan hadn't, I'd, he'd, Charlie Bliss, Matthew Desmond, Lockouts, Jersey City's, haven't, he's, David Leibowitz, Leibowitz, —, Pretium —, Kristi DesJarlais, Siegel, Sean Thueson , , Thueson, Blackstone, lockouts, Pretium, Katherine Kelly, RealPage, Jennifer Bowcock, William Prosser ,, they're, Donna Rossi, Sara Heymann, Meghan Aguilar, Misty Skinner, Skinner, Levi Wilhelm, It's, hasn't, I've, Wilhelm, they'd, Jeffrey Uno, Deirdre Orange, isn't, Daniel Benavidez, Jenny Chavez, criminalizing, Rob Bonta, Eric Carter, John Bartlett, Carter, Fred Fuchs, Steve Cohen, Michael Bennet, Sarah Saadian, Douglas Farrar, Kelly, Fuchs, Heymann, who've Organizations: Labor, Chrysler, Social Security, Business, North Las Vegas Police Department, Child Protective Services, Las Vegas Justice, Atlanta Legal, Atlanta Police Department, Atlanta, Supreme, Department of Housing, Los Angeles Police Department, Houston —, Arizona, Housing Association, Invitation Homes, Siegel, Siegel Group, Blackstone ., Progress, Homes, Union, city's Housing Department, Miami, Police, Houston, Houston Police Department, Phoenix, Criminal, Chicago, Chicago Department, LAPD, Records, Jersey City, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Las Vegas Metro Police, Legal, Foundation of Los, Phoenix Police Department, Fulton County Marshal's Department, Avondale Police Department, Avondale Police, Metropolitan Tenants Organization, Texas Justice Court, Court Training Center, Illinois, National Weather Service, Democratic, Senate, Income Housing Coalition, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Federal Trade Commission, FTC, AGs Locations: Las Vegas, Detroit, Vegas, United States, Perry's, Princeton, Milwaukee, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, South Chicago, Phoenix, Jersey, New Jersey, Jersey City, Houston, Nevada, . Texas, Harris County, Texas, Arizona, Washington, city's, Atlanta , Miami, California, New York City, Spring Valley, Spring Valley , Nevada, Las, Foundation of Los Angeles, Avondale , Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia , Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, In Connecticut , Massachusetts, Minnesota , New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Illinois

☆ Montana's housing crisis is a warning for older homeowners across the country
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-10 | by ( Eliza Relman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Older homeowners who live on fixed incomes are having a particularly hard time managing these rising costs. She blames rising property taxes and insurance costs but notes that inflation, in general, has also squeezed those on fixed incomes. Older homeowners are struggling in communities across the country. AdvertisementThe housing affordability crisis comes as the country is also facing a retirement crisis. AdvertisementMany older homeowners forced out of their housing end up unhoused, part of a growing homeless population in the state.

Persons: —, Beverly Dashnaw, she's, Montana, Policygenius, Dashnaw, it's, Greg Gianforte, Gianforte, you've Organizations: Service, Business, Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, Republican, American Locations: Montana

“My cart looks ridiculous,” said Ms. Uhuru, 48, who supplements her hauls with vegetables grown in her garden. “People think I am a shift shopper.” Sylvia Jarrus for The New York Times, including previous image. Sawyer’s April Shopping Total shopping trips: 14 Impulse purchases: Castelvetrano olives ($5.99) and sparkling water (prices vary) Share of drinkable purchases: 70 percent What might a stranger notice if she peered into Sawyer Bonsib’s cart? “The old adage ‘Don’t go grocery shopping when you are hungry,’ applies triply during Ramadan,” he said. “Or my toddler will gnaw on a tortilla while I’m making dinner.” Jessica Attie for The New York Times, including previous image.

Persons: —, creamer, Jackie Kesterson, haven’t, ”, “, Kesterson, Rebecca Gratz, Kimberly Uhuru Detroit, Kimberly Uhuru, Uhuru, ” Sylvia Jarrus, Sawyer, Mr, Bonsib, Alcoholics Anonymous, isn’t, ” Will Newton, pita —, Pecorino Romano, pistachios, Ayse Gilbert, Gilbert, She’s, ” Kerry Tasker, Sonal Singh, Singh, Carolyn Fong, Bingahlan, Abdul Bingahlan, chiles, We’re, Bingahalan, ‘, Brittainy Newman, Amy O’Neill Houck, ” — Mindy Huskins, — Naeman Mahmood, ” — Martha Goff, Gabby Cavazos Austin, Gabby Cavazos, Cavazos, ” Jessica Attie, Young, Alan Young, . Young, Croix seltzer Organizations: THE, Amazon Grocery, Vee, The New York Times, Walmart, Alcoholics, Costco, Gilbert Anchorage, University of Georgia, Mart, chiles, Atlanta, Emory, Coordinating, Foods, Assistance, SNAP Locations: United States, romaine, Jackie Kesterson Omaha, Rosedale Park, Target, Croix, Waterloo, Malvern, Ark, Gilbert, Alaska, Anchorage, Carmel , Calif, California, Sonal Singh Foster City, Calif, India, Foster City, Bingahlan New York City, Cordova , Alaska, Newark, Del, Atlanta, Sacramento, Gabby Cavazos Austin , Texas, Texas, Young Hilo, Hawaii

