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☆ The 10 countries with the best quality of life
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-13 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Denmark tops quality of life rankings by U.S. News & World Report and Wharton School. The rankings evaluated affordability, job stability, healthcare quality, and individual freedom. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Denmark was ranked first for quality of life by U.S. News & World Report in partnership with the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Denmark ranked 10th overall for best countries, which was released Tuesday and considered quality of life among 10 factors.

Persons: —, Denmark — Organizations: U.S . News, Wharton School, Service, University of Pennsylvania, Business Locations: Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland

☆ You may not have noticed your big-ticket purchases are getting cheaper
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-12 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The consumer price index rose by 2.5% year over year, but durable-goods prices have declined. Americans may not feel the price drops, given how infrequent these purchases are. Go to newsletter preferences Thanks for signing up! download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . But you may not have noticed unless you've made a big-ticket purchase in the past year.

Persons: —, you've, they've Organizations: Service, Business

☆ The 10 best foreign countries for a comfortable retirement, ranked
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | Jordan Pandy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Switzerland tops U.S. News & World Report's best countries for retirement. New Zealand, Portugal, and Australia also ranked high for a comfortable retirement. Switzerland once again topped this year's U.S. News & World Report's Best Countries for a comfortable retirement, as well as coming in at the top of the overall ranking of the best countries in the world. Though expensive, Switzerland ranked highly for safety, economic stability, healthcare, and retirement benefits. Switzerland also ranked third for quality of life and second for being business-friendly.

Persons: — Organizations: News, Service, U.S . News, Business Locations: Switzerland, New Zealand, Portugal, Australia, U.S

The report examined Americans who have identified as nonprofit workers on the Census' American Community Survey, including many employees in healthcare, educational services, and social assistance. Younger nonprofit workers are particularly struggling. According to the report, 37% of nonprofit workers under the age of 25 fall into the ALICE category. Similarly, 23% of nonprofit workers ages 25 to 44 are considered ALICEs. And, while 16% of white nonprofit workers were below the ALICE threshold, 35% of Black workers in the sector were struggling to make ends meet.

Persons: ALICE, Lisa Kelley, they're, It's, Cherie Tobias, Melissa Hedden Organizations: Service, United, Survey, Business, SNAP, Medicaid Locations: El Paso , Texas, Alexandria , Virginia, Cincinnati, Michigan

☆ Meet the Silicon Valley billionaires, corporate CEOS, and founders backing Kamala Harris
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-10 | by ( Alice Tecotzky | Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

More than 800 powerful venture capitalists organized to pledge support for Kamala Harris. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . By late August, more than 800 venture capitalists pledged to vote and solicit donations for Harris on a new website, VCsForKamala.org. According to one of the group's organizers, the original signatories represent a combined $150 billion in assets under management. The current signatories represent a combined $276 billion, according to the group's founders.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Harris, —, Elon Musk, Marc Andreessen, David Sacks, Donald Trump Organizations: Service, Business

☆ The 10 best countries in the world, ranked
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-10 | by ( Jordan Pandy | Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Switzerland regained the top spot on U.S. News & World Report's list of best countries in the world. The 2024 rankings assessed 89 countries on factors including heritage, power, and entrepreneurship. European countries tend to offer the best quality of life, while the US excels at power and agility. AdvertisementFor the third year in a row, Switzerland was ranked the best country in the world. The 2024 rankings, released Tuesday, were determined by U.S. News & World Report, which partnered with the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Persons: — Organizations: . News, Service, U.S . News, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Commonwealth, Business Locations: Switzerland, Canada

☆ A retired boomer who gets $1,662 in Social Security moved in with roommates to afford her medical bills: 'It's the only way I can afford to live comfortably'
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-10 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Still, getting by even in a one-stoplight town is challenging, given her $1,662 in Social Security only goes so far. "I now have roommates for the first time in my life, but it's a way to live comfortably," Marion said. AdvertisementRising costs and losing incomeMarion's father was in the military, and her family moved around the country as a child. She relied on Social Security Disability Insurance payments to keep her afloat, which were much less than her salary. She said her sister and her boyfriend are better off financially, as they get small pensions on top of their Social Security.

