Stacey Vanek Smith

For a lot of families, the cost of child care is a huge reason why inflation is still so painful. For years, the rise in child care and preschool prices has outpaced inflation overall. The latest Consumer Price Index showed the cost of child care increased 0.6% last month alone.

But this time may be different. One theory is that weaker data allowed companies to prepare and soften the economic landing.

Economist Claudia Sahm says even though the recession predictor is sounding the alarm, we shouldn't immediately fret.

Small operations have endured pandemic rules, lockdowns and rising costs. Refinancing their loans could be as painful, or worse.

During the pandemic era, the lingo reflected workers' leverage. Now the dynamic has shifted, and how we talk about work has too.

Unemployment is near record lows, GDP is growing, inflation has been trending down, wages are up. But in spite of it all, people are feeling bad.

Endless shrimp, endless breadsticks, endless salad bar — they've nearly killed a lot of restaurants. So why do they keep coming back?

Ransomware attacks are on the rise, and small businesses are getting hammered.

The number of Americans facing food insecurity has increased. People are turning to food pantries, soup kitchens and each other.