The debate over debit cards versus credit cards seems to be never-ending. Advocates of both sides love to get into the weeds about which one is the best choice if you want to avoid overspending. Alternatively, there is also a consideration of which card offers better consumer protections. Key Points This Redditor questions when, if…
Category: Economy
Scott Walter’s Written Testimony to House DOGE Subcommittee
Scott Walter’s Written Testimony to House DOGE Subcommittee Written Testimony: HTML or PDF (House website) Full Subcommittee Hearing (House website) Written Testimony to the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee Delivering on Government Efficiency (DOGE) Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, chair Hearing on “Public Funds, Private Agendas: NGOs Gone Wild” Scott Walter President, Capital Research Center…
ECONOMIC SHOCK HITS, MILLIONS CAN’T AFFORD BASICS, FINANCING CONCERTS, MILLIONAIRE STARS GOING BROKE
In this economic/financial news report we discuss the rising cost of living crisis, millions can’t afford life. the worsening economic situation, highlighting the rising cost of living, increased consumer debt, and the reliance on credit for everyday expenses. It points to the irrational consumer behavior of financing entertainment through credit and explores how this cycle…
What Happens to a 401k When You Die? – Insight Needed After My Sister-in-Law’s Passing
The sudden and unforeseen death of a relative loved one is a tragic event. When family survivors undertake the process of clearing up estate matters of the deceased, retirement accounts have a protocol for processing the transfer of the accounts and proceeds to the designated beneficiaries. However, 401-K accounts, which are administered by third party…
Is my $5 million net worth enough to actually retire?
For everyone who lives or aspires to achieve financial independence and retire early in the “FIRE” movement, you must set a target net worth number. The goal is that once you hit this number, you have “made it” as far as being able to retire comfortably and not have to work a full-time job ever…
WTI Extends Gains As Crude Stocks See Biggest Draw Since December
WTI Extends Gains As Crude Stocks See Biggest Draw Since December Crude prices are higher this morning on signs of progress in trade talks between the US and EU and the API report of a major drawdown in American crude inventories (despite product builds). Geopolitical tensions continue to drive prices more aggressively as the possibility of…
Down 33%, Is This Hidden Dividend Growth Stock a Buy?
Key Points in This Article: ASML Holding (ASML) monopolizes EUV lithography systems, critical for advanced chipmaking, serving key semiconductor industry clients. Despite a 33% drop from its 52-week high, ASML’s 20% projected 2025 revenue growth and AI-driven demand signal strong recovery potential. ASML’s 4.9% dividend increase, with a 21% five-year growth rate, marks it as…
US Embassy Officials Warn Americans Not To Use Dating Apps To Meet People In Mexico
US Embassy Officials Warn Americans Not To Use Dating Apps To Meet People In Mexico Authored by Jack Phillips via The Epoch Times, U.S. embassy officials in Mexico this week confirmed reports of American citizens having been kidnapped in Mexico by people they met on dating apps. Confirming those reports, the U.S. Consulate General Guadalajara…
3 Fortress Dividend Stocks Set to Thrive, Even if the Economy Slumps
Key Points These dividend stocks have solid underlying businesses. The cash flows should remain consistent regardless of the broader economic environment. As a result, their dividends and stock prices are well-positioned to remain stable. Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset’s free tool can match you with a financial advisor in minutes to help…
Baffle ‘Em With Bullshit: Services Surveys Signal Soaring & Plunging Economy
Baffle ‘Em With Bullshit: Services Surveys Signal Soaring & Plunging Economy After the mixed picture from Manufacturing surveys (ISM ugly, PMI solid); both Services surveys – due this morning – were expected to rise in May. S&P Global US Services PMI surged to 53.7 in May, from 52.3 flash and up from 50.8 in April…
S&P 500 (NYSEARCA: SPY) Live: Markets Show Resilience in Face of Sputtering Economy
Live Updates Live Coverage Updates appear automatically as they are published. S&P Outlook Looking Up 10:05 am by Gerelyn Terzo With the first half of 2025 almost behind us, Wall Street analysts are actively revising their year-end market forecasts. Most recently, Barclays has adjusted its S&P 500 year-end outlook upward by nearly 3% to 6,050,…
Bank of Canada Keeps Rates At 2.75% As Expected, As It Waits To See Impact Of Trump Tariffs
Bank of Canada Keeps Rates At 2.75% As Expected, As It Waits To See Impact Of Trump Tariffs The Bank of Canada held interest rates steady at 2.75% for a second straight meeting – matching economist and market estimates – but warned there may be a need to cut borrowing costs if the economy weakens…
When Can I Stop Saving and Start Living My Dream Life?