Persons: —, Marion, Marion's, She's, you've Organizations: Service, Business, Social Security, Nutrition, Social Locations: Washington, Ohio, Germany, Massachusetts , Florida , Michigan, Texas, Seattle, Mechanicsburg

☆ A Gen Xer with an MBA can't get a job despite over 1,500 job applications. He said his degrees have been useless.
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-08 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Read previewMarcial Quinones, 48, used to have few problems getting jobs in the 1990s without a high school diploma. Now, after what he estimates is over 1,500 applications since the early 2010s, he can't land any stable job in his field even with an MBA. Quinones is one of many Americans with traditional work credentials who can't land a decently paying, stable job. This comes at a time when getting a college degree is much more necessary to landing a well-paying job. He recalled walking from company to company with résumé in hand, which resulted in some job offers.

Persons: —, Marcial Quinones, Quinones, he's, " Quinones, I've, I'm, Uber, they've, He's, Tony Organizations: Service, Business, Salvation Army, Intel, BI Locations: Pennsylvania, Arizona, New Jersey, Puerto Rico

☆ A boomer who worried about retiring in the US and Canada moved to Mexico, which he said is much cheaper and safer
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-05 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Read previewRon Allanach, 74, and his partner Ben Lorgeranon moved to Vancouver from New England in 2005, thinking they would stay there for their retirements. The city is safer than he imagined, prices for nearly everything are much lower, and healthcare is more reliable. Allanach said they felt safer in Mérida than in the US or Canada, and prices were lower. They stayed there between trips back to Vancouver, and they moved to Mérida fully in 2020. AdvertisementA street in Mérida, Mexico.

Persons: —, Ron Allanach, Ben Lorgeranon, Allanach, Mérida, they've, Mexico Allanach, Lorgeranon, couldn't, it's, Allanach's, that's, he's, Mercado Lucas de Gálvez Organizations: Service, Business, US Postal Inspection Service, Costco Locations: Vancouver from New England, Mérida, Mexico, Vancouver, Canada, Portland , Maine, Portland, Thailand, France, Yucatán, Angeles, expat, they're

Though many say they are thankful to have Social Security payments at all, they aren't enough to fill the gap. To help pay the bills, nearly 80% of retirees receive some Social Security income, per BI's calculations, and the Social Security Administration estimates that 97% of older adults will ultimately receive benefits. She told BI that her expected $2,000 monthly Social Security payments may not be enough. As pensions dissipate and only higher-earning retirees have savings, Social Security might only become more pivotal for retirees. Advertisement"I don't want to be rich, I just need to be comfortable," 62-year-old Angela Babin — who lives on her $1,100 monthly Social Security check — told BI.

Persons: —, Emma Echols, she'll, Echols, she's, She's, Xers, Tracey Gronniger, Cheryl Simmons, Franklin D, Roosevelt, they've, Mary Dacus, Stephen, They've, Becky Davenport, Davenport, Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Gronniger, Angela Babin — Organizations: Service, Social Security, Business, Social, Security, Social Security Administration, SNAP, Pew Research Center, Republican, Republicans, allisonkelly Locations: Alabama, San Diego, Spain, Greece, Robinson , Illinois, Florida, Anchorage

☆ A millennial couple with a $1.2 million net worth explains how they both plan to retire by 35
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-14 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

They've managed to do all that while never making more than about $200,000 combined in yearly income from work. "We got our first house young, but we didn't buy all new furniture; we furnished it with hand-me-downs and thrift store finds," Wallace said. Between their three homes, which total $1.9 million in value, they have about $850,000 in equity, and they don't plan on paying them off early as interest rates on them are below 3.5%. Becoming millionairesThey hit their first half-million in 2021 and became millionaires in 2022, bringing their net worth above $1.2 million this year. They both plan on retiring in four years but anticipate working in part-time roles that better align with their passions.

Persons: Andrea Wallace, They've, Wallace, we've, Roth IRAs, they've, they're Organizations: Service, Business, FI, FIRE, Hallmark, Arizona State University, Lean FIRE Locations: Phoenix, California

☆ A peak boomer fears she can't retire with $2,000 Social Security payments — and may have to move in with her sons
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-13 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Even though her two sons have moved out, she struggles to secure enough to pay her bills and save for the future. She fears that even when she receives about $2,000 a month in Social Security payments in six years, it will not be nearly enough. Related stories"My career path has finally gotten to be decent pay, but it's not great, and I'm still single," Davenport said. Between child support and an increase in work income, her income ended up slightly above the housing assistance cutoff when her kids were growing up. AdvertisementPreparing for the futureDavenport plans to wait until she's 67 to claim her Social Security benefits, which she anticipates will be about $2,000.

