Monthly Archives: August 2022

‘There’s no reason for him to stop here’: Advocacy groups blast Biden’s $10,000 in student-loan forgiveness and call for more

NAACP President Derrick Johnson suggested that Biden’s student debt plan does not address a meaningful amount of debt, especially for Black borrowers, who are typically burdened by more of it. Lisa Lake/Stringer On Wednesday, President Joe Biden announced $10,000 in student-loan forgiveness for some borrowers. Advocates say that $10,000 is not enough, and doesn’t adequately…

I went to Taco Bell’s test kitchen and tried its new plant-based protein. It was one of the best fast food meals I’ve ever had.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider Taco Bell is testing a new plant-based protein in Alabama made of soy and peas. I tried it in the new crispy melt taco at Taco Bell headquarters in Irvine, California. The meat substitute is slightly spicy and has the perfect texture. I visited Taco Bell’s California headquarters in August, where I got…

Smart beta ETFs can provide higher returns and lower volatility than passively managed funds

Smart beta ETFs combine passive and active investing strategies. PonyWang/Getty Smart beta ETFs can provide greater returns than traditional ETFs through factor investing. These funds can also reduce volatility by focusing on certain stocks or bonds. You can invest in smart beta ETFs through a brokerage account or employer retirement plan. Investors can use exchange-traded…

Student loan forgiveness eliminates the total balances for at least a third of all borrowers

For many borrowers, Biden’s loan forgiveness will take a significant chunk out of their student loan debt. kali9/Getty Images About 33% of borrowers owe less than $10,000 on their student loans and will have their balances eliminated. Of all college graduates, including those with no debt at all, the average debt was $15,600.  54% of…

Treasury minister Alan Mak received thousands from defence giant Lockheed Martin. He says he doesn’t need to declare it.

Alan Mak, MP for Havant and a Treasury minister under Boris Johnson. Jonathan Wong/South China Morning Post via Getty Images Treasury minister Alan Mak took payments from businesses for his jobs fair over several years. He got £2,500 from Lockheed Martin in at least one instance, and £1,500 from Temerko-backed Aquind. Mak did not declare…

Uber, Nike, Lyft, Disney, JP Morgan and others vow to help employees access abortions after Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade: ‘We must keep up the fight’

Protests spring up across the US as citizens react to the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade Sarah Silbiger/CNN The US Supreme Court has struck down Roe v. Wade. Businesses have had months to grapple with the ramifications of this long-anticipated ruling. Even before the ruling, some companies had come out with public…

4 easy side gigs I’m doing in my spare time to make extra money and pad my budget

The author, Jen Glantz. Gaby Deimeke My income is variable as an entrepreneur and freelancer, so I have multiple revenue streams. But inflation is taking a bite of out my budget so I’m doing easy side gigs for extra cash. I’m pet-sitting and home-sitting, taking online surveys, mystery shopping, and more. One of the first…

Police are investigating an apparent ‘swatting’ incident at Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Georgia home

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican from Georgia Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images Police in Rome, Georgia, received a 911 call about someone being shot at Marjorie Taylor Greene’s home.  Police determined the call was an apparent “swatting.” Police said the suspect said in a second call that they were “upset about Mrs….

A subprime mortgage can help you buy a home with a low credit score, but it comes with added costs

If you’re not in a rush for housing, it’s probably better to improve your credit instead of getting a subprime loan. kali9/Getty Borrowers may be offered a subprime mortgage their FICO credit score falls below 670. Subprime mortgages come with higher interest rates and fees, reflecting greater risk to lenders. Alternatives to a subprime mortgage…

The euro won’t rebound from its slide against the US dollar this year as long as Europe’s gas crisis drags on, Societe Generale says

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller attend a natural-gas pipeline in September 2011. Sasha Mordovets/Getty Images The rise in gas prices in Europe is “crushing” the euro, and it may not rebound against the dollar this year, Societe Generale said Wednesday.  The euro has been trading below parity against the greenback…