Key Points A 24-year-old Redditor has saved $72K by living at home with his parents. He wants to start spending more money, though, and start spreading his wings. The poster needs to find a balance so he can save money and still enjoy his youth. Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset’s free tool…
Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) Price Prediction and Forecast 2025-2030 (June 2025)
Shares of Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) fell by 1.42% over the past month, bringing its year-to-date loss to 11.67%. Over the past year, the stock has fallen by more than 20%. Recently, the FDA announced it will only be recommending COVID-19 vaccines for seniors aged 65 and older and those with certain medical conditions, excluding healthy…
Live Nasdaq Composite: Markets Look to Extend Gains Despite Economic Headwinds
Live Updates Live Coverage Updates appear automatically as they are published. Wall Street Improves Market Outlook 9:51 am by Gerelyn Terzo With the first half of 2025 nearly in the rearview mirror, Wall Street analysts are coming out in droves to revise their year-end forecasts. Most recently, Barclays has updated its S&P 500 year-end outlook…
Zelensky Says More Russia Talks ‘Pointless’ With Current Delegations
Zelensky Says More Russia Talks ‘Pointless’ With Current Delegations Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday that to continue peace talks in Istanbul between Ukraine and Russia with the current delegations is senseless, and he has again called for talks with Vladimir Putin, after complaining that the Russian leader is sending junior officials who have no…
Chinese Nationals Caught Smuggling “Agroterrorism” Fungus Into America’s Breadbasket
Chinese Nationals Caught Smuggling “Agroterrorism” Fungus Into America’s Breadbasket In a plot that reads like a Tom Clancy novel crossed with a dystopian agribusiness nightmare, two Chinese nationals, Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, have been slapped with federal charges for allegedly smuggling a biological ticking time bomb into the U.S. The weapon? Fusarium…
How a Lawsuit Against Realtors Went Sideways
On March 15th, 2024, the Chicago-based National Association of Realtors (NAR) came forward with a stunning announcement: in response to two 2019 class-action lawsuits, it finally agreed to a settlement sum of $626 million and promised dramatic changes in the real estate business. The lawsuit charged that the NAR had excessive market power that allowed…
US Futures Flat As Global Stocks Hit New All Time High
US Futures Flat As Global Stocks Hit New All Time High US equity futures are higher, following European and Asian markets, while the MSCI All-country world index surpassed the February record high: as if April never happened. As of 8:00am, S&P futures are up 0.2%, trading just shy of 6,000 and on the verge of…
“Too Late!” – Trump Blasts Powell After Weakest ADP Jobs Report In Over 2 Years
“Too Late!” – Trump Blasts Powell After Weakest ADP Jobs Report In Over 2 Years Following April’s weak ADP print (lowest job additions since July 2024), analysts expected a rebound in May from the “unease” before Trump paused the Liberation Day tariffs. Jobless claims, among others, have all supported signals that the labor market refuses to…
3 Stocks Raising Their Dividends 4% to 19%
Key Points in This Article: Dividend growth investing prioritizes stocks with consistent payout increases, offering rising income and inflation protection for long-term stability. Companies with low payout ratios and strong cash flows, like those boosting dividends, provide sustainable income and reduced volatility in uncertain markets. Sit back and let dividends do the heavy lifting for…
Should I buy a home or continue enjoying my life with $250,000 in cash?
One of the most significant financial decisions anyone can make is when to purchase a home. Arguably, the single most significant expense for anyone, it’s hard to know precisely when the right time to buy is, as the market rises and falls, just as interest rates can be hard to predict. Key Points There is a genuine concern…
How I Discovered My Parents’ Investment Portfolio Was Underperforming – Here’s What I Found
Comparing your portfolio to a benchmark like the S&P 500 gives you an idea of how well you are performing. It’s no longer just about generating a positive return. You also have to beat the market to justify investing on your own instead of buying index funds. One investor in the Dividends subreddit explained that…
Debt Dilemma? 6 Unexpected Tricks to Crush Balances Above $20,000
If you have over $20,000 in debt and growing, it’s completely understandable that you feel like you are in a position where you are drowning. The good news is that you are not alone and that there are steps you can take to try and resolve this debt using some unexpected income opportunities. Key Points…
Trump Says China’s Xi Is “Very Tough And Hard To Make Deal With”
Trump Says China’s Xi Is “Very Tough And Hard To Make Deal With” President Donald Trump said in an early morning Truth Social post that Chinese leader Xi Jinping was “extremely hard” to make a deal with, just days after the president accused Beijing of violating an agreement to roll back tariffs and trade restrictions….
Inflation, Energy, And Armed Conflict: What Developed Countries Are Most Worried About
Key Points Rising volatility is reflected in the fears of executives in different countries around the world. In the developed world, economic downturn is the most commonly cited fear. In contrast with the developing world, developed countries also commonly cite fears over misinformation and AI. In an uncertain world, sound financial advice is an asset….
