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140 live polls in Business & Money

LIVEBusiness & MoneyEarly β€” be one of the firstΒ· 3d agocloses in 7d

After the Fed raised rates, is President Trump right to demand U.S. interest rates be cut to 1% or lower?

β€œI did acknowledge that the specific "alternative" being mentioned here seemed unlikely to deliver improvement, my point was only that the Fed doesn't deserve defending. With respectful apologies to The Broad-Brimmed Wanderer, the enemy of my enemy is not necessarily my friend.” β€” Scaramouche
LIVEBusiness & MoneyEarly β€” be one of the firstΒ· 4d agocloses in 10d

As the Middle East war pushes oil and gas prices higher, are you changing your spending?

β€œWe are fortunate to have the resources to navigate these prices but millions of Americans do not. Gas prices are where they are because of a foolish choice with a predictable outcome made by President Trump.” β€” JE_Thomas
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LIVEBusiness & MoneyEarly β€” be one of the firstΒ· 5d ago

As U.S. stock markets slide over AI fears, will you change how you invest your savings?

β€œI began reshuffling my investments about 6 months ago. Valuations are far too high, the dangers of a decompression of the AI bubble are too great, and there are good but not spectacular gains to be had with less risks. I hew to the old adage that pigs get fed and hogs get slaughtered.” β€” JE_Thomas
LIVEBusiness & MoneyEarly β€” be one of the firstΒ· 7d ago

Should the U.S. replace the federal income tax with a national sales tax?

β€œThey're regressive on their own, yes. There are ways to address that, though (exemptions, rebates, credits). If implemented with such measures, a national sales tax can actually be more progressive, ensuring that the wealthy pay their fair share (if/when they want to enjoy their money -- i.e. spend it -- there's no way to avoid the tax).” β€” dagman
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LIVEBusiness & MoneyEarly β€” be one of the firstΒ· 10d ago

When buying a home, is it smarter to pay all cash if you can, or take a mortgage and invest the difference?

β€œIt depends entirely on the prevailing interest rate. I have a 3% mortgage. I could pay it off if I chose. But I can earn just over 4% on a CD and rather more on other investments. But in today's market it would be a much closer call. You can earn more than 6% but the return is speculative and the markets are uneasy. If faced with the choice today I'd lean to paying cash if I could or minimizing the principal with a large down payment.” β€” JE_Thomas
LIVEBusiness & MoneyEarly β€” be one of the firstΒ· 12d ago

Would you rather work four 10-hour days or five 8-hour days?

β€œI do agree. the study I heard about found that 36 hours per week was the optimal number for maximum results. Unfortunately management is usually too stupid to grasp these concepts. First, they are selected either from people who never worked the level of job where hard work, intelligence and attention to detail mattered, or they did do that job, but were not very good at it, which is why they were removed from that position, because a truly competent person is generally too valuable to be wasted. Read "The Peter Principle".” β€” Douglas_Gilligan
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