Persons: Becky Davenport, —, Davenport, I'm, it's, she's, hasn't, doesn't, spender, we've, She's, wouldn't Organizations: Service, Business, Social, Alaska Permanent Fund, Security Locations: Alaska, Chugiak, Anchorage, East Coast, New Jersey , Pennsylvania, Kentucky

☆ A retired boomer who visited all 50 states ranks his top picks and least favorites
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-11 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

AdvertisementHatfield ranked his top five favorite and least favorite states and national parks. They also have a cruise scheduled to American Samoa, home of the National Park of American Samoa, their last national park. Favorite and least favorite statesHatfield acknowledged his favorite states were also the ones with the most diverse national parks. Favorite and least favorite national parksHatfield said he enjoyed every national park, though some have more to offer than others. One of his earliest and most memorable national parks was Yosemite, which he visited 15 years ago.

Persons: —, Tom Hatfield, Hatfield, Lake Charles, — Gates, Louisiana didn't, Bryce, El Capitan Organizations: Service, Business, Hatfield, Louisiana State University, Redwood, of, Salt Lake City . California, Alaska, El, Indiana Dunes Locations: Louisiana, New Orleans, Lake, North Dakota, New Hampshire, Canada, Bavarian, Dubai, Antarctica, Ireland, Basel, Amsterdam, Egypt, Alaska, California, Isle Royale, Michigan, Kobuk, Nevada, American Samoa, of American Samoa, . Utah, Salt, Salt Lake City ., Colorado, Montana, Yellowstone, Mississippi, Las Vegas, Nebraska, Indiana, Hatfield, Zion, Utah, Yosemite, North, Pacific Northwest, South Carolina, Springs, Arkansas, Guadalupe, Texas

☆ The best and worst states to retire in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-10 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Delaware tops Bankrate's best states to retire in 2024, followed by West Virginia and Georgia. The ranking considers affordability, well-being, healthcare, weather, and crime. High costs hurt Alaska, New York, and Washington, while Midwest and South states dominate the top 10. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . A Bankrate analysis of each state's affordability, well-being, cost and quality of healthcare, weather, and crime determined that Delaware was the best state to retire in 2024, followed by West Virginia and Georgia.

Persons: —, Joe Biden Organizations: Service, Washington, Business Locations: Delaware, West Virginia, Georgia, Alaska , New York, Washington, Midwest, South

☆ A boomer left Florida to live on a sailboat on the French Riviera. He says it's cheaper and calmer than the US.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-09 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Doug, 68, has worked for the last 40 years as a computer consultant — the last three from his sailboat traversing Europe. They now live on their boat on the French Riviera, which Doug said is cheaper than living in the US. He decided to buy a sailboat and sailed to Fort Lauderdale shortly after 9/11, where Doug continued to work with Fortune 500 clients. Settling on the French RivieraThey sailed for France the following April, stopping in countries such as Malta and Tunisia. Six months later, they settled in Port Grimaud on the French Riviera, where they paid $15,000 a year in marina costs in "rent."

Persons: He's, Doug, he's, We'll, we're Organizations: Service, Business, Michelin, Fortune, America, Port Montenegro Locations: California , Texas , Indiana, Massachusetts, Provence, Italy, Boston, California, Dallas, Indianapolis, Maine, New England, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Caribbean, Europe, South America, Genoa, Dubrovnik, Croatia, Corsica, France, Elba, Sardinia, Sicily, Bari, London, Istanbul, Vienna, Budapest, Hungary, Port, Tivat, Montenegro, Cairo, Athens, Greece, Malta, Tunisia, Port Grimaud, Grimaud, Saint, Majorca, Spain, Lisbon, Portugal, Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, China

☆ The 3 worst things about being an Uber or Lyft driver
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-09 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

In the second quarter of this year, Uber drivers completed 2.2 billion trips across the company's ride-hailing and delivery platforms; Lyft drivers completed roughly 200 million trips. Avedian shared what he considers to be the top concerns of Uber and Lyft drivers: declining pay, driver safety, and wrongful deactivations. An Uber spokesperson told BI that drivers, on average, make more than $30 an hour while active in the app. AdvertisementGeorge, a full-time Uber driver in Cleveland who has driven since 2017, said he wants to quit but has few other options. AdvertisementJulie, a part-time Uber driver in Cleveland, hasn't always felt safe during her five years in the gig economy, she previously told BI.

