The Money Section | Do gas prices fall during election seasons?

Also, mortgage rates reach new high for 2024. ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     [The Charlotte Observer](~/AAQRxQA~/RgRoDUtCP0QiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2hhcmxvdHRlb2JzZXJ2ZXIuY29tL1cDc3BjQgpmKELGKmYB_Rr6Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44OUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAA04~) ͏ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ April 25, 2024 • Issue #82 [The Money Section] This week, we’re looking at whether there’s any truth to the theory that gas prices always fall during election seasons, new rules requiring airlines to issue cash refunds for canceled or significantly delayed flights automatically, and what the proposed Boosting Benefits and COLAs Act could mean for Social Security benefits. Do gas prices fall during election seasons? [Gas Prices](~/AAQRxQA~/RgRoDUtCP0SMaHR0cHM6Ly9tb25leS5jb20vZ2FzLXByaWNlcy1mYWxsLWJlZm9yZS1lbGVjdGlvbnMtcHJlc2lkZW50Lz94aWQ9bWNjbGF0Y2h5JnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bWNjbGF0Y2h5JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09cnNzX3N5bmQmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9dG1zX2lzc3VlODJXA3NwY0IKZihCxipmAf0a-lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODlAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAANO) Money; Getty Images The theory that gas prices drop before elections to favor incumbents is debated. While incumbents often claim credit for low prices, gas prices usually fall in the fall due to seasonal factors – not political influence. Yet, voters' perceptions of gas prices could still sway election results. [Read more.](~/AAQRxQA~/RgRoDUtCP0SMaHR0cHM6Ly9tb25leS5jb20vZ2FzLXByaWNlcy1mYWxsLWJlZm9yZS1lbGVjdGlvbnMtcHJlc2lkZW50Lz94aWQ9bWNjbGF0Y2h5JnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bWNjbGF0Y2h5JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09cnNzX3N5bmQmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9dG1zX2lzc3VlODJXA3NwY0IKZihCxipmAf0a-lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODlAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAANO) 📈 [S&P 500 ends higher amid rising yields and upbeat corporate results.](~/AAQRxQA~/RgRoDUtCP0ReaHR0cHM6Ly9yZXV0ZXJzLmNvbS9tYXJrZXRzL3VzL3NwLW5hc2RhcS1mdXR1cmVzLWFkdmFuY2UtdGVjaC1ib29zdC1lYXJuaW5ncy1jaGVlci0yMDI0LTA0LTI0L1cDc3BjQgpmKELGKmYB_Rr6Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44OUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAA04~) The S&P 500 rose despite volatile trading fueled by higher Treasury yields and positive tech earnings. Meanwhile, investors await reports from Meta, Microsoft, and Alphabet amid concerns about long-term bond yields and inflation's effect on Fed policy. 🚗 [Surging auto insurance rates squeeze drivers, fuel inflation.](~/AAQRxQA~/RgRoDUtCP0RSaHR0cHM6Ly9maW5hbmNlLnlhaG9vLmNvbS9uZXdzL3N1cmdpbmctYXV0by1pbnN1cmFuY2UtcmF0ZXMtc3F1ZWV6ZS0xMTI4NDQzNDAuaHRtbFcDc3BjQgpmKELGKmYB_Rr6Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44OUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAA04~) Auto insurance rates have risen by 2.6% in March and have surged by 22% from a year ago, squeezing car owners and contributing to inflation concerns. Factors like increased car prices and higher repair costs have prompted insurers to hike premiums, with companies like Progressive and Allstate expecting substantial profit growth in 2024. The DOW is about to cross 40,000 for the first time ever [DOW](~/AAQRxQA~/RgRoDUtCP0SFaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cua2Fuc2FzY2l0eS5jb20vbW9uZXkvZG93LTQway1zdG9jay1tYXJrZXQvP3hpZD1tY2NsYXRjaHkmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tY2NsYXRjaHkmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1yc3Nfc3luZCZ1dG1fY29udGVudD10bXNfaXNzdWU4MlcDc3BjQgpmKELGKmYB_Rr6Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44OUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAA04~) Getty Images The Dow Jones Industrial Average, which keeps an eye on how well 30 big companies are doing in the U.S., is getting close to hitting 40,000 points. While it’s a big deal, it doesn't directly change things for regular folks. But it is a reminder that investing for the long term and having a diverse portfolio [is a good idea.](~/AAQRxQA~/RgRoDUtCP0SFaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cua2Fuc2FzY2l0eS5jb20vbW9uZXkvZG93LTQway1zdG9jay1tYXJrZXQvP3hpZD1tY2NsYXRjaHkmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tY2NsYXRjaHkmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1yc3Nfc3luZCZ1dG1fY29udGVudD10bXNfaXNzdWU4MlcDc3BjQgpmKELGKmYB_Rr6Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44OUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAA04~) 💰 [Overtime pay will now cover 4.3 million more