All Economy
- State of the Union: Obama to double down on taxing the rich
The State of the Union will be an opportunity for President Obama to press his plan to tax the rich more, which could become a major issue in the 2012 campaign.
- Young Internet entrepreneurs embrace philanthropy
Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg, Twitter's Biz Stone, Craigslist's Craig Newmark, and many others have turned their entrepreneurial skills to solving the world's social problems.
- Romney tax return shows he paid $3 million. His tax plan wouldn't bump that.
The wealthy GOP presidential candidate paid about 14 percent of his income in taxes in 2010, the Romney tax return shows. That's a lower rate than most middle-class Americans pay. Under Romney's tax reform plan, his tax bite would not change.
- Manufacturing improves
The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond's Survey of Manufacturing Activity for January showed that the composite index, the broadest measure of manufacturing activity, improved 9 points to a level of 12.
- Ben Franklin: Founding father, inventor, geo-engineer?
Back in 1784, Ben Franklin noted the effect of volcanoes on climate. Was he the world's first geo-engineer?
- IMF: $650 billion isn't enough for the European bailout fund
European finance ministers agreed to move up the launch of a permanent bailout fund by a year, but the fund is still too small, according to the IMF.
- Super Bowl tickets, package for sale? Caveat emptor.
Super Bowl tickets, travel packages should be treated with caution, Massachusetts officials warn New England Patriot fans. Advisory says fans should buy Super Bowl tickets only from licensed resellers.
- How much will Romney really slash the budget?
Mitt Romney is proposing deep spending cuts that would cap federal spending at 20 percent GDP. That means slashing Social Security benefits and pushing 2.6 million additional Americans into poverty.
- Social Security: more paper statements ahead
Social Security Administration had stopped paper statements to cut costs. Now, it plans to resume Social Security statements for those 60 and over.
- Iran oil embargo: How tough are the EU sanctions?
Europe's Iran oil embargo is unprecedented. But the EU may have left the door open for adjustments that could ease pressure on Tehran.
- The US appetite for debt keeps growing
While the private sector is de-leveraging, the public sector is borrowing and spending more than ever.
- How much do you save by leaving your oven light on?
Leaving your oven light on while cooking, instead of opening the door to check your food, will save you money.
- How can Americans compete globally?
Who should have the primary responsibility for making American workers globally competitive – the private sector or government?
- Stocks close mixed following Greek debt talks
The S&P 500 index eked out a tiny gain Monday while traders kept an eye on talks in Europe to cut Greece's crushing debt load, but other indexes ended slightly lower. The Dow fell 11 points to close at 12708.
- Why does Mitt Romney manage his investments from the Caymans?
Mitt Romney's holdings in the Cayman Islands have generated lots of interest in investment funds that are managed from the U.S. but incorporated in foreign jurisdictions. The real winners in these arrangements are U.S. tax-exempt entities, not Mitt Romney and the investors themselves.
- EU approves embargo on Iranian oil, despite economic concerns
Some EU countries who agreed to the Iranian oil embargo get as much as 30 percent of their oil from Iran. But as Spain's foreign minister said today, they are 'willing to make the sacrifice.'
- Price fixing occurs naturally, study shows
Price fixing often occurs as a reaction to the natural swing of the buyers' market, rather than as the result of conspiracy.
- Single family home sales are up
Single family home sales increased 4.6 percent from November and rose 4.3 percent above the level seen in December 2010
- Limting itemized deductions is a no-brainer
Time and again, Obama has proposed limiting itemized tax deductions in his annual budget. It's a sound idea that would raise a lot of revenue and reduce the deficit in a progressive way.
- Make your own laundry detergent
Store-bought laundry detergents can cost up to 30 cents per load. Here's how to make your own, cheaper version.