MoneyWatch

American Airlines is relaxing part of its pet policy to let owners bring their animal companion and a full-size carry-on bag into the cabin. Until this week, people who carried a pet into the cabin, which involves paying a $150 fee, could only have one other small item that fit under the seat. Anything bigger, like a carry-on bag with …

The recall of red yeast products linked to at least five deaths in Japan may have Americans questioning the safety of a range of dietary supplements containing the ingredient and readily found online and in stores. Billed as a natural means of lowering cholesterol, the products recalled by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. contain benikoji, an ingredient derived from a species of …

Most California fast-food workers are now earning at least $20 an hour — the highest minimum wage across the U.S. restaurant industry. Yet the pay hike, which went into effect on April 1, is sparking furious debate, with some restaurant owners warning of job losses and higher prices for customers, while labor advocates tout the benefits of higher wages. The …

Debt-to-income (DTI) ratios probably aren’t something many people think about often. But it’s important not to discount this ratio and the impact it can have on your financial stability. After all, your DTI ratio typically plays a significant role in your ability to access loans – or lack thereof. Calculated by dividing your total monthly loan payment obligations by your …

If you’re dealing with mounting credit card debt, you may be looking for ways to pay it off quickly. After all, today’s high interest rate environment means your minimum payments are likely higher now than they have been in the past. But it’s important to understand that when you make the minimum payments, most of your payment goes toward interest …

Legislation in Washington state known as the “Strippers’ Bill of Rights,” which advocates say includes the most comprehensive statewide protections in the nation for adult dancers, was signed into law on Monday. Gov. Jay Inslee signed the measure, which creates safer working conditions for people in the adult entertainment industry and makes it possible for the clubs to sell alcohol. …

Steamboat Springs, Colorado, has a problem that’s prevalent among all resort communities where housing costs far exceed local incomes: recruiting staff. That’s because job candidates say they can’t afford to live there. While home prices and rents have soared across the country over the past year, rent and real estate prices in uber-wealthy enclaves are in a league of their …

Following its March meeting, the Federal Reserve did not change the federal funds rate, keeping the target rate at a range of 5.25-5.50%. A few months ago, many experts predicted that the Fed would start cutting rates in early 2024, but conditions have changed, with inflation being more persistent than expected. And with the Fed keeping rates high, that has …

McDonald’s will begin selling Krispy Kreme donuts at its fast food locations this year as part of a phased rollout that will bring the baked goods to its restaurants nationwide by the end of 2026. Under a partnership announced Tuesday, Krispy Kreme will deliver three versions of its donuts — glazed, chocolate iced with sprinkles and chocolate iced with a …

Stubborn inflation continues to be a cause for concern, with prices growing 3.2% year-over-year in February. That’s bad news for borrowers, as the Federal Reserve’s federal funds rate target is currentlypaused at a 23-year highand is unlikely to decline fall until the inflation rate moves closer to the Fed’s 2% target. In turn, interest rates are likely to stay elevated …