DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Is Driving for Uber Worth It? One Driver Says His Pay Is Declining.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

A Cleveland Uber driver made over $109,000 in gross earnings last year but only took home $17,000. He said Uber driving has become less profitable but that he's not sure he can find a better job. AdvertisementGeorge, a full-time Uber driver in Cleveland, wants to quit his ride-hailing gig. In 2023, George made more than $109,000 in gross earnings as an Uber driver, according to documents viewed by BI. Many ride-hailing drivers, like George, are actively tracking their income and expenses to make sure driving is worth their time.

Persons: Uber, he's, —, George, haven't, isn't, he'd, that's, There's, He's Organizations: Service, Uber, BI, of Labor Statistics, BLS Locations: Cleveland, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Twin Cities

☆ Why so many men in the US have stopped working
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | Andy Kiersz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

AdvertisementIt could be all about recessionsSince the 1950s, whenever the US economy fell into a recession, the rate of working men tended to suffer a lasting blow. AdvertisementWhy have recessions appeared to have such a lasting impact on working men? The strong recovery of men working after the pandemic recession could be due to the unique nature of this downturn — which tanked an otherwise healthy economy. And of course, some lucky prime-age men aren't working because they've had a lot of financial success — and already retired. Deciphering how much these explanations have fueled the decline of working men could be worthy of further explanation, the economists said.

Persons: —, It's, Abigail Wozniak, Wozniak, David Autor, There's, Jason Furman, Barack Obama's, Elise Gould, Gould, aren't, we've, John M, Coglianese, they've Organizations: Service, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Washington Post, of Labor Statistics, San Francisco Fed, BLS, Economic, Economic Policy Institute, Federal Reserve

☆ I'm a federal prison consultant. Here's how I went from being in prison to helping clients get ready to go behind bars.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Katie Balevic | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

AdvertisementThis as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Sam Mangel, a federal prison consultant with his own firm. Mangel went into the field after pleading guilty to wire fraud in an insurance fraud scheme and being sentenced to time in prison. That's when I realized that to a criminal defense attorney, you're just a number. I ask myself how can I help clients in a non-legal manner get the best outcome at sentencing? Because I got to tell you, you're in prison, you're going to get three meals a day, you're going to get your clothes cleaned, you're going to have a place to sleep.

Persons: Sam Mangel, Mangel, —, hadn't, COVID, it's, They've, they're Organizations: Service, FBI Locations: Florida, Philadelphia

☆ A millennial couple spent less than $4,000 on an intimate destination wedding in Morocco. Here's how they pulled it off.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Maria Noyen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

AdvertisementEven before getting engaged, Almaz Burgess knew she'd have a destination wedding. According to a study by The Knot, the average international destination wedding is $42,000 — nearly $10,000 more than standard hometown nuptials. Wedding venues in Greece and Italy were quoting them $10,000 — so they turned to MoroccoA year before the wedding, Burgess began researching destination weddings in Greece and Italy. White Silk Studio"In Morocco, they have the traditional Riad," she said, referring to a Moroccan house that typically has an indoor garden or courtyard. White Silk Studio"We tried to keep it under half an hour," she said, "to not bore everyone."

Persons: Burgess, —, she'd, Burgess didn't, wouldn't, wasn't Organizations: Service, New Zealand, White, Morocco — Locations: Morocco, New Zealand, New, London, Greece, Italy, Morocco — Marrakesh, Moroccan, Australian

☆ This state is one of the last strongholds for machine politics. That's about to change.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

At the end of March, a federal judge sided with Kim, blocking Democrats from using the so-called "county line" system in the state's upcoming June primaries. That's set to bring a stark change to the way ballots look — and potentially, a total overhaul in the state's political culture. AdvertisementHere's what to know about the "county line" and why it may be going away for good. A 2020 Democratic primary ballot in Mercer County, New Jersey. "I think you'll see a more candidate-centric politics," said Jersey City Councilman James Solomon, a longtime opponent of the county-line system.

