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The days of free refills may be over

May 13, 2024
McDonald’s announced that it would phase out its self-service machines by the end of 2032. More restaurants may follow suit.
Self-serve refill machines will be phased out at McDonald's by 2032.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

From the 1920s to the 2020s, cash-strapped homebuyers turn to smaller homes

May 13, 2024
Home builders are making new homes smaller to keep prices down. In Southern California, where land is scarce and housing is expensive, buyers are turning to small pre-war homes or ADUs.
Smaller pre-war homes, built before 1940 and under 1,500 square feet, vary in price based on location, size and condition. In South L.A., price per square foot can range from $300-800.
Courtesy Michael Robleto

Buy now, pay later debt grows but is hidden from credit bureaus

May 13, 2024
Adobe Analytics projects that buy now, pay later loans could drive as much as $84 billion in spending in 2024. But the debt shoppers are racking up is basically hidden from credit bureaus, lenders and economists.
Consumers are increasingly opting for buy now, pay later options. And that debt is basically invisible to credit bureaus and lenders.
i_frontier/Getty Images

The number of publicly traded companies in the U.S. is in decline. Here's why that matters.

May 13, 2024
When fewer companies are public, it limits our understanding of what’s happening in the economy.
The number of publicly listed companies has been nearly halved since the '90s.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

UAW to be put to the test this week in Alabama Mercedes-Benz union vote

May 13, 2024
Starting Monday, around 5,200 workers at a Mercedes-Benz assembly-and-battery complex near Tuscaloosa, Alabama, will begin voting on whether to join the UAW.
Above, people celebrate at a United Auto Workers vote watch party on April 19, in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images

What should you do if your Social Security number is stolen?

May 10, 2024
Freeze your credit, and don’t be afraid to ask for help or use free, online resources, experts say.
Make sure you consistently review your financial statements to spot fraudulent activity.
Sean Anthony Eddy/Getty Images Plus

How a new house turned into a "starter, middle, and ending" home for this Texas woman

May 10, 2024
"I'm just attached to it because it's taken care of me and I'm taking care of it," said Violet O'Brien on why she's choosing to age in place in her Houston home.
Violet O'Brien has decided to age in place in her Houston home.
Courtesy Violet O'Brien

For public good, not for profit.

Commerce chief lays out blueprint for chip manufacturing in America

May 10, 2024
The supply chain is being built to reduce U.S. vulnerability and seize opportunities like artificial intelligence, Raimondo says.
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo discussed chips, China and jobs with Marketplace's Kai Ryssdal in Washington.
Nancy Farghalli/Marketplace

What's a $1,000 fine to a billionaire?

The News Fix Fines don’t deter Donald Trump. A New York judge held the former president in criminal contempt this week, levying another $1,000 fine for violating his gag order. This is the 10th time that Judge Juan Merchan has fined Trump during the “hush money” trial, in which Trump is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records […]
Victor J. Blue - Pool/Getty Images

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on credit card points, airline miles and transparency

We'll hear why the Secretary wants to bring more transparency to airline and credit card rewards programs.
Airline miles are "not just perks; they're increasingly something we think of as part of our savings," said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)