Thousands of Microsoft Layoffs: What Could They Mean?
Microsoft, the multibillion-dollar tech corporation, has just recently laid off thousands of employees. The company did so silently, with zero announcements or explanations. Though Microsoft has previously fired large numbers of workers during restructuring efforts, this latest round of layoffs seems to be related to a different factor: the widespread use of AI. Relying on…
I have invested in dividends for 15 years—These are the foundations of my passive income plan
Key Points These high-yield dividend stocks haven’t disappointed me in the last decade. Each of these stocks have the potential of an upside as the economy improves. Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset’s free tool can match you with a financial advisor in minutes to help you answer that today. Each advisor has…
Germany Sets Record For Naturalizations In 2024, Syrians And Turks Top The Charts
Germany Sets Record For Naturalizations In 2024, Syrians And Turks Top The Charts Via Remix News, In Germany in 2024, a record number of foreigners were naturalized, with Syrians and Turks gaining citizenship at the highest rate when all nations are factored. The data from 13 German states shows that 249,901 people were given German…
Minimum Payments Damaging Your Score and Limits? Effective Solutions to Break the Cycle
Making the minimum payment on one’s monthly credit card bill may sit well with some. Indeed, it’s better to make a minimum payment than to miss a payment entirely. That said, credit card users who are making less than the full payment, I believe, could be at risk of paying more in interest than they’ll…
InfluenceWatch Podcast #366: Harvard and Tax Exemptions
The second Trump administration has conducted an aggressive campaign against Harvard University, targeting its use of racial considerations in admissions and hiring and its apparent lack of concern for the rights of its Jewish students. Among the proposals the administration is considering to retaliate against Harvard is taking away its charitable tax status; our guest…
Nvidia’s Revenue Pipeline Tops $1 Trillion, UBS Tells Clients
Nvidia’s Revenue Pipeline Tops $1 Trillion, UBS Tells Clients Following Nvidia’s better-than-expected earnings report last Wednesday, UBS analysts were inundated with investor inquiries, primarily focused on the chipmaker’s near-term growth visibility and the durability of its long-term revenue pipeline. Below, UBS analyst Timothy Arcuri addressed the most frequently asked questions, unpacked key commentary from the earnings…
5 All-Star High-Yield Dividend Stocks Every Boomer Should Own
While reaching retirement age can be both a blessing and a curse, relying on the U.S. government to provide for your needs is not the best idea. The full retirement age is 66 if you were born from 1943 to 1954. The full retirement age increases gradually for those born from 1955 to 1960, reaching…
EU Tech Laws Erect Digital Iron Curtain
EU Tech Laws Erect Digital Iron Curtain Authored by Cláudia Ascensão Nunes via TheDailyEconomy.org, Over the past decades, Europe has created little of real relevance in terms of technological platforms, social networks, operating systems, or search engines. In contrast, it has built an extensive regulatory apparatus designed to limit and punish those who have actually…
Number Of Zombie Properties Increase In 30 US States
Number Of Zombie Properties Increase In 30 US States The number of zombie homes – vacant properties abandoned by owners during the foreclosure process – rose in 30 U.S. states and the District of Columbia in the second quarter of this year from the previous quarter, real estate data analytics company ATTOM said in a…
US Sanctions Threaten Europe’s Russian Gas Lifeline
US Sanctions Threaten Europe’s Russian Gas Lifeline Authored by Cyril Widdershoven via OilPrice.com, Despite public rhetoric, Europe’s reliance on Russian energy remains substantial. A proposed bipartisan U.S. Senate bill could reshape global energy trade, imposing massive 500% tariffs on countries importing Russian fossil fuels. European leaders face mounting pressure to act decisively, as ongoing energy…
Which Countries Have The Lowest Life Expectancy?
Which Countries Have The Lowest Life Expectancy? How long can the average person expect to live in your country? The average life expectancy of a country reflects the cumulative impacts of economic development, quality of life, healthcare systems, and various other factors that affect overall well-being. Across the globe, life expectancy differs sharply between high-income…
Dutch Parliament Says ‘Nyet’ To NATO Defense Spending Plan Amid Chaos Of Geert Wilders Pullout
Dutch Parliament Says ‘Nyet’ To NATO Defense Spending Plan Amid Chaos Of Geert Wilders Pullout NATO aims for its members to spend at least 3.5% of their GDP on defense, but those dreams of NATO expansion – at a moment the proxy war in Ukraine is becoming dangerously close to entering hot war between the…
‘Forced Mixing’ Housing Plan To Integrate Migrants Pushed By Sweden’s Social Democrats
‘Forced Mixing’ Housing Plan To Integrate Migrants Pushed By Sweden’s Social Democrats Authored by Thomas Brooke via Remix News, The Swedish Social Democratic Party has approved a new integration strategy that aims to forcibly diversify the country’s residential areas, pushing for what party officials call a “socio-economic mix” of Swedes and migrants in housing developments….
