Best States for Retirement Aren't the Ones You Might Think
Despite its popularity with retirees, Florida may not be the best place to spend your golden years. These 10 states offer better balances of affordability and quality of life.
Alabama
President Obama's Weirdest New Taxes
To achieve $1.8 trillion in new revenue, President Obama has plenty of big taxes in his budget proposal. Here are some quirky maneuvers he suggests.
Midday Market Minute: BP, Gulf Coast Oil Spillers Face Day in Court
Nearly three years after a deepwater well rupture killed 11 men, sank a rig and spewed 4 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, BP and the other companies involved are scheduled to face their judge in court. The trial is set to start Monday in New Orleans before a federal judge, but a settlement is possible.
More States Join Lawsuit Challenging CFPB and Dodd-Frank
Eight more states have joined a lawsuit aimed at challenging the constitutionality of parts of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, including the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
These Are Most and Least Charitable States - but Why?
Earlier this month, Mint.com published a map of the most and least generous states when it comes to charity. Since then, personal finance writers have struggled to find a pattern to explain why some states give so much more to the less fortunate than others don't.
The 10 Most Tax-Friendly States for Retirees
When deciding where to live in retirement, people usually consider climate, cost of living, and proximity to friends, family, and their favorite activities. Well, state and local taxes should play a role in the choice to, because they'll surely have an impact on your finances.
The 5 Richest and 5 Poorest States in America
Median household income in the United States declined for the second straight year in 2011, the Census Bureau reports -- falling more than 8% below its 2007 pre-recession peak. But some states are faring far better than the average -- and, of course, some are faring far worse.
Save a Bundle on Back-to-School with Sales Tax Holidays
When times are tough, every penny counts. That's why shoppers look forward to what has become an annual summer ritual in many states: the chance to avoid sales tax on certain purchases.
Corporate Tax Kickbacks: Busting Our Budgets, State By State
Federal tax giveaways to industries have received much criticism, but the relocation incentives offered by states may be the most counterproductive of all corporate subsidies.
America's 11 Most Miserable States Revealed
You might think that with the economy on its slow climb back to health, Americans would have gotten a little bit happier in 2011. In fact, they got a bit more miserable. And some states have more reasons to be down in the dumps than others.
Alabama County Avoids Bankruptcy Filing
Jefferson County, Alabama's, sewer debt crisis is coming to a close. Commissioners voted Friday on a deal framework that will let it restructure and partially write off $3.14 billion debt, saving the county from filing for Chapter 9 in what would have been the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history.
Labor Day Road Trip? Try These 10 Cheap Gas States
As you hit the road for your final road trip of the summer, consider driving to one of the 10 states with the lowest prices on gas. Turns out, those sunny states also offer bountiful vacation options for the budget-conscious family.
Alabama County on the Brink of Bankruptcy
Investors and officials in Jefferson County, Ala., are trying to negotiate a deal to avoid bankruptcy by Thursday's deadline. If they're unsuccessful, the county could end up with the largest Chapter 9 filing in U.S. history, which could rattle the $2.9 trillion municipal bond market.
Most States Reported Higher Joblessness in August
Last month, 27 states lost jobs, while 10 states and Washington, D.C., had no rate change from July, according to the report. Overall unemployment was down slightly from the 9.7% rate in August 2009, the BLS said.
BP Oil Spill Could Lower Gulf Coast Home Prices By $56,000
The decline in property values could total $3 billion over five years, Bloomberg reported, citing real estate data company CoreLogic. The BP oil spill could wipe out the premium that buyers normally pay to be near the ocean.
Gulf Coast Tourism Spots Ask BP for $55 Million Grant
A consortium of 11 Gulf Coast tourist destinations in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida has requested a grant from BP to fund a marketing campaign aimed at luring vacationers back. While the group hopes to entice tourists to the region, it will also need to be honest about the current state of the area's beaches.
