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☆ Wasteful consumerism has a new worst enemy: Gen Alpha tweens
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-03 | by ( Lindsay Dodgson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Some Gen Alpha kids are taking a stand against buying too much stuff — and dragging their parents along for the ride. AdvertisementA 2024 survey of 1,000 Gen Alpha parents found that 63% of their kids care about sustainability. While Zoomers and millennials prefer to shop online, Gen Alpha specifically likes shopping in-store. Som Gen Alpha kids are "minimalists." Overall, Delisle doesn't think it's likely that every Gen Alpha child is above consumerism.

Persons: Yuriy Boykiv, we'll, Gen, McCrindle, Boykiv, Zers, Gen Alpha, Alpha, Wunderman Thompson, Alphas, Julie, she's, aren't, Laura Ascher, Alpha's, Stephen Yalof, David Delisle, Helenor Gilmour, Gilmour, Delisle, spender Organizations: Service, Alpha, Business, — Business, Gen Alpha, Wunderman Thompson Commerce, Gen, tweens, Stanley, Brain Locations: skincare

☆ Many Americans say they won't give up travel in tough economic times. Here's how they're saving on road trips.
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-02 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Consumers can cut costs by choosing cheaper hotels, taking shorter trips, and planning ahead. 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 . "They're just looking for ways to make it more affordable, or at least reduce the costs," he told Business Insider. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: —, Rod Griffin Organizations: Labor, AAA, Service, Business

☆ How Elon Musk’s endorsement of Trump may have backfired
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-01 | by ( David Ingram | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk listens to President Donald Trump during a meeting with business leaders in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Feb. 3, 2017. "They want to make Trump, Elon and people like them look like plutocrats," he said. "Elon Musk created the opportunity that Donald Trump took to unmask himself as rabidly anti-union, and he did that by praising Elon Musk's anti-union, union-busting perspective and endorsing the idea of illegally firing striking workers," he said. Harris, who is not related to Kamala Harris, said he views Musk's endorsement as a net negative. "No one views Elon Musk as a voice of the middle class," he said.

Persons: Tesla, Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Evan Vucci, Brendan Steinhauser, Mitt Romney, Steinhauser, Musk, Trump, Chip Somodevilla, Seth Harris, Joe Biden, Elon Musk's, Harris, Kamala Harris, David Nasaw, William Randolph Hearst, Andrew Carnegie, Nasaw, Franklin D, Roosevelt, Biden, Hearst Organizations: SpaceX, White, AP, Trump, Elon, Republicans, National Labor Relations Board, Labor, NLRB, Teamsters, Republican, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Getty, Burnes Center, Social, Northeastern University, Hearst Locations: Washington, Texas, Michigan, Washington ,

☆ A tech career coach says she listened to over 700 interviews — and the candidates who got big offers do these 3 things
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-31 | by ( Ana Altchek | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Give credit where it's dueMcIntyre told BI that successful candidates talk about mentors during the interview. "What's understood is, part of what you're getting today is all of these lessons that I've already learned," McIntyre told BI. "There's all these other metrics that aren't just revenue but directly tied to revenue," McIntyre said. Those who don't get offers often fail to bring up how they measure metrics and bring revenue to the company, McIntyre said. "In today's market, pretty much everybody has the hard skills," McIntyre told Business Insider.

Persons: —, Katie McIntyre, McIntyre, McIntyre doesn't, they're, they've, I've, that's Organizations: Service, LinkedIn, Business, BI Locations: CareerSprout

☆ Hollywood has a big problem with how people are watching TV these days
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-29 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

In today's big story, viewers are opting for free TV, and that's throwing a massive wrench in Hollywood's plans . AdvertisementBut first, what's on (free) TV? The big storyChanging channelsGetty Images; iStock; Natalie Ammari/BIIf the best things in life truly are free, Hollywood is about to learn a brutal lesson. But what's really caught people's attention over the past year has been "free, ad-supported TV" or FAST services. Figuring out how to make money from free TV is a big enough problem.

