All Economy
Consumer confidence and home sales surge, hinting at a big 2015 for housingNew home sales surged 11.6 percent last month to an annualized pace of 481,000, and consumer confidence blew past expectations in January, according to Tuesday reports. After a lackluster 2014, signs are mounting that 2015 could be a year of huge improvement for the housing market.聽
US consumer confidence reaches levels not seen in nearly eight yearsThe US economy grew from July through September of last year at a 5 percent annual rate, fastest in 11 years.
Do low gas prices hurt renewable energy adoption? Not really.Gas prices have fallen dramatically in the US, and many assume this will hurt the renewable energy industry. A new study suggests otherwise.聽
Fed expected to hold on mid-2015 rate hike, despite doubtsThe Federal Reserve starts its much-anticipated two-day meeting on Tuesday. Experts expect the Fed to聽acknowledge the uncertain global outlook and stick to its promise to be patient on tightening, but continue to signal a lift-off in interest rates in mid-2015.聽
Blizzard grips the East Coast: Five power gadgets to ride out the stormWith heavy snowfall and extended power outages predicted in places like New York and Boston, staying plugged in and connected will become a challenge.聽To help keep you connected when the lights go out, have these essential tools handy.聽
Obama would improve tax subsidies for higher educationObama's ideas for educational tax reform are controversial,聽but they鈥檇 do a better job helping households who most need education assistance than the current complex array of programs.
Uber, learning from Sandy, caps surge pricing during blizzardUber聽has capped how much prices can rise in US cities during disasters or emergencies, after facing聽criticism for jacking up prices at times of high demand. In New York City, Uber surge pricing will be capped at 2.8 times 鈥� nearly triple 鈥� the normal fare.
Apple replaces 'Single of the Week' with 'Free on iTunes'Apple just launched a new section in its digital storefront titled 'Free on iTunes.' 聽Although the company hasn't officially promoted this as its 'Single of the Week' replacement, it's still a move in the right direction for cash-strapped consumers.
Ten ways to support the next generation of farmersA new wave of food pioneers, mostly from non-farming backgrounds, is turning to careers in agriculture. But farming is a career path filled with obstacles, and today's young farmers need our support.聽
Bitcoin: Can US exchange revive the ailing currency?Bitcoin prices rose sharply on Monday with news that the US is set to have its first regulated exchange, called Lunar.聽聽Bitcoin is renowned for its volatility and has been heavily criticized for facilitating illegal activity, given that it can be used anonymously.聽
Can you be too efficient with money?Investors often worry about how to maximize their efficient use of current money, but that approach can have unintended negative consequences.聽
Mattel CEO resigns as Barbie struggles for relevanceMattel聽Chairman and CEO Bryan Stockton has resigned after the toy maker reported fourth-quarter results that fell far short of analyst expectations.聽Mattel聽has struggled for several quarters now with slumping sales of its iconic Barbie dolls.
Toys R Us will let you trade in your old baby gear for a discountToys R Us is hosting its tenth annual 'Great Trade-In' for the next month, allowing parents to trade in aging and potentially dangerous baby equipment for a 25 percent store discount. Toys R US says that the age and condition of the items do not matter.
Anti-Tesla laws In AZ, MI, NJ, and TX nominated for 'Luddite Award'A technology think tank has nominated four anti-Tesla states for its annual Luddite Award 鈥� so named after the 19th-century British artisans who protested against industrial progress. Arizona, Texas, Minnesota, and New Jersey all passed laws restricting Tesla sales last year.聽
Five road trips to take while gas is dirt cheapWith gas prices near or below $2 per gallon, now is the perfect time to take a road trip.聽We've picked five hot road trip destinations for you and calculated how much a round trip car ride would be from seven of the country's biggest cities.聽
International travel just became cheaperThe US dollar's exchange rates with international currencies have improved in the last eight months. This means food, transportation costs, and other expenses will cost you less when visiting some popular destinations across the globe.聽
At Davos, rising income inequality worries some billionaires tooSome 2,500 of the world's elite descended upon Davos, Switzerland for the 45th World Economic Forum. What was on their minds?聽
Best tablet deals: Windows and Android slates from $77If you're looking for cheap, mid-sized tablets for entertainment or work, you'll want to check out this list of five great tablet deals. You can save $30 on the full-HD Dell Venue 8, grab a Toshiba Encore Mini for just $79, or bag a Lenovo IdeaTab S6000 at $81 off.
Ford will focus on self-driving cars at new Silicon Valley research centerFord's new research center in Silicon Valley will house projects focusing on connectivity and self-driving cars.聽The experiments are part of the Smart Mobility Plan Ford unveiled at CES earlier this month.
529A savings plans could help people with disabilitiesThe US Congress passed the ABLE Act last year, which created聽a 529A account to provide tax advantaged benefits for disabled individuals. The 529A will allow more families to plan support for disabled loved ones, and use it as needed.聽
