Economy

The Puerto Rican capitol building in San Juan is seen on July 1, 2015. The island's residents are struggling to cope with the government's $72 billion debt.

Congress' Funding Package Offers No Debt Assistance To Puerto Rico

5:11pm December 16, 2015

by Camila Domonoske

Struggling under a $72 billion debt, the territory asked for a legal change allowing it to file for some form of bankruptcy. But lawmakers have left that language out of their tax-and-spending deal.

Here's What The Fed Interest Rate Hike Means For Consumers

4:57pm December 16, 2015

The Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time in nine years Wednesday. NPR's Audie Cornish talks to Megan Greene, chief economist at John Hancock, about what this means for consumers.

The fleet of U.S. vehicles has kept its fuel efficiency at a record high, the EPA says. Here, an electric BMW i3 is seen in Miami.

Trucks Hit Record 20.4 MPG, EPA Says; Carmakers Are Ahead Of Emissions Standards

4:57pm December 16, 2015

by Bill Chappell

Fuel economy is at record highs and carmakers have surpassed strict greenhouse gas emissions standards for the third straight year, the Environmental Protection Agency says.

Drinking with co-workers can be festive — and fraught. In an informal survey of Salt readers, 25 percent of you told us you'd gotten tipsy enough to regret it at an office party, and 80 percent said you'd seen a co-worker overdo it, with embarrassing re

Arts
Economy

From Tipsy To Regret: Your Tales From The Office Holiday Party

3:14pm December 16, 2015

Office soirees can be an opportunity for networking and workplace bonding. But drinking with the boss can also lead to embarrassment, injury and litigious outcomes, as the stories you shared bear out.

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Economy

Investors Take Note That Rental Demand Is Up For Single-Family Homes

3:05pm December 16, 2015

by Carrie Jung

After the housing crisis, demand for rental property boomed. Census data show vacancy rates for rental units reached an all-time low this summer. More people are wanting to rent single family homes.

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Shoppers in Freeport, Maine, pass by store windows advertising Black Friday deals after the stores opened their doors at midnight.

Shoppers This Year May Need The Nudge Of Cold Air And Gift Cards

2:47pm December 16, 2015

by Charles Lane

It's been warmer than usual around the country and hardly feels like gift-giving season. Some economists say December sales will be fine after Christmas when consumers shop for sales with gift cards.

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Economy

Fed Expected To Raise Interest Rates For The First Time Since 2008

1:15pm December 16, 2015

For seven years, the Federal Reserve has been keeping short-term interest rates at zero. David Greene talks to David Wessel of the Hutchins Center at the Brookings Institution.

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Congressional Spending Bill Would Lift The Ban On Exporting Crude Oil

1:03pm December 16, 2015

by Jim Zarroli

Such a move could be a boon for U.S. oil producers hoping to expand into the global market. The bill would also extend tax credits for wind and solar energy production.

Economy

House Plans Vote On Year-End, Must-Pass Tax And Spending Deal

11:44pm December 15, 2015

by Susan Davis

Republicans like the tax package; Democrats like the spending plan. The two parties are expected to put together enough votes to get the overall deal through the House, with a smooth road beyond.

Ambulances lined up following two explosions near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013.

Looking At Violence In America With A Financial Lens

8:52pm December 15, 2015

by NPR Staff

Health economist Ted Miller analyzes the financial toll of violence like mass shootings. He says the total cost of firearm injury in America is $235 billion a year.

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