Persons: —, Natalie Ammari, upend, Insider's Lucia Moses, what's, Andy Kiersz, Fox's Tubi, Gen Z, that's, Jenny Chang, Rodriguez, cofounders, John Overdeck, David Siegel, Carter Lyons, Scott Hoffman, Warren Buffett's, Berkshire Hathaway, Buffett, Noah Berger, Chelsea Jia Feng, Jensen Huang, Alyssa Powell, Banks, Sam Altman's, Kamala Harris, Tim Walz's, Dana Bash, Dan DeFrancesco, Hallam Bullock, Milan Sehmbi, Amanda Yen Organizations: Service, Business, Tech, Hollywood, Nielsen, Netflix, Paramount, Pluto, Comcast, Warner Bros . Discovery, YouTube, Getty, Big Tech, Chelsea, Menlo Ventures, CNN Locations: Berkshire, A16z, New York, London

☆ Supreme Court refuses to revive Biden's latest student loan debt relief plan
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-28 | by ( Lawrence Hurley | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

US President Joe Biden speaks about student loan debt relief at Madison Area Technical College in Madison, Wisconsin, April 8, 2024. WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Wednesday rebuffed a Biden administration plea seeking to revive the latest plan to tackle federal student loan debt. The court in a brief order denied an emergency request filed by the administration seeking to lift a nationwide injunction imposed by an appeals court. The Education Department issued a regulation finalizing its Saving on a Valuable Education, or SAVE, plan in July 2023, the month after the Supreme Court ruled the administration lacked authority to implement Biden's earlier loan forgiveness program. They say it should be blocked for the same reason that the Supreme Court blocked Biden's earlier plan.

Persons: Joe Biden, WASHINGTON —, Biden, Elizabeth Prelogar Organizations: Madison Area Technical College, WASHINGTON, The Education Department, Valuable Education, Congress, Circuit, Education Department Locations: Madison , Wisconsin, Missouri

It's never too early to start thinking about saving for college, and a 529 plan can help with that. A 529 plan is great for saving on taxes, but its lack of flexibility makes it less valuable to me. She's had a 529 plan since she was only a few weeks old. Your contributions can grow tax-free in a 529 plan. This is a fantastic benefit that can give families the ability to diversify the taxability of accounts for a 529 plan beneficiary in the future.

Persons: It's, —, She's, Roth, doesn't Organizations: Service

☆ Meet the 'silver squatters': Adults in their mid-50s who are woefully unprepared for retirement
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-24 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Thomas is among what retirement experts are calling "silver squatters" — adults in their mid-50s who are even more woefully unprepared than some boomers, despite being about a decade away from retirement. This group of Gen Xers — the generation of Americans aged 43 to 59 — largely expects to postpone or work past their retirement. AdvertisementA majority also don't expect to receive any inheritance, despite their boomer predecessors holding onto trillions in wealth. The gap in retirement readiness could be due to the "unique" challenges of Gen Xers, according to Dylan Tyson, the head of retirement strategies at Prudential. Around half of Gen Xers are saving without a general plan for retirement, Prudential found.

Persons: Jim Thomas, he's, Thomas, He's, Pete Welch, Gen Xers, they'll, René, We're, Xers, Dylan Tyson, Inspira's Welch, there's, Welch, Tyson, expectancies, undersaved — Organizations: Service, Business, Social Security, Prudential Financial, Inspira, Prudential Locations: Austin , Texas

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

LendingClub recently replaced its old high-yield savings account with the LendingClub LevelUp Savings Account, which offers up to 5.30% annual percentage yield (APY). LendingClub's previous high-yield savings account, the LendingClub HighYield Savings Account, came with 5.00% APY. How to qualify for LendingClub's savings account 5.30% APYIt's pretty easy to open a savings account with LendingClub. How LendingClub's LevelUp Savings account compares to other high-yield savings accountsOther banks also offer high interest rates on savings accounts. EagleBank High-Yield Savings Account: Earn up to 5.35% APYThe EagleBank High-Yield Savings Account offers the potential to earn a slightly higher interest rate: up to 5.35% APY.

Persons: you've, you'll, LendingClub, EagleBank, Kit, Kit Pulliam, They’ve Organizations: Western Alliance Bank, Western Alliance, Yield, Kit Pulliam, Business, Tax, MSN, Vanderbilt University

☆ It’s never been harder to be Mister Softee
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-24 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Once, there were more than 2,000 Mister Softee trucks in 38 states during the company’s peak in the 1960s. Now, there are only around 630 Mister Softee trucks looping around neighborhoods and parks in 21 states. A Mister Softee truck during a spring training baseball game in Goodyear, Arizona, in 2013. A freshly made cup of Mister Softee ice cream is displayed during a bicycle safety event held in Evesham Township, New Jersey, in 2024. As goes the nation, so goes Mister SofteeThe Mister Softee business is a window into changes in neighborhoods, family sizes and children’s habits.

