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☆ Why these 8 things have gotten much more expensive even as inflation cools
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-19 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The consumer price index rose 3% year-over-year — it hasn't been below 3% since March 2021. However, eight expense categories had price increases of more than 10% over the last year. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . In June, the consumer price index rose 3% year-over-year, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics — it hasn't been below 3% since March 2021. The expense categories with the biggest year-over-year price declines included smartphones, used cars, and apples — each fell by over 10%.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, of Labor Statistics, Business

☆ Caitlin Clark is the hottest ticket in the WNBA. So why is the cheapest way to see her play in Indianapolis?
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-17 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

On June 23, when the Fever faced off against the Sky in Chicago, the average ticket price was around $250 — the most expensive average ticket price ever for a WNBA game — according to the ticket resale marketplace TickPick. It's not uncommon for star athletes like Clark to drive soaring ticket prices when they play away from home. If two arenas have the same level of ticket demand, the one with more seats could, in theory, have lower ticket prices. Tickets cost less in smaller marketsThings tend to cost more in cities like New York than they do in Indianapolis, including ticket prices. It's possible that, to some degree, Fever home ticket prices have been kept in check by the Indianapolis market.

Persons: —, Caitlin Clark, Clark, LeBron James, Victor Matheson, Matheson, hasn't, Indianapolis —, Clark — Organizations: Service, Indiana Fever, Fever, Sky, Ticketmaster, Business, Chicago, Indianapolis, Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA, Cavaliers, College of, University of Iowa, WNBA, NBA's Indiana Pacers, Washington Mystics, Entertainment, Sports Arena, New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, Knicks, Pacers, New York Liberty Locations: Chicago, Indianapolis, New York, York, Indianapolis's

☆ A Colorado couple with a net worth of $800,000 shares how the FIRE movement is helping them reach their goal of retiring in their 40s
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-15 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

So when the couple learned about the FIRE movement in their mid-20s, it was music to their ears. They then tried to apply some of that information to their financial strategies. Over the past several years, the couple has grown their combined net worth to more than $800,000, according to documents viewed by BI. To make more money, Arsenault said they've "aggressively pushed for additional income." When their strategies generate extra money, the couple invests as much as possible in their 401(k) plans and low-cost index funds.

Persons: —, Chrissy Arsenault, Ryan, didn't, Arsenault, who've, hasn't, Chrissy Arsenault Arsenault, they've, They've, They're, We've Organizations: Service, FIRE, Business, Facebook, BI Locations: Colorado, Costco, Indiana, Monument , Colorado, Fishers , Indiana

☆ Gen Z might have missed out on their chance to get rich through homeownership
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-13 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | Andy Kiersz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewHomeownership is helping some millennials get rich — but Gen Zers might have a hard time following in their footsteps. Some Gen Zers managed to get in on the fun — about a quarter of Gen Zers between the ages of 19 and 26 owned a home as of 2023, per Redfin. AdvertisementWhat's more, Silk said there's a larger reason Gen Zers shouldn't count on homeownership to boost their wealth. AdvertisementThese costs are already putting pressure on current homeowners, and by the time more Gen Zers buy homes, they could be even more burdensome. Their monthly payment is gone forever, and it has zero chance of providing an investment return.

Persons: —, Zers, millennials, Gen Zers, Roger Silk, Silk, hasn't, It's, it's Organizations: Service, Federal Reserve, Business, World Bank

☆ The latest trick companies could be using to pay workers less
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-11 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

More US companies are dropping experience and education requirements from their job postings. AdvertisementDropping hiring requirements could save some companies moneyThere's some evidence that companies could already be dropping hiring requirements in part to cut costs. He found that the industries with the largest declines in hiring requirements also saw "rapidly cooling demand" for workers over this period. The marketing and IT sectors also have experienced hiring slowdowns and large declines in hiring requirements, per Indeed data. It's not clear how much of an impact the decline in hiring requirements has had on employer's labor costs.

Persons: —, Cory Stahle, Stahle, slowdowns Organizations: Service, Business, LinkedIn

☆ A Texas Gen Xer explains why he regrets going to college in his 40s
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-09 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Read previewIn 2018, at age 40, Kenneth Ferraro decided to pursue a college degree for the first time. Ferraro, who's based in Texas, had worked as a truck driver for decades, he told Business Insider via email. The perceived benefits of a college degree have led more Americans to go back to school later in life. Related storiesFerraro shared the biggest challenges he's faced in his job search, including why he thinks having a college degree has sometimes worked against him. While having a college degree improved his credentials, he thinks his age has held him back in the job market.

