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How do small, independent motels stay in business?

Sep 13, 2024
They don’t have the name recognition of a Motel 6, but low prices, little competition and a sense of community help Indian hoteliers withstand inflation.
The humble motel may not have as many amenities as a branded hotel. But they tend to be cheaper and provide lodging in areas with few options.
Jon Bilous/Getty Images Plus

Boeing strike will be felt throughout the aviation industry

Sep 13, 2024
This strike of more than 30,000 workers comes at a time when Boeing’s already not meeting production goals. And it will also slow the making of everything that goes inside planes, as well.
Boeing machinist union members picket outside a Boeing factory in Renton, Washington.
Stephen Brashear/Getty Images

What happened to Sierra Mist? The marketing of "cool" soda.

Sep 13, 2024
It's not just a matter of taste. Basketball and hip-hop have helped Sprite fend off contenders from PepsiCo for years.
PepsiCo has been trying to make its lemon-lime sodas viable competitors to Sprite for decades.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

For this fast-food chain, rural Southern towns are the special

Sep 13, 2024
Unlike most fast-food chains, Jack's Family Restaurants has made its mark in a handful of rural regions, boosting public coffers there.
Jack's Family Restaurants has created a large footprint in rural communities.
Getty Images

Why dollar stores aren't doing as well as you might expect

Sep 13, 2024
Dollar stores were expanding just a few years ago. Now, they're closing locations.
Namesake low prices at dollar stores isn't enough to keep customers away from competition anymore.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

Many people don't realize their home insurance doesn't cover flooding

Sep 13, 2024
As Hurricane Francine made landfall, 14 million people were under flood watches. But only 6% of American homeowners are insured against flooding.
Nationally, just 6% of homeowners have flood insurance, said Mark Friedlander of the Insurance Information Institute.
Megan Varner/Getty Images

Latest Census data show an increase in childhood poverty

Sep 13, 2024
Despite wage gains, lower-income families have been hit hard by inflation and the expiration of pandemic-era benefits.
In 2021, largely because of a temporary expanded child tax credit, only about 5% of children lived in poverty. Now,  nearly 14% of children do.
Larry French/Getty Images for SKDK

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Why Apple owes Ireland $14 billion in taxes

Sep 13, 2024
In this week's "Make Me Smart" newsletter, we explain why Europe's highest court ruled Apple owed billions in unfair tax breaks. Plus, we explore ghost towns put up for sale and do the numbers on Chinese adoptions worldwide.
Apple's European headquarters in Cork City, Ireland.
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Why the inverted yield curve is typically a recession predictor

Sep 12, 2024
But this time may be different. One theory is that weaker data allowed companies to prepare and soften the economic landing.
The yield curve in the U.S. Treasury market has been singing a scary tune for nearly two years. So where's the recession?
Torsten Asmus/Getty Images

Along with higher prices, credit card delinquency rates are rising

Sep 12, 2024
A new report suggests that could dampen holiday spirits.
Credit card delinquencies are rising due to consumers grappling with higher prices.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images