This week’s headlines bring us lots of data on the labor market, and we averted a default. Also included in this week’s list are some interesting articles related to budgeting and prices, a couple on investing, and finally, welcoming Connecticut to the club of Gold Standard States. 

Economics

There were lots of jobs data releases this week:

•  Job Opening and Labor Turnover Survey, or JOLTs, showed an increase from 9.8 million openings at the end of March to 10.1 million at the end of April—well exceeding expectations. (Yahoo Finance)
• Private payrolls as measured by the ADP survey grew by 278,000, well about the 170,000 expected for May. (Reuters)
• Non-farm payrolls jumped 339,000, blowing out the expected increase by almost 150,000. But unemployment ticked up to 3.7%. Regardless of the idiosyncrasies in the numbers, the labor market is proving to be resilient. (CNBC) (BLS) 
• What will the Fed do at the June meeting? Fed officials have signaled a pause, (Reuters) but will the hot job numbers change things? (Yahoo Finance)

And this critical piece of news:

• Looks like a US default was averted. Politico breaks down what is actually in the agreement to raise the debt ceiling, and what is not.

Budgeting

• The cost of raising a child may surprise you! Smart Assets breaks it down by category and by geographic region.
• Banks and Credit card apps are moving their focus from transactions to personal financial management. (JD Power-businesswire)
• Here is an eye-opening examination of why grocery prices are so high. (NYT)
• And are those pesky demands for tips at POS terminals are actually driving up inflation? (Ritholz)

Investing

• When is the best time to buy stocks? (A Wealth of Common Sense)
• Stock markets have been calmer than you might think by reading the headlines. (Chartr)
• 

Advocacy

• And now we are 21—the number of states requiring personal finance for graduation-- as Connecticut joins the club. (News12)
• Will Pennsylvania join the club? High School Seniors in the state are advocating for the State House to pass Senate Bill 647, which easily passed the Senate. (PennLive)

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.

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