workers.](~/AAQRxQA~/RgRoDUtCP0RraHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2JzbmV3cy5jb20vbmV3cy9iaWRlbi1sYWJvci1kZXBhcnRtZW50LW92ZXJ0aW1lLXBheS1leHBhbnNpb24td2hvLXF1YWxpZmllcy1jYnMtbmV3cy1leHBsYWlucy9XA3NwY0IKZihCxipmAf0a-lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODlAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAANO) The Biden administration's new overtime rule will extend time-and-a-half pay to about 4.3 million U.S. workers earning less than $58,656 annually, up from the previous threshold of $35,568. This could result in an additional $1.5 billion in pay for employees, according to estimates. ✈️ [Airlines now required to refund passengers for canceled, delayed flights.](~/AAQRxQA~/RgRoDUtCP0RtaHR0cHM6Ly9hYmNuZXdzLmdvLmNvbS9Qb2xpdGljcy9haXJsaW5lcy1naXZlLWF1dG9tYXRpYy1yZWZ1bmRzLWNhbmNlbGVkLWZsaWdodHMtZGVsYXllZC0zL3N0b3J5P2lkPTEwOTU3MzczM1cDc3BjQgpmKELGKmYB_Rr6Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44OUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAA04~) The Department of Transportation announced new rules requiring airlines to automatically issue cash refunds for canceled or significantly delayed flights, marking the biggest expansion of passenger rights in the department's history. Refunds must be issued within seven days, in cash unless another form of compensation is chosen. Many homeowners couldn’t afford their current house at today’s prices [Homeowners](~/AAQRxQA~/RgRoDUtCP0SQaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubWlhbWloZXJhbGQuY29tL21vbmV5L2hvbWUtcHJpY2VzLXVuYWZmb3JkYWJsZS10b2RheS8_eGlkPW1jY2xhdGNoeSZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1jY2xhdGNoeSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPXJzc19zeW5kJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXRtc19pc3N1ZTgyVwNzcGNCCmYoQsYqZgH9GvpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADTg~~) Money; Getty Images The housing market has become increasingly tough for both potential buyers and existing homeowners alike. Nearly 2 out of every 5 homeowners say they couldn't afford their homes at today's prices, with median home prices rising over $100,000 in just a few years. [Read more.](~/AAQRxQA~/RgRoDUtCP0SQaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubWlhbWloZXJhbGQuY29tL21vbmV5L2hvbWUtcHJpY2VzLXVuYWZmb3JkYWJsZS10b2RheS8_eGlkPW1jY2xhdGNoeSZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1jY2xhdGNoeSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPXJzc19zeW5kJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXRtc19pc3N1ZTgyVwNzcGNCCmYoQsYqZgH9GvpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADTg~~)~/AAQRxQA~/RgRoDUtCP0ScaHR0cHM6Ly9tb25leS5jb20vYmVzdC1wbGFjZXMtbGl2ZS1jb21tdW5pdHktcmVzaWxpZW50LWVjb25vbWljYWxseS10aHJpdmluZy8_eGlkPW1jY2xhdGNoeSZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1jY2xhdGNoeSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPXJzc19zeW5kJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXRtc19pc3N1ZTgwVwNzcGNCCmYoQsYqZgH9GvpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADTg~~ 🚀 [Mortgage rates reach new high for 2024 (again).](~/AAQRxQA~/RgRoDUtCP0Q_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjQvMDQvMjQvbW9ydGdhZ2UtcmF0ZXMtaGlnaC1hcHJpbC0yMDI0VwNzcGNCCmYoQsYqZgH9GvpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADTg~~) Mortgage rates surged to 7.5% in April, the highest since last fall, indicating a continued freeze in the housing market, deterring both homeowners and prospective buyers. Despite hopes for a drop in rates, mortgage applications have declined, and home sales have stagnated, suggesting that relief is unlikely in the near future. ⚠️ [Social Security benefits could be dramatically changed under new bill.](~/AAQRxQA~/RgRoDUtCP0RDaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjQvMDQvMTgvY2xpbWF0ZS1jaGFuZ2UtZGFtYWdlcy0zOC10cmlsbGlvblcDc3BjQgpmKELGKmYB_Rr6Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44OUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAA04~) The proposed Boosting Benefits and COLAs Act aims to change the calculation method for Social Security's cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) by using the Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers (CPI-E) instead of the current CPI-W. The bill seeks to ensure that Social Security benefits better align with the specific costs faced by retirees, such as healthcare expenses.~/AAQRxQA~/RgRoDUtCP0RXaHR0cHM6Ly9lZGl0aW9uLmNubi5jb20vMjAyNC8wNC8xMC9tYXJrZXRzL21hcmtldHMtZmFsbC1jcGktaW5mbGF0aW9uLXJlcG9ydC9pbmRleC5odG1sVwNzcGNCCmYoQsYqZgH9GvpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADTg~~ Smart Money Move Maintain your independence and quality of life in later years [Long-Term Care Insurance] [Long-Term Care Insurance](~/AAQRxQA~/RgRoDUtCP0R3aHR0cHM6Ly9zZWN1cmUubW9uZXkuY29tL3ByL2tmNDk3NmZhMjEyYj94aWQ9bWNjbGF0Y2h5JnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bWNjbGF0Y2h5JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09cnNzX3N5bmQmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9dG1zX2lzc3VlODJXA3NwY0IKZihCxipmAf0a-lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODlAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAANO) Nearly 70% of folks over 65 will need long-term care – help with stuff like putting on clothes or getting around – that regular insurance might not cover. But who wants to trade independence for a bingo hall roommate? Long-term care insurance can help you get the care you want, helps protect against rising care costs, and may even include care for conditions like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and dementia. And if you’re in your 50s, you can still lock in a lower rate. [View the Best Long-Term Care Insurance Companies of 2024](~/AAQRxQA~/RgRoDUtCP0R3aHR0cHM6Ly9zZWN1cmUubW9uZXkuY29tL3ByL2tmNDk3NmZhMjEyYj94aWQ9bWNjbGF0Y2h5JnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bWNjbGF0Y2h5JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09cnNzX3N5bmQmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9dG1zX2lzc3VlODJXA3NwY0IKZihCxipmAf0a-lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODlAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAANO) Stories we’re reading this week - [These Major Retailers Are Cutting Prices to Lure Inflation-Weary Buyers Back](~/AAQRxQA~/RgRoDUtCP0SMaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2FjYmVlLmNvbS9tb25leS9zdG9yZXMtY3V0dGluZy1wcmljZXMtaW5mbGF0aW9uLz94aWQ9bWNjbGF0Y2h5JnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bWNjbGF0Y2h5JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09cnNzX3N5bmQmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9dG1zX2lzc3VlODJXA3NwY0IKZihCxipmAf0a-lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODlAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAANO) - [Business Groups Sue to Stop F.T.C. From Banning Noncompete Clauses](~/AAQRxQA~/RgRoDUtCP0RLaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wNC8yNC9idXNpbmVzcy9sYXdzdWl0LWZ0Yy1ub25jb21wZXRlLWJhbi5odG1sVwNzcGNCCmYoQsYqZgH9GvpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADTg~~) - [The Surprising Way Inflation Can Be Good for People With Debt](~/AAQRxQA~/RgRoDUtCP0SSaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubWlhbWloZXJhbGQuY29tL21vbmV5L2luZmxhdGlvbi1lYXNpZXItdG8tcGF5LW9mZi1kZWJ0Lz94aWQ9bWNjbGF0Y2h5JnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bWNjbGF0Y2h5JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09cnNzX3N5bmQmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9dG1zX2lzc3VlODJXA3NwY0IKZihCxipmAf0a-lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODlAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAANO) - [Boeing Can’t Make Planes Fast Enough To Turn a Profit](~/AAQRxQA~/RgRoDUtCP0RaaHR0cHM6Ly9mb3J0dW5lLmNvbS8yMDI0LzA0LzI0L2JvZWluZy1lYXJuaW5ncy1zdXJwcmlzZS1zdG9jay1vdXRsb29rLXByb2ZpdHMtcTEtZWFybmluZ3MvVwNzcGNCCmYoQsYqZgH9GvpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADTg~~) - [Eyeing Bigger Gains, Investors Shift from Consumer Staples to Cyclical Stocks](~/AAQRxQA~/RgRoDUtCP0SWaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmV3c29ic2VydmVyLmNvbS9tb25leS9jeWNsaWNhbC1zdG9ja3MtdnMtY29uc3VtZXItc3RhcGxlcy8_eGlkPW1jY2xhdGNoeSZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1jY2xhdGNoeSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPXJzc19zeW5kJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXRtc19pc3N1ZTgyVwNzcGNCCmYoQsYqZgH9GvpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADTg~~) - [Biden Issues New Rule To Crack Down On Bad Retirement Advice](~/AAQRxQA~/RgRoDUtCP0RbaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZm94YnVzaW5lc3MuY29tL3BvbGl0aWNzL2JpZGVuLWlzc3Vlcy1uZXctcnVsZS1jcmFjay1kb3duLWJhZC1yZXRpcmVtZW50LWFkdmljZVcDc3BjQgpmKELGKmYB_Rr6Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44OUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAA04~) - [The Cost of Buying a House Reaches a New Record High](~/AAQRxQA~/RgRoDUtCP0SYaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2hhcmxvdHRlb2JzZXJ2ZXIuY29tL21vbmV5L2Nvc3Qtb2YtYnV5aW5nLWhvdXNlLXJlY29yZC1oaWdoLz94aWQ9bWNjbGF0Y2h5JnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bWNjbGF0Y2h5JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09cnNzX3N5bmQmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9dG1zX2lzc3VlODJXA3NwY0IKZihCxipmAf0a-lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODlAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAANO) The Money Section is written in partnership with Money Research Collective This email was sent to {EMAIL} because you are signed up to receive The Money Section from The Charlotte Observer. 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