Category: Economic News
The macro economy has a large impact on your personal finances. To help you manage your money better we track the import economic trends. Stay up to date so you can be prepared to adjust your personal finance strategies.
Economic News
Credit Card Delinquency Rates Reach Decade High in Q4 2023
by Kyle Burbank
According to new data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philidelphia, credit card delinquencies grew to new "series highs" in the last quarter of 2023. About the report: As Bloomberg reports, credit card delinquencies increased in the fourth quarter. In total, nearly 3.5% of consumer card balances were at least 30 days late. Furthermore, the percentage of card accounts that were 30, 60, and 90 days past due all rose during... Economic News
Survey: 45% of Americans Rely on Credit Amid Inflation
by Kyle Burbank
A new survey highlights the link between continued inflation and how Americans are using credit. About the survey results: According to a Debt.com survey of 1,000 U.S. adults, a significant number of consumers are currently relying on credit. In fact, 45% of respondents cite inflation and price increases as the reason for their credit usage. Furthermore, 35% say they've maxed out their cards in recent years as a result of... Economic News
Paterson, NJ Releases Results of Basic Income Test Program
by Kyle Burbank
After completing a basic income pilot program in 2022, Paterson, New Jersey has released some of the initiative's findings. About the program and results: From June 2021 through June 2022, the City of Paterson gave 110 residents monthly payments of $400 with no strings attached. To qualify, individuals needed to make less than $30,000 per year while families with incomes under $88,000 could also qualify. Meanwhile, while the program was... Economic News
The United States Economy Grew 3.3% in Q4 2023
by Kyle Burbank
A new report shows that the United States economy continued to expand in the last quarter of 2023. About the numbers: According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) increased 3.3% in the fourth quarter. As CNN Business notes, although that's down from the 4.9% growth rate recorded in the third quarter of the year, it's more than double the 1.5% growth economists expected. For... Economic News
United States Economy Added an Estimated 216,000 in December
by Kyle Burbank
The United States economy closed out 2023 with yet another impressive jobs report. About the report: According to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics report, the U.S. economy gained 216,000 jobs in the last month of 2023. That easily beat the 175,00 jobs expected by economists surveyed by Bloomberg. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate was flat month-over-month, sticking at 3.7% (economists had anticipated it to tick up). While December's figures were... Economic News
IRS Announces 2024 Tax Brackets, Adjusted Standard Deduction
by Kyle Burbank
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released its latest inflation adjustments for the next tax year, including updated tax brackets and standard deduction figures. About the updates: As it does nearly every year, the IRS has updated the tax bracket figures for the 2024 tax year. Next year's marginal tax rates will retain the same basic tiers (10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%) that were installed in 2018.... Economic News
U.S. Economy Adds 150k Jobs in October, Unemployment Ticks Up
by Kyle Burbank
This morning, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics released its initial jobs report for October 2023. About the report: Headlining today's report, the U.S. economy added an estimated 150,000 jobs last month. That's below the 170,000 jobs that economists surveyed by Wall Street Journal forecasted. But, it's expected that the figures would have been closer to 180,000 jobs if not for the auto workers strike in October. Despite that added...