The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 2091
Holiday spending growth by state It’s that time of year when many households assess their budgets surrounding holiday parties, gifting and sales events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Local businesses, ecommerce businesses, and even governments collecting associated sales tax benefit from these end-of-year purchases. To accommodate the seasonal surge in spending, businesses must often plan ahead to account for increased traffic to stores and attractions during this time of year, making it i...
Got the flu? Here’s how long you’re contagious When the flu strikes, one of the biggest concerns is how long you might be contagious. Knowing this can help protect your family, friends, and coworkers from catching the virus. This guide from Doctronic.ai breaks down exactly how long you can spread the flu and what you can do to minimize the risk. It is crucial to recognize that the contagious period can vary significantly among individuals, influenced by factors such as age, overall health, and...
China-US freight shipping rates stabilize at lower levels as December bookings slow This week, global trade policy saw several notable developments suggesting a turning point in how major economies manage supply chains, resource dependencies, and trade imbalances. The EU’s push to reduce dependency on Chinese raw materials and China’s simultaneous move to streamline rare-earth exports reflect a recalibration of trade flows, away from old dependencies and toward diversification and res...
Schools that are good at teaching math are also good in reading — and vice versa Many people prefer restaurants that specialize and perfect a certain type of cuisine — they don’t want their barbecue restaurant to offer sushi, and see extensive menus as a worrisome sign of mediocrity. On the other hand, they may not want a hotel that excels in only one area — they want every hotel they stay at to have clean sheets and towels, hot water and a quiet environment. What about schools? Are they more li...
Pressed for time? 7 smart tips for last-minute holiday parties, according to event planners While the holidays are a magical, albeit hectic, time to connect and celebrate with your community, pushing to meet your end-of-year goals can feel overwhelming—especially if your company get-together is still languishing on your to-do list. To help, event planning professionals Suzanne Zadeh, head of partnerships for TEDAI, and Ami Alexander-Ponce, events manager at San Francisco coworking space C...
What it takes to reach the top 10% in every state New state-by-state data reveals what it takes to reach the top 10% — and how living costs and inequality reshape what “rich” really means. An infographic on America's top earners showing data on the biggest paychecks by state, the top 10% vs. middle-class earnings gap." BuchhaltungsButler, DataPulse Research In the United States, a household needs anywhere between $198,000 and $387,000 in annual income to be considered among the top 10% earne...
PeopleImages // Shutterstock The truth about minimum coverage requirements in Alabama In this article, CheapInsurance.com dives into required minimum liability limits in Alabama and across the country. Those shopping for valid coverage, particularly in the context of financing or leasing a vehicle, should also note why simply meeting the minimum may be risky. What "Minimum Liability Coverage" Means and Why It Exists Every U.S. state, with one exception, requires drivers to carry a minimum level...
Hanukkah celebrations have changed dramatically — but the same is true of Christmas Hanukkah is not the Jewish Christmas. Articles and op-eds in newspapers remind readers of that fact every year, lamenting that the Jewish Festival of Lights has almost become an imitation of the Christian holiday. These pieces exist for a reason. Hanukkah is a minor festival in the Jewish liturgical year, which is marked by major holidays in the fall and spring — the High Holidays and Passover, respectively. Bec...
Price too low to be true? The cost of using unlicensed bathroom renovation contractors The home improvement market is a resilient one, with spending projected to top $553 billion in 2026. Some homeowners choose the DIY route, even for major projects. However, complex jobs like bathroom renovations are typically handled by professionals. Industry standards typically require licensed professionals for electrical and plumbing work. The problem is that hiring bathroom renovation contractors can be...
The year-end builder rush: Why December deadlines can work in your favor Homebuyers looking for leverage in a still-tight housing market may find it in December, as builders step up efforts to meet fiscal-year targets, clear out quick move-in (QMI) inventory, and ramp up incentives to cap off the year. Housing activity tends to slow at the end of the year, according to the National Association of Realtors’ seasonal analysis. Buyer traffic typically falls from December through February, r...
At what age do people start feeling older and more tired? Feeling older and more tired is a common experience that many people notice as they move through different stages of life. However, pinpointing the exact age when these sensations begin can be tricky because aging is a highly individual process influenced by genetics, lifestyle, and overall health. Generally, many individuals begin to notice subtle changes in energy levels and physical resilience in their late 30s to early 40s. This...
Leonid Ikan // Shutterstock Coldest Decembers in Alabama since 1895 Stacker compiled a ranking of the coldest Decembers in Alabama since 1895 using data from the National Centers for Environmental Information. Rankings are based on the lowest average temperature in each month. For each of the coldest months listed below, we've included the average state temperature, state-wide highs and lows for the month, and the total precipitation. #10. December 1950 - Average temperature: 41.2°F - Monthly...
Higher-for-longer: How 2026’s mortgage rates may shape your homebuying plan If you’ve been waiting for mortgage rates to drop significantly, 2026 may not bring major relief — but there is good news. Zonda’s economists forecast that rates will stay in the low-6% range for most of 2026. That’s higher than the ultra-low rates of 2020–2021, but lower than the 7%+ levels that made headlines in 2023 and parts of 2024, NewHomeSource reports. This “higher-for-longer” environment has become one of t...
