John Csiszar
Verified
As seen in:
CNN,
MSN,
MSN Canada,
MSN Ireland,
MSN Malaysia,
MSN Money Canada,
MSN Philippines,
MSN Singapore,
Yahoo Entertainment,
Yahoo Life
and
Covers:
I write about markets, retirement planning and personal finance, with a focus on how financial developments affect everyday decisions. My work often translates complex topics — such as interest rate c
Articles by John Csiszar
You Don’t Have to Be a Billionaire to Own A Piece of the NY Knicks — Here’s how Original
Professional sports teams can be incredibly valuable. Often selling for billions of dollars, they’re typically out of reach of the average individual investor. But that doesn’t mean that all small investors are necessarily shut out. Some teams actually trade as public companies that anyone can access through an ordinary brokerage account. And one upcoming corporate split will soon offer an interesting choice for investors who are fans of certain New York sports teams.
Seasonal Retail Jobs Are Shrinking: Here’s Your Holiday Income Backup Plan
Seasonal jobs are getting tougher to land. Here are smart ways to earn extra money when holiday retail work isn't an option. Seasonal jobs are a way that many Americans bring in some extra income around the holidays, and there is always someone hiring. In 2026, those opportunities may be fewer. Retailers are expected to add fewer jobs during the fourth quarter of 2026 than they did in either of the past two years, according to . A shrinking market doesn’t mean that holiday work has disappeared.
More Than 9 Million Student Loan Borrowers Are in Default — What Are the Options?
Federal student loans generally enter default after at least 270 days without required payments. Here are the moves you can make to salvage your future. Student loan debt has been a thorny issue for years, but there's a new facet about to make it even more cutting in the public discourse. The student loan defaults have now reached 14% of the entire $1.64 trillion federally managed student loan portfolio, according to data from Federal Student Aid.
One estate planning document most boomers forget
Beneficiary designations are more powerful than wills or trusts, but many completely overlook it when planning their estates. That's a potentially huge mistake that could send a significant amount of assets to someone other than your preferred heirs. Although it's easy to overlook, the good news is that it's also easy to fix. Where Your Will Comes Up Short Most people think that wills control all assets in an estate and direct where they should go.
Social Security pays more if you wait until at least 65. What happens when you can’t?
Social Security pays more if you wait until at least 65. What happens when you can’t? (washingtonpost.com) Social Security pays more if you wait until at least 65. What happens when you can’t? By John Csiszar 2026101809011100 Workers who come up short in terms of their retirement planning are often told to "just keep working." After all, a few additional years of employment can translate to more savings, fewer years of withdrawals and a bigger Social Security benefit.
One Estate Planning Document Most Boomers Forget
Many boomers may overlook a key estate planning document. Find out what it is and why including it could help protect your financial wishes. Beneficiary designations are more powerful than wills or trusts, but many completely overlook it when planning their estates. That’s a potentially huge mistake that could send a significant amount of assets to someone other than your preferred heirs. Although it’s easy to overlook, the good news is that it’s also easy to fix.
Retirement Income Streams That Get Taxed More Than You Might Think
Retiring with a big balance doesn’t mean you keep it all. See how common retirement income streams get taxed and how to plan withdrawals wisely. Retiring with a big balance sounds great until you realize the number on your statement isn’t the number you get to spend. You spent decades stashing cash away, so it’s natural to picture a clean, tax-free victory lap. Unfortunately, the IRS has a different plan.
You Don’t Have to Be a Billionaire to Own a Pro Sports Team. Here’s How
Professional sports teams can be incredibly valuable. Often selling for billions of dollars, they're typically out of reach of the average individual investor. But that doesn't mean that all small investors are necessarily shut out. Some teams actually trade as public companies that anyone can access through an ordinary brokerage account. And one upcoming corporate split will soon offer an interesting choice for investors who are fans of certain New York sports teams.
You Don’t Have to Be a Billionaire to Own a Pro Sports Team. Here’s How Original
From the Atlanta Braves to the New York Knicks, fans can get in the game by investing in teams Ishika Samant / Getty Images Recommended on TheStreet Pro View post: The Market Is Undergoing a Change in Character as AI Splits Into 2 Groups View post: Despite Hot PPI, Yields Fall, Sparking Broad Rally Held Back By Tech View post: The AI Trade Isn’t Over, but the Easy Gains Likely Are Get TheStreet in your Google feed Professional sports teams can be incredibly valuable.
You Don't Have to Be a Billionaire to Own a Pro Sports Team. Here's How
Professional sports teams can be incredibly valuable. Often selling for billions of dollars, they’re typically out of reach of the average individual investor. But that doesn’t mean that all small investors are necessarily shut out. Some teams actually trade as public companies that anyone can access through an ordinary brokerage account. And one upcoming corporate split will soon offer an interesting choice for investors who are fans of certain New York sports teams.
