The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 1861
Where people in Tuscaloosa are looking to buy homes Home prices are largely starting to normalize across the country, but remain high even as more homes come to the market. Near record-high mortgage rates are keeping homes largely unaffordable for most buyers. Even a percentage point increase can increase a monthly mortgage payment by more than $100. That's causing potential homeowners to expand their searches outside costly urban cores, especially when they can work from home. Stacker examined...
Where people in Montgomery are looking to buy homes Home prices are largely starting to normalize across the country, but remain high even as more homes come to the market. Near record-high mortgage rates are keeping homes largely unaffordable for most buyers. Even a percentage point increase can increase a monthly mortgage payment by more than $100. That's causing potential homeowners to expand their searches outside costly urban cores, especially when they can work from home. Stacker examined...
Where people in Birmingham are looking to buy homes Home prices are largely starting to normalize across the country, but remain high even as more homes come to the market. Near record-high mortgage rates are keeping homes largely unaffordable for most buyers. Even a percentage point increase can increase a monthly mortgage payment by more than $100. That's causing potential homeowners to expand their searches outside costly urban cores, especially when they can work from home. Stacker examined...
Where people in Auburn are looking to buy homes Home prices are largely starting to normalize across the country, but remain high even as more homes come to the market. Near record-high mortgage rates are keeping homes largely unaffordable for most buyers. Even a percentage point increase can increase a monthly mortgage payment by more than $100. That's causing potential homeowners to expand their searches outside costly urban cores, especially when they can work from home. Stacker examined...
Shopping for a 7-day weight loss meal plan at 5 grocery stores: Which is cheaper? Planning home-cooked meals can help you reach your health and weight loss goals. In fact, research supports that eating at home more versus going out may help you naturally consume fewer daily calories and eat a healthier diet. That’s why Hers created a seven-day meal plan for weight loss full of delicious meals packed with protein, fiber, and even some treats to nourish you all week. The plan also includes a g...
Do degrees still matter? For decades, a college degree was the ticket into the professional world. Employers used it as an indication of intelligence, persistence, and competence. But that assumption no longer works. Skills — not schools — are becoming the new hiring currency in modern workplaces, including those leaning into AI, reports Upwork, an online marketplace for hiring skilled freelancers. Why degrees aren’t as important to employers anymore Employers are moving away from relying on de...
Children boarding yellow school bus with backpacks. Prostock-studio // Shutterstock Public schooling is best in these US cities When buying a home in a new city, many prospective homebuyers care about their new community as well as the quality of the home they're buying. For those with school-aged children, the quality of the school district is also a key factor in their purchasing decision. According to a 2025 National Association of Realtors survey, nearly 29% of buyers ages 26 to 34 and 34%...
Micro-retirements are on the rise. Here's what HR leaders need to know Why are some high-performing employees walking away from their jobs for weeks or even months at a time—voluntarily? The answer lies in the rise of "micro-retirements," a career break trend especially popular among Gen Z and millennial workers. An estimated 10% of U.S. workers plan to take a micro-retirement this year, according to SideHustles.com. Unlike traditional sabbaticals, which are often employer-sponsored, micro-retir...
Grusho Anna // Shutterstock Movies and TV shows casting in Birmingham The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures the attention of Americans starting from an early age. Beyond celebrities' Instagram Stories and red carpet poses, there are actors out there paying their dues and honing their craft in pursuit of a sustainable career or a fulfilling sideline. Submitting to casting calls is a big part of that journey. Whether you're a working actor or an aspiring one, you might be curious to know which...
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock Movies and TV shows casting in Huntsville The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures the attention of Americans starting from an early age. Beyond celebrities' Instagram Stories and red carpet poses, there are actors out there paying their dues and honing their craft in pursuit of a sustainable career or a fulfilling sideline. Submitting to casting calls is a big part of that journey. Whether you're a working actor or an aspiring one, you might be curious to know which...
Are inheritance advances taxable? The grieving process is always challenging. But for many families, the slow legal process of distributing an inheritance compounds emotional pain with financial uncertainty. When pressing needs for money arise long before the estate is settled, an inheritance advance can be a lifeline. If you are considering an inheritance advance, it’s important to understand the tax implications. This guide from Inheritance Funding explains inheritance advances and the f...
Who is checking your credit? More people than you realize When Jason Craine went into a local music store to rent violins for his twin boys, he wasn’t expecting anything out of the ordinary. What he got instead: a credit check. “I was caught off-guard,” says Craine, a financial advisor in Wichita, Kansas. “I understood why, but I just wasn’t expecting it.” Ultimately, he decided to buy the violins outright, and his boys are now making good progress in fifth-grade orchestra. But Craine is not alo...
