The Most (and Least) Charitable States in America
A recent spate of disasters has people across the country reaching for their wallets to help out. But residents of some states are a lot more generous than others.
hurricane sandy
Home Depot and Lowe's Report in Sandy's Continuing Wake
Home Depot and Lowe's continue to service the victims of Hurricane Sandy. The reconstruction effort is expected to help both home improvement retailers post strong profits.
Big Business Is Finally Waking Up to Global Warming
2012 was the second most extreme weather year in U.S. history, and the corporate world is at last starting to realize that climate change could cost it a fortune.
The Best Way to Contact Loved Ones During a Disaster
On Monday, millions of people scrambled to check in on friends and family in Boston. Six years ago today, Bruce Watson was doing the same thing on the campus of Virginia Tech.
If You Donated for Sandy or Sandy Hook, Don't Expect Tax Break
If you donated to disaster relief in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, or local charities after the Newtown, Conn., school shooting, you may not get the tax break you expected.
Watch Out for These 'Dirty Dozen' Tax Scams
Taxpayers should be on alert for identity thieves, e-mails falsely claiming to be from the IRS and shady tax preparers this year, the IRS warns.
Don't Get Burned by Your Charitable Deductions
Making a charitable donation is one way many Americans help to reduce their overall tax liability, but if not done properly, you could lose that cherished deduction.
Why Your Insurance Rates Just Jumped (and What to Do About It)
More than a third of Americans say their insurance costs grew in 2012, and in the majority of cases, it's not because they increased their coverage. But don't accuse the insurers of price-gouging: They've had a really rough decade.
Boehner Caves, Agrees to Hurricane Sandy Aid Vote on Friday
Under intense pressure from angry Republicans, House Speaker John Boehner agreed late Wednesday to a vote this week on aid for Superstorm Sandy recovery. He will schedule a vote Friday for $9 billion for the national flood insurance program and another on Jan. 15 for another $51 billion in aid.
Obama, NY and NJ Lawmakers Press for Sandy Aid
Republicans and Democrats from New York and New Jersey lashed out at House Speaker John Boehner on Wednesday for pulling legislation on Hurricane Sandy aid, demanding that he allow a vote as their constituents continue to struggle with the aftermath of the devastating storm.
Holiday Retail Sales Growth Weakest Since 2008
U.S. holiday retail sales this year grew at the weakest pace since 2008, when the nation was in a deep recession. In 2012, the shopping season was disrupted by bad weather and consumers' rising uncertainty about the economy.
U.S. Housing Starts Slowed to 861,000 in November
U.S. builders broke ground on fewer houses in November after starting work in October at the fastest pace in four years. Superstorm Sandy likely slowed starts in the Northeast.
Manufacturing Rose 1.1% Last Month on Rebound from Sandy
U.S. factories rebounded in November from Superstorm Sandy, boosting production of cars, equipment and appliances. The Fed says factory output increased 1.1 percent from October, offsetting a 1 percent decline from the month before, which was blamed on the storm.
New Jobless Aid Applications Fall to Second Lowest Rate of 2012
Initial applications for unemployment benefits fell by 29,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 343,000, the lowest level in two months. That's also the second-lowest total this year, and a sign that the job market may be improving.
Initial Jobless Claims Fall by 25,000 as Sandy's Effect Wanes
The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell for a third straight week last week, but still remain too volatile to offer a clear signal on labor market conditions. Initial jobless claims dropped 25,000 to a seasonally adjusted 370,000.
Hurricane Sandy Boosts Car Sales in November
The auto industry wins the silver lining award from the affects of Hurricane Sandy: November car sales jumped 15 percent on strong demand from people replacing cars destroyed by the storm, Americans feeling more confident in the economy, and an easier access to credit.
Initial Jobless Claims Fall Again as Hurricane Sandy's Impact Fades
The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits dropped for a second straight week last week, unwinding some of the surge related to Hurricane Sandy, which has muddled the labor market picture. Initial claims dropped 23,000 to a seasonally adjusted 393,000.
Initial Jobless Claims Plunge as Sandy Continues to Distort Data
The number of people seeking U.S. unemployment benefits fell sharply by 41,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 410,000, though the figure was elevated for the second straight week by Superstorm Sandy. But employment should rebound after the impact of the storm passes.
Power Outages After Sandy Weren't Unusually Long After All
As the days without power stretched on for hundreds of thousands after Superstorm Sandy, patience turned to anger. But an AP analysis of outages from other big storms shows that the time it took to utility companies to restore electricity was no worse than average -- and in some places, actually faster.
Initial Jobless Claims Jump, Hurricane Sandy Blamed
The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits surged by 78,000 to a seasonally adjusted 439,000 last week, a 1.5-year high and a sign that superstorm Sandy dented the U.S. economy by leaving tens of thousands of people out of work.
Have You Ditched Your Landline Phone? Now AT&T Wants To, Too
If AT&T has its way, traditional landline phones might be going the way of the dodo bird: AT&T Chairman and CEO Randall Stephenson says his company plans an "aggressive transition" away from legacy copper-line phone technology.
Hurricane Sandy Victims: Disaster Relief Programs You May Not Know About
After a natural disaster like Hurricane Sandy, victims are understandably desperate to receive relief funds, but they often don't know the best way to get them. DailyFinance is here to help, with this list of programs designed to help you rebuild after the storm.
What to Do When Insurers Start Rejecting Superstorm Sandy Claims
Superstorm Sandy is expected to cost a staggering $50 billion, with as many as 200,000 claims for wind damage and 20,000 claims for flood damage filed by consumers. The sooner those claims are filed the better, but that doesn't necessarily mean everyone will get what they ask for.
Weekly Jobless Claims Fell to 355,000
Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 8,000 to a seasonally adjusted 355,000, the Labor Department said on Thursday. The report is a sign the labor market's slow recovery is gaining traction, although Hurricane Sandy's impact on the Northeast may have distorted the data.
5 Fee-Free Ways to Donate to Disaster Relief Efforts
It's a recurring problem with making charitable donations online: You're not just donating to the charity -- you're also "donating" to the companies that process the payments. But if you'd like to get the most bang for your charitable buck, there are ways around those processing fees.
Home Damaged by Hurricane Sandy? Get Some Tax Relief
If Hurricane Sandy damaged your home, you may face months of waiting for much-needed repairs and insurance reimbursements. But you might find some relief from an unlikely source - the IRS.
The 11 Costliest Hurricanes in U.S. History
When Sandy struck New York City and other major East Coast population centers, it immediately vaulted onto the list of the most expensive storms in U.S. history. Repairing the damage will ultimately cost tens of billions of dollars. Here's how Sandy stacks up to other devastating Atlantic storms.
Hurricane Recovery for Homeowners: Surviving and Rebuilding After an Epic Storm
Hurricane Sandy caused the evacuation of more than a million homes in the Northeast and an estimated $10 billion to $20 billion in damages -- a costly and long cleanup process that for many homeowners looks seemingly insurmountable. But it can be done.
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.