MoneyWatch

While the interest rate climate of the last two years has been largely unfavorable for borrowers, it’s been a boon for savers who have been able to capitalize on it. With returns on many savings vehicles exponentially higher than they were just a few years ago, savers have been able to buffer the costs of elevated inflation and interest rates …

Do you own your home? If so, you may have some $299,000 in equity at your fingertips. That’s theaverage amount of equity American homeowners have. And, those homeowners can take advantage of an average of $193,000 of that equity and maintain a healthy, 20% stake in their homes. Moreover, when you borrow against your home equity, either with a home …

BF Borgers, the independent accounting firm for Trump Media & Technology Group, is facing allegations of “massive fraud” from the Securities and Exchange Commission, which on Friday claimed the auditor ran a “sham audit mill” that put investors at risk. The SEC said Borgers has been shut down, noting that the company agreed to a permanent suspension from appearing and …

What do Australia, Canada, the U.K. and the U.S. have in common beyond a common tongue? Try a dearth of nurses, mechanics and electricians. That’s according to a recentanalysisby career site Indeed.com that ranks the 10 job sectors with the most sought-after job candidates by employers and recruiters based on what resumes they searched for in 2023 across the four …

Hiring across the U.S. slowed in April, a sign the Federal Reserve’s efforts to shackle economic growth and curb inflation is chilling the labor market. American employers added 175,000 jobs last month, well below expectations of roughly 232,000 and off dramatically from the blockbuster job creationin March, when employers added a surprising and upwardly revised 315,000 jobs. The nation’s unemployment …

You never know when emergency expenses might pop up. And, when they do, you’ll want a financial safety net to fall back on. But emergencies aren’t the only reason you should save money. Have you thought about buying a home? What about taking a dream vacation or even getting married? Large expenses like these typically require months, if not years, …

The recent surge in home prices has left the average American homeowner with about $300,000 worth of home equity. And, that amount grew by an average of $24,000 in 2023, $14,300 in 2022, $64,000 in 2021 and $26,300 in 2020. While the home equity increases mean larger gains when you sell your home, they also grant you access to larger …

The IRS says it is about to ramp up audits as it cracks down on tax cheats and seeks to deliver more revenue into the U.S. Treasury’s coffers. But not every group of taxpayers will face more scrutiny, according to IRS commissioner Danny Werfel. The IRS has been bolstered by $80 billion in new funding directed by the Inflation Reduction …

Dutch medical device maker Philips said Monday it had reached a $1.1 billion deal in the United States to settle lawsuits over faulty sleep machines in a case that have dogged the company. The company’s stock soared on news of the settlement, which was less onerous than feared by some shareholders. Since 2021, Philips has been battling a series of …

More than70% of Americans saya rewarding career or job is extremely important for them to live a fulfilling life — more important than family, friends or wealth. CBS News interviewed a broad array of workers who chose unique jobs, for a series we call:Unique jobs, extraordinary lives. Have you ever heard of an intimacy coordinator? Most people don’t know they …