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Articles by Ian Patton
The salary benchmarks defining 'comfortable living' in the Midwest
2025 saw the cost of living rise nationally, while the household income remained stagnant. This comes at a time when the United States' population continues to increase, with high population density on both the East and West coasts, in cities like New York and Los Angeles.
5 Bold Market Predictions For 2026 We're Paying Close Attention To Original
Home equity growth has slowed in 2025, and the prices of goods and services nationwide are increasing. But for many, these losses are being offset by asset gains, leading to a generally positive outlook amongst those who hold assets. While the market saw a shaky start to 2025, caused in part by Donald Trump's tariffs, NASDAQ is up by over 21% this year. The market's resilience has influenced outlooks for 2026, particularly amongst major banks and investment firms.
You've been warned: These popular retailer credit cards are simply terrible
In today's economy, building credit is a necessity, particularly with both prices and interest rates staying high. This is particularly important for young people, with multiple great ways to strengthen your credit through your 20s tied to credit cards.
You've Been Warned: These Popular Retailer Credit Cards Are Simply Terrible
In today's economy, building credit is a necessity, particularly with both prices and interest rates staying high. This is particularly important for young people, with multiple great ways to strengthen your credit through your 20s tied to credit cards. While there are some favorable cards for people building credit, there's one kind that will undoubtedly pose a considerable risk.
You Might Be 'Upper Class' If You Can Pay For This Luxurious Item In All Cash
As nationwide prices and the CPI inflation rises in tandem, more Americans are leveraging cash rather than saddling themselves with monthly payments. Wages have struggled to keep up with the cost of living, and those who have the liquid capital to buy luxury goods now most likely fall in the upper-class category. While there is no concrete definition, you may infer your status if you work a classic upper-class job.
The 3 US States With The Highest Credit Card Delinquency Rates
The year 2025 saw a significant uptick in both consumer prices and national consumer debt, tied to the rising costs of living. In a November 2025 report, the Federal Reserve outlined an alarming trend in credit card delinquency, with rates rising from their COVID-19 pandemic lows to levels close to those of the 2008 financial crisis. Across the nation, three southern states exhibit the highest delinquency rates.
The Surprising Role Real Estate Plays In Upper-Class Net Worth
The percentage of wealth in the United States has continued to bottleneck in the highest income households. As of September 2025, over 60% of wealth is concentrated in the 90%-99% of earners, according to a With so much wealth stagnated near the top end of earners, it can be hard to discern who is part of the upper class. While there are several telling signs that one is officially upper class, home value plays a key role in a household's net worth.
The Surprising Role Real Estate Plays In Upper-Class Net Worth
luxury mansion on the ocean - Imaginima/Getty Images The percentage of wealth in the United States has continued to bottleneck in the highest income households. As of September 2025, over 60% of wealth is concentrated in the 90%-99% of earners, according to a Federal Reserve report. With so much wealth stagnated near the top end of earners, it can be hard to discern who is part of the upper class.
The cost of Jeff Bezos' new AI startup might shock you
As we inch toward the halfway point of the 2020s, no industry has seen a bigger revolution than the tech industry, driven by the increased development and applications of AI. This has left many Americans wondering how they can invest in AI. It is this development that has led Jeff Bezos, one of the world's wealthiest people, to step back into a role as CEO after decreasing his role at Amazon in 2021. Bezos has proceeded to take the helm of Project Prometheus, an artificial intelligence startup.
The Cost Of Jeff Bezos' New AI Startup Might Shock You
As we inch toward the halfway point of the 2020s, no industry has seen a bigger revolution than the tech industry, driven by the increased development and applications of AI. This has left many Americans wondering how they can invest in AI. It is this development that has led Jeff Bezos, one of the world's wealthiest people, to step back into a role as CEO after decreasing his role at Amazon in 2021. Bezos has proceeded to take the helm of Project Prometheus, an artificial intelligence startup.
What Is A 'K-Shaped' Economy And Is The US Currently Experiencing One?
