The Biden administration appears to have pulled off the elusive economic soft landing, getting inflation in check without crashing the economy into a recession. While inflation has been easing downward, it has still been pinching retirees’ budgets. The bad news is that shrinking inflation rates also mean a smaller Social Security cost-of-living (COLA) for 2025. The 2025 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment will kick in via your January check (or direct deposit from SS). So, current Social Security recipients will continue to see their retirement incomes stretched thin this month as we move through the holidays. The Social Security Administration (SSA)…

In a recent interview with Shane Parrish, Whole Foods founder John Mackey talked a lot about wealth—what it means to him and what it doesn’t. He told a particularly compelling story about what he didn’t want wealth to look like for him. He was going to meet with Jeff Bezos to discuss Amazon buying Whole Foods—you know, as one does—and the exact location of their meeting, Bezos’ boat house adjacent to his Lake Washington mansion, remained obscured until Mackey’s plane landed. Then, Mackey and his car were searched prior to entering, and after all the impersonal fanfare, he was left…

With a presidential transition on the horizon, the U.S. is facing heightened economic uncertainty as we move into 2025. As a result, many Americans are considering investments that can help them hedge against any potential changes to market conditions. Though it may not be the first thing that comes to mind, gold is actually one of the most stable assets you can add to a diversified portfolio, as its value remains relatively stable against economic headwinds like inflation, dollar devaluation, and lower interest rates. Historically, gold and precious metal assets have demonstrated resilience during economic downturns and political shifts. Take…

Plea agreements are the most common way federal criminal charges are disposed of with judges approving plea agreements in 98% of all federal criminal cases which is why Judge Reed O’Connor’s rejection of a plea agreement negotiated by lawyers for Boeing and Justice Department lawyers that would have resulted in a guilty plea by Boeing of conspiracy to defraud charges related to Boeing’s actions in deceiving the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prior to the fatal crashes of two Boeing 737 Max airplanes is so unusual. The plea agreement would have provided for Boeing to plead guilty to one count of…

Knowing how to budget in your 30s is no longer just about controlling spending. By this age, you’ve likely established some financial habits, but now it’s time to refine your strategy, increase your wealth and plan for major life events. The discipline you developed for budgeting in your 20s will be critical as you continue to build and grow your finances even more. This article will guide you through essential tips for managing your money in your 30s. Budgeting Strategies In Your 30s As you enter your 30s, your income may already have increased, but so have your responsibilities. Aside…

It’s got a lot of what’s great about a bar. It’s cozy and inviting (its name, Vieni Vieni, means “come come”), small and narrow, 15 or 20 barstools, no tables, so it’s easy to talk to the people who apparently know each other and seem happy to welcome you in. Drinks are reasonably cheap — $6 to $7 for a beer, $7 to $10 for a shot or mixed drink — though not quite as cheap as they used to be. More about that later.It does not have a lot of what’s bad about a bar. No live entertainment to…

Economic challenges like inflation, recession fears and geopolitical uncertainty are top of mind for many as 2024 draws to a close. A recent Deloitte report found that 73% of respondents globally are concerned about rising prices, reflecting the financial strain on households around the world. Against that backdrop, generative artificial intelligence is emerging as a popular tool in personal finance, reflecting the evolving ways in which people think about budgeting, investing and financial planning. However, while the technology is advancing rapidly, experts caution that these AI tools should complement — not replace — traditional strategies. Generative AI in Personal Finance…

With Donald Trump set to return to the White House in just six weeks, student loan borrower advocacy groups and allies are sounding the alarm about student loan forgiveness and relief programs being under threat. But some programs may be easier for the incoming Trump administration to eliminate than others. Earlier this week, a coalition of advocacy organizations and elected officials, including Senators Bernie Sanders (D-VT) and Ed Markey (D-MA) held a press conference calling on President Joe Biden to use his remaining six weeks in office as a final push to enact as much student loan forgiveness as possible.…

It’s people like Jennifer Aguilar, Executive Director of the Little Village Chamber of Commerce and neighborhood native, who see the impact of Latino-owned businesses in Chicago daily. Nestled in Chicago’s southwest side, Little Village is home to a community that is more than 80 percent Latino and highly entrepreneurial. Much so, that in past years its iconic corridor, 26th Street, has been reported to rake in $900M in annual revenue – all in the span of two miles. “When someone comes to La Villita, they feel transported to Mexico,” she said. “There’s over 1,000 businesses here in the corridor, over…

Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon, along with Representatives Jamie Raskin and Kevin Kiley have introduced a new federal Anti-SLAPP law known as the Free Speech Protection Act (“FSPA”). The purpose of the FSPA is, like all Anti-SLAPP laws, to further solidify the constitutional protections of the First Amendment for free speech and association and the right to petition for redress by causing the early dismissal of frivolous or abusive litigation which infringes upon those rights. By protecting these important First Amendment rights, one could reasonably argue that the FSPA is the most classical American legislation currently before this term of…