MoneyWatch

Small business owners are feeling better about the U.S. economy as inflation cools and recession fears subside, according to a new survey. Indeed, economic optimism among smaller employers is at a 22-year high, PNC Financial Services Group found in polling small and midsize business owners. A majority of respondents – 55% – said they are “highly optimistic” about the national …

Panera Bread is paying $2 million to settle claims that the sandwich chain mislead customers about the cost of delivery orders. Under the settlement, some customers can file a claim that could provide them with food vouchers or cash. In agreeing to settle the lawsuit accusing Panera of misleading people about delivery fees and menu prices, the company did not …

Although the housing market traditionally thaws every spring, aspiring homebuyers may want to consider an extended hibernation given what is an exceptionally tough market this year. Home prices last year rose an average of 6.7% in the country’s 20 biggest metro areas, according to the latest S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller data. Across the nation as a whole, housing prices rose than …

Inflation remained stubbornly high in January, possibly pushing back any interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. Still, the long line graph indicates a cooling trend, albeit a bumpy one. Nevertheless, lenders have already begun lowering mortgage rates in anticipation of any cuts to the federal funds rate. According to Freddie Mac, the rate on a conventional 30-year fixed-rate mortgage …

Credit card debt can be overwhelming, especially in today’s high-rate environment. And, since the majority of a credit card’s minimum monthly payment is interest, rising interest rates can result in larger credit card bills. Combine that with the increasing costs of consumer goods and it’s easy to see how many people are facing financial hardship. So, what can you do …

United Airlines said Friday it is increasing checked bag fees on all flights in North America, joining other carriers that have recently boosted such charges. Economy class passengers on domestic United Airlines flights will now pay an additional $5, raising the cost for their first checked bag to $40. The fee for a second checked bag will also rise $5, …

H&R Block marketed its tax-preparation products as free yet deleted the data of customers as way to pressure them into paying for pricier services, the Federal Trade Commission alleged on Friday. The tax-preparation software giant’s online tax-filing products lead users to costlier products made for more complicated tax filings, even if they don’t need the additional forms and schedules offered, …

Debt can be challenging and the idea of debt relief can be an attractive one. After all, if you’re struggling to make your payments each month and someone offers you a way out, it makes sense to listen to what they have to say. And, while there are plenty of legitimate debt relief services, it’s also important to be cognizant …

These days, investors have a lot of asset options to choose from, including traditional investments, like stocks and bonds, and alternative assets, like cryptocurrency. And, while too many choices can be overwhelming, in this case, it’s a good thing. After all, diversification is a key strategy when building a portfolio that can withstand losses due to economic fluctuations, so you …

The economy of recent years has left many Americans looking for new ways to protect and grow their savings. Seniors, in particular, many of whom rely on a tight budget made up of retirement savings and Social Security, need to be particularly careful with where they store their money and where they invest it. While traditional savings vehicles like high-yield …