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These are some of the ways inflation is changing Americans’ spending habits
WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPR) — With inflation near a four-decade high, American shoppers are watching their pennies and adjusting their spending habits – and the businesses that cater to them are… Read More
The Fed delivers biggest interest rate hike in decades to combat surging inflation
WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPR) — The Federal Reserve escalated its battle against inflation Wednesday, announcing the largest interest rate hike in 28 years as the central bank struggles to regain control… Read More
Inflation soars to an over 40-year high. These are the ways Americans are coping
Updated June 10, 2022 at 9:51 AM ET WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPR) — Clay Watkins loves LaCroix brand sparkling water — especially the watermelon flavor. So the suburban Chicago school teacher… Read More
How the U.S. got into this baby formula mess
Like a baby’s temper tantrum, the meltdown in the infant formula market has been building for some time. The Food and Drug Administration announced emergency measures this week to get… Read More
Inflation may be easing — but low-income people are still paying the steepest prices
Updated May 11, 2022 at 8:37 AM ET WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPR) — Four-dollar gasoline and five-dollar hamburger are putting a squeeze on Tanya Byron’s pocketbook. But it’s the rent that… Read More
The Fed raises interest rates by the most in over 20 years to fight inflation
WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPR) — The Federal Reserve ordered the largest interest hike in more than two decades Wednesday as part of its escalating campaign to battle stubbornly high inflation. The… Read More
Why there are growing fears the U.S. is headed to a recession
WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPR) — Warning lights are flashing for the U.S. economy. A growing number of forecasters now believe a recession is on the horizon as the Federal Reserve gears… Read More
How soaring inflation forces stark choices
Updated April 12, 2022 at 8:36 AM ET WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPR) — From rising rent to higher heating bills, surging inflation impacts everybody, but it poses a particular hardship for… Read More
Gas prices got you wanting an electric or hybrid car? Well, good luck finding one
WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPR) — With gasoline prices topping $4 a gallon, many drivers are looking for a car that will go farther on a gallon of gas, or maybe one… Read More
The U.S. added 678,000 jobs in February. It’s another sign of a hot labor market
Updated March 4, 2022 at 9:08 AM ET WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPR) — Hiring accelerated sharply last month as U.S. employers added 678,000 jobs, the largest gain since last July, and… Read More
Believe it or not, the economy grew last year at the fastest pace since 1984
WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPR) — Last year saw the fastest economic growth since Ronald Reagan was president. But for many people, 2021 felt less like “Morning in America” and more like… Read More
Inflation is red hot, soaring to 6.8% in November, the highest in nearly four decades
Updated December 10, 2021 at 9:09 AM ET WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPR) — If you think your grocery bill has gone through the roof this year, you can appreciate what’s happened… Read More
Does the IRS really want to spy on your bank account? The latest tax fight, explained
WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPR) — A new fight is brewing over taxes. The Biden administration wants to require banks to provide the Internal Revenue Service with information about how much money… Read More
Spring Letdown: Hiring Slows In April, Raising New Challenges For Economy
U.S. employers added 266,000 jobs last month, far fewer than analysts had expected. The unemployment rate rose to 6.1%.
Roaring Back: Employers Add 916,000 Jobs As Economy Emerges From Winter Slump
Hiring by U.S. employers accelerated sharply amid an improving public health outlook and a new round of $1,400 relief payments.
A Sign Of Hope After ‘Winter Hibernation’: Employers Add 379,000 Jobs
Meanwhile, the unemployment rate dipped to 6.2% last month as the winter wave of coronavirus infections eased.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell Warns Of Long Road Ahead To Recover Millions Of Lost Jobs
Powell warned it will take time to put millions of jobless Americans back to work, while also downplaying inflation threats.
U.S. Economy Slows Sharply As Pandemic Resurges
The Commerce Department says the U.S. economy grew just 1% in the last three months of the year, as a surge in coronavirus infections weighed on in-person businesses like restaurants.
They Lost Sons To Drug Overdoses: How The Pandemic May Be Fueling Deaths Of Despair
As drug overdose deaths rise during the pandemic, a former White House economist says social isolation could be partly to blame.
Vaccine Could Unlock Trillions In Spending, Leading To ‘Biden Boom’
Pent-up demand from households that have been cooped up over the last eight months could drive a spending boom in the spring, providing a big boost to the economy.
‘I’m Still Unemployed’: Millions In Dire Situation As Savings Start To Run Out
Many unemployed Americans have been tapping into their savings to pay bills. But those savings are going fast, and hopes for a new round of pandemic relief before the election are fading.
Job Gains Slowed Again In August As Employers Added 1.4 Million Jobs
Fewer jobs were added to the economy last month even as the unemployment rate fell to 8.4%. Job growth has slowed since June in a sign of what could be a long and painful recovery from the recession.
Fed Prepared To Let Economy Run Hotter
The Federal Reserve is adjusting its long-range policy on inflation and employment. The central bank said it’s now more concerned with prices that are too low than with runaway inflation.
Pandemic Electric Bills Are Searing Hot, As Families Stay Home
With lights out in many offices and millions of people plugging in at home, residential power bills are soaring, even as overall electricity consumption slumps during the recession.
New Jobless Claims Dip Below 1 Million For 1st Time Since March
Initial unemployment claims had been above 1 million for 20 straight weeks. The total receiving unemployment also dipped, to 28.3 million, as of July 25.