BRAVENNews now
President Trump is promoting gas stations called 'Freedom Fuel.' These stations are selling gasoline for $3.47 per gallon. There are 25 of these new stations in the Philadelphia area. People are wondering who is running them and why they are so cheap.
CBS Mornings Deals shows viewers products that can improve daily life. The segment offers exclusive discounts on those items. People can go to cbsdeals.com to get the deals. CBS receives a commission when purchases are made through the site.
Population forecasts predict that the U.S. will have fewer people in the coming decades. These forecasts are still too optimistic, meaning the decline could be faster than expected. The country is not ready for a smaller population. This could affect jobs, schools, and public services.
CBS News business analyst Jill Schlesinger answered readers' financial questions. She gave tips on saving for college and planning for retirement. She also discussed smart investing options.
Midterm exams are getting more difficult now. Because of this, politics and business are mixing a lot. This mix is often not good for everyone. It can cause problems in both areas.
{"The article asks whether it is smarter to use some of your savings now so you can wait to start Social Security benefits.","It explains that if you claim Social Security earlier, you can keep more of your investment portfolio invested.","Keeping money invested lets it continue to grow through compounding.","The piece helps readers weigh the trade‑off between immediate cash and future benefits."}
{"Last week, stocks tied to artificial intelligence rose sharply.","Chip companies saw big swings but ended the week higher.","Meta’s shares helped push the portfolio up.","At the same time, rising oil prices made investors nervous on Wall Street."}
The dot‑com crash in the early 2000s wiped out about $5 trillion in market value. Analysts say that loss was just a small blip compared to what could come. They warn the next global financial crisis could be four times larger. Some signs suggest that crisis may already be beginning.
The United States removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism. This means the US no longer sees Syria as a country that supports terrorism. Many Syrians feel hopeful that this will help the economy grow. But they also stay careful, waiting to see if real changes will happen.
When Congress goes on summer break, stock prices often rise. Lawmakers are not in session, so there is less regulatory uncertainty. Investors feel more confident and buy stocks. This leads to a rally in the market.
U.S. companies are spending about $1 trillion to buy back their own stock. At the same time, company insiders are also purchasing shares. MarketWatch points out 22 specific stocks where both buybacks and insider buying are occurring.
{"Many people believe they can earn more than 10% each year from their investments.","A report says that real returns above 10% per year are very rare over the long term.","This means most investors will see lower gains than they hope.","The article calls this a tough truth for investors."}
Many investors want their money to support causes they believe in. They look for funds that avoid things like tobacco or fossil fuels. However, some retirement plans offer limited choices, so investors may not be able to pick those ethical options.
A recent test shows that only 5% of U.S. adults can answer all eight financial‑literacy questions correctly. The test was given by a research group and results were released this week. Experts say financial literacy in the U.S. has fallen to its lowest point in ten years. Low financial knowledge can hurt people's bank accounts and savings.
{"A person says they receive many offers from financial advisers for free steak dinners.","They have plenty of free time and enjoy eating at nice restaurants.","They wonder whether accepting these meals is wrong.","The question raises concerns about gifts influencing professional advice."}
Many small‑business owners in the United States plan to retire within the next ten years. When they close their businesses, their employees may lose jobs. This could also erase years of know‑how that the businesses have built up.
Mike Akins from ETF Action said some market groups have done worse than big AI stocks. He thinks these weak groups could give large profits in the next six months. He advises investors to put more money into those underperforming areas. The idea is to buy low now and benefit later.
CD rates are currently around 4% and have not changed recently. Experts say they might move after the next Federal Reserve meeting, or possibly the one after that. Investors are deciding whether to lock in the current rate or wait for a possible increase.
The speaker's father told the grandmother to reduce the speaker's inheritance. The speaker says the money would have been life‑changing. They could have bought a home for a growing family. They now wonder if that was fair.
In July, a program called Trump Accounts was launched for children. It allows parents to deposit up to $1,000 per year into a tax‑deferred investment account. The money grows without being taxed until the child withdraws it. To open an account, a parent must be a U.S. citizen or resident and provide the child’s Social Security number.
A borrower missed a student‑loan payment. The loan servicer called a friend of the borrower and left a message. The borrower does not know how the servicer got the friend’s phone number.
A new housing law was passed to make homes more affordable. The law includes measures like subsidies for first‑time buyers and limits on price increases. Experts say these changes will help buyers and sellers, but the effects will not be seen right away. It may take months or years before the market shows lower prices.
Financial fraud means people trick others to take their money. In 2024, this cheating cost older Americans almost $2.4 billion. This big amount of money was lost because of these scams. A new law is coming to slow down this bad problem.
South Africa has asked the United States to exempt it from possible new tariffs. The tariffs are linked to a U.S. investigation into whether imports are made with forced labor. The probe examines many countries, not just South Africa. South Africa says its goods do not involve forced labor and should not be punished.
The Federal Reserve's policymakers released minutes showing they disagree about future inflation. Some officials think inflation will stay high, while others believe it will fall as tensions in Iran ease. At the same time, data showed that US home prices reached their highest level ever. This means buying a house is now more expensive than before.
German carmakers such as Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes-Benz saw their sales drop sharply in China last quarter. The decline is due to stronger competition from local Chinese brands and foreign rivals. China remains the world's largest automobile market.
The world needs less oil this year. This means global demand for oil is going down. However, drivers in the United States are still buying more gasoline. This shows a big difference between worldwide and US habits.
The Federal Reserve (Fed) officials had different ideas about the future of prices and the economy. They argued about whether interest rates should go up or stay the same. Most members agreed to keep rates steady last month. However, they are not sure if they will raise them soon.