☆ Tractor Supply Co. backtracks on DEI roles and goals
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-29 | by ( Eva Rothenberg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

New York CNN —Tractor Supply Company has eliminated its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives as part of what the retail chain says is a push to distance itself from “nonbusiness activities” after conservative backlash from some of its customer base. “You can’t say you’re going to try to do at Tractor Supply what they do at the Apple headquarters in Cupertino, California — that’s definitely not going to work,” he said. “Tractor Supply Co is turning its back on their own neighbors with this shortsighted decision,” Eric Bloem, vice president of Programs and Corporate Advocacy at the Human Rights Campaign, told CNN in a statement Saturday. This is why the Tractor Supply — and most of the country’s biggest employers — have worked with us for years to create inclusive policies and practices. Those are the parts that business leaders aren’t thinking about as they are folding on DEI.”

Persons: ”, “, Robby Starbuck, Starbuck, X, ” Shaun Harper, Harper, that’s, ” Eric Bloem, —, Bud Light’s, influencer Dylan Mulvaney Organizations: New, New York CNN — Tractor Supply Company, Supply, Tennessee’s, Congressional, Tractor Supply, University of Southern, CNN, Tractor, National FFA Organization, Apple, ”, Human Rights, “, Companies, Anheuser, Busch InBev, Target Locations: New York, University of Southern California, Brentwood , Tennessee, Cupertino , California, United States

☆ Here's where Trump and Biden stand on reining in soaring home prices and rents ahead of their first debate
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-27 | by ( Eliza Relman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Former President Donald Trump has promised to attack President Joe Biden specifically on inflation. Even as the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates, demand and prices have stayed high, keeping housing inflation stubbornly elevated. Where Trump standsAs president, Trump didn't pursue as many policies directly intended to make housing more affordable. While in office, Trump's proposed budgets included significant cuts to agencies that provide federal housing subsidies, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Trump hasn't talked much about housing policy on the campaign trail, despite arguing that Biden hasn't done enough to control housing costs.

Persons: Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Trump, Biden, —, James Marshall, I'm, Kamala Harris, Janet Yellen, haven't, Trump's, suburbanites, Obama, Karoline Leavitt Organizations: Service, Business, Harvard, Federal Reserve, Tax, Union, Republicans, Biden, Department of Housing, Urban Development, Center, Budget, Trump, Homeless, NPR Locations: homeownership, Vegas, State, Nevada, Las Vegas

☆ Opinion: America needs a paradigm shift in how we respond to extreme heat
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-18 | by ( Opinion Mark Wolfe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Editor’s Note: Mark Wolfe is an energy economist and serves as the executive director of the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, representing the state directors of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and co-director of the Center on Climate, Energy and Poverty. Triple-digit temperatures have hit the western states, with the Northeast, Midwest and Great Lakes regions expected to see extreme heat waves this week. Weather-related deaths from extreme heat are more common than from those from hurricanes, floods, extreme cold and other natural disasters. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1,220 people die from extreme heat every year. During periods of extreme heat, cooling is not just a luxury that provides comfort, but a necessary measure that helps families across all income brackets, and especially low-income families, stay safe.

Persons: Mark Wolfe, That’s Organizations: National Energy Assistance, Association, Income, Energy Assistance Program, Energy, CNN, Triple, US Centers for Disease Control, Center for Energy, US Energy Information Administration, Low Income, Energy Assistance, Twitter, Facebook, Federal Locations: United States, Midwest, Great, Washington, Connecticut

☆ As the heat goes up this summer, so do cooling costs
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-13 | by ( Catherine Boudreau | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The groups projected that the average cost across the country could be $719, a nearly 8% increase from the same period last year. In some regions that figure is higher; in Southern states like Texas, the average cost could hit $858. The forecast for summer cooling costs is based on federal data on regional electric prices, summer temperatures, and residential air conditioning, Wolfe said. Related stories"We are assuming a higher rate of temperature change, and recent heat waves are bearing this out," Wolfe said. Those who do may not turn it on in an effort to avoid higher bills, Wolfe said.

