Economy

Illinois is on track to become the first U.S. state to have its credit rating downgraded to “junk” status, which would deepen its multibillion-dollar deficit and cost taxpayers more for years to come. Continue reading →

The gaming world put its best and brightest new offerings on display at E3 last week, but eleven video game publishers remain under pressure from the Screen Actors Guild. Here’s why. Continue reading →

Often seen as predatory, the check cashing industry has been booming. Lisa Servon wondered why lower-income people who were struggling would cash checks instead of getting a bank account, so she took a job as a cashier to find out. What she learned — that it’s often cheaper — is the subject of her new book, “The Unbanking of America.” Economics correspondent Paul Solman reports. Continue reading →

The average charge per overdraft went from $21.57 in 1998 to $31.26 in 2012. Similarly, average ATM fees more than doubled between 2001 and 2014. But there are more fees — fees you may not even be aware of. Continue reading →

A reader and her husband fall short of qualifying for assistance programs because they are both on disability. Should they split up to get more help? Continue reading →

With a job offer in hand, one reader gave his two weeks’ notice. But right before the start date, the new employer rescinded the offer, leaving him unemployed. Continue reading →

Walter Scheidel argues that economic inequality is not only inevitable, but that whenever inequality has been reduced, the reasons forcing inequality down have been nothing short of horrific. Continue reading →

Thousands of investors apply and participate annually in the little-known EB-5 visa program, designed to stimulate the U.S. economy through job creation and capital investment by foreign investors. Economics correspondent Paul Solman reports that recently, one real estate business in particular has put it back in the spotlight: that of the family of Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law. Continue reading →

Trump Bay Street is a model of luxury as well as a model of a loophole U.S. developers use in a controversial citizenship-for-cash program. Continue reading →

In the haze that can accompany such surprises, don’t just simply take COBRA and assume you’re done with health insurance concerns, Philip Moeller advises. Continue reading →