Will Human Error Hand AI The Key To Our Destruction?
Will Human Error Hand AI The Key To Our Destruction? Authored by Julio Rivera via American Greatness, By now, the apocalyptic whispers that once belonged solely to science fiction are starting to sound more like realistic forecasts. Artificial intelligence, once hailed as the great liberator of human productivity and ingenuity, is now moonlighting as a…
Beijing Furious After Europe Uses “International Procurement Instrument” For First Time In Escalating Trade War With China
Beijing Furious After Europe Uses “International Procurement Instrument” For First Time In Escalating Trade War With China When it comes to its trade war with the US, Brussels is quick to parade just how anti-Trump it is, how unfair US trade practices are (just ignore the fact that Europe was far more protectionist for decades)…
55 Tons Of Meth Ingredient From China Bound For Mexican Drug Cartel Seized In California
55 Tons Of Meth Ingredient From China Bound For Mexican Drug Cartel Seized In California By Noi Mahoney of FreightWaves Authorities at the Port of Long Beach on Friday seized 55 tons of dicumyl peroxide, a chemical used to make methamphetamine. The shipment originated in China and was destined for the Sinaloa drug cartel in…
Everyone Was Just Doing Their Job: How Specialization Enables Systemic Evil
Everyone Was Just Doing Their Job: How Specialization Enables Systemic Evil Authored by Josh Stylman via Substack, The world’s a screaming match—doctors, economists, influencers, all clawing for their slice of truth. Nobody’s listening, and nobody’s seeing the whole damn picture. We have more information than ever, but we’re dumber where it counts, stuck in a…
On World Bike Day, Cars Still Dominate The American Commute
On World Bike Day, Cars Still Dominate The American Commute June 3 marks World Bicycle Day, an official UN observance celebrated to draw attention to the benefits of using a bike, a healthy, affordable and environmentally friendly way of getting from A to B. On this day, people are encouraged to leave their cars behind and…
America’s 21st Century Fighter Gap
America’s 21st Century Fighter Gap Authored by Peter Mitchell via RealClearDefense (emphasis ours), Golden Dome has captured headlines as America’s next-generation missile defense shield in the debates around the FY 2026 defense budget’s trillion-dollar price tag. But danger lurks between the headlines. America’s fighter fleet—the smallest in modern Air Force history—lacks the numbers needed to both protect the homeland and…
US Still Prosecuting Former ISIS Members After Officially Embracing One In Damascus
US Still Prosecuting Former ISIS Members After Officially Embracing One In Damascus This week a 49-year-old naturalized American citizen has been sentenced to a decade in federal prison, after confessing to traveling to Syria to join the Islamic State. Lirim Sylejmani pled guilty to terrorism charges in December, and was sentenced by a federal court…
Does poverty cause homelessness?
I like looking at the extremes. If it were actually true that capitalism causes selfishness, then what are the odds that the world’s most free market country would also be the world’s most egalitarian country? But it is. If it were actually true that fertility rates are falling because it’s too costly to raise kids…
FDA Launches New AI Tool
FDA Launches New AI Tool Authored by Zachary Stieber via The Epoch Times, The Food and Drug Administration on June 2 launched a new artificial intelligence (AI) tool. FDA officials said Elsa, the tool, will help employees “work more efficiently.” The agency is utilizing Elsa to speed up clinical protocol reviews and scientific evaluations, as…
South Florida Emerges As Epicenter Of Housing Weakness
South Florida Emerges As Epicenter Of Housing Weakness Rising inventory and softening demand — key indicators of a broader housing slowdown — suggest that South Florida’s pandemic-fueled real estate boom continues to lose steam. “South Florida is the epicenter of housing market weakness in the United States,” said Redfin analyst Chen Zhao, as quoted by Bloomberg….
I’m 28 and Wondering If I Went Too Heavy on Dividends Too Early – Seeking Portfolio Advice
It’s good to receive advice for your portfolio, but you’re ultimately the one who makes the decisions. A 28-year-old recently asked for some suggestions about his portfolio and wondered if the portfolio has too many dividend stocks. Typically, younger people should put more of their money into growth stocks and gradually de-risk their portfolios as…
Palantir Co-Founder Joe Lonsdale & Former Exec Refute NYT Report Warning Over Surveillance ‘Master List’
Palantir Co-Founder Joe Lonsdale & Former Exec Refute NYT Report Warning Over Surveillance ‘Master List’ Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale and former executive Wendy Anderson have hit back against a NY Times report warning that the company is laying the groundwork for government surveillance on steroids through a massive database that would coordinate the private information of US…
