A program intended to wipe away the student loans of qualifying public servants has rejected more than 99 percent of those who applied, according to a government audit that found that “fragmented” management and “piecemeal” operating instructions had contributed to the failure to forgive more debt. Questions: 1. What does the Education Department say is… Read more »
Posts Tagged: Costs
Uber and Lyft to the Rescue
This article talks about the cost of an ambulance ride. With ride-hailing services like Uber or Lyft far cheaper and now available within minutes in many areas, it shows how a significant amount of money for non-emergency situation would be better served using an Uber or a Lyft. Questions: 1. How much was spent in… Read more »
The New Twist in Airline Rates
While the list of things not included with your plane ticket seems to be constantly growing, there is a new twist in ticket rates. As if it isn’t becoming difficult enough, now some airlines have started bidding sites for seat upgrades! Questions: 1. What are the extra fees associated with airline transportation called? 2. What… Read more »
From the “Oh My Gosh!” File
Science fiction? No, it is the latest in worker productivity. In 2016, Amazon filed a patent for a device described as a “system and method for transporting personnel within an active workplace”. It looks like a cage large enough to fit a worker and mounted on top of an automated trolley device with a robotic… Read more »
Vehicular Homelessness
As housing costs soar in major cities, more Americans are living behind the wheel. Although the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development doesn’t collect national data on vehicle residency, unsheltered homelessness—a category that includes people sleeping in vehicles—is on the rise. Questions: 1. Are all of these individuals poor? What are some of the… Read more »
The Fastest Growing Retailer in America: Where Wal-Mart Will Not Tread!
According to this article, Dollar General, the fastest-growing retailer in America, is blasting across Middle America opening stores at the rate of three a day in failing towns that Wal-Mart won’t go to. Questions: 1. What is the claim that Dollar General makes about its stores and the population that surround them? 2. What are… Read more »
Review your W-4 before it’s too late for 2018
Congress passed major tax legislation at the end of last year that could affect your refund if you are one of the people who usually look forward to a refund. Questions: 1. According to the article, based on the new 2018 withholding tables, what percent of people have too much in taxes withheld? 2. What… Read more »
Sudden Resignation
Fiat Chrysler on Saturday announced the sudden resignation of longtime CEO Sergio Marchionne, who is stepping down due to complications from surgery. Questions: 1. Who will be replacing Sergio? 2. When Chrysler emerged from bankruptcy in 2009, what happened? 3. What’s the outlook for Dodge and Chrysler? 4. What’s going on with current Fiat sales?… Read more »
RIP – Coca-Cola Quietly Snuffs out Diet Coke Variations
If you were a fan of Diet Coke’s variations of lime, lemon, mango, orange, and cherry, they have been quietly phased out of stores and online. Questions: 1. When were the products launched? (click on the hyperlink in the article which says: “massive overhaul of Diet Coke”) 2. The move was made to attract millenials…. Read more »
A Challenge for the Ages!
According to Time, Dave Alexander, a local farmer in Ontario, Canada, sent his daughter to buy a cheeseburger and fries on June 7, 2012, and started a fast food experiment to test the urban legend that McDonald’s products don’t rot. Question: 1. Describe his attempt to control the experiment. 2. Why did he decide to… Read more »