Apparently all the talk a few years ago about the world coming to an end were real after all. I've just read that there will be some serious shortages of the best things in life.... so if you can bear it, read on.
Christmas means toys, food, holiday cards, laughter, singing, family squabbles and lot of sweets stuffed inside your belly. The festive season also means a ton of money will be spent on those near and dear to us—and with so many sales going on, maybe just a bit on yourself as well.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans who signed contracts to buy homes fell in October for the fifth straight month. Higher mortgage rates, price increases and the 16-day partial government shutdown held back sales.
The U.S. economy, which has been slogging through a long, slow, tepid recovery for years following the Great Recession of 2007-2009, showed several positive signs this week, including higher-than-expected jobs numbers and GDP growth.
Job growth in May beat economists' expectations, coming in at 175,000 new positions added, which aligns closely with the yearly average. The unemployment rate rose ever so slightly, from 7.5 percent to 7.6 percent, a result of more people entering the work force, according to the Labor Department.
The labor market—and the economy overall—is improving, albeit gradually, with employers adding 236,000 jobs in February. That gain brought the unemployment rate down a few ticks from 7.9 percent to 7.7, its lowest point in four years.