RT Skely (@123skely)As an American, the first time you visit Tokyo is amazing, then after about 2 days you get physically angry, because you realize cities don't actually need to be a total shit-holes, and it costs like 1/0th what you pay. ...

Core Insights - The article emphasizes that $1 million may no longer be sufficient for retirement, suggesting that individuals should save between 10 to 12 times their final annual salary for a secure retirement [1] Group 1: Retirement Savings Guidelines - Individuals earning $85,000 or more in their final year should aim to have over $1 million saved for retirement [1] - Annual spending exceeding $60,000 indicates a need for more than $1 million in retirement savings [2] Group 2: Longevity and Cost of Living - Retiring at 65 with an annual expense of $60,000 only covers 18 years of expenses, highlighting the need for at least 20 years of financial coverage [3] - High cost-of-living areas can rapidly deplete retirement savings due to housing, healthcare, and taxes [3] Group 3: Healthcare Expenses - Projected healthcare expenses exceeding 20% of retirement savings can lead to quicker depletion of funds, with a $1 million retirement fund translating to $200,000 in healthcare costs over 20 years [4][5] - Once medical expenses reach the 20% threshold, there is a 60% probability of financial depletion before the end of retirement [5] Group 4: Mortgage Considerations - Having a mortgage can complicate retirement planning, necessitating careful calculation of payments and costs before retirement [5] - High property taxes and costly home maintenance can significantly impact retirement savings [6]

Good morning. It's Sunday, December 21st. If there's one takeaway from Donald Trump's grumpy address to the nation on Wednesday, it's that his administration may finally be catching on to America's mood on the state of the economy. A string of recent surveys have shown that the public is continuing to sour on Trump's handling of the economy. According to a recent Associated Press NORC poll, Trump's approval rating on the economy has slipped to 31%.That's the lowest it's been across both of his presidencies. ...

CG Tan / Getty Images Whether you're in the middle class is about more than your paycheck. It depends on where you live, the number of people financially dependent on you, and your daily financial situation. Key Takeaways If your household income was between $55,262 and $167,460 in 2024, you are generally considered part of the middle class. Being middle class isn't just about your income, though. It's also about your household size, your location, and your overall financial situation. The same salar ...

A heated debate has been roing America over the past month. What income does a household really need to get by comfortably. And why does the financial threshold for a middle-ass life keep climbing ever higher.Asset manager Michael Green kicked things off by claiming families need $140,000 to function, nearly 70% higher than median household income. Turns out the 140k figure was far too high due to errors in Green's calculations. But his argument nonetheless struck a chord with many in that bracket who do fe ...

Steve Leeman is here at Post9 with the numbers. And Steve, this question about how inflation is impacting holiday spending. >> We're calling it inflation the red-nosed reindeer.How it's really leading spending. Uh it's factoring heavily into consumers views on spending this holiday season. The All-American Economic Survey finding it's affecting where people choose to shop and of course how much.Of the thousands people surveyed across the nation, uh here are some of the results you can see there. 61% say the ...

Core Insights - President Trump is focusing on promoting artificial intelligence (AI) as a key component of his agenda leading into the 2026 election, despite growing voter skepticism about its implications [1][3] - The AI sector is seen as crucial for economic growth, with significant investments and projects being announced, yet local opposition is rising due to concerns over electricity costs and job displacement [2][5][9] Industry Developments - The Trump administration is actively supporting AI initiatives, including signing an order to prevent states from imposing restrictions on AI, emphasizing the need for the U.S. to maintain technological leadership [3][16] - Major tech companies are significantly increasing their capital expenditures, with projections suggesting spending could exceed $500 billion in 2026, indicating strong confidence in AI's potential [18] Economic Impact - Analysts estimate that the AI boom contributed to over half of U.S. GDP growth in the first half of 2025, highlighting its importance to the economy [17] - The Department of Labor is investing in skills training to prepare the workforce for AI-related jobs, aiming to mitigate fears of job losses due to automation [8] Local Opposition and Political Ramifications - There is a notable increase in local opposition to data center projects, with $98 billion in investments reportedly blocked or delayed in the second quarter of 2023, reflecting grassroots concerns about rising utility costs [9][10] - Political dynamics are shifting, with recent Democratic victories in Virginia and New Jersey attributed to voter concerns over the economic impact of AI and data centers [4][21] Future Outlook - The White House plans to release an executive order aimed at expanding the U.S. electric grid, which is expected to address the anticipated increase in energy consumption from data centers [22][23] - Both political parties recognize the need for more comprehensive AI strategies, but currently lack cohesive plans, indicating a potential area for future policy development [20]

Purchasing power parity (PPP) compares currencies by using a common basket of goods to show differences in cost of living and standards of living across countries. https://t.co/X9Pcoi1XGM ...

RT plur daddy (@plur_daddy)There hasn't been much discussion of another reconciliation bill recently, so this is incremental.Trump is getting hammered on cost of living concerns. There are three directions he can take.1. Biden Mode: Dig his head in the sand and make the case that the electorate is wrong.2. Volcker Mode: Turn turbohawkish and crush inflation, at the cost of hitting economic growth and financial markets. While this is the only correct option, the issue is the pain is immediate while benefits ...

Australia will not extend cost-of-living relief to households in the form of electricity rebates, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said, as the government looks to rein in spending in the face of large, structural budget deficits https://t.co/a34IYnMMk5 ...