Persons: —, Kenneth Ferraro, Ferraro, who's, Ferraro's, he's, it's, " Ferraro, wasn't Organizations: Service, Business, New York University, Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center for Education Statistics, New York Fed Locations: Texas

☆ A single mom who made $55,000 last year working 3 jobs says she's struggling to pay the bills but doesn't qualify for SNAP or affordable health insurance
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-04 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

But with her earnings, she's above the maximum pre-tax annual income threshold of $34,341 to qualify for MassHealth. What's more, she said she's "dangerously close" to losing this rental assistance because her income is too high — the eligibility criteria vary by city in Massachusetts. AdvertisementALICEs are Americans who are struggling to pay the bills but may make too much money to qualify for government benefits like SNAP, rental assistance, or Medicaid. She's applied for several affordable housing programs, but she said most of them have waitlists that are five to 10 years long. Though the housing assistance she still receives is helpful, she said she still doesn't have enough money to afford a bed.

Persons: —, Sarah, — there's, she's, MassHealth, ALICE, who've, There's, She's Organizations: Service, Business, Supplemental, Assistance, Women, Children, United, SNAP Locations: Massachusetts

☆ A millennial making $350,000 a year through overemployment says he only worked 50 hours a week
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-28 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

What's more, he said he hasn't typically worked more than 50 hours a week across his two jobs. AdvertisementPhil is among the Americans who have secretly worked multiple remote jobs to boost their incomes and job security. While some companies may be OK with their workers taking on a second job, doing this without approval could have negative repercussions. "Anything up to 50 hours a week is sustainable for me and that is what I would suggest for most people." AdvertisementAre you working multiple remote jobs at the same time and willing to provide details about your pay and schedule?

Persons: —, Phil, who's, overemployed, hasn't, Overemployment, jugglers, he's, there's, overemployment Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Texas

☆ Uber and Lyft drivers share their top strategies for getting you to leave a tip — and why going the extra mile for riders often isn't worth it
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-27 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Read previewChristina, an Uber and Lyft driver in Las Vegas, said about half of her passengers tip on a good day. Some riders have told her they don't know how to tip, forcing her to show them on the app. Ride-hailing drivers told Business Insider that customer tips are hard to come by. Related storiesSome drivers like Jillian, 67, who drives in Santa Clarita, California, have a simple solution for getting more tips — asking riders directly. The inconsistency is working against some driversAlex Santiago, a 48-year-old Uber driver in northern Virginia, used to dress business casual and catered music to passengers.

Persons: —, Christina, she's, I've, Christina isn't, Uber, Nick Leighton, Lyft, Stuart, Marilyn Cassady, Cassady, there's, Jillian, it's, Alex Santiago, Santiago, Jason S, he's, hasn't, Jason, Andre Kingston, she'd, Kingston Organizations: Service, Business, Wolves, BI, Gridwise Locations: Las Vegas, United States, Austin, Myrtle Beach , South Carolina, Santa Clarita , California, Virginia, Detroit, Phoenix

☆ A millennial who made 6 figures working 2 remote jobs says it could help him retire by age 50 — but that overemployment wasn't worth the stress
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-23 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

But by the time Adrian's contract for his second job came to an end in March, a big part of him was relieved, he said. While some companies may be OK with their workers having a second job, doing so without approval could have negative repercussions. AdvertisementAdrian said that before taking on a second job, one should be "very comfortable" with one's main role. While he wouldn't rule out pursuing a second job again someday, he said the workload would have to be quite low. AdvertisementAre you working multiple remote jobs at the same time and willing to provide details about your pay and schedule?

Persons: —, Adrian, he'll, messaged, you'll, maxing, Roth, It's, hasn't, he's Organizations: Service, Business, LinkedIn, Roth IRA Locations: California

☆ The global spike in luxury handbags, shoes, and clothing sales could be coming to an end due in part to China's 'luxury shaming,' study finds
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-20 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Global luxury goods sales growth will slow in 2024, per a new Bain & Company report. "Luxury shaming" and price hikes without innovation could also contribute to sluggish sales growth. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementThe spike in the global sales of luxury goods could be coming to an end in 2024, and "luxury shaming" could be in part to blame. A report published on June 18 by Bain & Company forecast that worldwide sales of personal luxury goods — which include high-end clothing, shoes, handbags, and beauty products — would grow at the slowest rate since 2020, when sales plummeted due to pandemic-related factors.