Persons: New York CNN — It’s, Softee, ” Mike Conway, Mister Softee, Mister, James, William Conway, John Sleezer, ” William Conway, Carlos Vazquez, Alexi Rosenfeld, Vazquez, ”, “, Chris Lachall, Graeme Pitkethly, Conway, They’re, ” Carlos Vazquez Organizations: New, New York CNN, Mister, CNN, Kansas City Star, Tribune, Service, Getty, USA, Unilever, Census Bureau Locations: New York, Runnemede , New Jersey, Philadelphia, United States, Goodyear , Arizona, New York City, Van Leeuwen, Maine, California, Evesham Township , New Jersey, Europe

SKIP AHEAD What to buy during Labor Day sales | What Labor Day sales to skip | When do Labor Day sales start? One of the categories experts recommend watching for the strongest Labor Day sales is summer clothing and shoes. Labor Day sales typically end once the holiday is over or the day after, says Shand. Expert shopping tips: How to make the most of Labor Day salesTo prevent yourself from making impulse purchases and overspending while shopping Labor Day sales, keep the following expert tips in mind. For this article, I interviewed three experts about what to shop during Labor Day and what sales to skip.

Persons: Bella Gerard, ”, You’ll, Mackenzie Shand, Vipin Porwal, Gerard, Shand, “, it’s, It’s, you’ll, isn’t, TikTok Organizations: Labor, NBC, Manufacturers, Labor Day, Target, Walmart, Home, Amazon Prime, Amazon, Facebook, Twitter Locations: Rakuten

Nebraska voters will weigh two different abortion-related constitutional amendments this fall, with the secretary of state's office certifying both measures Friday to appear on the ballot. “Barring any legal challenges, this November general election ballot will host two ballot measures that appear in direct conflict with each other, which could be the first time this has happened in Nebraska’s history,” Secretary of State Bob Evnen said in a statement. Nebraska law currently bans abortion after 12 weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions for rape, incest and saving the mother’s life. If both amendments pass, the one with the most votes prevails. Democrats are hoping the ballot measures will help boost turnout in a critical presidential election cycle.

Persons: Bob Evnen, Roe, Wade, Don Bacon, Joe Biden Organizations: ”, U.S, Electoral, GOP Rep Locations: Nebraska, U.S ., Omaha

I had been saving to buy a house, but prices in Southern California have made that unlikely. I decided to stop focusing on trying to buy a house, which means I can put more toward retirement. I'm okay knowing I might be renting for life, as it means I can streamline my finances. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Retirement Planning The best robo advisors can help you start your retirement planning journey.

Persons: —, I've, I'm, homeownership, Roth, it's, There's Organizations: Service, realtors, SoFi Locations: Southern California, Los Angeles

☆ Only 15% of Gen Z regularly saves a portion of their paycheck—how to start saving more today
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-23 | by ( Jade Thomas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Gen Z adults aren't saving their money. Only 15% of Gen Z regularly puts a portion of their paycheck into a savings account, according to a recent Bank of America survey. And just 1 in 5 Gen Zers are contributing to a retirement account. Gen Z is typically defined as those born between the years of 1997 and 2012. The good news: Gen Zers are still under 30, and have plenty of time to save money and develop smart financial habits.

Persons: Gen Z, Zers, Gen, it's, Douglas Boneparth, Winnie Sun, Sun, you've Organizations: of America, Sun Group Wealth Partners

☆ I spend $1,300 a year on credit-card fees to get big travel perks. Here are ones I swear by and which I won't pay for again.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-22 | by ( Jamie Davis Smith | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

I'm a frequent traveler spending $1,300 a year on credit card fees to get great perks. My United℠ Explorer Card card has gotten me priority boarding but I'm not sure I want to keep it. For years, I prided myself on using no-fee credit cards that offered a small amount of cash back on purchases. But I changed my mind once I started traveling more and learning about the perks some credit cards offered. Here are my favorite travel card perks, plus a few I've enjoyed but would be OK losing.

