Why the Best Low-Income Students Don't Go to Top Colleges
There's a dearth of top students from low-income high schools attending elite colleges. DailyFinance senior writer Bruce Watson explains some of the surprising reasons why.
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Save Money, Save Your Life: Wealthy People Live Longer
How much does it cost to live longer? Life expectancy has risen for most Americans, but recent studies show that the big winners are the rich.
Sandy Highlights the Wealth Gap, Forces Rich to Drink Good Wine
A hurricane can be the ultimate equalizer. No matter where on the socio-economic spectrum they stood before the storm, its victims afterward had many of the same needs: food, shelter, electricity and flushable toilets. But some "necessities" are of a more sophisticated nature.
Living Paycheck to Paycheck: Personal Finance for the 40%
According to a new CareerBuilder survey, 40% of Americans say they are living paycheck to paycheck -- and if that sounds rough, it's an improvement from a 2008 peak of 46%. Here's a great infographic on what that means for our personal finances.
How State Taxes Put a Bigger Pinch on the Poor
True, 47% of Americans pay no federal income tax. But, as a recent study points out, when all the other taxes we pay are factored in, the poor often pay a far greater percentage of their income in taxes than the rich.
Census Shows 1 in 2 People Are Poor or Low-Income
Squeezed by rising living costs, a record number of Americans %u2014 nearly 1 in 2 %u2014 have fallen into poverty or are scraping by on earnings that classify them as low income. The latest census data depict a middle class that's shrinking as unemployment stays high and the government's safety net frays. The new numbers follow years of stagnating wages for the middle class that have hurt millions of workers and families.
Poor Sick People: U.S. Offers Raw Deal for the Unhealthy
If you're very sick and not very wealthy in America, your best move may be to flee the country -- because you'd be better off in any other first world nation. Otherwise, expect to pay through the nose and possibly wind up deep in debt, according to a new report from The Commonwealth Fund.
Fast Food's Biggest Fans: Not Who You'd Think
You'd think that fast-food restaurants -- with their emphasis on value -- would appeal primarily to those at the lower end of the income scale. But according to a new national study, dining at McDonald's and its quick-serving competitors becomes more common as people make more money.
America's 10 Poorest Cities
America's road to economic recovery has been long and slow -- and uneven. Some parts of the country are doing a lot worse than others. It's a pattern that shows up in the jobs numbers, poverty rates, foreclosures. But if you want a quick, simple gauge of how any part of the U.S. is doing economically, just look at its median household income.
Rough Economic Times Bring Out the Scam Artists
Scams targeting cash-strapped and unemployed Americans are on the rise, and the con artists are getting even more creative. Here's how to avoid becoming a victim.
Rising Suburban Poverty Challenges the Safety Net
While the Great Recession caused the U.S. poverty rate to hit a 15-year peak, a longer trend has seen suburban poverty increasing. According to a new report, the recession only exacerbated the problem, with social safety nets providing fewer services to meet the rising need.
Newt Gingrich: Say No to 'More Food Stamps'
"More food stamps? Or more paychecks?" Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich suggests that's how the GOP should couch the national policy debate before the midterm elections. But will it work?
