Good morning. From concert halls to operating rooms to global oil markets, everyday Americans are getting blindsided by costs they never saw coming. The good news? Knowledge is your best defence.
On The Money Today:
A Live Nation exec bragged about 'robbing fans blind' — then got promoted
She was already on the operating table when the hospital said her surgery might not be covered
Paul Krugman warns the Iran war could trigger an oil shock worse than the 1970s
Let's get into it.
Leaked Slack messages show two Live Nation execs laughing about deliberately gouging fans on parking, fees and more. One called customers "so stupid." The other said "robbing them blind baby — that's how we do." A DOJ settlement would cap service fees at 15% — but critics say it doesn't go far enough, and nearly 30 states are still fighting for more. Here's what that means for your wallet next time you buy a concert ticket.
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Ellen Gentile arrived at the hospital ready for neck surgery that she believed had been approved. Gown on, IV in — then came the news that stopped everything. The procedure went ahead anyway. The bill that followed was $126,000. Here's how she fought back and what every patient needs to know before going under.
Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman is calling the Iran conflict "potentially really terrible" — and says oil prices could go "much, much higher" if the Strait of Hormuz stays blocked. The last time the world saw a shock this size, it triggered stagflation. Warren Buffett has been clear about what to own when the value of money starts to fall. Here's what the experts say to do now.
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MANAGING MONEY: Tori Dunlap Says Dave Ramsey's Most Famous Advice Could Cost You Hundreds of Thousands
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That’s it for today. See you soon with another quick roundup of the financial news that matters.