Ted Jenkin

Opinion 6 days ago

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.

Opinion 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.

Opinion 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.

Opinion 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.

Opinion 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.

Opinion 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.

Opinion 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.

Opinion 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.

Opinion 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.

Opinion 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.

Opinion 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.

Opinion 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.

Opinion 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.

Opinion 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.

Opinion 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.

Opinion 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.

Opinion 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.

Opinion 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.

Opinion 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.

Opinion 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

Opinion July 24

Why Fetterman is right: The fight against cashless stores defends Main Street and working-class Americans

Sen. John Fetterman's push to ban cashless-only businesses protects unbanked Americans, reduces fees for small businesses and preserves economic freedom for the working class.

Opinion July 6

Parents are splurging on luxury vacations their kids won't remember

Why expensive family vacations might satisfy parental guilt but fail to create lasting memories for young children who simply crave attention and connection.

Opinion June 11

Universities take advantage of a tax dodge while students struggle to pay tuition

Elite universities with billion-dollar endowments operate tax-free property empires while students drown in debt and communities foot the bill for their tax-exempt status.

Opinion June 8

What’s the right time to get your kids off the family payroll?

Financial independence for adult children is crucial for their development and parents' retirement security. Here's what parents should stop covering.

Opinion May 26

Smart parents can secure their child's digital identity — before someone else does

Learn why reserving a domain name for your newborn is a proactive step in digital parenting, ensuring control over their online identity and future opportunities.

Opinion May 9

Ink over email: Why handwritten notes still win in business

The handwritten thank-you note isn’t just a sentimental throwback – it’s a powerful tool that can accelerate your career, grow your business and make you more money.

Opinion May 8

You might not like the solution to the debt crisis, but here's how to fix America's spending problem

Fixing America's national debt crisis is going to require solutions that people might not like.

Opinion April 19

President Trump’s ultimate magic trick

What President Trump picked up In Vegas was the magician’s most powerful tool: misdirection, the ability to distract the crowd with one hand while pulling off the real magic with the other.

Opinion March 26

Forget AI, these dirty jobs will help you clean up

Workers who want to outsmart AI need to skip office work and look for so-called dirty jobs. Positions like electrician, plumber, welder and mechanic can pay six figures, too.

Opinion March 12

Why the Department of Education is going to RIP

In the business world, companies that spend billions without achieving measurable success collapse. In government, there is no accountability for agencies like the Department of Education.