You Don't Have to Be a Billionaire to Own a Pro Sports Team. Here's How
Add Your Daughter to the Deed of a $450,000 House to Skip Probate, and When She Sells It the IRS Will Tax Her on 47 Years of Gains a Will Would Have Erased. Suppose she bought a ranch in 1979 for $58,000 and invested $22,000 over decades in a new roof, kitchen, and furnace. In 2016, at 69, she signed a …
How McDonald's Alleged AI Pricing Could Increase What You Pay for Fast Food
The proposed class-action lawsuit alleges that McDonald’s used AI-enhanced pricing to collect nonpublic information to recommend prices. • How AI Could Influence the Price of Your Next Burger • Why Is There a Lawsuit? • How To Protect Yourself From AI-Driven Prices Artificial intelligence might be the last thing on your mind when you go to order a burger and fries at McDonald’s, but it could be operating behind the scenes in a way that ends up costing you more.
Uber and Lyft drivers in California now have a gig worker rarity: a union
Independent contractors, especially gig workers, aren't generally afforded the rights and privileges of employees. Most don't have access to healthcare, retirement plans — or unions. But that all changed recently for Uber and Lyft workers in California. On Sept. 9, the California Public Employment Relations Board certified the California Gig Workers Union as the bargaining organization for drivers working for covered transportation network companies. For now, that means Uber and Lyft.
Uber and Lyft Drivers in California Now Have a Gig Worker Rarity: A Union
Independent contractors, especially gig workers, aren’t often afforded the same rights as employees. That's changed for Uber and Lyft workers in California. Independent contractors, especially gig workers, aren’t generally afforded the rights and privileges of employees. Most don’t have access to healthcare, retirement plans — or unions. But that all changed recently for Uber and Lyft workers in California. On Sept.
Married vs. Single Retirees: Why Social Security Looks Different
andresr · iStock.com Social Security has a reputation for being straightforward: You work, you pay in, you get a check. Simple enough, right? Not quite. Two people with identical work histories can end up with very different monthly checks. Plenty of retirees find this out the hard way. The culprit isn't effort or earnings. It's marital status, and the gap is wider than most people realize.
Your Loyalty Card Could Let Grocery Stores Charge You More — Here's Why
Just by shopping, you’re likely giving your grocery store a lot of personal information. This is particularly true if you use a grocery store’s loyalty card or shopping app. And that knowledge could potentially be used to your own detriment. Imagine a scenario in which you’re standing in line, buying a dozen eggs, and you end up getting charged 50 cents more than the customer just in front of you. Discover More: A $1,200 Grocery Bill?
Target Just Cut Prices on Nearly 2,000 Items — Is It Worth Waiting Until Black Friday To Shop?
Here MoneyLion explores when you should wait to buy, reasons why it could be more practical to buy now and even a tip to save even more money. Target just cut prices on an additional 2,000 apparel, footwear and home items to kick off the early holiday shopping season. This is on top of the more than 10,000 prices the retailer has lowered over the past year. Also Check Out: Dollar Tree vs. Target: Which Store Has the Better Prices on Fall Basics?
Holiday Airfare Is Climbing: Is Waiting To Book Thanksgiving Travel a Mistake?
The price of domestic round-trip airfare for Thanksgiving flights is already running about 31% more than last year — here's why you might still wait to book. Who needs a turkey when holiday travelers are already getting carved to the bone? The price of domestic round-trip airfare for Thanksgiving flights is already running about 31% more than last year, according to Hopper's 2026 Holiday Travel Index.
Married vs. Single Retirees: Why Social Security Looks Different
Same work record, different monthly check. Learn how spousal benefits, survivor rules and taxes shape Social Security for married and single retirees. Social Security has a reputation for being straightforward: You work, you pay in, you get a check. Simple enough, right? Not quite. Two people with identical work histories can end up with very different monthly checks. Plenty of retirees find this out the hard way. The culprit isn’t effort or earnings.
Why Bitcoin Can Fall Before a Fed Rate Hike, Then Rally After It Happens
Teera Konakan · Getty Images Wall Street has an old saying: buy the rumor, sell the news. Bitcoin seems to be doing the opposite in 2026. It took a beating this September as traders bet on a Fed rate hike, then rallied once the Fed actually pulled the trigger. Sounds backward, but it makes more sense than it looks. The answer lies in how markets price the future and how Bitcoin fits into the investment mix.
Mortgage Rates Hit Almost 7.5% — What Waiting To Buy Could Cost If They Keep Rising
Arthon Meekodong · iStock.com With mortgage rates hitting almost 7.5%, the sub-3% rates seen during the pandemic (per Freddie Mac) must feel like a dream to potential homebuyers. For someone taking out a $400,000 mortgage, a one-percent increase from a 7% rate to an 8% one adds roughly $266 to the monthly payment, with all of it being attributable to interest. Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey shows that the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage reached 7.40% as of Oct.
