Author: James Flippin
Are companies ready to ditch degree requirements?
The Paper Ceiling Roughly 70% of US job postings require a bachelor’s degree. But less than 50% of the workforce has one. That means millions of …
Why are Americans downsizing their dream homes?
Mortgage Costs During 2020 and 2021, prospective homebuyers were looking at interest rates close to 3%. Today, the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage sits above 7%. With …
So long, farewell to America’s cheapest car
Disappearing Mirage Mitsubishi (MSBHF) will reportedly discontinue its classic subcompact hatchback, the Mirage, in 2025, according to Automotive News. This will send the last car on …
Brace yourselves: The $800 million buck pumpkin spice season is here
Sweater Weather Pumpkin Spice Lattes and crisp autumn winds go hand in hand. But this year, Starbucks (SBUX) decided to bring on the cozy sooner, releasing …
Why is supermarket sushi all the rage right now?
Rising Sushi Sales Americans love their readily available sushi. While some enthusiasts might turn up their noses at the idea of buying a sushi roll from …
Swipe, struggle, repeat: The average American has this much credit card debt
Debt Dilemma According to TransUnion (TRU), Americans are juggling average credit balances of $5,947 — a near 20% increase year-over-year, reaching levels not seen in a …
Bad news: Cheap streaming services may be a thing of the past
Price Hikes Once a refuge for cord-cutters seeking to escape the high costs of cable television, streaming platforms are introducing price hikes eerily reminiscent of expensive …
You won’t believe how much American childcare really costs
Family Finances America’s families have been struggling with rising costs. But even as consumer price inflation has begun to level off this summer, childcare costs are …
Brace yourselves: The holiday shopping season is almost here
Tinsel Takeover Brace yourselves — winter holiday shopping is about to kick off. “Christmas Creep” describes the phenomenon of retailers selling holiday products weeks ahead of …
Finally: A really good excuse to keep your camera off during your next Zoom meeting
Cameras Off, Please! Zoom (ZM) and other video calls are a mainstay of the modern workday. While smiling into a camera may be exhausting for remote …
Did the US gain or lose jobs in July?
Workforce Waltz According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the US added 187,000 new jobs in July — mainly in health care, social assistance and financial …
Diva dollars: Taylor, Beyoncé & Barbie are sparking a spending splurge
Diva Dollars This summer, the economy is experiencing a girl power boom. With Beyoncé and Taylor Swift embarked on highly lucrative tours and the smashing success …
Is Walmart leading the retail revolution?
Walmart’s New Ad Venture Digital advertising platforms have proven incredibly lucrative for tech and ecommerce giants. But can the same prove true for physical retail locations? …
Congress updates annuity rules for retirees. Here’s what you need to know
Updated Rules For millions of Americans, outliving their retirement fund is a serious concern. After two years of record-high inflation, this may be truer now than …
The US regions with the highest & lowest air conditioning costs
Fighting Longer, Hotter Summers In states like Florida and Alabama, families are accustomed to keeping their AC running 24/7, especially during the summer months. But, with …
Flying taxis: Coming to a sky near you?
Propelling Progress Sky’s the limit…or is it? Joby Aviation (JOBY) has been cleared for takeoff toward a new reality for the transportation industry. The FAA has …
AI Investing: Are we headed for a boom or bust?
The Newest Investment Boom Since the introduction of ChatGPT, companies of all sizes have started investing in artificial intelligence in an attempt to capitalize on the …
Good news: Homebuyers just got a new safety net
What’s an Employment Contingency? In the last quarter, 53% of real estate agents reported an increase in buyers implementing an “employment contingency” in their contract. This …
Bad news: Expect a smaller tax refund
Smaller Checks So far this year, the Internal Revenue Service has refunded approximately $172 billion to taxpayers — $16.4 billion less than in 2022. On an …
Stop ‘rage applying’ to jobs. Tame your temper & do this instead
Rage Is All the Rage If you feel your employer undervalues or underappreciated you, it might be tempting to send out a slew of job applications …
Want a free drink? Just click subscribe!
Restaurant Subscriptions In 2023, you don’t just buy things — you subscribe to them. Subscription services for repeat purchases like razors and vitamins are already commonplace, …
Don’t go broke over your wedding. Do this instead
Here Comes the Bill First, here comes the bride. Then, here comes the bill. Couples planning to tie the knot this year will shell out an …
How Walmart & other big-box grocery stores are dealing with inflation
Increasing Food Costs Conventional personal finance wisdom will tell you cooking meals at home, instead of eating out, is one of the best ways to save …
Here’s why now is the right time to ask for a raise
Workers Unite Worker strikes soared last year, according to a report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2022, strikes involving more than 1,000 workers reached …
How to make self-employment taxes a less bitter (and expensive) pill to swallow
60 Million Freelancers During the pandemic, many Americans got used to working remotely. Geographic independence and technological proficiency fostered fresh ideas about modern ways to make …
Think fast food is a good value? You may not be ‘lovin’ it’ after you hear this
Value Miss With food costs way up since last year, some Americans are turning to fast food as a budget-friendly way to satisfy their appetites. But …
Will inflation keep declining?
Inflation’s Downward Trend Ever since peaking at 9.1% last June, the rate of inflation in the US has been on a reassuring downward trend. It hit …
4 Biden administration retirement changes you need to know about
What are Roths? Roth accounts — whether a Roth IRA or a Roth 401(k) — are common retirement plans that have a different tax treatment than …
Netflix reverses course on password sharing: What you need to know
Sharing Isn’t Caring In 2017, Netflix (NFLX) infamously tweeted, “Love is sharing a password.” But the company has since changed its stance on passwords, if not …
Good news for AI fans: ChatGPT is rolling out a ‘freemium’ plan
ChatGPT Plus In 1967, Texas Instruments (TXN) created the first handheld electronic calculator and changed the way that mathematicians crunch numbers. In 2022, OpenAI introduced ChatGPT …