From budget cuts to public distrust: Exploring the challenges facing local health departments As CEO of the National Association of County and City Health Officials, Lori Freeman spends much of her time on the road talking with the people on the front lines of public health. It’s been a challenging year for local health departments. The federal government in March announced it was pulling back $11.4 billion in funding allocated across the nation for pandemic response and infrastructure, an a...
2 side hustle ideas to make extra money during the holidays and in 2026 The traditional path of working a full-time job until retirement is changing. More people are now exploring creative, flexible ways to earn extra income and build financial freedom on their own terms, especially as holiday expenses approach and a new year brings fresh goals. That's where freelance side hustles come in. A side hustle is like your own small business you manage alongside your regular part-time or full-time...
How to reclaim financial confidence even with student debt Student-loan debt in the U.S. has now crossed the $1.8 trillion mark. That magnitude means one thing: you’re not alone. Debt doesn’t define you. But how you deal with it absolutely can. Borrowers who take one small, proactive step—by checking their rate, exploring refinancing, or simply understanding their options—often describe the same feeling afterward. Relief. Clarity. Control. And while refinancing a federal loan means giving...
How to care for elderly loved ones at home Taking care of elderly parents at home can be rewarding. Many seniors prefer to age in a familiar place, encouraging adult children to have aging parents live at home instead of residential care facilities. However, caregiving encompasses huge responsibilities. Your loved one’s degree of mobility and independence impacts the type of work to expect. You typically need to assist with their daily activities, offer emotional support and manage medical n...
1 answers that could save a life: Organ donation explained Teenagers aren’t supposed to struggle to breathe. But two years ago, Micah Clayborne, a then-active 13-year-old middle school tennis player, knew something was wrong. Still, he pushed through the symptoms — persistent sweating and shortness of breath — for six months before finally telling his parents. They rushed their son to the hospital. Within days, doctors diagnosed Micah with Danon disease — a genetic condition that thicken...
How can I avoid capital gains tax without a 1031 exchange? Understanding capital gains taxes from a property sale and the legal strategies you can pursue to manage tax liabilities from selling an asset can help you preserve the wealth you’ve built in your property. Although you may have heard of using a 1031 exchange to defer capital gains tax from real estate sales, do you have other options for avoiding capital gains tax without a 1031 exchange? In this story, 453 Trust Powered by P...
jittawit21 // Shutterstock How gas prices have changed in Dothan in the last week CheapInsurance.com compiled statistics on gas prices in Dothan, AL metro area using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of December 1. Dothan by the numbers - Gas current price: $2.72 --- Alabama average: $2.66 - Week change: -$0.03 (-1.2%) - Year change: -$0.05 (-1.9%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.67 (6/10/22) - Diesel current price: $3.61 - Week change: -$0.01 (-0.4%) - Year change: +$0.13 (+3.6%) -...
Elen Nika // Shutterstock How gas prices have changed in Montgomery in the last week CheapInsurance.com compiled statistics on gas prices in Montgomery, AL metro area using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of December 1. Montgomery by the numbers - Gas current price: $2.66 --- Alabama average: $2.66 - Week change: -$0.05 (-1.8%) - Year change: -$0.06 (-2.2%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.67 (6/14/22) - Diesel current price: $3.42 - Week change: -$0.06 (-1.6%) - Year change:...
Elen Nika // Shutterstock How gas prices have changed in Mobile in the last week CheapInsurance.com compiled statistics on gas prices in Mobile, AL metro area using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of December 1. Mobile by the numbers - Gas current price: $2.59 --- Alabama average: $2.66 - Week change: -$0.07 (-2.7%) - Year change: -$0.08 (-2.9%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.62 (6/15/22) - Diesel current price: $3.46 - Week change: -$0.05 (-1.4%) - Year change: +$0.23 (+7.2%) -...
Christian Mueller // Shutterstock How gas prices have changed in Florence in the last week CheapInsurance.com compiled statistics on gas prices in Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL metro area using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of December 1. Florence by the numbers - Gas current price: $2.67 --- Alabama average: $2.66 - Week change: -$0.04 (-1.4%) - Year change: -$0.03 (-1.1%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.62 (6/10/22) - Diesel current price: $3.36 - Week change: -$0.01 (-0.2%) -...
jittawit21 // Shutterstock How gas prices have changed in Anniston in the last week CheapInsurance.com compiled statistics on gas prices in Anniston-Oxford, AL metro area using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of December 1. Anniston by the numbers - Gas current price: $2.62 --- Alabama average: $2.66 - Week change: -$0.04 (-1.5%) - Year change: -$0.12 (-4.4%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.61 (6/11/22) - Diesel current price: $3.27 - Week change: -$0.03 (-0.8%) - Year change:...
Istvan Csak // Shutterstock How gas prices have changed in Tuscaloosa in the last week CheapInsurance.com compiled statistics on gas prices in Tuscaloosa, AL metro area using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of December 1. Tuscaloosa by the numbers - Gas current price: $2.61 --- Alabama average: $2.66 - Week change: -$0.07 (-2.5%) - Year change: -$0.08 (-3.0%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.63 (6/14/22) - Diesel current price: $3.38 - Week change: -$0.06 (-1.7%) - Year change: +$0....
