Delta, WestJet and Other Airlines Announce Higher Baggage Fees and Fuel Surcharges
Delta Air Lines announced a $10 increase to its U.S. domestic checked‑bag fee, joining United and JetBlue, which raised fees last week. In Canada, WestJet will add fuel surcharges up to CAD 60, following Air Canada’s $50 surcharge and Porter’s $40 temporary fee. The moves come as jet fuel prices have surged 87% since the Iran war began, pushing U.S. jet fuel to $4.69 per gallon. Airlines are layering these “sticky” fees onto already higher ticket prices to offset soaring operating costs.
Tucson: A City for Outdoor Lovers
The Frugal Traveler’s piece highlights Tucson’s unique geography, where the Santa Catalina Mountains rise from desert floor to alpine peaks, allowing visitors to transition from saguaro‑studded deserts to pine forests within an hour. The city’s 350‑plus sunny days support a...
What the Iran War Could Mean for Stocks, Bonds and Growth
The ongoing Iran‑Gulf conflict is already weighing on global markets, with oil supply disruptions driving higher energy prices. Investor sentiment swings between brief equity rallies sparked by President Trump’s optimistic remarks and swift pullbacks as fighting persists. Analysts warn that...
The Oil Shocks of the ’70s Changed the World. Will the Iran War Do the Same?
The 1973‑74 Arab oil embargo and the 1978‑79 Iranian revolution caused oil prices to quadruple, triggering severe gasoline shortages and reshaping global financial markets. Those shocks redirected capital flows and solidified the U.S. dollar as the world’s primary reserve currency....
They Want to Stop Paying Taxes as a Protest. There Are Consequences.
A growing cohort of Americans is openly questioning whether they can refuse to pay federal income taxes as a form of moral protest against policies such as immigration detention and foreign wars. While conscientious objection is recognized for military service,...
You’ve Lost Your Health Insurance. It Shouldn’t Have Been a Surprise.
Tammy Alexander, a retired veteran services worker, discovered her federal health insurance had been terminated without any prior notice. The lapse occurred after a policy change that should have provided individual coverage for each spouse. No emails, texts, calls, or...
It’s Good to Be a Billionaire, Even at Tax Time
The article highlights how U.S. billionaires legally sidestep income and payroll taxes, often paying little or nothing despite massive fortunes. It cites Boston College tax expert Ray Madoff, who likens the ultra‑wealthy to a modern aristocracy protected by loopholes. The...
What to Do if You’re a Data Breach Victim (and You Probably Are)
Data breach notifications have become routine, with 80% of Americans receiving at least one notice in the past year and many seeing three to five letters. Federal and state laws compel companies to alert consumers promptly, yet complex investigations can...
The Best Playbook for Investing During a War Is Usually Doing Nothing
The New York Times argues that the best response to the Iran‑Israel conflict‑driven market turbulence is to stay the course. While short‑term speculation in energy, defense stocks, gold or Treasuries can appear tempting, academic research shows that most investors achieve better...
MrBeast Is Getting Into Financial Services With His Step App. Parents, Pay Attention.
Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast, has taken control of Step, a teen‑focused banking app with over seven million users, through his Beast Industries umbrella. The acquisition follows a $200 million investment from crypto platform Bitmine, signaling a push into digital assets...
Is the U.S. Tax Code Anti-Feminist?
The article argues that the U.S. tax code is not gender‑neutral and often reinforces existing power imbalances. Professor Bridget J. Crawford and co‑author Anthony C. Infanti have examined this bias by editing a book that rewrites tax‑related judicial decisions through...
Tax Missteps Happen — Even When Two Financial Pros Are Married
The New York Times piece reveals that married financial planners still stumble over tax filings, citing a Roth‑conversion penalty and a missed $7,500 dependent‑care credit cap increase. The errors, each under $1,000, stem from logistical oversights rather than ignorance. The article highlights...
A Reprieve for Veterans Applying for V.A. Mortgages
House Republicans have trimmed a proposal to raise fees on Department of Veterans Affairs home loans after pushback from veterans groups and lenders. The revised plan leaves purchase‑loan fees unchanged but nearly triples the refinance fee to 1.4% and doubles...
It’s Time to Rethink the Standard Investment Advice. But Not Too Much.
The article warns investors that unprecedented market volatility—from a 25% drop in silver to record concentration among AI‑driven mega‑caps—calls for a reassessment of traditional portfolio guidance. It highlights stress in U.S. bond and money markets amid political attacks on the...
2025 Tax Returns: Here’s What to Know About Filing This Year
The 2025 filing season arrives with a landmark tax and spending bill that adds $129 billion in individual tax cuts, boosting average refunds by roughly $1,000. Key provisions include a permanent larger standard deduction and new credits that favor higher‑income households....
