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LGBT-owned businesses get diversity boostCalifornia just passed a law, first of its kind, requiring utility companies to target gay-owned companies in their procurement efforts.聽
Where's the beef? New federal diet guidelines may recommend less meatNew recommendation suggest eating smart for the planet, as well as health. In other words, more fruits, veggies, nuts, and whole grains 鈥 and less meat.
Tesla Roadster upgrade: Electric car will go about 400 miles per chargeThe Palo Alto, Calif., company said that a new battery, new tires, and other improvements will boost the car's range 40 to 50 percent compared to the original.
With 21 states raising minimum wage, 2015 is a tipping pointAs many as 7 million low-wage workers will see a pay increase, many on Jan 1. Minimum wages around the country will range from the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour to $9.47 an hour in Washington State.
Tesla Motors Model S gets some competitionGerman luxury carmakers are finally taking notice of the success of the Tesla Motors Model S. Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche are all planning for electric cars that will compete with Tesla Motors.
Electric cars get big boost in GermanyGermany currently offers few incentives for electric cars, but the government hopes to change that policy 鈥 including the construction of a large network of electric car charging stations.
Consumer confidence rises in DecemberConsumers聽have plenty of reasons to feel better. The economy grew from July through September at a 5 percent annual rate, fastest clip in 11 years.
Are Republicans behind Tesla sales bans? Data offers clues.Tesla supporters commonly assume state auto-dealer lobbyists work with Republican legislators to enact laws banning direct sales of Tesla's electric cars聽to retail buyers. But is it true?
The best and worst burgers of 20142014 has been a great year for burger lovers, and 2015 promises to be even better.聽Here are some of the past year鈥檚 high- and low-lights in the burger world.聽
Retirement contributions: Six reasons young workers face a crisisRetirement contributions for young workers face serious headwinds, and it will be difficult for them to retire as comfortably as their parents. Flat housing prices, declining wage participation, student loan debt, and declining Social Security benefits are all getting in the way of robust retirement contributions.
Happy New Year (mostly): six predictions for the economy in 2015What will the US economy do in 2015? Here are economists' best guesses on the job market, stocks, housing, and more in the New Year.聽
How a Solo 401(k) could save you thousands in fees401(k) fees can take a dent out of your retirement savings if your funds are actively managed.聽For those who would like to stop these fees and charges, the Solo 401(k) plan is the answer.聽- Wall Street quietly breaks more recordsDespite low trading volumes, major indexes broke records for a second straight weekly advance as all sectors posted gains.
After-Christmas sales: Can they boost this year's sales slump?After-Christmas sales and other deep discounts are driving clothing and consumer electronics sales, which are high in number but showing thin profits, say experts. Unless after-Christmas sales do better than expected, US retailers will struggle to meet annual sales forecasts.
Roth IRA: How a well-timed conversion could yield sweet tax savings for retireesIf you are a retiree with a traditional 401(k) or IRA, there may be a聽window of opportunity for you to convert a significant portion to a Roth IRA tax-free. You can take advantage of this Roth IRA conversion if聽you鈥檙e not working, not yet living off your retirement savings, and not yet drawing Social Security.
Five vehicles that cost less to own as dieselsDiesel vehicles聽as a whole cost more over the long run than their gasoline equivalents, but diesel can pay off if you're considering a luxury model. Here are five examples.聽- Unemployment stays low: 2014 was the best year for new jobs since 1999Applications for unemployment benefits, used by experts as a proxy for layoffs, have fallen to a 7-week low, while new hires are up.
Money and politics: Who are best at tapping rich for political cash?Liberal-minded donors shelled out the most cash for the 2014 midterms 鈥 at least among groups that must disclose what they raise and spend.- Dow closes above 18,000 for first timeEncouraging economic reports push Dow, S&P to new record highs. Nasdaq stock index falls 16 points, however.
- The 10 worst tax ideas for 2014The past 12 months were a banner year for bad ideas and their perpetrators. We've picked out the worst top 10 ideas and hope history won't repeat itself for 2015.聽
