Americans woke up to higher gas prices on Tuesday, and some experts warned that the global oil crisis could worsen as Yemen’s Houthi rebels join the war against Iran. On Tuesday morning, the average price of gas in the US was US $ 4.018 per gallon, according to AAA, which tracks gas prices nationwide. According … Read more
The widespread costs and expenses of a health crisis are pushing many Americans into financial trouble, a new study has found. What You Should Know According to a new study by the financial services company JG Wentworth, conducted in February 2026 and evaluating 1,421 adults in the US, almost half of each person’s bankruptcy is … Read more
Mark Kassen, Chi Osse, Carmel Crimmins and Chris Evans at the Reuters Affordability Gap event focusing on Gen Z and millennials, New York City. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz Inflation raises prices. The job market is patchy. And the lack of affordable housing is putting pressure on finances. Why does creating a stable financial life feel more difficult … Read more
The SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) is down 7% year-to-date through March 30, 2026, while the VIX rose to 30.61 as energy shocks driven by WTI crude oil above $100 a barrel threaten to reverse inflation. Core PCE inflation reached 128.394 in January 2026, its highest figure in 12 months, while the yield of the … Read more
The stock market plunged on Monday morning after the White House announced that it might not be America’s job to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The S&P 500 rose more than 1.5%, while the Nasdaq rose nearly 2%. In one night, a Wall Street Journal the report indicated that President Trump would be ready to … Read more
High oil prices due to the US-Iran war are straining already strapped low-income consumers. But as rates fall, there is a sign that high earners are also starting to feel the heat. Internal data from Bank of America on credit and debit card usage revealed that from the start of the war through March 21, … Read more
But under the headline image there is a more complex reality: strong growth, high profits, however much of the speed is uneven, concentrated, and partly destroyed by currency fluctuations. A new report by McKinsey & Company shows that the banking sector in Africa generated about $99 billion in 2024 and is estimated to reach about … Read more
Last week, President Donald Trump made two ridiculous moves on Iran. He began by threatening to “destroy” Iran’s energy plants unless the Strait of Hormuz was safely opened. He gave a deadline of 48 hours. Then, before that deadline came, Trump backed down. But minutes before he did, the oil markets saw a huge spike … Read more
Your support helps us tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is breaking new ground as the story unfolds. Whether it’s investigating the finances of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest film, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on American women fighting for reproductive rights, … Read more
A retired couple thought they were financially secure with $1.5 million in a 401(k), $400,000 in checking accounts, and $200,000 in a Roth IRA — but later realized that taxes would be higher than expected at age 73. When they calculated required distributions (RMDs), they realized the withdrawals would push them through in the higher … Read more