We can’t seem to get away from inflation and interest rates, but here are a variety of articles to provide some light summer weekend reading and keep you up to date.

Economics 

• Jeanna Smialek of the NYT explains the current inflation picture in great detail, by sector, including why it is so sticky and how various policy makers feel about the situation.
• Fed Chair Jerome Powell faced Congress this week. He faced the House on Wednesday (AP) and the Senate on Thursday (Reuters)
• The UK is suffering from higher inflation than in the US (Reuters1) and the UK Central bank raised interest rates by 50 basis points this week. (Reuters2)

Cryptocurrency

• Bitcoin is back over $30,000. (Forbes)

Banking

• IMPORTANT TO READ if you store funds in Venmo or CashApp! The CFPB has issued a warning. (NYT)
• Forbes came out with its lists of Best Banks and Best Credit Unions in each state.

Consumer Info

• Amazon is facing a lawsuit that folks were duped into paying for Prime (repeatedly). (AP)
• It is not exactly a buyer’s market when it comes to cars. The Washington Post (subscription may be required) gives you advice on how to navigate the process if you really need to buy one now.

Advocacy

• We are now at 22 states with a personal finance graduation requirement, but Next Gen’s data shows where the true gaps in access to financial education are. (K12Dive)
• Read about Minnesota’s requirements. (Star Tribune)

Philanthropy

• American’s charitable giving may be at he lowest level in 30 years (Axios), but Warren Buffet keeps on giving (Berkshire Hathaway Stock.) (Reuter)

About the Author

Beth Tallman

Beth Tallman entered the working world armed with an MBA in finance and thoroughly enjoyed her first career working in manufacturing and telecommunications, including a stint overseas. She took advantage of an involuntary separation to try teaching high school math, something she had always dreamed of doing. When fate stepped in once again, Beth jumped on the opportunity to combine her passion for numbers, money, and education to develop curriculum and teach personal finance at Oberlin College. Beth now spends her time writing on personal finance and financial education, conducts student workshops, and develops finance curricula and educational content. She is also the Treasurer of Ohio Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy.