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Credit Scores Evolve To Improve Access

By Cora Lewis Associated Press NEW YORK — A low credit score can hurt your ability to take out a loan, secure a good interest rate, or increase the spending limit on your credit card. Some reasons for a low score are out of your control — such as unexpected medical debt or a lack of credit history. Credit rating agencies are working to improve access to credit by giving people more time to pay medical bills before the debt appears in reports, and by removing other debt completely. They’re also making it easier to count rent, utility payments, and other recurring bills — ...

Impact Investing Cleaner Than ESG

NEW YORK — Jean Case, who rose to fortune and fame as an executive at American Online, has been a fan of impact investing since before it had that name. It looks to invest in projects and companies that make a direct impact on society, like Warby Parker, the eyeglass retailer that ...

‘Year-Round Retreat’

CHAUTAUQUA — It’s a big town feel in a small town community. Julie Ambrose, owner of St. Elmo Spa, is proud to say that. The services at the spa back up her claim. “We are really one of the only complete day spas and salons in the area. A lot of other places may do hair services ...

Cautious But Steady Consumers Bouying Hope For U.S. Economy

WASHINGTON (AP) — Call it the Goldilocks consumer. Defying high inflation and sharp interest rate hikes, Americans keep spending — a trend that, if sustained, could keep the economy humming just enough to help avoid a much-predicted recession. At the same time, surveys show that ...

Chamber To Honor Seven Businesses

Several area businesses and individuals will be honored by the Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce at its Salute to the Finest on Feb. 27. Each year the Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce presents Salute to the Finest – an annual recognition of some of the local businesses, individuals, and organizations that make a difference in the community. The Salute to the Finest will honor the following: ¯ New Business of the Year – Southern Sails Junk Removal ¯ Restaurant of the Year – Tim Hortons of Jamestown & Olean ¯ Retailer of the Year – Everyday’s True ...

Family Budgeting Tips That Work

When Tom Snyder coaches people in his church about how to budget, he starts by encouraging them to track their spending. “If we don’t track, we don’t know when to stop spending,” he says. The retired engineer and financial coach in Grand Rapids, Michigan, adds that it’s easy to be bumped off track by irregular costs, such as birthday gifts or vacations. Successful family budgeting is all about staying flexible so you can handle those irregular costs as well as unexpected challenges, including sky-high grocery store prices or rising interest rates. Financial experts like ...