Persons: —, Lyft, Sergio Avedian, Guy, Uber, Dara Khosrowshahi, Avedian, David Risher, George, Julie, hasn't, Aaron Lavender, Lavender Organizations: Service, Business, Wall, Wednesday, Drivers, BI, UC Berkeley, Uber, Lyft Locations: Cleveland, Colorado, Oregon

☆ A Gen Xer who retired early at 34 returned to work a decade later. He only lasted 4 months.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-07 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Sam Dogen, 47, retired from his corporate job in 2012 and achieved FIRE status — an acronym for financial independence, retire early — but over a decade later, he returned to the office. Dogen wanted to return to work for extra income as his children got older and to contribute more to the Silicon Valley startup scene. He got a job as the head of content at a startup, where he wrote articles and newsletters. But within a few weeks, he already knew the job wasn't working out. He decided to leave his position and go back to being a stay-at-home dad — essentially retiring early for a second time.

Persons: Sam Dogen, Little, Dogen, Slack, —, you've, renegotiating, microaggressions, would've, he'd, I've Organizations: Service Locations: San Francisco

Business leaders are sharing their thoughts on Kamala Harris tapping Tim Walz as her VP pick. Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Go to newsletter preferences Thanks for signing up! Tim Walz as her running mate, a decision that brings onboard a Midwesterner and former public school teacher to the national Democratic ticket. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Tim Walz, Mark Cuban, Reid Hoffman, Walz, Elon Musk, —, he's, Vance Organizations: Service, Minnesota Gov, Democratic, GOP, Business Locations: Nebraska

☆ Gen Z might be the luckiest homebuying generation. Here's where they're scooping up homes.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-06 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A new SmartAsset analysis found that Gen Z bought homes in 2023 at the fastest rate in the Indianapolis, St. Louis, and Cincinnati metro areas — and the slowest in California and the Northeast. The median property value for these 2,266 new Gen Z homeowners in Indianapolis was $225,000, while the median income was $65,000. Related storiesA slightly lower percentage of Gen Z bought homes in St. Louis last year at just below 1.6% or 2,649 people. Other metro areas seeing higher rates of new Gen Z homeowners included Jacksonville, Virginia Beach, and Kansas City. Intuit Credit Karma found in January that nearly a third of Gen Z adults live with their parents.

Persons: —, homeownership, Z, Louis, Gen Zers, X, Gen, Redfin, Xers, Gen Z, millennials, homebuyers, Karma Organizations: Service, Business, Kansas City, YouTube, Pew Research Center, Intuit, Bank of Locations: Midwest, Indianapolis, St, Cincinnati, —, California, homebuyers, Jacksonville, Virginia Beach, Kansas, Homebuyers, Detroit , Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Texas, San Francisco , New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco, Bank of America

☆ Where Kamala Harris' VP pick Tim Walz stands on economic policies
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-06 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Tim Walz, seen as a win for progressives, may be exactly who she needed to get her economic policies off the ground. As governor, Walz has enacted policies such as universal school meals, gun safety provisions, stronger labor protections, and poverty reduction measures. Walz has also advocated for rural economic growth and has passed legislation supporting LGBTQ+ and abortion rights. AdvertisementTax cuts and rebatesLast year, Walz enacted a state tax cut through the One Minnesota Budget, which also increased funding for public education. The United Auto Workers union was quick to support Walz on X.