Persons: —, Mark Wolfe, May, Wolfe, Louis — Organizations: Service, Business, National Energy Assistance, Association, Center for Energy, Southwest, US Energy Information Administration, Low Income, Energy Assistance Locations: Southern, Texas, Phoenix, El Paso , Texas, York

☆ Jim Cramer explains what's at stake for consumers in the May jobs report
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-06 | by ( Julie Coleman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

On the eve of the May jobs report, CNBC's Jim Cramer reminded investors about the tricky balancing act the Federal Reserve is attempting to pull off — bringing down inflation without seriously damaging the economy. Investors are rooting for weak figures so the Fed will be more inclined to implement interest rate cuts. But Cramer said Wall Street should remember what is at stake for consumers, especially those with low incomes, when it comes to this data and the Fed decisions. According to Cramer, it is hard for retailers to correctly dub consumers as weak or strong because they are familiar with their own customers, not the broader population. Cramer continued, saying, "the gulf is wide" between consumers, but suggested that many wealthy investors do not know enough about this dichotomy.

Persons: CNBC's Jim Cramer, Cramer, who'll, Jay Powell isn't, — he's Organizations: Federal Reserve

☆ Summer heat will likely bring higher electric bills amid rising temperatures
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-03 | by ( Tami Luhby | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Many Americans may get hot under the collar when they open their electric bills this summer, but for some, the consequences of rising utility costs can be a lot more serious. He pointed to the National Weather Service’s prediction that much of the country will probably have above-normal temperatures this summer. The difference in projections stems from the association assuming higher rates of usage because of hotter temperatures, Wolfe said. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP, has $4.1 billion to help consumers with heating and cooling costs, down from $6.1 billion in the prior fiscal year. “Because of the lack of a coherent policy to address summer cooling, people will die this summer from heatstroke,” Wolfe said.

Persons: Mark Wolfe, ”, Wolfe, Diana Hernandez, Hernandez, “, ” Hernandez, arrearages, ” Wolfe Organizations: CNN, National Energy Assistance, Association, Center for Energy, US Energy Information Administration, Department of Health, Human Services, Energy, Columbia University, Income, Energy Assistance, US Census Bureau, District, Columbia, National Weather Service Locations: Pacific, Chicago, heatstroke

☆ Posting about my low-paid job on TikTok helped me earn big. Now I can do what I love without worrying about money.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-31 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

During my sophomore year at Duke University, I decided to move to France for a sixth-month pastry school. Since studying at pastry school, I've worked as a pastry chef and have been building a baking TikTok account alongside my degree. While at pastry school, I started making baking content on TikTokI downloaded the TikTok app a month before going to pastry school. I think it's cool I've been able to supplement my pastry work with money from content creation. Content creation has helped me to pay for more of my expenses.

Persons: —, Allison Chen, I've, Ducasse, I'd, It's, I'm, doesn't Organizations: Service, Duke University, Business, Duke, I'd, YouTube Locations: New York, France, France France, Paris, TikTok

☆ The American shopping spree is losing steam
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Bryan Mena | Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —It’s becoming tougher and tougher for Americans to carry on with their spending spree. Years of elevated inflation and the highest interest rates in almost a quarter century are wearing out the US consumer. Savings accumulated during the Covid-19 pandemic are drying up, borrowers continue to rack up debt and delinquencies are marching higher. A second estimate of gross domestic product, released Thursday, showed that consumer spending was weaker in the first three months of the year than initially reported. Economists polled by FactSet are expecting data to be released Friday to show that consumer spending slowed notably in April from March.

Persons: CNN —, they’ll, ” Carol Schleif, FactSet, Thomas Kingsbury, TJ Maxx Organizations: CNN, Savings, BMO Family Office, Employers, Walmart, Dollar, Goods, Abercrombie, Fitch

☆ Opinion | Debating the Best Way to Fix Social Security
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-26 | by ( ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

To the Editor:Re “Want to Fix Social Security? The Well-Off Must Accept Smaller Checks,” by Peter Coy (Opinion, nytimes.com, May 13):I find it maddening that the only solution to the Social Security Trust Fund difficulties offered by conservatives is reducing benefits. There are a number of acceptable increases that could solve the funding problems of Social Security and Medicare. Let me suggest a few: The Social Security tax stops at a relatively low income level, $168,600 annually, this year. Speaking of all of a person’s income, why is it that only “earned” income is taxed for Social Security?

