As fears of recession loom, the consumer price index up 6.5 percent and inflation at historic highs, funds that Americans saved during the COVID-19 pandemic are nearing depletion.
During the height of the pandemic, Americans were able to save more than $2.7 trillion as businesses shuttered. Investment bank Goldman Sachs estimated that 35 percent of COVID-19 relief funds have already been spent and by the end of 2023, that number will be up to 65 percent.
Lower income households have seen their savings diminish first. Folks that make under $50,000 annually saw their savings slashed by 36 percent compared to people who make between $100,000 and 15,000 who lost just 14 percent of their savings.
The use of credit has surged during this time as well, pushing the credit card debt to a new record of more than $930 billion at the end of 2022. It's a jump of 18 percent from the previous year.
Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen rejected concerns that the U.S. isn't headed for a recession and believes that inflation can be eased.
"You don't have a recession when you have 500,000 jobs and the lowest unemployment rate in more than 50 years. What I see is a path in which inflation is declining significantly, and the economy is remaining strong," she said in an interview with ABC's Good Morning America.
Two of the top low-cost online retailers are going head to head in a new legal battle. Cheddar News' Michelle Castillo breaks the lawsuit down.
The number of Americans filing for jobless benefits fell last week as the labor market continues to thrive despite high interest rates and elevated costs.
The earliest version of Disney's Mickey Mouse will become public domain on Jan. 1, 2024.
The toy magic oven called the Cookeez Makery is one of the hottest toys for kids this holiday season.
In the UK, IKEA is looking to give away some meatballs, and not just regular-size meatballs.
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson is set to star in a movie playing MMA and UFC legend, Mark Care, while Kevin Hart will headline a boxing project over on Peacock.
Coca-Cola is recalling drinks sold in three southern states due to possible "foreign materials" inside cans.
Stocks jumped after the Dow Jones closed at a record high while fresh retail sales data showed positive consumer spending ahead of the holidays.
The Food and Drug Administration is asking Congress for new powers, including the ability to mandate drug recalls and require eyedrop makers to undergo inspections before shipping products to the U.S.
The Federal Reserve kept its key interest rate unchanged Wednesday for a third straight time, and its officials signaled that they expect to make three quarter-point cuts to their benchmark rate next year.