Persons: —, Kamala Harris, Tim Walz, Walz, Josh Shapiro, Arizona Sen, Mark Kelly, George Floyd . Walz, Donald Trump, Sen, JD Vance, Minnesotans, hasn't, X, Tim Walz doesn't Organizations: Service, Minnesota Gov, Business, Minnesota Democrat, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Democratic, Local, Governor's, Economic, Minnesota Budget, IRS, Cannabis Management, United Auto Workers, UAW, Biofuels Council Locations: Ohio, Minnesota

☆ Blue-collar entrepreneurs say it's getting harder to turn a profit as competition for 'sweaty startups' heats up
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-03 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

Sweaty startups are blue-collar businesses, often in unglamorous or laborious fields like septic services, car washes, or lawn care. It's what your grandparents would've just called a small business, but it was a tongue-in-cheek answer to the Silicon Valley-style entrepreneurship being glorified in culture at that time. Still, some small businesses look to private equity to scale their businesses in different markets, even if that means overhauling operations in some cases. "Small businesses partner with private-equity firms because they provide access to capital and organizational support to help companies grow," Drew Maloney, the council's president and CEO, told BI. Alejandro FlorezBoth of his parents were janitors, and when he was a senior in high school he started a small cleaning company that he grew by knocking on doors and cold-calling.

Persons: —, Patrick Hocker, Hocker, he'd, Nick Huber, would've, Huber, he's, Drew Maloney, Stan Chen, Chen, Alejandro Florez, Florez, Chris Salisbury, BuzzFeed — Salisbury, Salisbury Organizations: Service, Business, Bluebird Pest Solutions, Pest, Alpine Investors, American Investment Council, BlackRock, America Locations: Virginia, Pest, Boston, San Francisco, America, Bradenton , Florida, Jacksonville, Orlando, nuDoors, Brooklyn , New York

☆ Meet the Silicon Valley billionaires, founders, and investors backing Kamala Harris
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Alice Tecotzky | Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

More than 100 powerful venture capitalists organized to pledge support for Kamala Harris. The effort, named VCsForKamala, comes as other Silicon Valley leaders turn to Trump. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementAs the once decidedly liberal Silicon Valley splinters this election, with figures like Elon Musk, Marc Andreessen, and David Sacks publicly backing former President Donald Trump, a group of powerful venture capitalists have combined forces to declare their support for Vice President Kamala Harris. On Wednesday, more than 100 leaders in Silicon Valley pledged to vote and solicit donations for Harris on a new website, VCsForKamala.org.

Persons: Kamala Harris, —, Elon Musk, Marc Andreessen, David Sacks, Donald Trump, Harris Organizations: Trump, Service, Business Locations: Silicon Valley

☆ Wealthy people keep ditching California and New York for Florida and Texas — but their moves could actually hurt the South's biggest draw
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

High-earning Americans are ditching New York and California for Florida and Texas, a study found. Southern states attract wealthier people in part because of their relatively lower cost of living. 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 . This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Business Locations: New York, California, Florida, Texas, Southern, American

☆ The 15 fastest-growing cities and towns in America, ranked
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-30 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Read previewAmerica's fastest-growing cities might surprise you. Business Insider compiled a list of the 15 fastest-growing cities and towns in America, each with a population of over 20,000, based on the most recent migration data from the US Census Bureau. Texas stands out, with roughly half of the cities on the list located within the state. While cities like Austin and Dallas have traditionally attracted more movers, census estimates from 2020 to mid-2022 show that smaller towns like Celina — ranked No. Here are the 15 fastest-growing cities and towns in America.

Persons: —, Mason, Dixon, Celina —, Michelle Clifford, Clifford Organizations: Service, . Business, Census Bureau, Business, Dallas Locations: New York, San Francisco, America, . Texas, Texas, Austin, Celina, Dallas, California

☆ The biggest basic income pilot in the US found that it didn't stop participants from working and helped get their families into safer situations
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-30 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | Katie Balevic | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The Basic Income Guaranteed: Los Angeles Economic Assistance Pilot, or BIG:LEAP, gave over 3,200 households $1,000 in monthly no-strings-attached cash payments for 12 months starting in January 2022. BIG:LEAP compared the outcomes of households receiving cash payments to nearly 5,000 households with similar incomes and family situations in the control group. In the last six months, participants were more likely to establish proximate safety and work toward protecting themselves in the future. Overall, it stands in contrast to what some critics of basic income argue, including that cash payments majorly reduce employment or don't prepare participants for the future. Housing cost burdens decreased among all study participants.

Persons: —, Amy Castro, Kyung Elizabeth Kim, Castro, Eric Garcetti, Karen Bass, we're, Kim, They're Organizations: Service, Los, Economic, Business, University of Pennsylvania, UCLA Locations: Los Angeles

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