Persons: — Organizations: Bain & Company, Service, Business

☆ Congress weighs adding women to the US military draft
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-19 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Congress is debating reforms to the military draft system. A Senate proposal — if it became law — would force some women to register for the draft. US military recruitment fell short by 41,000 recruits in 2023, reflecting ongoing challenges. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementThe US military is having a harder time getting Americans to join the armed forces, so Congress is weighing some options — including making women eligible for the draft.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Selective Service, Business Locations: Vietnam

☆ Mortgage rates have dipped below 7% — providing home buyers some much-needed relief
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-19 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell to 6.94% last week, the first drop below 7% since March. Mortgage applications rose this week to their highest level since March, showing increased demand. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . The 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell from 7.02% to 6.94% in the week ending June 14, according to a Bloomberg report that cited Mortgage Bankers Association data released on June 19. This was the first time the 30-year fixed mortgage had fallen below 7% since March.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Bloomberg, Association

☆ Uber and Lyft riders explain why they do and don't tip their drivers — who only get tips a quarter of the time
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-19 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Ron, a 76-year-old based in California, always leaves his ride-hailing driver a 20% tip unless they are a "complete jerk," he told BI. AdvertisementShould Uber and Lyft drivers always get tips? Rob Schlegel, a journalist turned real-estate agent in Las Vegas, tries to always tip his Uber or Lyft driver the highest suggested amount for each ride. The reasons people do or don't tip their Uber and Lyft drivers can be complicated. According to Gridwise data, roughly 30% of US Uber drivers drove at least 25 hours a week in the first quarter of 2024.

Persons: —, Valerie, haven't, Rob Schlegel, he's, Uber, Kellie Smith, Smith, it's, Carla Bevins, Bevins, DoorDash, Lillian, Lyft, Caroline, she's, Dee Dee, Carrie, It's, Bryan Organizations: Service, Business, Carnegie Mellon University, Uber, BI, Gridwise Locations: California, Las Vegas, Washington, US, Hampton Roads , Virginia

☆ A California millennial who makes six figures says it feels like he has to choose between buying a home, starting a family, and advancing his career: 'I feel behind financially'
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-19 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The 33-year-old financial advisor, who's based in Santa Monica, California, made roughly $130,000 last year, according to a document viewed by Business Insider. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. To feel "rich," Stroup estimated that he'd need an annual income of about $400,000 to $500,000 a year — more than triple his 2023 earnings. In January, Business Insider estimated that it would cost parents about $26,000 to care for a small child in 2024. AdvertisementWith all these expenses to consider, it might make sense for Stroup to move somewhere with lower housing costs.

Persons: —, Christopher Stroup's, who's, he's, he'd, Stroup, hasn't, Santa Monica, there's, aren't, I'd Organizations: Service, Business, Santa Locations: Los Angeles, Santa Monica , California, Santa Monica, Cincinnati, Bakersfield , California, Bakersfield, Troy , Pennsylvania

☆ ALICEs, DINKs, HENRYs, and More: a Complete Guide
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-17 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +17 min

But the terms' recent popularity suggests people want to understand how they fit into the broader economy beyond standard measurements. But that, too, is uncertain: She said she was "dangerously close" to losing the aid because her income is too high. ALICEs tend to be older or younger workers, and while they're represented across racial groups, they're more likely to be Black or Hispanic. HIFI: High Income, Financially InsecureHIFI is the latest acronym to join the club. In a 2021 Medium post, Erica Dhawan defined "geriatric millennials" as millennials born in the early 1980s.