Keep the heat on: Why your insurer cites negligence to deny frozen pipe claims The nightmare scenario for any homeowner during the bitter chill of winter isn’t a power outage; it’s coming home to a flood. That sudden, devastating rush of water from a burst pipe, frozen solid by the deep cold, can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage, instantly soaking walls, flooring, and all your treasured possessions. Naturally, your first thought may be, “Thank goodness for homeowners insurance!” But...
How to choose the right financing for your business property Every growing business eventually faces the same question: Should we keep leasing, or buy our own space? Leasing offers flexibility and lowers upfront costs, making it an attractive option for businesses looking to preserve capital or avoid long-term commitments. But over time, those monthly payments add up, building someone else’s equity instead of your own. That’s why, for many business owners, buying the space they operate in become...
Football fantasy: Colleges add sports to bring men, but it doesn’t always work SALEM, Va. — On a hot and humid August morning in this southwestern Virginia town, football training camp is in full swing at Roanoke College. Players cheer as a receiver makes a leaping one-handed catch, and linemen sweat through blocking drills. Practice hums along like a well-oiled machine — yet this is the first day this team has practiced, ever. In fact, it’s the first day of practice for a Roanoke College...
When renters insurance steps in to cover stolen motorcycle gear For those who ride, a motorcycle is more than just transportation; it’s an extension of their spirit. Riders invest not just in the bike, but in the gear that keeps them safe and comfortable: the high-impact helmet, the abrasion-resistant jacket, the armored gloves, and the reinforced boots. This gear is essential, and often, it carries a hefty price tag. But what happens when that essential gear is suddenly gone? Not from a c...
7 hidden ways your phone tracks you without permission Most people know their phone uses GPS and cookies to follow their movements online. What’s less obvious is the quiet, passive tracking that happens every day without you tapping “Allow.” From motion sensors that map your daily routine to Bluetooth beacons logging who you’ve been near, modern smartphones carry a suite of tools that can gather far more than a location pin on a map. The Federal Trade Commission has already fined compani...
Ocean container shipping spot rates rise $700–$900 due to US-China trade fight This past week, the U.S.-China trade fight moved decisively onto the water, Freight Right Global Logistics reports. On Oct. 14, Washington and Beijing both activated reciprocal port-entry fees that target each other’s shipping ecosystems, adding direct costs for carriers (with detailed carve-outs and five-voyage annual caps) and potential pass-through costs for cargo owners. At the same time, product-specific U.S...
Should you cover your central air conditioner in the winter? As fall descends upon us, we know winter's on its way. This time of year, there's no shortage of tasks for homeowners to check off their to-do lists to prep their houses for the coming cold. The amount of winterizing that's necessary will depend on the climate you live in, as well as the particulars of your home. One long-standing debate - and a remarkably divisive one, at that - is whether you should cover your HVAC unit in the...
A centuries-old Appalachian hymn singing tradition is still soothing souls It’s one of the most distinctive sounds in country and bluegrass music. You can hear it in the singing of Patty Loveless, Keith Whitley and Ricky Skaggs. The way these Appalachian-born singers bend and glide and flip over their melodies—it can stir your soul and break your heart at the same time. You can trace this style of singing back to bluegrass legends like Ralph Stanley. But the roots of this sound go even dee...
How increased lifespans are reshaping retirement security across the US One of the many upsides to living in the 21st century is that average life expectancies are higher than ever before, and so people who make it to retirement age can expect to enjoy many more years of health and happiness than their parents and grandparents. This creates concerns at a state and national level, as the aging population puts pressure on various systems that were designed and implemented long before current...
University students across Washington protest with signs. Phil Pasquini // Shutterstock Most liberal colleges in America There is no concrete proof that liberals outnumber conservatives in academia. That said, despite the likelihood that critiques of political bias have more to do with ideological challenges than oppression, the perception persists that higher education is overwhelmingly liberal. Beyond being merely persistent, this perception has also led to political showdowns with...
logoboom // Shutterstock Hottest Octobers in Alabama since 1895 In 2022, the continental United States experienced its third hottest July since 1895, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, while 20 states saw one of their 10 hottest days in the same month. The year prior, July marked the hottest month on record worldwide. Climate change is driving rising temperatures and more record heat. The Earth’s temperature has climbed each decade since 1880 by about ....
A small town main street. lucasImages // Shutterstock 50 metros where your Social Security check goes the furthest Retirement evokes excitement as you leave behind the working world and enjoy your days to the fullest. Upon retirement, your monthly Social Security check bolsters other retirement savings to provide a regular income during your golden years. The amount of that monthly check depends on how much you've earned during your working years, regardless of where you've lived. You must work...
Urban vs. rural prescription costs: How geography shapes spending Where you live can shape your health and your prescription costs. Urban and rural communities differ not just in lifestyle and resources, but also in the medications people take and how much they pay for them out of pocket. New research from GoodRx, a platform for medication savings, shows that geography influences things like whether patients use newer, brand-name therapies and how much they pay to manage chronic conditions....
