• Consumers Preparing for Recession Despite Rising Optimism
  
  The number of consumers who said they are feeling better about the economy has risen for the second month, but most are still getting ready for a possible recession, according to the University of Michigan.
• WH Approves More Than 16M for Student Loan Forgiveness, but Can't Move Forward
  
  The White House has approved student loan forgiveness for more than 16 million people, but the program is on hold until the U.S. Supreme Court decides its fate in late February. The Biden administration on Friday announced it had "fully approved" more than 16 million people ...
• Goldman Foresees Lower Gas Prices
  
  Goldman Sachs reduced its expectations for U.S. natural gas prices as warmer weather and stagnating export capacity add to higher-than-usual inventories, with the market entering a bearish cycle this year and the next.
• Rasmussen Poll: More Than Half Say They Pay Too Much in Taxes
  
  More than half , 51% , of Americans say they pay more than their fair share of income taxes, according to a new poll by Rasmussen Reports.The number is down from an all-time high of 62% who felt the same way in a 2022 Rasmussen Reports poll.Here are how the survey results,...
• 3 Steps to Safeguard Your Job Now
  
  With layoffs piling up and a recession looming, American workers would be wise to take these three simple steps to protect their livelihoods and their finances, Fortune reports.
• Lauren Fix, The Car Coach: Everything You Need to Know Before Buying a Car in 2023
  
  Many people have been waiting to buy a used car, becuase prices were high, supply was low and the Fed raised its prime rate to the 4.25%-4.5% range.
• Pending Home Sales Post 1st Gain in 7 Months
  
  Contracts to buy U.S. previously owned homes increased for the first time in seven months in December as mortgage rates declined, another hopeful sign that the embattled housing market was starting to stabilize.
• Inflation, Consumer Spending Cool Down
  
  The Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge eased further in December, and consumer spending fell - the latest evidence that the Fed's series of interest rate hikes are slowing the economy.
• Trevor Gerszt: You've Heard of Peak Oil, But What About Peak Gold?
  
  While many people may think the earth is a source of unlimited energy and raw materials, that isn't necessarily the case. And while we may be familiar with the depletion of above-ground resources like forests, lakes, and rivers, many of us don't give any thought to gold.
• 30-Year Mortgages Fall to 6.13%
  
  The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate fell to its lowest level in more than four months, giving some relief to homebuyers faced with higher prices for just about everything, including homes.
• Light at the End of the Tunnel: Grand Central Annex Opens
  
  For decades, work on a massive rail project has been grinding 15 stories below the shuffling footsteps of millions of New Yorkers and beneath the East Hudson River and Manhattan skyscrapers.
• Wall Street Heavyweights Warn of Pain Ahead Despite Market's Recent Reprieve
  
  Some of Wall Street's biggest names are throwing cold water on expectations that the U.S. economy will scrape through 2023 without a recession, even as hopes of easing inflation and resilient growth propel stocks higher.
• The Pros & Cons of Software-Driven Cars
  
  Software was a big theme for automakers attending CES 2023 in January. BMW, Stellantis, Volkswagen and a joint venture between Honda and Sony showed off upcoming or concept vehicles that are significantly reliant on computers and code.
• Peter Reagan: The Secret Reason Governments Love Inflation
  
  Why did the Fed wait so long to raise interest rates, and why are they hiking so slowly? Well, it turns out there are some benefits spendthrift governments get from inflation. Here's why the Biden administration isn't as concerned about inflation as we are.
• Record 16 Million Sign Up for Obamacare
  
  More than 16 million Americans signed up for Obamacare health insurance for 2023, a jump of more than 12% over last year and the highest since the Affordable Care Act was signed 13 years ago, the U.S. government said Wednesday.
• DOJ Probes Goodyear's Handling of Recalled Tire
  
  The U.S. Justice Department is investigating Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. for its handling of a recalled tire that has been linked to eight deaths and dozens of injuries, The Wall Street Journal reported.
• Chris Orestis, Retirement Genius: How the SECURE Act Can Spur Your Savings
  
  The Secure Act was signed into law, and it will have a considerable impact on people saving for retirement.
• Lauren Fix, The Car Coach: 8 Hidden EV Costs You Didn't Know About
  
  The new tax credits for consumers built into the Inflation Reduction Act will do little to speed up the transition to electric vehicles where affordability remains the critical issue.
• Nigel Green: Fintech Use Jumps 65%, Driven by Boomers
  
  The use of personal finance apps jumped by almost two-thirds in 2022 - with Baby Boomers the fastest growing demographic, reveals new data from deVere Group, as usage of its suite of fintech apps has soared a staggering 65% year-on-year.
• Moody's: High Rent Impacting 'Quality of Life'
  
  The number of renters who spend more than 30% of their income each month on rent has reached a record high, according to Moody's Analytics.
• Biden's Next Climate Hurdle: Enticing Americans to Buy Green
  
  President Joe Biden persuaded Democrats in Congress to provide hundreds of billions of dollars to fight climate change. Now comes another formidable task: enticing Americans to buy millions of electric cars, heat pumps, solar panels and more efficient appliances.
• Consumer Reports Urges Dark Chocolate Makers to Reduce Lead
  
  Consumer Reports Monday urged four chocolate producers to commit by Valentine's Day to reduce the amounts of lead and cadmium in their dark chocolate products, after testing revealed harmful levels of the heavy metals.
• IRS: Our Focus Is Customer Service, Not Audits
  
  The U.S. Internal Revenue Service kicks off the 2023 income tax filing season Monday, armed with 5,000 new customer service representatives to slash call waiting times as the Biden administration implements $80 billion in new IRS funding.
• Gyms That Survived COVID Get Back in Shape
  
  One day in January, a once-regular customer at Fuel Training Studio in Newburyport, Massachusetts, stopped in to take a "shred" class.
• Bob Ciura: 3 High-Yield Business Development Companies Yielding Over 7%
  
  Business development companies, or BDCs, offer generous yields because they're required to distribute substantially all of their earnings to shareholders. BDCs receive favorable tax treatment, and in return, they aren't allowed to retain earnings.

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