poverty

'Mad Money's' Jim Cramer Used to Live Out of His Car

"Rags to riches" tales are a dime a dozen in America, but we were genuinely surprised when Jim Cramer opened up about his brush with homelessness Tuesday. The former hedge fund manager and controversial CNBC host had just graduated from out of Harvard Law when he hit rock bottom.

No Man, More Money: Five Women Who Thrived After Divorce

Recent female divorcees are twice as likely to live at or below the poverty line as their male counterparts, a Spectrem Group study reports. But there are plenty of people who refuse to be bound by such stereotypes: These five women learned to whistle a far different -- and richer -- tune after their marriages ended.

America's Richest Cities

Median household income in the United States has declined for the second straight year, according to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau last month. But there are many cities that are doing well. These are America's richest cities.

Safety Net Success Stories: Four Former 47%-ers Speak Out

At some point in your life, were you a 47%-er? On the heels of a leaked videotape in which GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney spoke harshly of those who pay no federal income tax, some now-successful Americans have been stepping up publicly to answer this question in the affirmative.

Has US Economy Bottomed Out? Census Suggests Yes

Americans are on the move again after record numbers had stayed put, more young adults are leaving their parents' homes to take a chance with college or the job market, once-sharp declines in births are leveling off and poverty is slowing.

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.

Poor and Elderly: The 5 Worst States to Grow Old In

It's a tough time to be old in America, and it's worse than you may realize: According to a recent report, on average, if government benefits were taken out of the equation, the elderly would have far less income than they'd need to survive. Here's where the problem is worst.

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.

US Poverty at New High: 16 Percent, or 49.1M

A record number of Americans %u2014 49.1 million %u2014 are poor, based on a new census measure that for the first time takes into account rising medical costs and other expenses. The numbers released Monday are part of a first-ever supplemental poverty measure aimed at providing a fuller picture of poverty.

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.

NCAA Rules Trap Many College Athletes in Poverty

College football and basketball players are getting played instead of getting paid: Though they bring in the big bucks for their institutions of higher learning, more than 8 out of 10 of those FBS student-athletes are living below the poverty line, according to a new study.