The state of the United States economy has been debated as 2025 comes to an end. Politicians — including President Donald Trump — and financial executives claim that the economy is strong. Meanwhile, working-class Americans are suffering, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reporting that the Consumer Price Index (CPI), an aggregate measure of average prices for consumer goods nationally, continues to rise.
The Household Income You'll Need To Feel Financially Comfortable In 2026 Original
For members of America's working class, it has become increasingly difficult to earn a salary that allows them to feel financially stable. This comes at a time when the prices of essential household items have jumped due to rising inflation, pushing the consumer price index higher. It is this fact that has led experts and lenders to tell GOBankingrates that a family will need to make $80,000 to $90,000 a year to stay comfortable as prices continue to rise in 2026.
How Much Money The Average Doctor Has In Retirement Savings Original
The amount of money needed to retire has continued to rise. From a 2024 report by the National Council on Aging, 50% of people over 60 have an income below the Elder Index. This is made worse by some of the biggest changes to social security ever made coming in the coming year. Despite this, there is one profession that reports that they will wait well beyond the age of 70 to access these benefits. Doctors are highly likely to actively save for retirement, according to a 2023 Medscape report.
The Generation That's Least Likely To Own A Credit Card Original
The role of debt in today's increasingly complex economic and job market has continued to come to the forefront of many generations' understanding of wealth, with interest rates at consistent highs. Debt.org says that an incredibly high 90% of Americans live with some sort of debt, regardless of generation, with nearly $1.18 trillion in credit card debt nationwide as of 2025. This is part of why fewer members of the youngest generation are owning credit cards.
The Heartwarming Story Of An 88-Year Old Veteran That Can Finally Retire Original
Ed Bambas, 88, is finally able to retire after years spent bagging groceries at a Michigan store. This was made possible after a video of Ed's story, where he explained how the American dream slipped out of his fingers, went viral on social media. The original video has sparked one of the largest GoFundMe campaigns in history, which has raised over $1.7 million to help the army veteran retire.
Financial Experts Have A Grim Prediction For The US Dollar In 2026 Original
The speculative noise surrounding what is coming in 2026 is filled with both highly positive and negative outlooks — with uncertainty at the core. Much of this centers on the market, with some thinking the AI bubble could spell bad news, while the reality of tariffs inflating prices nationwide is leaving American consumers paying the price for costly trade wars.
What Target's New $1 Billion Investment Actually Means For Shoppers In 2026 Original
Minneapolis-based retail giant Target announced a $1 billion investment in new initiatives, with hopes of curtailing a continued trend of quarter-over-quarter loss. The eighth-largest retailer internationally, Target does all of its sales within the United States, according to the National Retail Federation. Given this trend, Target was highly impacted by Tariffs and experienced a 1.5% decrease in net sales in 2025's third quarter.
The No. 2 Safest City In America Has Low Unemployment Rates Original
Safety is massively important when it comes to choosing your new home. In fact, Zillow reports that 85% of consumers mark safety as the most important factor when choosing a neighborhood. The cost of crime for those living in the most dangerous cities in the United States is astronomical, making safety a further priority. Though safety is important for many, economic opportunities are also a major consideration.
The Percentage Of Low-Income Households Living Paycheck To Paycheck Might Surprise You Original
The experience of getting a paycheck, then immediately sinking it into rent, car payments, and groceries, leaving little to savings, is very common in the United States. This is particularly true in a year where steep tariffs have affected consumer prices, with many Americans having to pay for them at the point of sale. Additionally, while the Consumer Price Index Percentage (CPI) of inflation has eased, prices continue to rise nationally, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
This Best-Selling McDonald's Menu Item Outsells Every Burger And Nugget Original
Few fast-food brands have achieved the profitable and prolific heights of burger giant McDonald's. As one of the three most popular fast food chains in America, the company's revenue exceeded $20 billion in September over a 12-month period, according to Macrotrends. In its 2025 third-quarter earnings report, McDonald's even saw a sales increase of nearly 4%, at a time when both beef prices and consumer prices as a whole are at decade highs.
