Trends

Officials argued against the now-required financial literacy and college or career preparation courses, but Oregon legislation has mandated them as a step needed for graduation. Oregon Mandates Financial Literacy Courses for High School Students Separate courses on financial literacy are now a state-mandated requirement to graduate for Oregon high school students. The state is also … Read more

Colorado’s ski towns are stirring up a storm with a controversial idea: taxing homes that sit empty for most of the year.  Empty Homes, Empty Wallets Resort communities across the state are pushing for a “vacancy tax” to tackle the housing crisis that’s hitting locals hard.  Pushing for Change in Resort Communities The Colorado Association … Read more

As the rising cost of living continues to weigh on consumers, another retail trend is rising too – shoplifting. And according to researchers, petty retail theft isn’t going away anytime soon. A Growing Problem Shoplifting is much more widespread than many of us may realize, according to a recent survey by online lending marketplace LendingTree.  … Read more

The IRS announced it’s targeting high-income earners who have failed to file tax returns. Americans seem to be both excited by the prospect of a fair tax system and nervous that the crack-down will hurt their future filings. The new initiative is a mixed bag for taxpayers. IRS Closes Major Loophole Image Credit: Shutterstock / … Read more

The leading electronics retailer in the U.S. is making some major changes to apply to members. The changes are said to improve loyalty and benefits for members.  Changes Starting  Costco’s making some changes for the future of the $370 billion retail group. The changes will have excellent benefits for members and Costco said it values … Read more

The Fed Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has told the American people that the rates will come down if it remains this stable.  So Far, So Good According to the Federal Reserve Bank, things are looking excellent in terms of “stability,” which seems to be a good sign. Jerome Powell and the Fed have encouraged Americans … Read more

Are big banks bankrolling climate change?  Big Banks and Big Emissions A new report has revealed that America’s biggest banks are pumping billions into the meat and dairy industries. While this seems harmless, these are sectors responsible for some of the biggest emissions on the planet, and it has caused anger among climate activists.  Promises … Read more

Colorado is taking a bold stance against vaping, as it pours millions into new initiatives that are combating teen nicotine usage. Millions Against Youth Vaping The Colorado Attorney General’s Office has distributed $17.4 million in funding to schools and relevant non-profit organizations around the state, to boost the fight against youth vaping.  Follow On From … Read more

Target announced plans to end personal check payments at their checkouts, feeding into the ongoing decline of paper check use in the US.  Closing the Door on Check Payments For decades writing checks was a part of everyday life and finances for Americans – now, digital payments are the norm, and one major retail chain … Read more

Athletic Brewing Companies is leading the non-alcoholic beverage market. The company just raised millions of dollars to expand their breweries and create a better customer experience. Consumers can expect to have more diverse non-alcoholic options in the future. The Non-Alcoholic Drink Market The non-alcoholic (NA) beverage market is growing rapidly as consumers seek healthier alternatives … Read more