Persons: —, Andy Kim, Kim, That's, Kim et, Hanlon, Sen, Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden, Hanlon et al, Bob Menendez's, Democratic Sen, Bob Menendez, Menendez, Spencer Platt, Tammy Murphy, Phil Murphy, Zahid Quraishi, Tom Williams, Murphy, Rob Menendez —, Ravi Bhalla, James Solomon, They've, they've Organizations: Democratic, Service, Garden State, New York City, Getty, Democratic Gov, Jersey City Locations: New Jersey, Nevada and Delaware, Salem, Sussex, Mercer County , New Jersey, Hanlon et, New York, Hoboken, Jersey

☆ Rich Young Men Want This Famous $7,000 Herman Miller Eames Chair
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Emily Stewart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

"The Eames chair is basically meme status," said Joel Vanderveen, a 35-year-old from Minnesota who created a subreddit about a decade ago dedicated to all things Eames. "Until the last 10 years, when people would say to me they had an Eames chair, I never knew which one they meant," Kirkham said. The Eames chair is one of those rare luxury goods that checks all those boxes for novices and experts alike, in his view. Not everyone with the Eames chair has a new one, an expensive one, or even a real one. The Eames chair seems eco-friendly, too — they're not going to be tossing it out in two years.

Persons: he'd, that's, Herman Miller Eames, I'd, I'm, Eames, Herman Miller, Amy Auscherman, Herman Miller's, Joel Vanderveen, Charles, Ray Eames, Pat Kirkham, Kirkham, wasn't, it's, It's, Auscherman, Julia Mack, Jennifer Jones, Kyle, He's, Zak Cole, who'd, Shawn Pasternak, they're, Derek Guy, HENRY, Guy, Loren Kreiss, they've, Emily Stewart Organizations: MoMA, Kingston University, Playboy, Porsche, Ikea, Democrat, Business Locations: New York City's Queens, Minnesota, ottoman, London, Brooklyn , New York, San Francisco, Brooklyn, Nashville, Los Angeles, Michigan, Washington, It's, I'm

Sticky inflation has pushed mortgage rates up in recent months, and we likely won't see them trend down until inflation starts decelerating again. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates would impact your monthly payments. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Go Up (+0.23%)The average 15-year mortgage rate is 6.48%, 23 basis points higher than last week. Mortgage Refinance Rates30-Year Fixed Refinance Rates Fall Slightly (-0.11%)The average 30-year refinance rate is 7.42%, 11 basis points lower than last week. Mortgage rates also rose dramatically in 2023, though they started trending back down toward the end of the year.

Persons: decelerating, it's, you'll, It's, refinance Organizations: Federal, US, of Economic, Zillow, FHA Locations: Chevron

☆ A financially independent couple that built wealth doing 'live-in flips' is pivoting to private lending. It's more passive and earns them 'about 12%' — but you need 2 things to get started.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

When he was working full-time while also DIY home flipping, Carl recalls putting in 80 hours a week. Shifting to a more passive real-estate strategy: Private lendingThe Jensens started experimenting with private lending in 2016. "The private lending generates such a nice return that it's difficult to be like, 'No, we don't want to have the easy money. To get started in private lending, you need capital and a network. They're confident in the people that they're lending to, "and that is the most important part about lending out money: lending it to somebody that's going to pay you back."

Persons: —, Carl, Mindy Jensen, It's, they've, Mindy, We've, who's, I'm, Let's, we're Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Colorado, New York

☆ I'm a millennial who manages Gen Zs. Here are 4 things my youngest employees have taught me.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Ella Hopkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

She told Business Insider she found managing Gen Z employees different from her fellow millennials. There are many things I love about managing Gen Z. AdvertisementWorking with Gen Z is different from managing millennialsI've been managing Gen Z workers for about three years. When people get stuck on the challenging aspects of working with Gen Z, they miss out on all the positives. Related storiesWhen I gave one of my Gen Z team members feedback, they said: "I appreciated the feedback you gave me.

Persons: Hannah Tooker, Tooker, —, It's, I've, Gen, millennials I've, Gen Z, they'll, they've, it's, We'd, Z, hasn't Organizations: Service, Gen Locations: LaneTerralever, Phoenix

☆ As a mom of 3 young boys, I'm always apologizing for how messy our house is. I need to stop.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Kat Storr | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

I'm a mom of three boys and our house is constantly being turned upside down by them. I know that when they are out of the house, I will miss the chaos and mess that came with them. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Related storiesBut as a mother, I know I'm not alone in doing it — most of my friends do it, too. AdvertisementWe have three young boys, so our house frequently gets turned upside down when they make dens and play with their friends.

