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Happy New Year, MarketWatcher’s! Here are today’s top stories:
Bill and Melinda Gates, and George Soros were behind the biggest donations of 2021 — but that doesn’t include anonymous donors
The largest charitable donations of 2021 went to universities and health care, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy.
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‘We have to be agile’: School closures rise again as more teachers and students test positive for omicron
Roughly 2,200 schools announced closures for a period of time this week, up from 408 in the middle of December, according to one analysis. Read More
Workers in half of U.S. states will get minimum wage increases this year
California’s minimum wage is $15 an hour in 2022, but the law doesn’t apply to employers with less than 26 employees. Read More
Here’s one sign bullying dropped as schools went remote, but it’s returning to pre-pandemic levels
‘There are very few studies on bullying during the pandemic and even fewer using publicly-available nationwide data,’ a new paper says. Read More
Do you owe the ‘dreaded’ alternative minimum tax? Read this before filing your taxes
Rule No. 1: Don’t assume you’re exempt. Read More
My friend emailed to say she had intended to wish me a Happy New Year, but was upset I didn’t respond to her email requesting a charitable donation
‘Should I bite my lip and send a token donation, or tell her how I really feel and risk losing a good friend?’ Read More
What to do if your car is totaled
A car is ‘totaled’ when the cost to repair the damage exceeds the vehicle’s market value. Here’s what you should know if this happens to you. Read More
How to get the biggest car insurance discounts
Car insurance can be expensive, but does it have to be—learn how to maximize all available discounts to your advantage. Read More
This editor gave herself 30 months to pay off $55,000 in debt—here’s how she did it even faster
If you’re feeling burdened by debt, here are some ways to tackle it and improve your finances for the long run. Read More
Get away to a warm a weekend in Scottsdale, Arizona—what to do and where to stay, eat, and shop
With everything from top-notch resorts, golf and spas to hot-air balloon rides, art galleries and a delicious food scene, you’ll want to add this city to your bucket list. Read More