The Housing Market Will 'Go Ballistic' If Interest Rates Ever Hit This Number, According To Barbara Corcoran Original
The Federal Reserve cut interest rates in September as part of a continued battle against rising inflation and ballooning mortgage rates. 30-year mortgage rates themselves fell to the low 6% range, after reaching a generational high of nearly 7% in January, according to a Bankrate report. The cuts are part of a continued trend that has given many economists a favorable view of the housing market heading into the final quarter of 2025.
You Might Be 'Upper Class' If You Can Pay For This Asset In All Cash - Money Digest Original
The idea of being upper class is a bit of a chimera, as it has no official specification. It's subjective – millennials may consider you upper class if your salary is above $100 thousand, but that number is even smaller for Gen Z. Even with this blurred definition, there are some concrete financial strategies that only those in the upper class can leverage. This is the case for homeownership, particularly in a market where both mortgage rates and housing prices remain high or increase.
The Money Behind This Superyacht Repair Facility Will Stop You In Your Tracks
The French Riviera, running along the southern coast and the Mediterranean Sea, has long been associated with the highest reaches of wealth. This is still the case today as port towns along this coast have become increasingly saturated with members of the world's 1%. While the wealthiest people in America live in 4 states, including California and Texas, one coastal French town is home to several billionaires' floating villas.
The Money Behind This Superyacht Repair Facility Will Stop You In Your Tracks
A yacht being worked on by a repairman - Tolgart/Getty Images The French Riviera, running along the southern coast and the Mediterranean Sea, has long been associated with the highest reaches of wealth. This is still the case today as port towns along this coast have become increasingly saturated with members of the world's 1%. While the wealthiest people in America live in 4 states, including California and Texas, one coastal French town is home to several billionaires' floating villas.
West Texas' Affordable City Combines Budget-Friendly Living With Historic Charm - Money Digest
The economy is foremost on many Americans' minds, with an exit poll by the Associated Press showing that it has been the main decider in off-year voting for 2025. At the state level, families continue to look for affordable places to make their homes. One state in particular has proven to have a wide range of affordability, with Texas home to two cities ranked as the best places to retire in America.
Kevin O'Leary's Top 3 Tips For Becoming An Entrepreneur Original
As the key figure of the hit show Shark Tank and a powerful tech investor, Kevin O'Leary has a track record that has made him an expert on entrepreneurship. Part of this has meant the billionaire spends a portion of his time engaged in public speaking endeavors, where he lends his advice and shares his secret to earning $1 million fast. Such was the case during the tech mogul's 2024 visit to the University of North Dakota, where he spoke on the key to becoming a successful entrepreneur.
You've Been Warned: Bankrate Says Saving Money Is Hardest If You Live In This State Original
The national cost of living has continuously gone up since 1980, according to the Consumer Price Index. That means it has generally taken more to save, regardless of which state you live in. According to a report released in April 2025 from Bankrate, however, there are some states in which it is easier to save than others. At the bottom of this list is Hawaii, which is a popular tourist destination but one of the states with the worst economy.
An Unexpected Asset Could Increase Your Net Worth (And You Might Already Own It)
The United States stock market has experienced fluctuation over the past year, with the current U.S. Stock Market Index trending upwards. This shift had been characterized by a massive drop in April following announcements, such as tariffs, and has then slowly recovered. This volatility has urged many Americans to diversify their investment strategies by looking outside of publicly traded companies — which might mean looking to their own possessions.
An Unexpected Asset Could Increase Your Net Worth (And You Might Already Own It)
A garden-inspired arrow going upward on a wall - Johnnygreig/Getty Images The United States stock market has experienced fluctuation over the past year, with the current U.S. Stock Market Index trending upwards. This shift had been characterized by a massive drop in April following announcements, such as tariffs, and has then slowly recovered.
Ohio's Wealthiest Suburb In 2025 Is Known For A Top-Rated Theme Park - Money Digest
The location of one of the wealthiest suburbs in the United States may surprise you. Recently, many of the country's richest towns have largely been concentrated in California, Texas, and the Northeast. However, a study by GoBankingRates, pulling data from Zillow, AreaVibes, and the United States Census Bureau, listed Mason, Ohio, as one of the wealthiest suburbs in America. Located between Cincinnati and Dayton, the Ohio suburb has seen rapid growth in the past five years.