Persons: I'm, —, I've tidied, we've, Georgina Sturmer —, isn't, Sturmer, they've, we'd, I've, they'll Organizations: Service

☆ What this NFL Draft pick plans to do with his new money—from mutual funds and a Roth IRA to Air Jordan 1 sneakers
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Tom Huddleston Jr. | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Fiske, 24, was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft on Friday evening. "I had never been around that much money," Fiske told MarketWatch last month. Together, they've discussed "how my financial life is going to change" upon signing an NFL contract, Fiske noted. "I'm putting money into mutual funds, index funds, high-yield savings accounts and maybe exploring new investment opportunities, too," he said, adding: "I also have a Roth IRA ... But that doesn't mean he won't splurge on a fun purchase: He's an avowed fan of Nike's Air Jordan 1 sneakers, for example.

Persons: Braden Fiske, —, Fiske, you've, they've, Roth, he's Organizations: Los Angeles Rams, Florida State University, FSU, NFL, Roth IRA, Air, Honda Accord, CNBC

☆ Old, unused, and 'twisty' — meet the obscure NY election-conspiracy law that just might get Trump convicted
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Attorneys specializing in state election law believe the statute has never been prosecuted. Jeenah Moon-Pool/Getty ImagesTwo highly respected law professors specializing in New York election law said the same. "I think it's very smart of prosecutors to use this state law, whether it's been used before or not," said Jeffrey M. Wice, who teaches state election law at New York Law School. Related storiesThese same three "underlying crimes" — using state election law, federal election law, and state tax law — were again given equal prominence here in a February 15 decision by Merchan. "You're having an underlying crime within an underlying crime to get to that felony," Connor told BI.

Persons: Alvin Bragg's, Trump, —, Donald Trump's, Donald Trump, Law Trump, Stormy Daniels, Joshua Steinglass, Juan Merchan, Steinglass, I've, Sen, Martin Connor, Joseph T, Burns, that's, it's, Jeffrey M, Wice, — Merchan, Alvin K, Trump's, Attorney Alvin Bragg, Michael Cohen, Daniels, Cohen, Connor, Prosecutors, Jerry H, he's, Goldfeder, Cozen O'Connor Organizations: Service, Manhattan, New York, Court, New, Republican, Democratic NY, Erie, Erie County Republican, New York Law School, Attorney, National Enquirer, Trump, Fordham Law, Democracy Locations: Manhattan, New York, Brooklyn, Erie County, Buffalo , New York

☆ Frustrated Sephora workers say their makeup freebies and hours are drying up
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The difference, they said, is that as flex employees, their hours aren't guaranteed. Multiple employees told BI that May will be the last month that flex workers receive gratis. Related storiesWhen frustrated workers flooded the r/SephoraWorkers forum, a photo of a poster was uploaded that depicted the benefits flex employees earned compared to their coworkers. "We're all being pushed to sell, sell, sell," a current employee told BI. One former Sephora employee previously told BI that Sephora had changed from being a dream job for makeup lovers to "just a transaction" after several years.

Persons: —, Grace —, Grace, Sephora, concealers, hasn't, it's, Weeks, they'd, gratis Organizations: Service, Business, BI, LVMH Locations: Sephora, Ohio

☆ I downsized to an ADU I built in my Sacramento yard. I pay only $520 toward my mortgage and am saving up for my next home.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

One of them sent me an advertisement for CalHFA's ADU grant program that gives eligible Californians $40,000 to cover blueprints, permits, and closing costs to build an ADU on their property. In 2022, I began the process of getting approved for the CalHFA's ADU grant, which was pretty easy. As a result, my mortgage, including my main house and ADU, increased by $1,500 a month — from $1,200 to $2,700. There are two renters living in the main property and my son and I moved into the ADU. Living in the ADU with my son, I only pay $520 of the $2,700 mortgage.

Persons: —, Blanca Barragan, They've, Barragan, I've, I'm Organizations: Service, Business, Habitat, Humanity, Tiny Locations: Sacramento, Blanca, California

☆ 'Nobody's getting wealthy on Social Security,' lawmaker says. The November election may influence the program's future
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Protect Social Security!" In 1983, when the last major Social Security reforms were enacted, there were no benefit enhancements, Larson argued. Today, annual earnings of up to $168,600 are subject to a 6.2% payroll tax toward Social Security paid by both workers and employers. Larson's plan also calls for closing loopholes that allow wealthy taxpayers to avoid paying Social Security taxes on other income. Larson said the public is well aware that Social Security benefits are theirs and they've paid for them.

