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California lawmakers approve bill to extend home mortgage aid to undocumented immigrants
The California Assembly gave final appoval Wednesday to a bill that could help undocumented immigrants in California buy homes, despite opposition from Republicans who said it would encourage more Mexican immigrants to cross the border illegally.
Elon Musk went as far as posting on his social platform X that "half of Earth should move to ...Read more
The six fire-, flood- and storm-prone cities where billionaires love to buy homes
Rising interest rates. Natural disasters. There are a host of reasons not to buy a home in the current real estate market — particularly in certain areas. But the ultra-rich are unfazed.
As most of the market recovers from its pandemic hangover, megamansions in some cities have been immune to the slowdown. Across the country, billionaires are...Read more
Everyday Cheapskate: Extra Money Dilemma; Should We Buy Cancer Insurance?
As you know, because I tell you all the time, I get a ton of mail! Today, I reached into my virtual mailbag and pulled out two reader questions, neither of them having easy answers. But hopefully this will make you think of your own situation in light of these questions and my responses.
Dear Mary: I borrowed more money on my student loan than ...Read more
Everyday Cheapskate: How to Unshrink a Sweater, Paying Taxes and More
I love it when I open my email to find a question that makes me go "Oh, boy. Do I know about that feeling! That's exactly what happened to me. Been there, done that!"
Today's first great reader question is a perfect example. Yep, I've gone to get rid of shrunken clothing because I didn't know there was a possible remedy. But now I do, and you'...Read more
Everyday Cheapskate: Frugal Advice for Perplexing Situations
Dear Cheapskate: I often keep onions, garlic and potatoes in my cupboard for weeks before finding the time to cook with them -- and by then they've gone soft or sprouted! What's the best way to store these ingredients to keep them fresh as long as possible? Your column is fabulous! Keep up the good work. -- Amy M.
Dear Amy: Never refrigerate ...Read more
The richest man in Pennsylvania invests in kids' soccer classes, car repair, hiring tech and more
From its busy trading floors just outside Philadelphia, Susquehanna International Group has grown since its 1987 founding into one of the dozen biggest U.S. firms that bet their own money — trillions a year, in Susquehanna's case — on stocks, options, futures, and anything else that changes hands in securities markets.
Susquehanna's success...Read more
Inflation is cooling. Here's what a Temple professor says you should do now
Inflation is under 3% for the first time in three years, according to the Consumer Price Index Report released earlier this month, with the Federal Reserve poised to begin interest-rate cuts starting next month.
In July, inflation dropped to 2.9% year-over-year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. That was a slight decrease from June, ...Read more
Mormon church seeks to annex 52,450 acres of ranchland to Orlando
An investment arm of the Mormon church applied today to annex 52,450 acres of ranchland to the city of Orlando, Florida, a massive addition that would increase the physical size of the city by nearly 60 percent.
The land-owning entity, known as Farmland Reserve, says it has no immediate plans to develop the land, which will be annexed as the �...Read more
Survey: ATM fees reach 26-year high while overdraft fees inch back up
Accessing the money from your checking or savings account keeps getting more expensive, if you’re using an out-of-network ATM. In fact, average total ATM fees continue their climb to $4.77 this year, according to Bankrate’s 2024 checking account and ATM fee study. This reflects an increase from $4.73 last year and the highest annual amount ...Read more
Inherited 401(k) rules: What beneficiaries need to know
If a loved one has named you as a beneficiary of their 401(k), knowing how to make the best use of the bequest is another way to honor them. How to best use an inherited 401(k) depends on a number of factors — first and foremost your relationship with the primary account holder.
Here are the key rules to know when inheriting a 401(k) and how ...Read more
Everyday Cheapskate: Grocery Shopping Mistakes That Are Eating a Hole in Your Budget
Inflation is hitting Americans hard these days. Rent, gas and utilities are all more expensive, and rising grocery bills aren't helping matters. Increased costs and supply chain shortages have pushed prices up, with food prices climbing around 11% recently -- though some folks have seen even steeper increases. Sticking to a reasonable grocery ...Read more
US sues RealPage, alleging its software allows landlords to coordinate rent increases
The U.S. Department of Justice on Friday sued a major real estate firm, alleging the company's algorithmic software enables landlords across the country to set rent at artificially high rates.
The lawsuit, joined by several states including California, focuses on software from Texas-based company RealPage. The software is used by many landlords...Read more
US mortgage rates drop to a 2024 low as buyers await Fed cuts
Mortgage rates in the U.S. resumed their downward path, dropping to a new low for the year.
The average for a 30-year, fixed loan was 6.46%, down from 6.49% last week, Freddie Mac said in a statement Thursday.
Borrowing costs are down significantly after topping 7% earlier this year, giving house hunters more purchasing power and coaxing some...Read more
Final orange grove in the San Fernando Valley is likely to give way to luxury homes
A century-old orange grove in Tarzana, California, appears on its way to becoming the site of luxury homes, a transformation that would mark the end of commercial citrus farming in the San Fernando Valley, where the crop was once a mainstay.
At 14 acres, Bothwell Ranch represents less than one-thousandth of what once was, before the orchards ...Read more
Real estate Q&A: Can a lender increase monthly payments to cover higher property tax?
Q: We purchased our house last year from a lovely couple that had lived there for several decades. Our bank is taking care of our tax and insurance payments. Our lender drastically increased our payment when the new tax roll came out. This higher payment is hard to swallow as we counted on the old amount when making our budget. Can they do this?...Read more
Everyday Cheapskate: Readers Share Clever Tips and Tricks for Living Well While Spending Less
Every year around this time, just as summer is getting into full swing, I experience the same shock. You'd think that by now I would see it coming. I'm still rolling my eyes at the Halloween, Thanksgiving and even Christmas sections developing at my local Costco! And that rack of really nice winter down-filled jackets -- in August!
I'll admit ...Read more
Everyday Cheapskate: Forget About It
Insurance. It's complicated and confusing, which is why many people end up with insurance they don't need, while neglecting to carry the type of basic insurance they do need. So how are we to know? Today, I have a few common-sense guidelines to help untangle the mystery known as insurance.
Generally, you need four types of insurance:
TERM LIFE...Read more
Harris proposes $25,000 in downpayment assistance to first-time homebuyers, crackdowns on corporate landlords
With California’s housing affordability crisis spreading across the U.S., Vice President Kamala Harris last week unveiled her economic agenda, aimed at lowering housing costs for both homeowners and renters around the country.
The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee seems to be pulling a few moves from California housing advocates’ ...Read more
Las Vegas is seeing one of the largest industrial booms in the nation
North Las Vegas definitely falls within that “Goldilocks zone” when it comes to the industrial space, one of the biggest developers in the area said.
“You’ve got great freeway access with the I-15 going through and the 93 and 215 (Beltway) in close proximity, it’s kind of the crux of everywhere coming together,” said Lisa Brady, who...Read more
Seattle-area families, teachers juggle back-to-school shopping needs
Sheila Osterbeck threw four black composition books, 50 cents each, in her Target cart as she browsed the back-to-school aisles Wednesday to stock up on school supplies for her two children.
With lists in hand, Osterbeck and other families at Northgate Target were looking for bargains while wrangling children on shopping sprees that are likely ...Read more
Inside Consumer
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