Why Americans Tip: A History Stranger Than You Think
Tipping feels timeless, but America fought a small war over it — six states even banned it. Here is how an aristocratic habit became an American wage system.
Money
Money news that hits your wallet — markets, personal finance, big wins, costly mistakes, and smart moves worth knowing.
The Strange, Still-Unsolved Origin of the Dollar Sign
Nobody knows for sure where the $ sign came from, and that is half the fun. The leading theory starts with Spanish silver and some very lazy handwriting.
What Really Happens to Lottery Winners (It Gets Messy)
Everyone knows the story of the lottery winner who lost it all. The research says the truth is stranger — both better and worse than the legend.
Would You Take a Penny That Doubles Every Day for 30 Days?
Offered a million dollars today or a single penny that doubles every day for a month, most people grab the million. That instinct costs them more than million.
Why Prices End in .99: The Brain Trick Stores Bet On
Stores are not hoping you forget the extra penny. Charm pricing is one of the most studied tricks in retail — and knowing how it works does not stop it from working on you.
Microsoft just topped Wall Street’s forecast with a huge quarter
Microsoft posted strong financial results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, with revenue of $90 billion and earnings per share of $4.74 on an adjusted basis, beating Wall Street expectations and highlighting accelerating artificial intelligence momentum across the company’s…
Oil prices spiked after fighting with Iran as AI stocks pulled Wall Street lower
Oil prices surged on Wednesday after fighting resumed between the United States and Iran, lifting crude to its highest levels in weeks even as a sharp sell-off in artificial intelligence stocks dragged the overall stock market lower in a day…
Americans are feeling worse about the economy as gas prices climb
— American consumers’ confidence in the nation’s economy continued its slide this month as renewed fighting between the United States and Iran sent gasoline prices soaring back above four dollars per gallon, undoing fragile gains from a brief period of…
Oil prices fell hard while Asian markets got a lift from a hot chipmaker debut
Chinese memory chipmaker CXMT soared more than 500 percent in its Shanghai trading debut on Monday, becoming the most valuable company listed in mainland China, while global oil prices fell sharply as geopolitical tensions eased in the Middle East and…
There’s a reason grocery bills aren’t falling even as inflation cools
Americans are experiencing a frustrating economic paradox: Overall inflation has cooled considerably, yet grocery prices continue climbing steadily. This phenomenon has a name in economic circles: the “rockets and feathers” effect, and it explains why shoppers who hear good news…
Expert reveals hopeful update on $2000 stimulus checks after warning to married couples
A Social Security commentator has shared a fresh update on the proposed $2,000 stimulus checks that President Donald Trump said could be sent out. The idea was first floated in July of last year, but no payments have been issued…
Wall Street edges higher despite a pileup of worries rattling investors
Wall Street stocks edged higher Friday as investors attempted to recover from a grueling week marked by surging oil prices, escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, mounting anxiety about artificial intelligence capital expenditures, and new tariff concerns. The market’s…
Higher oil prices could soon hit your gas groceries and back to school shopping
Oil prices have surged to levels not seen in months, and American consumers are beginning to feel the impact in three critical areas: the gas pump, grocery stores, and back-to-school shopping budgets. Brent crude oil, the international benchmark for petroleum…
Mortgage Rates Hit 6.58 Percent as Homebuyers Face Highest Costs in Nearly a Year
U.S. mortgage rates climbed to their highest level in nearly a year this week, with the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage reaching 6.55% as financial markets continue to grapple with global uncertainty and rising energy costs. The jump represents a significant…
ESPN Starts Layoffs Linked to NFL Network Acquisition Memo Reveals
ESPN is undergoing a significant round of layoffs for the first time in three years, with the majority of job cuts tied to the network’s acquisition of NFL Network, according to an internal memo from chairman Jimmy Pitaro shared with…
Millions of student loan borrowers are falling behind and fighting to rebuild their lives
Millions of Americans who struggled to restart their student loan payments after years of pandemic relief are now facing the harsh consequences of default, with the crisis intensifying as government protections have ended and collection efforts resume. The scale of…