Persons: Kean, Dave Kotinsky, Larson, they've, John Larson, Conn, Mark Wilson, Nancy Altman, Drew Ferguson, Ferguson, Jodey Arrington, Charles Blahous, Blahous Organizations: Getty, hasn't, Social Security, Security, Social, Capitol, Democratic, Republican, Republican House, Republicans, George Mason University Locations: Bridgewater , New Jersey, Jan, Georgia, Texas

☆ Here is the average credit score at every age in the U.S.—see how yours stacks up
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Cheyenne Devon | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Although Americans' average credit scores recently dropped for the first time in a decade, many appear to be maintaining a relatively healthy score. The average credit score dipped by one point, from 718 to 717, according to FICO's March 6 blog post. Your FICO and VantageScore credit score can fall anywhere between 300 and 850, and a 717 score is considered to be "very good," according to the VantageScore model. Here are VantageScore's rankings and ranges:Very Poor: 300 to 499300 to 499 Poor: 500 to 600500 to 600 Good: 601 to 660601 to 660 Very Good: 661 to 780661 to 780 Exceptional: 781 to 850When you break down the average credit score by age, most Americans appear to have a good score as well. It's understandable that older generations tend to have higher scores since they've had a longer time to establish and maintain their credit.

Persons: they've Organizations: CNBC

☆ Jamie Dimon thinks he knows why people are so gloomy about the economy
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Theron Mohamed | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The bottom 20% of American earners have been left out of the economic boom, Jamie Dimon said. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . One reason is they've largely missed out on the boom times, Jamie Dimon says. Advertisement"There's parts of society who's kind of struggling, parts of society who's not," Dimon said.

Persons: Jamie Dimon, —, who's, Dimon Organizations: JPMorgan, Service, Wall, New York Times Locations: America

☆ Singer Lily Allen weighed in on an age-old airline debate, saying she flies first class, but her kids go coach
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Polly Thompson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Lily Allen is happy to leave her kids in economy while she flies first class. But Allen said she's not a fan of people boasting on social media about refusing to swap their first class seat with families. AdvertisementBritish singer Lily Allen has weighed into the great debate over whether children should be allowed to sit in first class on flights. Allen said she's happy to send her kids to economy class while she takes a seat in first class. "I'm going in first class, she's going in economy."

Persons: Lily Allen, Allen, she's, —, Miquita Oliver, Ethel, Marnie, David Harbour, Oliver, Miquita, Lily, ANGELA WEISS, it's, Allen doesn't, …, They've, I'd, I'm Organizations: Service, Radio Locations: British, New York, London

☆ I took Pilates classes for a year. I was the only man in a class full of women, but it's become my favorite workout.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Ash Jurberg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Because it's a low-impact workout, Pilates can also be great when dealing with pain or building lean muscle — which explains why professional athletes incorporate it into their fitness routines. AdvertisementRegular Pilates classes were completely worth it, and I love how they've impacted my body and mindDoing Pilates keeps my mind clear and my body in shape. Ash JurbergInvesting in Pilates classes was worth it because the sessions exercised my body and mind and kept me motivated. Concentrating on each Pilates exercise distracted me from thoughts about work or my to-do list. It took me 50 years to try Pilates, and I wish I had taken the classes earlier.

Persons: —, I've, Jurberg Organizations: Service, Business

☆ A complete timeline of Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris' relationship
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Eve Crosbie | Palmer Haasch | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Sophia Bush and former US soccer player Ashlyn Harris began dating in 2023. Bush confirmed her and Harris' relationship and came out as queer in a Glamour cover story. Here's a timeline of their relationship, and what they've said about it. AdvertisementSophia Bush has opened up about her relationship with Ashlyn Harris for the first time, six months after they were first romantically linked. Here's a complete timeline of everything we know about Bush and Harris' relationship.

Persons: Sophia Bush, Ashlyn Harris, Bush, Harris, they've, —, Grant Hughes, Ali Krieger, that's, you'd Organizations: Service, United States Women's National Soccer Team, ESPN

☆ Newly minted RNC chair Lara Trump says they've got lawsuits cooking in 81 states. There are 50 states.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Advertisement"We have lawsuits in 81 states right now," Trump told Bolling. "Maybe there are 81 states in the future and she's a time traveler," an X user named Mike Freeman said in a post. AdvertisementLate-night host Jimmy Kimmel couldn't resist mocking Lara Trump either when he referenced the moment in his monologue on Wednesday night. "In 81 states! Last week, she fired back when a viewer questioned her intellect on her podcast, "The Right View with Lara Trump."

