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Paychecks on pause: Lessons everyone can learn from the shutdown

Paychecks on pause: Lessons everyone can learn from the shutdown

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By Rick VanderKnyff, NerdWallet

Many of us live paycheck to paycheck, as a wide range of surveys confirm.

So when those paychecks suddenly stop coming, because of a layoff or other unforeseen event, the effect can be profound and immediate. How do you pay for the basics — food, shelter, child care and more — with no money coming in, especially if you haven’t been able to build an adequate emergency fund?

Virtually all of the nation’s nearly 3 million federal workers are facing life without pay for the foreseeable future as the federal government shutdown (which began Oct. 1) slogs through its third week.

And it’s not just federal employees living with disruption and uncertainty: The livelihoods of an estimated 3 million contractors also depend on federal dollars. Although work continues, for now, on many contracts that had already been funded before Oct. 1, effects of the shutdown are beginning to ripple through the contract sector, with hours trimmed and other measures reported.

As the shutdown drags on, and millions of financially strapped families cut back on spending, effects are bound to spread into an already uncertain economy and an anemic labor market. read more

Wall Street hits records following an encouraging update on inflation

Wall Street hits records following an encouraging update on inflation

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By STAN CHOE, AP Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks hit records on Friday after an update on inflation came in a bit less painful than feared.

The S&P 500 rose 0.8% and topped its prior all-time high, which was set earlier this month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied 472 points, or 1%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 1.1%. Both also set records.

The data on inflation is encouraging because it could mean less pain for lower- and middle-income households struggling with still-high increases in prices every month. Even more importantly for Wall Street, it could also clear the way for the Federal Reserve to keep cutting interest rates in hopes of giving a boost to the slowing job market.

The Fed just cut its main interest rate last month for the first time this year, but it’s been hesitant to promise more relief because lower rates can make inflation worse, beyond goosing the economy and prices for investments. Following the inflation report, traders continue to bet on a near certainty that the Fed will cut rates at its next two meetings, including one next week. read more

Social Security recipients get a 2.8% cost-of-living boost in 2026, average of $56 per month

Social Security recipients get a 2.8% cost-of-living boost in 2026, average of $56 per month

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By FATIMA HUSSEIN, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Social Security Administration’s annual cost-of-living adjustment will go up by 2.8% in 2026, translating to an average increase of more than $56 for retirees every month, agency officials said Friday.

The benefits increase for nearly 71 million Social Security recipients will go into effect beginning in January. And increased payments to nearly 7.5 million people receiving Supplemental Security Income will begin on Dec. 31.

Friday’s announcement was meant to be made last week but was delayed because of the federal government shutdown.

The cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, for retirees and disabled beneficiaries is financed by payroll taxes collected from workers and their employers, up to a certain annual salary, which is slated to increase to $184,500 in 2026, from $176,100 in 2025.

Recipients received a 2.5% cost-of-living boost in 2025 and a 3.2% increase in their benefits in 2024, after a historically large 8.7% benefit increase in 2023, brought on by record 40-year-high inflation. read more

Alaska Airlines resumes operations after an IT outage grounded its flights for hours

Alaska Airlines resumes operations after an IT outage grounded its flights for hours

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SEATTLE (AP) — Alaska Airlines said its operations have resumed Friday after it had to ground its planes for hours because of an information technology outage.

The airline said in a statement that 229 flights were canceled because of the outage and that more flight disruptions were expected as it worked to “reposition aircraft and crews.”

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Alaska Airlines said it is working on getting travelers affected by the disruption to their destinations.

It asked that passengers check their flight status before heading to the airport.

The grounding Thursday affected Alaska Air and Horizon Air flights. read more

The Secret to Mold-Free Grout: Cleaning and Maintenance Tips

The Secret to Mold-Free Grout: Cleaning and Maintenance Tips

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Keeping grout mold-free isn’t magic, it’s moisture control, consistent cleaning, and proper sealing. Dry the surface after use, clean weekly with pH‑balanced solutions, and reseal 1–2 times a year. Ventilate bathrooms and high-traffic areas; fix leaks fast. With the right routine and a quality sealer, mildew never gets a foothold. Use soft tools to avoid damaging grout.

The Three Rules to Starve Mold
If you remember nothing else, remember this trio: dry, clean, seal. Mold needs moisture and time. Take those away, and it can’t set up shop.

  • Dry: Squeegee or towel-dry shower walls and floors after use. In a busy café or locker room, a 2-minute end-of-shift squeegee cuts mold risk dramatically.
  • Clean: Use a pH-neutral, stone-safe cleaner 1–2 times a week. Avoid harsh acids on cement grout and natural stone; they etch and invite future stains.
  • Seal: A penetrating sealer makes grout less absorbent, so spills and steam can’t sink in. Plan for every 12 months at home, 6–9 months in high-traffic commercial areas.

The 10-minute weekly game plan (step-by-step) 

  • Turn on ventilation: Fan on, door open. If no fan, crack a window.
  • Dry first: Squeegee glass and tile; towel corners and grout lines.
  • Spray a pH-neutral cleaner: Aim at grout joints and soap-scum zones.
  • Agitate gently: Use a soft brush or microfiber. Skip hard bristles and steel wool.
  • Rinse lightly and wipe: Minimal water; don’t re-soak the grout.
  • Spot treat mildew: Use an oxygenated cleaner on stubborn spots.
  • Finish with air: Leave the fan on 20–30 minutes.

Stubborn stains? Hit reset like a pro
When regular cleaning isn’t cutting it, do a controlled deep clean, without nuking your grout.

  • Identify the stain: Gray/black in damp areas is often mildew; brown/orange may be soap scum or hard-water deposits.
  • Choose the right cleaner: Check out our targeted selection.
  • Work in sections: Apply cleaner, dwell 5–10 minutes, scrub with a nylon brush, and rinse sparingly.
  • Safety first: Gloves, ventilation, and never mix chemicals.
  • Replace what’s beyond saving: Cracked grout or moldy silicone in corners? Re-grout or re-caulk, then seal.

Pro tip: If a water drop soaks into grout in under 60 seconds after deep cleaning, you’re overdue to reseal.

  • Pick a penetrating sealer for most cement-based grouts; it protects without a glossy film.
  • Run the water-drop test twice a year. If water darkens the grout fast, it’s time.
  • Apply to dry, clean grout only. Two thin coats usually outperform one heavy coat.
  • For color refresh plus protection, a quality color-seal can even out tone and add serious stain resistance.

If you want professional-grade results with minimal guesswork, Grout Shield has your solutions! www.Groutshield.com. Our sealers and cleaners are designed for both homeowners and facilities teams, and they make the whole “keep it mold-free” mission far less stressful. read more