Persons: ALICE, HENRY, Kory, Anthony Klotz, Kantenga, DINK, They've, they've, Eric Anicich, Henry, Alice, haven't, Sarah, she's, — there's, they're, Carrie, Gen Zers, Brenton, Mirlanda, Neiman Marcus, Katie Notopoulos, Paige Connell, Connell, Chrissy Arsenault, Arsenault, Jimmy Simpson, who've, Rich, Christopher Stroup, Stroup, HIFIs, Erica Dhawan, Dwahan, Louis, —, Jewel Benjamin, Benjamin, micromanaging, Erin Snodgrass, Jacob Zinkula Organizations: FIRE, Business, LinkedIn, Texas, USC Marshall School of Business, : Asset, SNAP, Los Angeles Times, DINKs, Public School, Financial Independence, Sherwood News, Federal Reserve Bank of St, Federal Reserve, University of Michigan Health, Social, Social Security Locations: POLK, City, Dallas, Boston, Massachusetts, Colorado, Santa Monica , California, millennials, Georgia

☆ A millennial who makes 6 figures says she's looking across the US for a home but is struggling to find one in her budget that has green space and a 'metropolitan vibe'
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-17 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewWhen Madelyn Driver and her husband began house-hunting, they thought they had a few advantages. The 30-year-old makes over $100,000 working in the tech industry, according to a document viewed by BI — and she said her husband also has a six-figure income. Driver is among a group of Americans with six-figure incomes who are having trouble meeting some of their financial goals. Related storiesOf course, for the majority of Americans who don't have a six-figure income — the average annual full-time salary was about $84,000 as of March — affording a home is even more of a challenge. Driver said their ideal location would have a highly educated population, diversity, plenty of green space, and milder weather than the Northeast.

Persons: —, they're, they've, Driver, hasn't, millennials Organizations: Service, BI, Business Locations: Pennsylvania, Colorado, Carolinas, Virginia

☆ New college graduates are stepping into a tougher job market. It could set their earnings back for years.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-15 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | Andy Kiersz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

New college graduates are having a harder time finding work, and as a result, some of them could see their careers and earnings take a hit for years. Meaning that recent college graduates have been more likely to be unemployed than the broader population. This new normal has worked out OK for some Americans, but it's been particularly tough on new college graduates. While the tough job market could temporarily hurt some young graduates' earnings, there's reason to be optimistic that their finances could eventually recover. But if the job market continues to prove frustrating, some of them may begin to wonder.

Persons: Lohanny Santos couldn't, Zer, Santos isn't, overqualified, millennials, Gen Zers aren't, Julia Pollak, ZipRecruiter, it's, — aren't, they'd, —, grads —, Goldman Sachs, Elise Peng, Louis, who's Organizations: Service, Business, New York Fed, NY Fed, Meta, Rice University's, Bloomberg, LinkedIn, National Association of Colleges, Glass Institute, Strada Education Foundation, Federal, Louis Fed

☆ Earning $100,000 a year isn't enough to feel 'rich' in the US anymore
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-12 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | Andy Kiersz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Yet, we hardly feel rich." Americans say they'd need to earn $233,000 a year to feel financially secure and $483,000 to feel rich, according to a Bankrate survey conducted in June 2023. For Driver, getting rich isn't only about boosting one's income — it's about reducing one's expenses. To feel "rich," he guessed that he'd need an annual income of about $400,000 to $500,000 a year — more than triple his 2023 earnings. A high income can come with "lifestyle inflation"It's not just high-earning Americans who say they feel far from rich.

Persons: —, Driver, they've, hasn't, Christopher Stroup, he's, haven't, he'd, Stroup, Abid Salahi, Salahi Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Pennsylvania, Santa Monica , California, Santa Monica, Cincinnati, Vancouver, Canada

☆ I caught my employee secretly working a second remote job. Here's why I decided to fire them — and why I think overemployment is unethical.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-11 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The business is headquartered in Barcelona and has 10 full-time, fully remote employees, in addition to over 200 contractors worldwide. In January, I caught one of them secretly working a second full-time remote job. AdvertisementWhen this employee started refusing certain shifts he usually worked, I became suspicious. I believe he was working for the other company full-time because soon after I fired him, he updated his LinkedIn profile to reflect that he was working full-time at the other company. AdvertisementAre you working multiple remote jobs at the same time and willing to provide details about your pay and schedule?