Persons: Peter Coy, stiffs Organizations: Social Security Trust Fund, Social Security

☆ Goldman's picks from here as resilient consumer starts to show some cracks
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

While companies are painting a picture of a struggling consumer, Goldman Sachs has ideas for which names can still perform. That marks a turn from the story of the surprisingly resilient consumer that has shocked experts since the Federal Reserve began hiking interest rates. On the alcohol side, Herzog pointed to Constellation Brands as one that should not feel the consumer cracks. The average analyst surveyed by LSEG has a buy rating on the stock and foresees shares climbing another 15% over the next year. In addition to having a buy rating, the typical analyst surveyed by LSEG foresees the stock running up another 8.2%.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Bonnie Herzog, Herzog, Clark, LSEG, Noel Wallace Organizations: Federal Reserve, Pepsi, Molson Coors, Monster Beverage, Colgate, Palmolive, Constellation Brands, Walmart, LSEG, Modelo, Pacifico, Analysts Locations: Kimberly

☆ A mortgage advisor shares how to get the 3.5% down payment on an FHA loan fully covered — and the 3 best strategies real-estate investors can use to maximize leverage from government loans
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( William Edwards | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

This was achieved by allowing first-time buyers to purchase a home with a smaller down payment — as low as 3.5%. The program is still around, and it's often a great way for real-estate investors to get started. Advertisement3 ways to make the most of government loan programsWelgan also shared two strategies that real-estate investors can use to maximize the leverage offered through government loans. Buyers can now purchase up to a four-unit property with a down payment of as little as 5%. "That's been a game changer for real-estate investors," Welgan said.

Persons: —, Jeff Welgan, Fannie Mae, Buyers, Welgan, Fannie Mae's, That's, ADUs, Dave Meyer, Fannie, I've Organizations: Service, Act, Business, Federal National Mortgage Association, Mortgage, Urban Locations: Los Angeles County , California, Michigan, California

☆ ‘Should have been done yesterday’: Rural, older Americans could get hurt as affordable internet program runs out of cash
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Brian Fung | Jason Carroll | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

But in just a few weeks, her internet bills, and those of other Americans like her, could skyrocket by hundreds of dollars a year. The program is heavily used by Americans over age 50, military veterans and low-income working families nationwide, according to FCC data. Amira Karaoud/Reuters/FileRural and older usersThe ACP has quickly gained adoption since Congress created the program in the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law. Large swaths of the ACP’s user base trend older; Americans over 65 account for almost 20% of the program. The FCC’s Lifeline program, which dates to the Reagan administration, similarly gives low-income households a monthly discount on phone or internet service.

Persons: Cindy Westman, —, I’ll, ”, Westman, ’, Westman —, Gigi Sohn, “, Biden, Allison Bailey /, Cynthia George, George, ” George, Marc Veasey, They’re, Geoffrey Starks, “ It’s, ” Starks, Amira Karaoud, Walter Durham, I’m, ” Durham, Michelle McDonough, McDonough, she’ll, doesn’t, “ I’m, ” McDonough, Kamesha Scott, Louis, Megan Janicki, ” Janicki, Reagan, Mike Johnson, Blair Levin, Johnson didn’t, Levin, Jonathan Blaine, ” Blaine, they’re Organizations: CNN, Program, Social, Federal Communications Commission, FCC, Capitol, Getty, MSN, White, ” Texas Democratic, “, Comcast, ACP, Navy, American Library Association, Lifeline, Republicans, Republican, New, Research, ” Bills Locations: Eureka , Illinois, America, Dallas, Las Vegas, Kentucky, San Diego, United States, Maine, St, Vermont

Analyst Edward Kelly upgraded the discount retailer to overweight from equal weight and opened a $180 price target. Yefremov's $400 price target indicates shares can jump 31.7% from Wednesday's closing price. Analyst Andrea Teixeira downgraded the energy drink maker to neutral from overweight and cut her price target by $7 to $59. — Alex Harring 5:38 a.m.: Wall Street reacts to Meta earnings Meta Platforms disappointed investors with its weak revenue guidance , sending shares down about 13% in premarket trading. His price target of $55 implies upside of 22% over the next 12 months.

Persons: Bernstein, Wells, Edward Kelly, shrinkflation, Kelly, — Alex Harring, Sherwin, Williams, Aleksey Yefremov, Yefremov, Doug Creutz, Creutz, Judas, Goldman, bullish, Goldman Sachs, Brooke Roach, Roach, Andrea Teixeira, Alex Harring, Ford, Wells Fargo, Colin Langan, Langan, LSEG, Eric Sheridan, Brian Nowak, Morgan Stanley, Doug Anmuth, Ronald Josey, Daniel Roeska, Roeska, General Motors, Fred Imbert Organizations: CNBC, General Motors, Traders, Grand Theft, Sony, Electronic Arts, TJX, TJX Companies, JPMorgan, Monster Beverage, Ford, Ford Pro, Facebook, Meta, Citi, mojo, General, GM Locations: Wells Fargo, Thursday's, Wednesday's, Michigan

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