Persons: I'm, —, I've, Taylor Rains Organizations: American Express, Service, Honors, Chase, United, United Club Locations: New Delhi, Washington, DC

☆ I'm a mom of 4 and have done back-to-school shopping for over a decade. These are the 3 things I've learned.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-20 | by ( Nicole Johnson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewBack in the 80s and 90s, school shopping seemed straightforward and relatively inexpensive. As the parent of four children who's been back-to-school shopping for over a decade, I have realized the real key to surviving this time of year is being creative. With two in middle school and two in college, back-to-school shopping costs me almost as much as (if not more than) our family's most expensive holiday, Christmas. If nothing works out from last year's clothing, many secondhand stores will buy the kid's clothes that no longer fit. If they choose to spend more on school supplies, it will impact the amount they are allowed to spend on clothes.

Persons: —, I'm, who's, I've, haven't Organizations: Service, Business, Local, Facebook, Nike

☆ How buyers and sellers are navigating real estate’s seismic shake-up
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-19 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Traditionally, home sellers in the US have been responsible for paying real estate commissions. The standard 5% or 6% commission was usually split between the seller’s broker and the buyer’s broker, referred to as cooperative compensation. After August 17, sellers and their agents are prohibited from advertising how much they would pay to a buyer’s agent in the MLS. Given the new rules, McMahan said she might reconsider her offer of a 3% buyers’ broker commission the next time she sells her home. These agreements are intended to inform buyers that they may be responsible for covering their Realtor’s commission payment themselves if a seller chooses not to offer it.

Persons: Dana McMahan, ” McMahan, “, McMahan, ”, —, David Ryder, Bill Colson, Colson, ” Colson Organizations: CNN, National Association of Realtors, Realtors, MLS, ”, NAR, Bloomberg, Getty, Maryland, Navy Locations: Louisville , Kentucky, Blue Ridge , Georgia, Maryland, Georgia

☆ New Realtor Rules Will End Casual House Hunting, Change Homebuying
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-19 | by ( James Rodriguez | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

They'll hand 5%, or $25,000, to their agent, who then gives half, or $12,500, to the buyer's agent. They also feared that buyers' agents might "steer" clients away from homes that dared to offer less than the going rate. But in order to keep using the MLS, buyers' agents will have to abide by another rule that will further upend the old way of doing things. In the old days, a seller might have unthinkingly offered a commission of 2% or even 3% to the buyer's agent. The idea that sellers pay both agents' commissions has always been a clever sleight of hand.

Persons: they'll, didn't, Laura Ellis, they'd, Sellers, Tanya Monestier, Monestier, Ellis Organizations: Realtors, Baird & Warner, MLS, National Association of Realtors, NAR, Consumer Federation of America, California Association of Realtors, CFA, University at Buffalo Locations: Chicago, America, California

☆ Disney has a price problem. It has ambitious plans to fix that
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-16 | by ( Natasha Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

“With 2025 also being the opening of Universal’s Epic Universe, there will likely also be negative impacts on Walt Disney World attendance. Still, the price of Disney tickets today compared to past years prices out some families. The grievance from the fan community is that this used to be free at Disney parks. Transportation from the Orlando airport to Disney World property also used to be included for Disney hotel guests, but that service has been discontinued. Munsil said the Disney parks are “expensive, yes, but there’s nothing else on Earth like them.”

Persons: CNN —, Raymond James, Hugh Johnston, Josh D’Amaro, ” D’Amaro, D’Amaro, ”, “, Gary Hershorn, Tom Bricker, ” Bricker, Bricker, Don Munsil, Munsil, Mindy Marzec, ” Munsil, Victoria Wade, ” Wade, Wade Organizations: CNN, CNN — Disney, Disney, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Pixar, Corbis, “, Walt Disney, Walt Disney World, “ Star, Busch, Transportation, Food, Disney Food, Magic, Universal Studios, Magic Kingdom Locations: Orlando, Anaheim , California, Wakanda, California, Florida

☆ Klarna takes on banks with a personal account and cashback rewards ahead of IPO
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-15 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Buy now, pay later firms like Klarna and Block's Afterpay could be about to face tougher rules in the U.K.Financial technology firm Klarna is pushing deeper into banking with its own checking account-like product and a cashback offering that rewards users for shopping via its app. "These new products make it easier for customers to manage multiple scheduled payments, helping our customers use Klarna for more frequent purchases and driving loyalty," Sebastian Siemiatkowski, Klarna's CEO and founder, told CNBC. Siemiatkowski said that Klarna wants to "support all consumers with their everyday spending," adding that the products will allow people to "earn money while they shop and manage it in a Klarna account." The two new products, which are being rolled out in 12 markets including the U.S. and across Europe, will show up in the Klarna app as "balance" and "cashback." Klarna balance lets users store money in a bank-like personal account, which they can then use to make instant purchases and pay off their buy now, pay later loans.

