Consumer confidence rises, undeterred by omicron

Dec 22, 2021
Americans are reassured that businesses are still operating. Yet some economic uncertainty lingers.
The spread of the new coronavirus variant hasn't seemed to dampen consumer confidence, which reached 115.8 in December. However, that remains below pre-pandemic levels.
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COVID testing's rocky start led to long lines, limited access today

Dec 22, 2021
Economists say testing is key to fighting the pandemic and restoring the economy.
Manufacturers of COVID test kits have been uncertain about their market, and production has been erratic.
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The return-to-office industry is booming

Dec 22, 2021
A flood of return-to-office consultants are rushing to fill the void of expertise created by pandemic uncertainty.
Companies are spending millions for advice on bringing employees back to offices says Matthew Boyle, a senior reporter for Bloomberg.
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How 4 families are adjusting their budgets for the holiday season

Dec 21, 2021
Many Americans are in better financial condition this year but remain cautious, says Wall Street Journal reporter Veronica Dagher.
For many Americans during the holidays this year, there can be a disconnect between how they are doing financially and how they feel about the economy or how freely they spend.
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How government spending can affect inflation

Dec 20, 2021
What's the link between government funding for aid and new programs and that 6.8% inflation rate?
Sen. Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat, said Thursday that he had agreed to support the Biden administration's climate change package.
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Payments and interest on federal student loans set to resume after nearly 2 years

Dec 20, 2021
More than 40 million borrowers with federal student loans have had a respite through the pandemic. That ends Jan. 31.
Activists hold festive signs calling on President Joe Biden to cancel student debt.
Paul Morigi/Getty Images for We, The 45 Million

Are workers better off in a "workers economy"?

Dec 16, 2021
Many workers are quitting their jobs during the pandemic, but are they improving their financial situations after they leave?
About 4.2 million workers quit their jobs in October, according to the latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary.
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Inflation is a global problem

Dec 16, 2021
But a few unique factors are driving up prices in the United States.
Packages from a delivery truck are spread on a New York City street. While the U.S. is near the top in inflation, it's first among nations in spending on goods.
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Holiday cheer: Jobless claims hit Beatles-era low

Dec 16, 2021
The hot jobs market is giving employees leverage over employers.
The current labor crunch means fewer layoffs and rising wages.
Spencer Platt via Getty Images

Job and city switching surge in the pandemic

Dec 15, 2021
LinkedIn finds a sharp rise in remote jobs on offer, and people searching for them in small "lifestyle" cities like Bend, Oregon.
The outdoorsy and picturesque city of Bend, Oregon,  is among the locales where many jobseekers have been searching for remote gigs, according to LinkedIn.
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