Author: Smart Wealthhabits

Miscellaneous Photography / iStock.com Commitment to our readers The GOBankingRates editorial team is committed to providing you with unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methods to evaluate financial products and services – our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our review methodology for products and services. 20 yearshelp you get rich trusted by millions of readers Trader Joe’s has built its reputation on great prices and unique products, but the fan-favorite grocery chain isn’t immune to inflation. While TJ’s still offers solid deals on many items, prices on…

Senator Tim Scott said Wednesday he hopes the federal investigation into Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell “will go away” so the Senate can consider the nomination of Kevin Wersch, President Donald Trump’s pick to replace the head of the U.S. central bank.”Ending this action allows us to get the Fed fully operational, back on target,” Scott, chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, said during an appearance on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.”Read more CNBC politics coverageSenator Thom Tillis, R-N.C. Has vowed to block any Fed nomination until the federal criminal investigation of Powell is resolved. Trump floated the…

Commitment to our readers The GOBankingRates editorial team is committed to providing you with unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methods to evaluate financial products and services – our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our review methodology for products and services. 20 yearshelp you get rich trusted by millions of readers With the ever-rising cost of living, retirees and people planning for retirement are looking for safe, reliable investments to protect their savings. Few investors are as reliable during economic uncertainty as Warren Buffett, the legendary chairman…

Newly released documents from disgraced late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including a set of completely redacted pages, are seen in handouts released by the Justice Department and printed and arranged for a photo taken by Reuters on December 19, 2025 in Washington.Jonathan Ernst | reutersA bipartisan group of senators on Wednesday called on the Government Accountability Office to investigate the Justice Department’s release and redaction of documents related to disgraced sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.The letter, signed by Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, alleges that the DOJ did not…

US Senator Markway Mullin (R-Okla.), who was chosen by US President Donald Trump to replace US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, holds a rubber ball as she speaks to members of the media as she leaves the US Capitol following a vote in the US Senate on funding for DHS on March 5, 2026 in Washington, DC, US.Nathan Howard | reutersSenator Markwayne Mullin does not sit on any committees with direct authority over Immigration or the Department of Homeland Security. But his record on issues handled by the high-profile agency suggests he will bring a tough approach to his new…

Teresa Rodriguez, 58, looks at Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel in Havana, Cuba, on March 13, 2026 Diaz-Canel said the country has begun talks with the US government amid a severe economic crisis and the communist government has come under increasing pressure from US President Donald Trump. Norlis Perez | reutersThe Cuban government has held talks with Donald Trump’s administration, the country’s President Miguel Diaz-Canel said on Friday.It confirmed speculation that the two countries were talking after US President Trump reiterated his threat of a “friendly takeover” of Cuba, saying the communist-run Caribbean island was in “deep crisis”. “The purpose of…

In this Nov. 25, 2019 file photo, Tovah Noel, center in yellow blouse, a federal prison guard who was responsible for monitoring Jeffrey Epstein the night he killed himself, leaves federal court in New York.Craig Ruttle | APThe House committee investigating disgraced sex offender Jeffrey Epstein announced Friday that it is seeking testimony from the prison guard on duty the night the New York financier died.In a letter posted to the House Oversight Committee x accountSpeaker James Comer, R-Ky., called Tova Noel, who Epstein was reportedly searched on Google To testify on March 26, minutes before her body was found.”Because…

The Trump administration has taken several measures to soften the blow of Iran-driven oil price increases, and yet prices remain stubbornly high.As the war progresses, it is becoming clear that there is not much the US or any other government can do to provide relief from high oil prices other than ending the conflict. Military success would be required to increase oil flows and lower energy prices. That means this episode is a far cry from previous market crises that President Donald Trump presided over. The pattern of rising political tensions followed by rapid economic relief during Trump’s second presidency…

President Donald Trump promised “Drill, baby, drill” during the presidential campaign.It’s not going to get him out of this oil crisis Lawmakers and analysts say it is motivated by the war he started in Iran.Trump and Republicans aggressively pushed fossil fuel-friendly policies last year after securing election victory in 2024 on promises to lower the cost of living, including lowering gas prices.His signature domestic policy bill, known as “a big beautiful” tax and spending measure, opened the way to new land for oil and gas leasing. The administration has moved to reduce regulations that the fossil fuel industry views as…

A federal judge in a sharp ruling blocked a subpoena issued to the Federal Reserve by a grand jury as part of a criminal investigation into Chair Jerome Powell. U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said shortly after it was unsealed on Friday that the Justice Department would appeal the decision, which she called an “outrageous” decision.Friday’s action will likely keep Powell in the chairman’s seat longer than Senator Thom Tillis, R-N.C. has vowed to block the confirmation of Kevin Wersh as Powell’s successor until the federal investigation is concluded.This could mean that interest rates will remain…