Persons: —, Lara Trump, — who's, Donald Trump's, Eric —, we're, Eric Bolling, Jocelyn Benson, Trump, Bolling, 3vZ8mRYvgE —, Mike Freeman, Jimmy Kimmel, they're, Kimmel, Donald Trump, Michael Whatley, Lara, MAGA, hasn't, Lara Trump's Organizations: Service, Republican National, RNC, Business, South Virginia ., North, North Carolina GOP Locations: Tennessee, . West Dakota, South Virginia, South Virginia . Indiana, North Carolina

☆ My parents gave me a name that I hated. At 38, I legally changed it as a birthday present to myself.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The mom-of-two legally changed it to her beloved nickname as a birthday present to herself at 38. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . My 38th birthday was coming up in June 2000, and I knew exactly what I wanted to give myself as a present. I decided to legally change my birth name — which I hated — to my nickname. But my parents sometimes called me by my birth name, especially when they were angry or disciplining me.

Persons: Lissy Dunning, Phyllis, —, Elaine, Patricia Elizabeth, Phyllis Diller, Alexander, Alex, They've, Autumn, I'd, I'm, I've Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Ohio, Michigan

☆ A millennial couple who reached financial independence by their mid-30s but don't want to retire early share how they still save 80% of their income
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Lindsey and David Barber save 75% to 80% of their income for retirement and their son's future. Despite having enough to retire early, the millennial couple plans to keep working. AdvertisementLindsey Harrison Barber, 34, and her husband, David Barber, 35, have enough to retire early, but neither intends to slow down. Lindsey owns a marketing agency, while David owns an insurance agency, which bring in a combined eight figures in top-line revenue. Some are part of the FIRE movement — financial independence, retire early — though others are moving away from early retirement, whether to continue building generational wealth or transitioning to lower-stress roles that still give them something to do.

Persons: Lindsey, David Barber, they've, —, Lindsey Harrison Barber, David, we've, we're, he's, hasn't, they're, she'll, they'll Organizations: Service, Business, North Carolina Locations: North Carolina , Texas , Kentucky, Ohio, Lindsey, North Carolina

☆ Billionaire's million-dollar Nantucket beach house has officially been swept away
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Madeline Berg | Dan Latu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. AdvertisementA representative for Sternlicht told Business Insider the house was to be demolished but did not provide further comment. The tony island of Nantucket is a favorite among billionaires like former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and Blackstone leader Steve Schwarzman. "Erosion takes out houses, roads, infrastructure, sewer beds, even airport runways," he told Business Insider. Despite the island's propensity for natural destruction, the town has strict rules regarding what structures owners can take down.

Persons: Barry, Sternlicht, Forbes, Shelly Lockwood, tony, Eric Schmidt, Steve Schwarzman, James Pallota, Pallota, Lockwood, Brendan Maddigan, Steven Cohen, Cohen Organizations: Service, Billionaire, Business, Sternlicht, Nantucket Current, Blackstone, Celtics, Boston Globe Locations: Nantucket

☆ Bird flu could jump to humans any day. A former surgeon general says it feels like 2020 again.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

In recent months the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus has been spreading through US cattle herds for the first time ever. The cow-to-cow transmission is the latest escalation in a global outbreak that began when the virus reemerged in Europe in 2020. Bill Powers with his flock of white turkeys, kept under shelter to prevent exposure to bird flu, in Townsend, Delaware. Nathan Howard/Getty ImagesDr. Jerome Adams, a former surgeon general and the director of health equity at Purdue University, is getting deja vu. AdvertisementOnly testing the sickSo far, the USDA has only been testing cattle herds when an animal appears sick.

Persons: —, Jeremy Farrar, Nathan Frandino, Farrar, Bill Powers, Nathan Howard, Jerome Adams, they've, Adams, Donald Trump, hasn't, Terry Chea, they're, Zeynep Tufekci, Jean Carroll, Alexi J . Rosenfeld, President Trump, Trump, Biden Organizations: Service, Business, World Health Organization, Washington Post, Food and Drug Administration, New York Times, FDA, Johann, Reuters, US Centers for Disease Control, Purdue University, CDC, US Department of Agriculture, White, USDA Locations: Europe, South America, Fresno , California, Texas, Townsend , Delaware, COVID, Sonoma County , California

Search resuls for: "they've"

25 mentions found