Persons: —, Patrick Synge Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Barcelona, Peru

☆ US flight prices are over $200 cheaper than they were 30 years ago when adjusting for inflation. Here's why it doesn't feel like it.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-10 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | Madison Hoff | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

But if you ask some Americans, airfares have gotten out of control in recent years. Keyes said international inflation-adjusted airfares for US passengers have also generally fallen over the past decade. To be sure, any frustrations about airfare prices haven't stopped many Americans from flying. "The decline in inflation-adjusted airfares appears to be uncorrelated with the financial performance of the 'big three' airlines," Tan said. AdvertisementIt's also possible that after airfare prices plummeted due to the pandemic, 2022's swift rise in airfares caught Americans off guard.

Persons: —, airfares, Scott Keyes, Mike Daher, It's, Keyes, Biden, Kerry Tan, they've, haven't, Tan, Tan, there's, airfare, Hayley Berg, Hopper's, NerdWallet Organizations: Service, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Business, Deloitte, Gallup, JetBlue, Spirit Airlines, Department of Transportation, TSA, Loyola University Maryland, Delta, of Transportation, Airlines for America, Southwest, Spirit, United, Biden Administration, The Airlines Locations: United, America

☆ A San Francisco Gen Xer quit his job to escape 60-hour workweeks and spend his time being an 'older dad': 'I'll be 70 when my son graduates from high school'
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | Andy Kiersz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Gerstbacher, a 50-year-old based in San Francisco, was "really unhappy" at work, he told Business Insider via email. First, he's an "older dad," and he wanted to maximize the time he could spend with his three-year-old son. "I felt that I should take the quality time now since I'll be 70 when my son graduates from high school," he said. However, the decline in working men is also due to some positive developments, like the growth of women in the workforce. AdvertisementEven though he's in the process of returning to the workforce, Gerstbacher said he's continued to prioritize spending time with his son.

Persons: —, Francisco Gen Xer, Randy Gerstbacher, Gerstbacher, He's, they've, hasn't, he'd, he's Organizations: Service, Business, CDC, Bureau of Labor Statistics Locations: San Francisco

☆ A Wisconsin mom of 3 who made $250,000 secretly working 2 remote jobs said it allowed her husband to leave a stressful job and become a stay-at-home dad
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-04 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

For 18 months between 2020 and the end of 2021, Lisa secretly worked one fully remote job and a second hybrid job. When pandemic conditions eased, she thought her fully remote employer would pivot to a hybrid work schedule — and managing two hybrid jobs seemed impossible. Advertisement"It was a good career move at a time when I thought that remote work was going to disappear," she said. Lisa said she'd consider job juggling again if she could find two fully remote jobs that checked most of her boxes. AdvertisementAre you working multiple remote jobs at the same time and willing to provide details about your pay and schedule?

Persons: —, Lisa, who's, they'll, who've, It's, Lisa didn't, she'd Organizations: Service, Business, Bureau of Labor Statistics Locations: Wisconsin

☆ A former stay-at-home dad says he sees few paths for him to reenter the workforce after his nearly 20-year break: 'I'm underqualified for jobs that I used to do'
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-03 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

But after being a stay-at-home dad for over a decade, Dan and his wife got divorced a few years ago. AdvertisementSo after nearly 20 years out of the workforce, Dan has started to dip his toe into the job market. "When I review job sites, I'm underqualified for jobs that I used to do, and I most likely present as too old for entry-level positions," he said. "I'm resigned to ultimately taking an entry-level job if they'll have me." Dan said he'd been advised to pursue an entry-level job at Home Depot or Costco, in part so he could receive health benefits.

Persons: —, Dan, He's, that's, I'm, it's, he's, he'd, they'll, Dan's, hasn't Organizations: Service, Yorker, Business, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Walmart, Depot Locations: Costco

☆ Making $100,000 a year might not be life-changing anymore, but 3 people share how it makes things a lot less stressful
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-01 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Read previewWhen Joshua first earned a $100,000 salary about five years ago, it didn't impact his lifestyle much. "I wasn't able to splurge or to afford luxurious things," the 30-year-old fintech professional, who's based in Georgia, told Business Insider via email. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Business Insider asked three people who've made over $100,000 a year how becoming a six-figure-earner did — and didn't — change their lives and relationships. For many of these people, a $100,000 salary could, in fact, be life-changing.

Persons: —, Joshua, doesn't, What's, who've, Cole H, Mattes, it's, ALICE, Maksim Sonin, — he's, he's Organizations: Service, Business, New York Fed, New, Fed, eBay, Monarch Media, United, Stanford University Locations: Georgia, California

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