Persons: Block's, —, Sebastian Siemiatkowski, Siemiatkowski, Klarna Organizations: Financial, CNBC, U.S Locations: Europe

☆ Meet the millennials who got student-loan forgiveness and now have the freedom to save for retirement, grow their families, and consider going back to school
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-14 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +17 min

Scott M. Smith, 40, wasn't expecting student-loan forgiveness. Scott M. Smith, 40, received student-loan forgiveness through PSLF. AdvertisementThe freedom to go back to schoolFor Paul Smylie, 39, student-loan forgiveness means something else. Smylie's student-loan forgiveness is giving him the financial freedom to consider doing just that. In a rule first established under President Barack Obama, any student-loan borrower who can prove they are totally and permanently disabled is eligible for student-loan forgiveness.

Persons: Scott M, Smith, wasn't, — Smith, servicer, hadn't, —, who's, PSLF, Joe Biden's, Millennials who've, Zers, millennials —, Gen Xers —, Paul Smylie, Smylie, Gen Xers, Chloe Moore, Financial Staples, Keenan Casey, CiCora Leigh, Leigh, Cicora Leigh, Barack Obama, Beverley —, Beverley, Grayson Hofferber, Hofferber, they'll, that's, someone's, Casey Organizations: Service, Public, Business, Education Department, Federal Reserve, SAVE, Appeals, Associated Press, Gallup, Lumina Foundation, millennials, Financial, Army, University of Mississippi, Veterans Affairs, BI, Millennial Wealth Management Locations: Mississippi, Beverley, forbearance, deferment

☆ Move over dealmakers: Portfolio-company operators are the rising stars of private equity
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-14 | by ( Alex Nicoll | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Read previewDealmakers have always been the stars of private equity. AdvertisementKevin Desai, partner and private equity sector leader at PwC PWCBut in the current climate, portfolio-operations professionals are gaining esteem. AdvertisementPrivate equity 3.0Rising interest rates nearly two and a half years ago ushered in a new economic reality that hit private equity firms right in the pocket. Since private equity relies on debt to boost returns, the first option is off the table. These people are taking their talents to private equity firms to manage smaller companies using an already proven playbook for technological transformation.

Persons: —, you've, Marc Rowan, Rowan, Kevin Desai, Desai, I've, What's, they're, quants, we've Organizations: Service, Business, PricewaterhouseCoopers, University of Chicago, Walmart, Nike, Harvard Business Locations: dealmaking

A brave mom who was attacked by a grizzly bear while jogging said her 2-year-old daughter was her inspiration to survive. Vanessa Chaput, 24, of Yukon, Canada, recovered in the hospital after a grizzly bear attack that required more than 30 stitches. Courtesy Dave Leegstra"I spotted the male that would attack me first ... and two smaller bears about 10 feet away from me,” she said. Luna ripped away from Chaput and chased the two smaller bears away, leaving Chaput alone with the male bear. She doesn’t know why the smaller bears didn’t attack Luna, but she suspects her mighty bark scared them away.

Persons: ” Vanessa Chaput, TODAY.com, Chaput, Luna, Vanessa Chaput, Dave Leegstra, ”, ” Chaput, “, ” Vanessa Chaput’s, Leegstra, “ Mommy, Luna — Organizations: Apple Watch, Yukon, Trans Locations: Yukon, Canada, Haines, Pine, Campground, Ontario, Chaput’s, Chaput, Alaska, Pine Lake, Alberta

☆ Saving Australian Crocodiles by Yucking Their Yum
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-13 | by ( Jack Tamisiea | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Researchers in Australia believe being a bit nauseous could help save crocodiles from a poisonous pest. That’s why ecologists recently set traps baited with toad carcasses in gorges where freshwater crocodiles like to hunt. Instead of the deadly toxins the toads usually carry, these had been injected with a nauseating chemical. The results of the experiment, published Wednesday in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, reveal that these tainted toads may save crocodile lives by changing their eating habits. Even top predators like freshwater crocodiles are susceptible to a deadly dose of toad.

Persons: Seuss, Cane Organizations: Royal Society Locations: Australia

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