Ted Jenkin

5 days ago

Six different ways that prove the wealthy pay a lot more than their ‘fair share’

Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez claim the rich don't pay their fair share, but IRS data tells a very different tax story.

May 6

Blue states’ latest sneaky cash grab targets your biggest payday yet

A surtax is a tax layered on top of existing income taxes in blue states like Massachusetts and California, targeting earners above $1 million.

April 27

The great wealth lie: Millennials are richer than you or they think

Baby boomers still control over $85 trillion in wealth, but millennials are catching up faster than any generation with a 374% surge since 2019.

April 23

Four lessons why the 'Boom Belt' is making such a big noise with migration

The Boom Belt, including Texas, Florida and Tennessee, gains wealth as high-income earners flee high-tax states like California and New York in droves.

April 15

Your favorite fast-food app is playing mind games and charging you for the privilege

Your $8 fast-food order may balloon to $22 thanks to fee stacking, including delivery fees, service fees and the sneaky new small order fee penalty.

April 6

Blue states are changing the tax rules on the wealthy and it's going to cost all of us

A wave of new tax proposals in blue states targets high earners with wealth taxes and exit taxes, prompting billionaires and businesses to relocate fast.

March 27

You can blame inflation for your bad finances. Or are you spending too much?

Even if inflation cools, overspending habits, credit card debt and instant gratification may be the real reasons Americans are falling behind financially.

March 26

America's $39 trillion debt bomb could be more painful than you think

With $39 trillion in national debt, politicians are selling myths about growth and tax hikes — but the real risk is to your savings and purchasing power.

March 15

AI comes with a hefty charge. Are you the one who gets stuck with the bill?

Major tech companies scramble for power as AI data centers consume massive electricity, with utilities in Virginia, Texas warning of unprecedented demand.

March 13

VICTORY GARDEN: Cut grocery bills and healthcare costs with one simple backyard habit

Rising grocery prices got you down? This compelling case for bringing back food literacy and home gardens could slash your grocery bills significantly.

February 24

America has a very expensive promises problem — and the bill is coming due

The uncomfortable truth about America's deficit crisis: even dramatic tax hikes or spending cuts can't fix a $1.78 trillion shortfall through policy alone.

February 2

Elon Musk says you can skip retirement savings in the age of AI. Not so fast

Why Elon Musk's prediction about artificial intelligence eliminating need for retirement savings could cost workers hundreds of thousands in future income.

January 23

Trump’s 401(k) plan tries to fix housing crisis. It's a full-blown retirement disaster

Donald Trump's housing proposal would let Americans tap 401(k) retirement savings for home down payments, but that easy solution is also robbing your future.

January 19

California’s hatred for capitalism is killing the goose that laid its golden egg

California's proposed billionaire tax on unrealized gains drives entrepreneurs like Elon Musk to Texas, threatening Silicon Valley's innovation economy.

December 15

California is broke, but it’s not too late for the rest of us

California faces an $18 billion deficit by 2026-27 as Democrat Gov. Newsom's spending policies create a structural budget crisis worse than projected.

December 13

This is why you make six figures and still live paycheck to paycheck

Why six-figure earners live paycheck to paycheck: no budgets, expensive homes and cars, plus social media pressure create financial stress for families.

November 23

Christmas is gobbling up Thanksgiving, the uniquely American holiday

Retailers prioritize Christmas over Thanksgiving decorations because holiday shopping generates billions while gratitude traditions offer lower profits.

November 21

When Trump meets Mamdani: Five capitalist messages the democratic socialist should hear

Two opposing worldviews on wealth creation and government redistribution set to clash Friday at the White House when President Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani meet.

November 14

Why Gen Z is suddenly skipping the $15 burrito bowl

Fast casual dining out was once considered an affordable convenience and has now become a small luxury. This generation isn’t lazy or spoiled. They’re financially boxed in right now.

November 2

Would Jesus buy this stock? The rise of Biblically Responsible Investing

BRI investing combines stewardship mindset with financial strategy, enabling Christians to invest in companies that reflect biblical virtues and values.

October 26

‘Spaving’ is not saving. It could cost you up to $50,000 out of your retirement

Retailers exploit consumer psychology through "spaving" tactics that make people feel like they're saving while actually overspending on unnecessary purchases.

October 16

Should all 50 states eliminate income tax? Understanding the real trade-offs

States without income tax rely on sales taxes and natural resources for revenue, while high-tax states fund expansive social programs through steep rates.

October 9

Why it’s inevitable that Elon Musk will be a trillionaire

Elon Musk's diverse portfolio, including Tesla, SpaceX and xAI, creates a compounding effect that makes his inevitable rise to trillionaire status likely before 2030.

September 28

Why Gen Z doesn't want to have kids

High housing costs, student debt, and expensive childcare are driving Generation Z away from parenthood, threatening America's population replacement rate.

September 8

Progressive cities face billions in economic losses as retail crime surges 93% since 2019

American cities face billions in losses as retail theft reaches $112 billion annually, forcing major stores to close and tourism to decline in progressive-led areas.

August 28

Why politicians abandon Switzerland-like centrism to be more like Trump

Gavin Newsom and Zohran Mamdani show how politicians must embrace bold, controversial stances rather than moderate positions to succeed in modern campaigns.

August 16

America's tipping culture spirals from 15% to 30% as digital guilt trip kicks in

Digital payment terminals now suggest 30% tips for basic services, shifting wage responsibility from employers to customers through guilt-inducing technology prompts.

August 8

The 78 cent opinion: Why stamp prices surge while mail volume plummets

USPS posted a $6.5 billion loss in 2023 while raising stamp prices from 55 to 78 cents since 2020, even as first-class mail volume drops over 50% since 2001.

August 7

High-rise jeans, high returns: How Sydney Sweeney is helping American Eagle stock fly

Bold, not woke: Sydney Sweeney brings back high-rise jeans and big stock gains.

August 1

Buy now, pay later is the worst thing for consumers since payday loans

Buy now, pay later apps normalize instant gratification over financial discipline, replacing the saving-first approach of traditional layaway systems