How The Average Household Income In The 1970s Compares To Today Original
The 1970s were a historically significant time period in the United States, with events like the Watergate scandal and the Vietnam War dominating the headlines, all happening alongside the ongoing Cold War. Americans were enjoying a robust pension system and earlier retirement compared to today.
The Unexpected Company That Actually Owns Jaguar Land Rover Original
In the modern business ecosystem, fewer businesses are independently owned, with some parent companies like Procter and Gamble having hundreds of brands under their name. Many countries across the world have laws limiting total monopoly, including the United States Antitrust Laws. With this being said, a partial monopoly can be quite lucrative for both buyers and investors.
The Unexpected Company That Actually Owns Jaguar Land Rover
3 days ago The EV may be stalled, but this year’s updates aren’t thanks to fresher designs, smarter features, and bolder special editions. It looks like we’ll have to wait a bit longer for the long-promised Range Rover Electric. After a rocky 2025, Jaguar Land Rover is still committed to rolling out EVs across …
How Portable Mortgages Would Change The Housing Market, According To An Economist Original
On November 12, 2025, U.S. Federal Housing Finance Agency director Bill Pulte announced on X that the federal government is "actively evaluating portable mortgages." These mortgages would allow current homeowners to transfer their mortgage rate to the purchase of a new home. This comes days after Berkshire Hathaway put out a major housing market prediction, forecasting continued rate cuts and a buyer's market.
Consumer Reports Says This Iconic Sports Car Ranks Highest For Customer Satisfaction - Money Digest Original
When it comes to success in the American auto industry, few brands are as prolific as Chevrolet. The company, part of the greater General Motors house, has GM stock trading at a 10-year high. General Motors has even survived one of the largest car recalls in recent history, which cost them a ton of money. This is in part due to a high level of customer satisfaction from Chevrolet buyers, particularly those who purchase the brand's luxury vehicles.
The Booming Credit Trend Analysts Warn Could Become A Major Problem Original
While it may feel like the 2008 housing crisis lies in the distant past and on the other side of a global pandemic, some analysts believe history may be about to repeat itself. The main driver of this worry is the concerning nature of the private credit market. The market, unlike those that issue the types of predatory loans that will keep you poor, lies behind a door that blurs the line between bank and investment firm.
Drug prices have been on the rise in the United States, with the Department of Health and Human Services reporting an average increase of 15.2% from January 2022 to January 2023 alone. This is particularly taxing on those aged 65 and older, who depend on Medicare to help avoid paying these increased prices out of pocket. All of this comes at a time when the same age group is experiencing the biggest changes to social security ever made.
You've Been Warned: Waiting For Interest Rates To Drop Before Buying A Home Could Cost You Original
If you are waiting to buy your first home until the fixed rate mortgage drops, you may be in for a bit of a shock. While rates jumped sharply in 2023, waiting for rates to come down until you buy will just allow for home prices to continue to rise, with predicted rates not forecasted to curve this trend. Housing prices have risen nationally and begun to balloon in some urban areas, particularly in some of the cities with fastest-growing home prices, such as Birmingham, Alabama.
Why Amazon's Financial Strategy Is Making Everything Else You Buy More Expensive Original
While Amazon founder Jeff Bezos stepped down from his original leadership position in the company in 2021, his net worth and the company's stock have continued to rise. This has even been the case as tariffs from President Donald Trump's administration increased prices for Amazon shoppers. The reason the company and, by extension, Bezos have continued to profit is due to its effective implementation of the Amazon Flywheel Model.
Retirement Living: How Much Does It Cost To Live In The Most Trusting Country In The World?
A surprising number of Americans live abroad, with the Association of Americans Resident Overseas estimating that at least 5.4 million United States citizens reside outside the continent. A significant portion of these are retirees choosing to move, either for a slower pace or a cheaper cost of living. Affordability has become a consistent area of focus, as several categories of retirees will stop getting their Social Security payments in 2025.