Why bitcoin can fall before a Fed rate hike, then rally after it happens
Wall Street has an old saying: buy the rumor, sell the news. Bitcoin seems to be doing the opposite in 2026. It took a beating this September as traders bet on a Fed rate hike, then rallied once the Fed actually pulled the trigger. Sounds backward, but it makes more sense than it looks. The answer lies in how markets price the future and how Bitcoin fits into the investment mix. Rate hikes reshape the competition for investor dollars, and crypto has a complicated relationship with risk.
Why bitcoin can fall before a Fed rate hike, then rally after it happens
; ; ; ; Continue reading More for You ; ; ; Continue reading More for You
Thinking of retiring at 65? Here’s what it could cost you.
Thinking of retiring at 65? Here’s what it could cost you. (washingtonpost.com) Thinking of retiring at 65? Here’s what it could cost you. By John Csiszar 2026101109010600 Retirement at 65 can seem like a no-brainer to many Americans, as eligibility for Medicare, combined with a Social Security check, can feel like the payoff after decades of hard work. But selecting a retirement age comes with a host of financial ramifications.
Mortgage Rates Hit Almost 7.5% — What Waiting To Buy Could Cost If They Keep Rising
For buyers considering waiting, find out how much a higher rate could change the math. With mortgage rates hitting almost 7.5%, the sub-3% rates seen during the pandemic (per Freddie Mac) must feel like a dream to potential homebuyers. For someone taking out a $400,000 mortgage, a one-percent increase from a 7% rate to an 8% one adds roughly $266 to the monthly payment, with all of it being attributable to interest.
Americans haven't felt this bad about the economy for a decade — what changed?
Something feels wrong in America, and nobody can say what it is. Americans traditionally sour on the economy when the country is in a recession and unemployment is high. Neither of those is true in 2026. Yet, data from the Conference Board's September Consumer Confidence Survey shows that Americans feel the least confident in the economy in more than 12 years, with drops registering regardless of political affiliation.
Remember Your Tax Extension? Here's Why You Can't Miss the Oct. 15 Deadline
A tax extension automatically grants you six months to complete your tax return. If you requested an extension for your 2025 federal income tax return, the Oct. 15 deadline is suddenly right around the corner. Missing it could cost you a significant amount of penalties and interest, especially if you still owe money. Here’s what happens if October comes and goes and the IRS still doesn’t have your tax return.
Inflation pushes more retirees back into the workforce
The Blueprint Rising costs are putting retirement budgets under pressure, as inflation compounds expenses for groceries, property taxes, insurance, medical care and other necessities. Debt can accelerate the problem: A retiree running a $500 monthly shortfall could accumulate $6,000 in debt in a year before interest charges.
Why retirees are going back to work
Why retirees are going back to work (washingtonpost.com) Why retirees are going back to work By John Csiszar 2026100809010600 After decades of working, many retirees plan to ride off into the sunset and finally enjoy some free time and leisure activities, with Social Security and savings covering the expenses. But for some retirees, the numbers just don't work out.
Caregiving is hard. These are the hidden financial costs.
Caregiving comes in a variety of forms, including adult children taking care of aging parents and spouses taking on more daily responsibility for a partner with declining health. What might begin as casual help can often become a major commitment of both time and money. For workers, these responsibilities can have seemingly opposite financial ramifications.
Why your health insurance problem might not be over when you turn 65
Turn 65 and you might think your health insurance problems are over. Although Medicare doesn’t cover every medical service or cost, for many retirees, it reduces coverage costs. But this doesn’t solve the coverage problem if you have a younger spouse who relied on your insurance and isn’t eligible for Medicare. “People think of 65 as the finish line for health insurance,” said Zoe Lim, senior vice president of business development at DynEx Group Benefits.
The Nasdaq Just Hit a Record High -- Are You Overexposed to AI Without Realizing It? Original
Technology stocks have dominated market headlines over recent years, as companies in the so-called “Magnificent 7,” including Microsoft, Apple and Meta Platforms, have helped propel the Nasdaq Composite to new all-time highs. Although some companies are more obviously AI-focused than others, simply avoiding stocks like Nvidia doesn’t necessarily protect you from overexposure to AI. Regular reviews can help determine just how much AI is driving your portfolio.
Forget Microsoft: You don’t need Big Tech to invest in the AI data center boom Original
You can’t watch the financial news anymore without hearing about data centers. Not everyone is thrilled about the expansion. Critics worry about the environmental and community costs, while supporters say data centers are essential to continued AI growth. But regardless of which side of the issue you’re on, there’s no denying that data centers are booming, and investors are paying attention. Even President Donald Trump urged communities to “let Data Reign” in an August 31 Truth Social post.
