by Stephanie Hong | May 20, 2026 | Economy, Featured
Kevin Boyle earns a base wage of $11.35 an hour as a bartender at Bedsta in New York City. Like most servers, he makes more on tips. On his 2025 tax return, Boyle was not satisfied with his tax refund amount at all. This year, however, his finances look much better...
by Stephanie Hong | Apr 9, 2026 | Consumer Price Index, Economy
As the first key indication of whether the Iran war is feeding directly into inflation, economists predicted this week that the Consumer Price Index (CPI), to be released on Friday, would show that energy prices rose in March. Tomorrow’s CPI data will be crucial to...
by Stephanie Hong | Mar 30, 2026 | Economy, Featured
Eric Phesay first used Affirm, a buy now, pay later app, in 2024 to buy a PlayStation, opting for a 12-month payment plan because he didn’t have enough money for it in his debit account. After that experience, Phesay said, he considered it an option for wants...
by Stephanie Hong | Mar 18, 2026 | Consumer Price Index, Economy, Inflation
Inflation held steady in February until just before the United States attacked Iran. Now U.S. oil prices are surging, and prices overall will do the same. The Consumer Price Index (CPI), released on Wednesday by the Bureau of Labor statistics, rose 2.4% from a year...
by Stephanie Hong | Feb 23, 2026 | Consumer Price Index, Economy, Featured
Prices for goods and services rose at a slower pace than expected, giving the Fed more room to cut interest rates. Prices of goods and services such as airline tickets and hospital care rose 2.4%. Core prices excluding food and energy items rose 2.5%, which was also...