The Vintage Cooking Tools That Could Be Worth Over $1,000 - Money Digest
Everything in your home holds some sort of value; you need go no farther than your local Facebook marketplace to find everything from crossbows to cookware sold to the highest bidder. Even copies of cookbooks are actually worth tons of money, with Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" selling for over $2,000. But these books may not be the only item of value sitting above your stove, with one classic piece of cookware selling at auction for outstanding amounts.
US States With The Strictest Statewide Rent Control Policies Original
Affordability and rent costs proved to be quite the deciding factor in multiple off-year elections in 2025. Even with Berkshire Hathaway predicting market growth in the coming year, housing prices continue to rise. Rent was particularly important in the New York City mayoral election, where Zohran Mamdani won while running on a policy including enacting a rent freeze. This came following a year that Redfin reported a 2.6% rise in median asking rental prices nationwide.
This 75 Year Old Thanksgiving Staple Is Still Less Than $1 Original
Thanksgiving tables have changed quite a bit since the Great Depression, when an astonishing 24.9% of Americans were unemployed. While the unemployment rate is far from that seen 90 years ago, the price of groceries is at an all-time high, according to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. In fact, food has experienced some of the harshest impacts of inflation, with prices rising by 3.1% according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The Real Reason Homeownership In Illinois Is So Unaffordable Original
The American dream has long been highly contingent on homeownership, but since 2020, the rate of people owning homes in the country has gone down. This trend is in part due to rising state property taxes, with states like Illinois seeing some of the highest leaps. Today, the Land of Lincoln has the highest state property taxes. This is combined with an increasingly expensive housing market, which is pricing out many young people in the state.
This Iconic Vehicle Is Extremely Unreliable According To Consumer Reports
World War II changed a lot about the American landscape, effectively jumpstarting the economy and pulling the country out of the great depression. In tandem with this, the war served to jettison the vehicles used on the battlefront to domestic popularity. It was these designs that carried Jeep to long-time household fame. With this being said, the iconic brand has struggled in recent years with reliability, and one of the brand's flagship designs is no exception.
This Affordable Hill Town In Georgia Is Ideal For Budget Living - Money Digest
Nestled in the westernmost branch of the Appalachian Mountains is a town that has long gone under the radar as an affordable place to start a family. Cities along the mountain range have recently seen rapid growth, with places like Asheville, North Carolina, steadily growing over the past five years. The same is seen in cities at the base of the chain, as they too are growing in part due to their proximity to nature and low cost of living compared to coastal establishments.
Opening These Two Savings Accounts At The Same Time Has One Major Benefit Original
While the Fed cut interest rates in September, questions still remain about what could be a turbulent American investment future. While long-term rates went down, mortgage rates stayed unprecedentedly high, meaning a forecasted 2025 housing boom may not come to pass before the end of the year. Given this fact and the turbulent nature of the stock market, many Americans may need to have more cash on-hand.
The Maryland Car Law That Could Penalize You Without Even Driving Original
Traffic tickets can have a profound impact on many parts of your life, including your state driver's record. Additionally, getting a speeding ticket costs much more than you realize and can happen to even the most careful of drivers. While speeding tickets and traffic violations are left up to individual states, fines for speeding can reach as high as $500.
The Largest Ground Beef Recall In Recent History Cost This Company More Than Money
Search query The Largest Ground Beef Recall In Recent History Cost This Company More Than Money Fri, November 21, 2025 at 4:30 PM UTC Cows eating in a pen - K-Shoot Background/Shutterstock In 2008, one of the largest beef recalls in the history of the United States took place, specifically pertaining to over 140 million pounds of beef produced by Westland/Hallmark Meat Co. This recall not only cost the California-based company profits from the recalled beef, but it also sparked a False Claims...
The Least Reliable Car Brand In 2025 According To Consumer Reports Original
Those looking to buy a new car in the coming year should be wary, as some popular brands may not be worth your money. A recent Consumer Reports video outlined the five car brands most plagued by reliability issues in 2025.
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