Caregiving is hard. These are the hidden financial costs.
Caregiving is hard. These are the hidden financial costs. (washingtonpost.com) Caregiving is hard. These are the hidden financial costs. By John Csiszar 2026100610010600 Caregiving comes in a variety of forms, including adult children taking care of aging parents and spouses taking on more daily responsibility for a partner with declining health. What might begin as casual help can often become a major commitment of both time and money.
AI Data Centers vs. Your Electric Bill: Here's What Congress Is Doing About It
One of the biggest obstacles in the race to build AI data centers is the immense amounts of power that they consume. To fund even a portion of the projected demand, companies will have to spend tens of billions of dollars in power generation and infrastructure.
Here's why retirees on Reddit warn 'DIY-ing' tax-sensitive money decisions
It can be very hard to handle tax-sensitive money moves on your own. This is particularly true regarding Roth conversions and estimated taxes, which can affect several other parts of a financial plan . Sometimes, doing-it-yourself involves acknowledging when it's time to get a professional involved. That's why there's no shame in seeking advice from others.
The Nasdaq just hit a record high -- are you overexposed to AI without realizing it?
Technology stocks have dominated market headlines over recent years, as companies in the so-called “Magnificent 7,” including Microsoft, Apple and Meta Platforms, have helped propel the Nasdaq Composite to new all-time highs. Although some companies are more obviously AI-focused than others, simply avoiding stocks like Nvidia doesn't necessarily protect you from overexposure to AI.
Why your health insurance problem might not be over when you turn 65
Why your health insurance problem might not be over when you turn 65 (washingtonpost.com) Why your health insurance problem might not be over when you turn 65 By John Csiszar 2026100512480700 Turn 65 and you might think your health insurance problems are over. Although Medicare doesn't cover every medical service or cost, for many retirees, it reduces coverage costs.
Three ways higher interest rates could be trouble for retirees
An era of higher interest rates — with the 30-year U.S. Treasury bond reaching 5.609%, its highest yield since 2002 — generally is good news for savers, as banks may increase payouts on savings accounts or newly issued certificates of deposit. But many seniors may not realize that rising rates could hit them in other ways, including higher Medicare premiums or reduced health-insurance subsidies. Some Social Security beneficiaries may also face a surprise tax bill.
5 money moves to make before 70 if you claimed Social Security at 62
When you file for Social Security benefits, there are no “do-overs.” If you claimed Social Security at 62, for example, there's no way to undo that election and get the higher benefits available at age 67 and 70. But there are still plenty of moves that you can make to change your bottom line before you reach age 70. Here are the five most important steps to take if you opted for the earliest (and lowest) Social Security benefits 1.
5 Ways Gen X Accidentally Raises Their Tax Bracket in Retirement Planning
DusanManic · Getty Images The retirement planning landscape is different for Gen Xers than it was for their boomer parents. Although some rules and strategies remain timeless, being unaware of important changes could trip up some Gen Xers and push them into a higher tax bracket during their retirement. Here are five potential landmines that require tweaks to the "boomer playbook" to make it applicable to retiring Gen Xers.
3 ways higher interest rates could be trouble for retirees
An era of higher interest rates – with the 30-year U.S. Treasury bond reaching 5.609%, its highest yield since 2002 – generally is good news for savers, as banks may increase payouts on savings accounts or newly issued certificates of deposit. But many seniors may not realize that rising rates could hit them in other ways, including higher Medicare premiums or reduced health-insurance subsidies. Some Social Security beneficiaries may also face a surprise tax bill.
Forget Microsoft: You don't need Big Tech to invest in the AI data center boom
You can't watch the financial news anymore without hearing about data centers. Not everyone is thrilled about the expansion. Critics worry about the environmental and community costs, while supporters say data centers are essential to continued AI growth. But regardless of which side of the issue you're on, there's no denying that data centers are booming, and investors are paying attention. Even President Donald Trump urged communities to “ let Data Reign ” in an August 31 Truth Social post.
5 Ways Gen X Accidentally Raises Their Tax Bracket in Retirement Planning
The retirement planning landscape is different for Gen Xers than it was for their boomer parents. Although some rules and strategies remain timeless, being unaware of important changes could trip up some Gen Xers and push them into a higher tax bracket during their retirement. Here are five potential landmines that require tweaks to the “boomer playbook” to make it applicable to retiring Gen Xers.
Forget Microsoft: You don’t need Big Tech to invest in the AI data center boom Original
These three companies provide the buildings, cooling and electricity powering the massive buildout Cheng Xin / Getty Images Recommended on TheStreet Pro View post: Diesel Dilemma, Betting on Banks, Storm Clouds Over Iran?
Show More
loading
Actions
Get in touch with John
Contact John, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack