"Less Flights And More Full Aircraft": Airlines Stung By Boeing Delays Ahead Of Busy Summer Travel Season
"Less Flights And More Full Aircraft": Airlines Stung By Boeing Delays Ahead Of Busy Summer Travel Season The incessant stream of bad news for Boeing is starting to take its toll on airlines, according to Bloomberg, who noted this weekend that companies like United, Southwest and Ryanair are all stuck dealing with reduced deliveries from Boeing while the planemaker turns its attention to quality control. Ahead of the busy summer travel season, airlines are adjusting schedules and seeking alternatives to Boeing 737s due to these delays, while also grappling with the fact that Airbus narrowbody delays. The timeline for Boeing's aircraft readiness remains uncertain as U.S. inspectors examine its factories, preventing definitive forecasts for a return to normal operations. Airbus, Boeing's chief rival, is mostly booked until the decade's end, Bloomberg writes, leaving limited options for airlines. Both manufacturers face challenges in ramping up production to pre-pandemic levels, with Airbus also dealing with engine-wear problems that have grounded numerous planes, exacerbating the shortage amid soaring airline demand. In the U.S., domestic flight prices have increased following a drop from post-pandemic peaks. For instance, lack of added capacity on routes such as New York to Los Angeles is expected to push business-class fares up by as much as 8.5% during the summer peak. Similarly, fares between Seattle and San Francisco, as well as Chicago and Las Vegas, could see rises of up to 18% and 9.6%, respectively, the report says. While the overall direction of U.S. flight prices had seen a decline after a surge in 2022 and early 2023, the latest government data indicates a 3.6% increase from January to February, marking the most significant monthly rise since May 2022. Boeing faces an uncertain 2024, with production of the 737 capped at 38 per month by regulators, despite only 42 being delivered in the first two months of the year. Company officials hope to reach this production rate later in the year. John Plueger, chief executive officer of aircraft leasing company Air Lease Corp. told Bloomberg: “All they’re saying is as you’d expect: ‘We are working as hard as we can. We are sorry for your disruption. We’re doing the best we can. As soon as we have certainty, we will advise you.’ They are saying that.” Steven Townend, who heads aircraft lessor BOC Aviation Ltd., said on Bloomberg this week: “This is not just a this-year problem. This has been a multiyear issue. It is going to take several years to really catch back up again.” “You’ll see less flights and more full aircraft” this summer, said Plueger. Tyler Durden Mon, 03/18/2024 - 12:30.....»»
Personal Loan Interest Rates Today | Your Best Rate
If you're looking for a personal loan with the best rate, Business Insider has done the research for you and found the lowest personal loan interest rates. The offers and details on this page may have updated or changed since the time of publication. See our article on Business Insider for current information.Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate personal loans to write unbiased product reviews.Personal loan rates depend a lot on the borrower: The rates for the best personal loans tend to be around 6%, and right now, people with good or excellent credit may be eligible for an even better deal.We monitor rates from lenders daily to help you feel confident before you apply for a loan. Here are the leading rates for personal loans on Monday, March 18.Leading Personal Loan RatesPersonal loan rates vary depending on the lender and on the credit profile of the person applying to borrow money, but many lenders are advertising strong rates right now for the right borrower. Here are the lenders offering the lowest rates today:Reach Financial Personal Loan — Lowest rate: 5.99%LightStream Personal Loan — Lowest rate: 7.49% Wells Fargo Personal Loan — Lowest rate: 7.49%Safeguard your credit score, and check for your personalized loan rates before you apply. Get your prequalified loans offers online in minutes.About Personal LoansPersonal loans are a flexible way to borrow money, because they can be used for most needs: to consolidate debt, to finance home projects — even to pay taxes. Their appeal is in their availability, and the ease of being approved (especially with a good or excellent credit score). They are not always the cheapest option, though, and your rate will depend on your credit and the lender you choose.Debt Consolidation LoansThe best debt consolidation loans are good options to turn multiple loans into a single loan, to clean up your record-keeping and (hopefully) improve your APR or lower your payments. You can use these loans to consolidate different types of consumer debt, like credit card debt, into a single monthly payment. However, consolidating your debt may extend your loan term and mean you ultimately pay more over time. Many personal loans allow debt consolidation, but not all of them — so be sure you know going in.Emergency LoansThe best emergency loans can be used to get money quickly, when you need it. To make that happen, these loans tend to require lower credit credit scores than other options, and provide quick funding to get money in your hands sooner. There is a huge range available in emergency loans: Some lenders offer a few hundred dollars to tide you over, while others will lend you hundreds of thousands for larger-scale crises.Personal Loans for Bad CreditThe best personal loans for bad credit will typically have a higher APR than loans for people with higher credit scores, simply because lenders see your credit score as a representation of your history with borrowing money, and therefore, their likelihood of getting theirs back. In fact, terms offered to lenders with bad credit can be so unfavorable that you may also want to consider other options that are often cautioned against, like credit cards for bad credit.Personal Loans With No Origination FeeThe best personal loans with no origination fee operate like any other loan, minus one thing: The upfront fee that can add 1% to 7% of your loan amount onto your bill. Typically, a given lender will make this choice across its loan products, rather than charging an origination fee for one loan and not another. That said, it may be possible to negotiate a waived origination fee with your lender — but choosing one you already know doesn't charge origination fees is a safer bet.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»
As a financial planner, I always say you don"t have to buy real estate to build wealth — a better strategy is much easier
Real estate can boost your balance sheet and play a part in growing your wealth, but you don't have to buy property to get rich, writes Eric Roberge. The offers and details on this page may have updated or changed since the time of publication. See our article on Business Insider for current information.Paid non-client promotion: Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate investing products to write unbiased product reviews.The author, Eric Roberge.Beyond Your Hammock Buying a home may be the "American Dream," but it's certainly not a prerequisite for building wealth. Owning a home is expensive, even if you rent it out, and you're never guaranteed a profit. Consider REITs instead, and maximize your investments in the market to build long-term wealth. We're often told that buying a home is one of the greatest investments we can make. But just because it's the "American Dream" and a tangible sign of success for many, it doesn't mean it's your best option if your goal is building wealth.While real property can boost your balance sheet and play a part in growing your wealth, it's critical to understand that you don't have to buy property to get rich.Let's break down some of the myths around real estate as an investment that can mislead you — and in the process, show why real estate isn't a prerequisite for building assets.Real estate isn't always a good investment (or an investment at all)"Always" and "never" don't have a place in a savvy investor's vocabulary. There are no sure bets or guarantees, especially when it comes to real estate, because there are so many variables that fall both within and outside of your control. Factors outside of your control include:Overall economic conditions, including the current interest rate environmentHow the housing market in your area performsYour specific location in a communityThe timing of buying and sellingIf you're interested in becoming a landlord or flipping properties, you may have a bit more influence even amid these variables. You may be able to hold onto a property until the market is more favorable, for example — but then questions of liquidity and expenses come into play.Homes are expensive, illiquid assets that come with expenses every step of the way, from upkeep and maintenance to the transaction to buy and sell. Every dollar that goes towards cost is a dollar that eats away at your potential profit.When you're talking about a single-family home that you live in as your primary residence and don't pull rental income from, the idea of an "investment" falls away entirely. At that point, a home is more of a utility than anything else.For many people, making money, breaking even, or losing out on a real estate deal comes down to timing and luck — which is a big reason banking on property as a way to grow wealth isn't the ideal strategy.Renting isn't throwing money away, and buying might be riskierMaybe you understand that homes are expensive to buy and maintain, but you still feel compelled to put your money into real estate because the alternative seems worse. After all, you get the opportunity to build equity in a house you own. Meanwhile, you throw your money away every month you remain a renter.Right?Not so fast. For one, so much depends on your location and the prices of rents and homes in your specific area.When I rented in Boston from 2015 to 2020, renting was actually considerably cheaper than owning — and I took the money I saved in housing expenses and invested in the stock market for a bigger return than I would have gotten from buying and selling a property in the same timeframe.Renting poses less financial risk than buying a home. The most you pay for your housing each month when you rent is the cost of that rent (and a small amount for renters insurance). When you own a home, the least you're likely to pay each month is the mortgage.But you're likely to spend far more between all the associated expenses of homeownership, from property taxes and homeowners insurance to upkeep and maintenance (which you can estimate will cost you around 4% to 5% of a home's value a year).Renting also gives you its own kind of leverage: By renting, you're more flexible and agile with your finances than you would likely be if you were saddled with a large, illiquid asset that may or may not be easy to offload when you want. When you rent, you purchase convenience and choice.You can build wealth while you rent by directing some of your available cash flow to savings, retirement accounts, brokerage accounts, or even other investments like education or a business startup.You don't have to purchase a property to invest in real estate, anywayNone of this is to say that buying real estate is a bad move or won't work out in your favor. The point here is that you don't have to in order to grow wealth.And you can even buy real estate without actually buying physical property. You can invest in REITs, or real estate investment trusts. By investing in an REIT, you invest in a company that professionally buys, sells, and manages real estate properties for profit.As an investor in an REIT, you receive some of that profit back to you. There are still no guarantees here, and REITs can and do lose value. But they give you an opportunity for exposure to real estate without directly taking on the risk and expense of owning and managing a specific property.Consider this path to wealth instead: systematically investing in financial marketsBuying a home can be part of your financial plan — but it doesn't need to be your main investment vehicle. If your goal is to build wealth, then you need a systematic, reliable, tested, and repeatable process to use over and over again for the long term. This is where real estate often falls short for the majority of people. It's hard to replicate because you need large upfront sums of capital for every purchase, and you're limited to the physical inventory that is available in a particular location at any given time.You're also taking on much more financial risk than you actually need to secure a reasonable rate of return (given that houses are expensive to maintain, tenants are unpredictable, and you're subject to market conditions in your specific location if you want to liquidate).Plus, it's just hard! There are much easier ways to grow wealth, especially if you start early. Namely, that's using a globally diversified investment portfolio to buy into financial markets.If you want what might be the simplest, most reliable, easily repeatable process to build wealth? Try this: Take advantage of any qualified retirement accounts available to you. These can provide tax benefits (by deferring taxes, or helping your wealth grow tax-free). These may include 401(k)s, a variety of IRAs, and HSAs. Aim to contribute the maximum allowable amount each year to the accounts you can access. Once you max out those accounts, open a taxable investment account. This is also known as a brokerage account. Contribute a set amount to that each year, as well. (We recommend our wealth management clients save 25% of their gross income each year to a mix of retirement and brokerage accounts.) Invest in a low-cost, globally diversified portfolio. Once you start using investment accounts, set up your portfolio using low-cost investment options (like mutual funds and ETFs). These are baskets of securities that can give you exposure to a range of asset classes and types, but spread your investment risk across a variety of sectors and locations. Contribute systematically. Consider using a dollar-cost averaging strategy to help you stay consistent. That means investing the same amount on a regular schedule, rather than investing a lump sum. Commit to leaving this money invested for the long-term. Compounding only works if you give it the time to do so. Once you set up your investment system and strategy, stick with it. That means not stopping and starting contributions depending on how you feel that month, or what current events happen, or what the market did recently. You don't need to invest in real estate, use complicated plans, buy expensive products, or know some financial secret that no one else does to grow wealth. You just need to set up a simple system that you can stick to over time, and then get to work.Finding a financial advisor doesn't have to be hard. SmartAsset's free tool matches you with up to three fiduciary financial advisors that serve your area in minutes. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. Start your search now.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»
The 7 best espresso machines of 2024, tested and reviewed
The best espresso machines are essential for making espresso, cappuccinos, and more at home. Here are the best we've tested for beginners and experts. When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn moreThe best espresso machines simplify the brewing process, so you can enjoy cafe-quality drinks at home.Isabel Fernandez/InsiderCafe-quality drinks at home call for an espresso machine, and finding the best espresso machine for your needs depends on a few things. If you like to linger over the process, grind your beans fresh, and have a flight of demitasses, you'll love a more manual operation. But if you're just looking for a latte on the way out the door, an automatic machine saves you time and energy.For our guide to the best espresso machines, we consulted experts, held taste tests, and inspected every inch of each machine. Our favorite is the Gaggia Classic Evo Pro because it gets you involved in the brewing process without being over complicated. If you have a small kitchen and a busy schedule, the Cafe Affetto is our best automatic pick.Read about how we test kitchen products at Insider Reviews.Our top picks for espresso machinesBest overall: Gaggia Classic Evo Pro - See at AmazonBest automatic: Cafe Affetto - See at Best BuyBest with a built-in grinder: Breville Barista Express Impress - See at AmazonBest pod machine: Nespresso Pixie - See at AmazonBest upgrade automatic machine: Jura Z10 - See at AmazonBest stovetop: Grosche Milano - See at AmazonBest portable: Flair Espresso - See at AmazonBest overallThe recently improved Gaggia Classic Evo Pro is a no-frills, affordable machine for people who are serious about espresso. Don't let its straightforward interface and simple design fool you: this machine can pull a full-bodied, flavorful shot of espresso.With only three buttons to control it, the machine is simple to operate. Beyond the built-in steam wand, there are no real extra features. In the same vein, the machine doesn't do much to hold your hand so there is a serious learning curve when dialing in parameters and figuring out how to pull a proper shot. But once you get used to it, the Classic Evo Pro produces stellar espresso. Beginners can learn by doing with the Gaggia Evo Pro, and experts will be satisfied by the brew quality.Isabel Fernandez/InsiderThe current 2023 model has a few notable upgrades, though they aren't immediately apparent. Gaggia has gotten rid of the chrome plating in the older models and replaced it with a new grouphead made entirely of brass. Plus, the included portafilter is now made of stainless steel. The new boiler has a non-stick coating on the interior, which should help to avoid scaling and any leaching of minerals from the aluminum.To make best use of this machine, a dedicated espresso grinder and one of the best tampers are both needed. The Classic Evo Pro comes packaged with a flimsy, plastic tamper that is a few millimeters short of properly fitting the portafilter, so we highly recommend an upgrade.Read our full review of the Gaggia Classic Pro, including detailed specs.Best automaticAn automatic espresso machine lies somewhere between a pod machine and a semi-automatic one; you can control the grind size and the extraction time, but the process isn't fully hands-on. The Café Affetto is cheaper, smaller, and better at making espresso than most of the other automatic machines we've tried. You're not going to get the best grind with the Café's built-in grinder, but you can still use the freshly roasted beans of your choice and get a shot of espresso (or something close to it) at the push of a button. Two standout features that make this one of the best espresso machines we've tried are the options for an Americano (or long black) and a custom "my cup" setting.The Café Affetto is a great introduction to making espresso, and is significantly cheaper than most other automatic machines.Isabel Fernandez/InsiderWe frothed both whole milk and almond milk and noted that the frother worked every bit as well as those on most semiautomatic machines. We also like that the wand is removable and washable. Oftentimes, automatic machines will have a milk pitcher and hoses that you insert into the machine. This keeps everything very tidy and behind the scenes, but it's too easy to forget the milk when it's out of sight and end up with a rancid mess. This much more traditional layout, where the frother is directly attached to the body, is far more error-proof.Read our full review of the Cafe Affetto and find out why we recommend it for beginners.Best with a built-in grinderIn our quest to find the very best espresso machines with a built-in grinder, we've run tests on most of Breville's espresso machines. While the Barista Express Impress may not be the fastest or most feature-equipped, it is the first machine you can operate from start to finish with one lone hand, mess-free. Espresso is an inherently involved affair, from burr grinders whirring and overflowing, to gadgets galore and the occasional spewing portafilter (user error). But for the past month or so, I've been using the Barista Express Impress, writhing baby in arm, without so much as a lone ground to wipe away. This is thanks to the assisted tamping and dosing system. The portafilter sits beneath the grinder, which doles out your grinds with a dosing button through a shoot (25 grind sizes, adjustable and programmable for single and double shots). Breville is not the first brand to develop a tamp-assisting function, though it is the smoothest and the easiest to use.Owen Burke/InsiderBreville's proprietary "Impress" Puck System differentiates this machine from the original Barista Express. The built-in tamper operates via a lever on the left-hand side — it's precalibrated and turns at precisely seven degrees, leaving a clean, even finish atop a perfectly formed puck. The Express Impress also comes with all of the features and accessories you'll find in any Breville machine: 15 bars of pressure (you only really need nine), a 67-ounce water tank (enough for a week's worth of espresso), a convenient water spout, a half-pound sealed bean hopper, a steaming wand, a frothing pitcher, two double-walled and two pressurized portafilter baskets (a single- and double-shot size of each), and the Razor leveling tool. You'll also find a brush with a clog-clearing pin and some descaling tablets.There isn't another machine that is as easy to operate one-handed or mess-free. You'd have a hard time finding all of the quality features in this package tidily wrapped in stainless steel, ready to adorn any countertop in style.Read our full review of the Breville Barista Pro espresso machine, where we compare it with the Express Impress.Best pod machineIf you're looking for the best espresso machine that uses pods, look no further. Turn the Nespresso Pixie on, pop in a pod, press a button, and in under a minute you will have an espresso-like drink, foamy crema and all. The Pixie has just two settings: one for espresso and one for a lungo, which is just a long, or more diluted pour of an espresso. Isabel Fernandez/InsiderNespresso claims that this machine offers 19 bars of pressure, but our TDS readings fell consistently around the 5% to 7% mark, which is just shy of espresso. In other words, you can't expect "true" espresso from this machine, but you can count on a strong, frothy drink. That is, in fact, quite a feat. And with the added convenience and price point for the machine, we were willing to make an exception.Further to that point, the machine is primed within 25 seconds. To save energy, it turns itself off automatically after nine minutes. These espresso machines come with a one-year limited warranty through Breville, but I have personally (and simultaneously) owned two for more than five years and haven't had a single problem to date.Read our full Breville Nespresso Pixie review, or check out our guide on the best Nespresso machines.Best upgrade automatic machineJura's Z10 is the best fully automatic espresso machine we've tested out of well over a dozen: it actually makes espresso and not a watered-down version. That's largely thanks to Jura's "product-recognizing grinder" (PRG), which automatically monitors grind size and adjusts in real time.The machine is fully customizable, offering 24 pre-programmed espresso-based drinks and eight cold-brew-based beverages. However, we think calling it cold brew is a bit of a stretch. Instead of steeping the grounds overnight, the machine produces coarse grounds, steeps them briefly in cold water, and then brews using pressure, creating something like nitro brew.Owen Burke/InsiderThe Z10 is also compatible with an app (J.O.E.) so that you don't even have to set foot in your kitchen to brew — just make sure there's a cup in place ahead of time. You can set specialty preferences from your Apple Watch.It's also considerably more attractive than your run-of-the-mill automatic espresso machine, but that should be a given, considering the price tag. Apart from the price, the real drawbacks are the size (over a foot wide and tall), the fact that the bean hopper is on top (so this likely isn't fitting beneath a cabinet) and that the Cool Control and Stainless Steel Milk Pipe are sold separately and take up even more counter space.But then anyone looking at a fully automatic espresso machine worth its weight and footprint can expect as much, four-figure price tag or not.Read our full review of the Jura Z10 and see why it's the only automatic machine to win us over.Best stovetopGrosche's Milano is the most durable and functional food-grade aluminum Moka pot we've tried yet, thanks to its thick frame and a sturdy silicone handle that's much less likely to melt than many other options on the market. This is a big reason why it's the best stovetop espresso maker we've tried. Moka pots are designed to be placed above an open flame, and unless you're working over an electric or induction stovetop, you need something that's built to stand up to the heat, especially if your handle gets a little too close to your heat source. Owen Burke/InsiderThe Milano has a silicone gasket, which won't wear out as quickly as rubber ones and helps create better pressure when brewing. The low memory of silicone (you won't start to find creases in it as you would with natural rubber) makes this gasket not only last longer, but create consistent pressure for a brew much closer to espresso.You can choose the size best for your household, from 1-, 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-cup models. Just know that "cup" here is not relative to either an 8-ounce cup or a demitasse (as espresso is generally measured), and its capacity falls somewhere between the two.We still wish that someone mass-producing Moka pots these days would conjure up something that's definitely fireproof (as was once a requisite of the humble little device). Still, Grosche is the brand coming closest to a Moka pot built for the long haul.Read our full Grosche Milano Stovetop Espresso Maker review.Best portableManual espresso makers like the Flair Espresso are not only affordable, they offer more control than most budget machines that don't allow you to adjust temperature or pressure. Just know this before buying: using the Flair is slightly more time-consuming than making espresso with a machine by about two minutes. And, you'll still need a grinder. Again, though, if time is a real constraint, you may want to look to pod machines, or perhaps the Breville Barista Pro, which offers a relatively quicker shot.Unlike most of the machines we tested, the Flair comes with an impressively long five-year limited warranty.Isabel Fernandez/InsiderWhen I mentioned the Flair to Dan Kehn, former SCAA judge and founder of Home-Barista.com, he agreed that it's an excellent bet for anyone new to the espresso world who wants to learn how to pull a full-bodied shot. Why? Again, it's about control. You pour water directly from a kettle and adjust the pressure manually until you get a steady golden flow of thick, crema-rich java. Machines in the same price bracket as the Flair often start out with excessive pressure and end a little on the light side. What makes this device relatively foolproof is the fact that the cylinder has a maximum water capacity of 60ml, so controlling extraction time for somewhere between 30 and 45 seconds (for espresso and more concentrated ristretto, respectively) is actually much easier, and you can get the hang of maintaining the right pressure pretty quickly. This maker weighs just under five pounds and it's portable, which means you can use it anywhere so long as you have a way to boil water. Read our full Flair Original Espresso Maker review.What to look for in an espresso machineEspresso machines are expensive by nature, so make sure you consider all the factors when purchasing one.Isabel Fernandez/InsiderCost: First things first, for most of us. What do you want to spend? This will eliminate a lot of potential considerations right away. For a quality machine that can build and maintain pressure and is designed to be both upgraded and repaired, you want to budget somewhere in the $500 range. Beneath that, we recommend a fully manual device or machine, or a stovetop Moka pot.Size: A home espresso bar can pretty quickly overwhelm a kitchen. Consider the footprint of the machine you're looking to buy relative to the countertop space you have. If you're short on space, consider a pod machine or manual model. Pressure: Any good espresso machine is going to be able to not just reach the required eight bars of pressure to make espresso, but maintain it. Beware machines that boast pressure levels. The cheapest of machines can reach 15 bars of pressure, but how well they maintain it is the key to a great cup of coffee.Heating time: If warm-up time feels like a large consideration to you, consider a pod machine, or a semi-automatic Breville model. Otherwise, most espresso machines take at least a minute to heat up, and some manual options can take as long as 10 or 15 minutes.Types of espresso machinesIn order to determine the best espresso machine for your kitchen, it's helpful to get acquainted with the various styles available.Manual: Manual machines are fully hand-operated, requiring the physical pulling of a lever, and may or may not contain their own heating element and/or boiler.Semi-automatic: Our top pick for most people wanting to make true espresso at home, this is a machine that controls its own pressure while you control the extraction time via a switch.Fully automatic: Automatic machines turn coffee beans into espresso at the touch of a button or two, maintaining their own pressure and shot time. They are often programmable, and some include milk attachments that allow for a full menu of cafe drinks.Pod: Pod machines, like those that brew Nespresso capsules, are a subset of fully automatic machines. Instead of ground beans, you use a pre-filled pod of espresso grounds.How we test espresso machinesTo test brewing consistency, we pulled four shots in a row from every machine.Isabel Fernandez/InsiderTo gauge a machine's performance, we put each through the following tests. In addition, we factored in pricing to determine a machine's overall value.TDS measurements: We wanted to make sure we were getting true espresso, which is generally agreed to be at least somewhere between 7% and 12% total dissolved solids (TDS). Getting more involved, you'll find some baristas reaching extraction percentages in the 20% range, but we stuck with the basics. To measure TDS, we used a device called the Atago Pocket Barista, which gave us concrete proof that some machines are better able to churn out a thicker, richer, more viscous potion without over-extracting than others. Taste tests: We held several side-by-side blind taste tests and used the freshest roasts we could get our hands on from Atlas Coffee Club, Stone Street Coffee Company, and Counter Culture Coffee. These taste tests involved dialing a grinder to prepare grounds for 30-second extraction times, then having five participants taste shots from four machines that became our final contenders.Consistency: We spent dozens of hours grinding and pulling shots from more than 10 pounds of fresh coffee beans. We paid close attention to the consistency of brewing to see if we could pull the same four shots in a row.Who we consultedLance Hedrick, Head of Sales at Arkansas' Onyx Coffee Lab, runner-up at the 2020 United States Brewers Cup Championship, and a professional coffee trainerDan Kehn, a former SCAA Barista judge and founder of Home-Barista.comPeter Giuliano, co-owner of Counter Culture Coffee and director of the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA)Chi Sum Ngai and Kaleena Teoh of Coffee Project NYJordan Rosenacker of Atlas Coffee ClubWhat are the different types of espresso?Normale, or standard espresso: A standard espresso is the most traditional form of the drink, and it's usually defined by a 1:1.5 or 1:2 ratio of input (coffee in grams) to output (what ends up in your cup/demitasse), or by size at about one to 1.5 ounces (30ml-45ml).Ristretto: A ristretto is a 1:1 or 1:1.5 input-to-output ratio, or about three-quarters of an ounce (20ml to 25ml), and an even more concentrated version of espresso.Lungo: A lungo is a slightly diluted espresso, somewhere between three and four ounces (90ml to 120ml), which is between a normale and an Americano.Americano, or long black: An Americano is a shot of espresso diluted with hot water to fill out a cup.Espresso machine FAQsBrewing espresso at home is a learning process, but we think few things are as rewarding.Isabel Fernandez/InsiderDo I need an espresso machine?Of course not, but there are few things as rewarding in the world of home coffee as achieving an immaculate shot of velvety espresso all on your own. On the flip side, if you need something quick and easy on your way out the door in the morning, consider the Nespresso system.How do you clean an espresso machine?Because all espresso machines are made differently, you'll want to defer to the brand in order to properly clean your specific machine. The most essential tasks are regularly flushing and descaling with something like Urnex Cafiza powder, purging the steam wand, and backflushing on occasion. A few basic tips and tricks, though: Running the machine without the portafilter in place helps flush the group head and keep it grit-free; Cleaning the drip tray regularly will keep mold, bacteria, and even fruit flies at bay; purging the steam wand after each use will keep dairy and non-dairy milk alternatives from getting stuck and developing bacteria; cleaning the water basin (if it's not built-in) will keep your coffee tasting its best and the machine running smoothest.Will customizing my machine help me make better espresso?Yes, things like after-market shower screens, portafilter baskets, and bottomless portafilters (Lance Hedrick of Onyx Coffee Labs recommends this one) will help you achieve better shots and understand how and why your shots are coming out the way they are.Changing out shower screens and portafilter baskets will also change the pressure and flow of your group head and offer a real upgrade to any machine. Hedrick recommends IMS for baskets and shower screens, and they've done well by us, too.Why are espresso machines so expensive?An espresso machine contains a powerful motor that pumps near-boiling water through a chamber and out the group head at high pressure. Everything needs to be expertly sealed so that it can contain piping-hot water under immense pressure, or the machine won't work at all.Can you make regular coffee with an espresso machine?The closest thing you can get to drip coffee with an espresso machine is an Americano, or a long black. Simply pull a shot of espresso and then add whatever amount of hot water to fill out your cup. But you may want to save your money and buy a regular coffee machine. Consider a stovetop Moka pot to have on hand for an espresso-like drink.Best overall: Gaggia Classic ProBeginners can learn by doing with the Gaggia Evo Pro, and experts will be satisfied by the brew quality.Isabel Fernandez/InsiderPros: Affordable, compact, simple design, produces full-bodied shotsCons: No dedicated hot water spout, could have fewer plastic parts, learning curve, portafilter basket sticks in group head if you don't remove while hotEditor's note, July 17, 2023: We're in the process of testing the newest version of this machine, the 2023 Gaggia Classic Evo. Based on our initial research, the design and function of the Classic Evo is nearly identical to the Classic Pro, except for a few internal changes. We'll report back when we've completed our testing.The Gaggia Classic Pro is slightly less forgiving than our recommendation for the best espresso machines with a built-in grinder, but it's also markedly more capable of producing a flavorful, nuanced shot.If you're just starting out, this is about as basic as the best espresso machines get without compromising quality. There are three buttons with corresponding lights (letting you know when the machine is primed) and a steam valve. The fact that there's no room for adjusting can seem a bit limiting at first, but fewer variables are a good thing for the budding barista.It's a single-boiler model, which means it's going to take a while to switch between pulling shots and priming the steam wand (although this shouldn't be a problem if you're only making a few drinks at once). And while Gaggia claims that this machine puts out 15 bars of pressure, you really only need six to nine to achieve espresso.It also includes a small dosing spoon and a plastic tamping device, which — I have to admit — feels a little cheap considering that the Classic Pro used to come with a nicely weighted stainless steel tamper. That being said, you don't need to put much muscle behind tamping in the first place, and those plastic parts do get the job done.Read our full review of the Gaggia Classic Pro, including detailed specs.Best affordable automatic machine: GE CaféThe Café Affetto is a great introduction to making espresso, and is significantly cheaper than most other automatic machines.Isabel Fernandez/InsiderPros: Space-conscious design, built-in grinder, great frotherCons: Grinder isn't high-quality, doesn't achieve true espresso (but better than pod machines)An automatic espresso machine lies somewhere between a pod machine and a semi-automatic one; you can control the grind size and the extraction time, but the process isn't fully hands-on. What we like about General Electric's Café over the half-dozen other automatic machines we've tried is that it's significantly cheaper, about half the size, and makes something much more akin to true espresso. You're not going to get the best grind with the Café's built-in grinder, but you can still use the freshly roasted beans of your choice and get a shot of espresso (or something close to it) at the push of a button. Two standout features that make this one of the best espresso machines we've tried are the options for an Americano (or long black) and a custom "my cup" setting.We frothed both whole milk and almond milk and noted that the frother worked every bit as well as those on most semi-automatic machines. We also like that the wand is removable and washable. Oftentimes, automatic machines will have a milk pitcher and hoses that you insert into the machine. This keeps everything very tidy and behind the scenes, but it's too easy to forget the milk when it's out of sight and end up with a rancid mess. This much more traditional layout where the frother is directly attached to the body is far more error-proof.Best with a built-in grinder: Breville Barista Express ImpressBreville is not the first brand to develop a tamp-assisting function, though it is the smoothest and the easiest to use.Owen Burke/InsiderPros: Can use with a single hand, mess-free, tamp-assist, built-in pressure gaugeCons: Dialing grind doser takes a little time, built-in grinder burrs can stick a little, probably not repairable outside of a two-year limited product warrantyIn our quest to find the very best espresso machines with a built-in grinder, we've run tests of most of Breville's espresso machines. While the Barista Express Impress may not be the fastest or most feature-equipped, it is the first machine you can operate from start to finish with one lone hand, mess-free. Espresso is an inherently involved affair, from burr grinders whirring and overflowing, to gadgets galore and the occasional spewing portafilter (user error). But for the past month or so, I've been using the Barista Express Impress, writhing baby in arm, without so much as a lone ground to wipe away. This is thanks to the assisted tamping and dosing system. The portafilter sits beneath the grinder, which doles out your grinds with a dosing button through a shoot (25 grind sizes, adjustable and programmable for single and double shots). Breville's proprietary "Impress" Puck System differentiates this machine from the original Barista Express. The built-in tamper operates via a lever on the left-hand side — it's precalibrated and turns at precisely seven degrees, leaving a clean, even finish atop a perfectly formed puck. Credit where it's due: Breville is not the first brand to develop a tamp-assisting function, though it is the smoothest and the easiest to use.The Express Impress also comes with all of the features and accessories you'll find in any Breville machine: 15 bars of pressure (you only really need nine), a 67-ounce water tank (enough for a week's worth of espresso), a convenient water spout, a half-pound sealed bean hopper, a steaming wand, a frothing pitcher, two double-walled and two pressurized portafilter baskets (a single- and double-shot size of each), and the Razor leveling tool. You'll also find a brush with a clog-clearing pin and some descaling tablets.There isn't another machine that is as easy to operate one-handed or mess free. You'd have a hard time finding all of the quality features in this package tidily wrapped in stainless steel, ready to adorn any countertop in style.Read our full review of the Breville Barista Pro espresso machine, where we compare it with the Express Impress.Best portable: Flair EspressoUnlike most of the machines we tested, the Flair comes with an impressively long five-year limited warranty.Isabel Fernandez/InsiderPros: Budget-friendly, portable, comes with a case, five-year limited warrantyCons: Takes longer to prep a shot, not great for making more than one or two espressos at a timeManual espresso makers like the Flair Espresso are not only affordable, they offer more control than most budget machines that don't allow you to adjust temperature or pressure. Just know this before buying: using the Flair is slightly more time-consuming than making espresso with a machine by about two minutes. And, you'll still need a grinder. Again, though, if time is a real constraint, you may want to look to pod machines, or perhaps the Breville Barista Pro, which offers a relatively quicker shot.When I mentioned the Flair to Dan Kehn, former SCAA judge and founder of Home-Barista.com, he agreed that it's an excellent bet for anyone new to the espresso world who wants to learn how to pull a full-bodied shot. Why? Again, it's about control. You pour water directly from a kettle and adjust the pressure manually until you get a steady golden flow of thick, crema-rich java. Machines in the same price bracket as the Flair often start out with excessive pressure and end a little on the light side. What makes this device relatively foolproof is the fact that the cylinder has a maximum water capacity of 60ml, so controlling extraction time for somewhere between 30 and 45 seconds (for espresso and more concentrated ristretto, respectively) is actually much easier, and you can get the hang of maintaining the right pressure pretty quickly. This maker weighs just under five pounds and it's portable, which means you can use it anywhere so long as you have a way to boil water. And, unlike most of the machines we tested, the Flair comes with an impressively long five-year limited warranty.Read our full review of the Flair Original Espresso Maker.Best pod machine: Breville-Nespresso PixieIsabel Fernandez/InsiderPros: Easy, convenient, affordable, small footprintCons: Pods can get expensive, on the lower end of espresso, pod grounds are not freshIf you're looking for the best espresso machine that uses pods, look no further. Turn the Nespresso Pixie on, pop in a pod, press a button, and in under a minute you will have an espresso-like drink, foamy crema and all. The Pixie has just two settings: one for espresso and one for a lungo, which is just a long, or more diluted pour of an espresso. Take it easy on this espresso machine and don't demand more than a few shots at a time, and it will last you. Nespresso claims that this machine offers 19 bars of pressure, but our TDS readings fell consistently around the 5% to 7% mark, which is just shy of espresso. In other words, you can't expect "true" espresso from this machine, but you can count on a strong, frothy drink. That is, in fact, quite a feat. And with the added convenience and price point for the machine, we were willing to make an exception.Further to that point, the machine is primed within 25 seconds. To save energy, it turns itself off automatically after nine minutes. These espresso machines come with a one-year limited warranty through Breville, but I have personally (and simultaneously) owned two for more than five years and haven't had a single problem to date.Read our full review of the Breville Nespresso Pixie espresso machine or check out our guide on the best coffee pod machines.Best luxury automatic machine: Jura Z10Owen Burke/InsiderPros: Fast, dynamic, highest-quality espresso we've tried from an automatic machineCons: Large, milk accessories sold separatelyJura's Z10 is the best fully automatic espresso machine we've tested out of well over a dozen: it actually makes espresso and not a watered-down version. That's largely thanks to Jura's "product-recognizing grinder" (PRG), which automatically monitors grind size and adjusts in real time.The machine is fully customizable, offering 24 pre-programmed espresso-based drinks and eight cold-brew-based beverages. However, we think calling it cold-brew is a bit of a stretch. Instead of steeping the grounds overnight, the machine produces coarse grounds, steeps them briefly in cold water, and then brews using pressure, creating something like nitro brew.The Z10 is also compatible with an app (J.O.E.) so that you don't even have to set foot in your kitchen to brew — just make sure there's a cup in place ahead of time. You can set specialty preferences from your Apple Watch.It's also considerably more attractive than your run-of-the-mill automatic espresso machine, but that should be a given considering the price tag. Apart from the price, the real drawbacks are the size (over a foot wide and tall), the fact that the bean hopper is on top (so this likely isn't fitting beneath a cabinet), and that the Cool Control and Stainless Steel Milk Pipe are sold separately and take up even more counter space.But then anyone looking at a fully automatic espresso machine worth its weight and footprint can expect as much, four-figure price tag or not, and again, this is the best coffee you're going to get at the touch of a button.Best stovetop: Grosche MilanoOwen Burke/InsiderPros: Sturdy, high-quality parts, great for gas, electric, and camp stovesCons: Not great for induction stoves, corrosive, not dishwasher-safeGrosche's Milano is the most durable and functional food-grade aluminum Moka pot we've tried yet, thanks to its thick frame and a sturdy silicone handle that's much less likely to melt than many other options on the market. This a big reason why it's the best stovetop espresso maker we've tried. Moka pots are designed to be placed above an open flame, and unless you're working over an electric or induction stovetop, you need something that's built to stand up to the heat, especially if your handle gets a little too close to your heat source. The Milano has a silicone gasket, which won't wear out as quickly as rubber ones and helps create better pressure when brewing. The low memory of silicone (you won't start to find creases in it as you would with natural rubber) makes this gasket not only last longer, but create consistent pressure for a brew much closer to espresso.You can choose the size best for your household, from 1-, 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-cup models. Just know that "cup" here is not relative to either an 8-ounce cup or a demitasse (as espresso is generally measured), and its capacity falls somewhere between the two.We still wish that someone — anyone — mass-producing Moka pots these days would conjure up something that's definitely fireproof (as was once a requisite of the humble little device). Still, Grosche is the brand coming closest to a Moka pot built for the long haul.What to look for in an espresso machineEspresso machines are expensive by nature, so make sure you consider all the factors when purchasing one.Isabel Fernandez/InsiderThe order of the most important considerations when buying an espresso machine is highly subjective, but here are the main factors to consider when choosing your machine:Cost: First things first, for most of us. What do you want to spend? This will eliminate a lot of potential considerations right away. For a quality machine that can build and maintain pressure and is designed to be both upgraded and repaired, you want to budget somewhere in the $500 range. Beneath that, we recommend a fully manual device or machine, or a stovetop Moka pot.Size: A home espresso bar can pretty quickly overwhelm a kitchen. Consider the footprint of the machine you're looking to buy relative to the countertop space you have. If you're short on space, consider a pod machine or manual model. Pressure: Any good espresso machine is going to be able to not just reach the required eight bars of pressure to make espresso, but maintain it. Beware machines that boast pressure levels. The cheapest of machines can reach 15 bars of pressure, but how well they maintain it is the key to a great cup of coffee.Heating Time: If warm-up time feels like a large consideration to you, consider a pod machine, or a semi-automatic Breville model. Otherwise, most espresso machines take at least a minute to heat up, and some manual options can take as long as 10 or 15 minutes.How we test espresso machinesTo test brewing consistency, we pulled four shots in a row from every machine.Isabel Fernandez/InsiderTo gauge a machine's performance, we put each through the following tests. In addition, we factored in pricing to determine a machine's overall value.TDS measurements: We wanted to make sure we were getting true espresso, which is generally agreed to be at least somewhere between 7% and 12% total dissolved solids (TDS). Getting more involved, you'll find some baristas reaching extraction percentages in the 20% range, but we stuck with the basics. To measure TDS, we used a device called the Atago Pocket Barista, which gave us concrete proof that some machines are better able to churn out a thicker, richer, more viscous potion without over-extracting than others. Taste tests: We held several side-by-side blind taste tests and used the freshest roasts we could get our hands on from Atlas Coffee Club, Stone Street Coffee Company, and Counter Culture Coffee. These taste tests involved dialing a grinder to prepare grounds for 30-second extraction times, then having five participants taste shots from four machines that became our final contenders.Consistency: We spent dozens of hours grinding and pulling shots from more than 10 pounds of fresh coffee beans. We paid close attention to the consistency of brewing to see if we could pull the same four shots in a row.Who we consultedTo determine non-negotiable espresso machine features and narrow down my list of recommendations, I asked these coffee professionals to lend their expert advice: Lance Hedrick, Head of Sales at Arkansas' Onyx Coffee Lab, runner-up at the 2020 United States Brewers Cup Championship, and a professional coffee trainerDan Kehn, a former SCAA Barista judge and founder of Home-Barista.comPeter Giuliano, co-owner of Counter Culture Coffee and director of the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA)Chi Sum Ngai and Kaleena Teoh of Coffee Project NYJordan Rosenacker of Atlas Coffee ClubWhat do I need to make espresso?Fresh coffee beans: The first thing you can do to make sure you're making good coffee is to get the freshest whole beans you can find. If you're buying months-old coffee and putting it through an espresso machine, you're going to get a limited amount of the coveted foam, or crema, or any of the nuanced flavors associated with espresso.A burr grinder: The coffee grinder you choose is possibly more important than the espresso machine or coffee maker itself. In our guide to coffee grinders, we like the Baratza Sette 270 for espresso.Mineral water: The best water for making espresso, according to Lance Hedrick, is distilled water with an added mineral solution like this one from Third Wave Water. Otherwise, any charcoal water filter will do.An espresso machine: You need a machine that can build and maintain even pressure between about six and nine bars. Machines can get expensive, but consider something pared-down, like our top recommendation, the Gaggia Classic Pro, or something completely automatic.What are the different types of espresso?Normale, or standard espresso: A standard espresso is the most traditional form of the drink, and it's usually defined by a 1:1.5 or 1:2 ratio of input (coffee in grams) to output (what ends up in your cup/demitasse), or by size at about one to 1.5 ounces (30ml-45ml).Ristretto: A ristretto is a 1:1 or 1:1.5 input-to-output ratio, or about three-quarters of an ounce (20ml to 25ml), and an even more concentrated version of espresso.Lungo: A lungo is a slightly diluted espresso, somewhere between three and four ounces (90ml to 120ml), which is between a normale and an Americano.Americano, or long black: An Americano is a shot of espresso diluted with hot water to fill out a cup.Espresso machine FAQsBrewing espresso at home is a learning process, but we think few things are as rewarding.Isabel Fernandez/InsiderDo I need an espresso machine?Of course not, but there are few things as rewarding in the world of home coffee as achieving an immaculate shot of velvety espresso all on your own. On the flip side, if you need something quick and easy on your way out the door in the morning, consider the Nespresso system.How do you clean an espresso machine?Because all espresso machines are made differently, you'll want to defer to the brand in order to properly clean your specific machine. The most essential tasks are regularly flushing and descaling with something like Urnex Cafiza powder, purging the steam wand, and backflushing on occasion. A few basic tips and tricks, though: Running the machine without the portafilter in place helps flush the group head and keep it grit-free; Cleaning the drip tray regularly will keep mold, bacteria, and even fruit flies at bay; purging the steam wand after each use will keep dairy and non-dairy milk alternatives from getting stuck and developing bacteria; cleaning the water basin (if it's not built-in) will keep your coffee tasting its best and the machine running smoothest.Will customizing my machine help me make better espresso?Yes, things like after-market shower screens, portafilter baskets, and bottomless portafilters (Lance Hedrick of Onyx Coffee Labs recommends this one) will help you achieve better shots and understand how and why your shots are coming out the way they are.Changing out shower screens and portafilter baskets will also change the pressure and flow of your group head and offer a real upgrade to any machine. Hedrick recommends IMS for baskets and shower screens, and they've done well by us, too.Why are espresso machines so expensive?An espresso machine contains a powerful motor that pumps near-boiling water through a chamber and out the group head at high pressure. Everything needs to be expertly sealed so that it can contain piping-hot water under immense pressure, or the machine won't work at all.Can you make regular coffee with an espresso machine?The closest thing you can get to drip coffee with an espresso machine is an Americano, or a long black. Simply pull a shot of espresso and then add whatever amount of hot water to fill out your cup.But you may want to save your money and buy a regular coffee machine. Consider a stovetop Moka pot to have on hand for an espresso-like drink.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»
How Much Should You Tip? Five People Share Their Habits
Five people share their tipping habits over the course of one week If you feel like you’re being asked to tip more often than ever, you’re not alone. A November report by the Pew Research Center found that 72% of Americans say that tipping is expected in more places today than it was five years ago. From self-service kiosks to fast casual restaurants to grab-and-go cafes, options to tip are everywhere. To better understand tipping culture, TIME asked five people to track their spending over the course of a week, and share what they tipped on and why. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] Read More: Why We’re Spending So Much Money Gig workers and waitstaff often rely on tips to make a living. But Americans increasingly feel that tipping culture has gone too far. Another survey by consumer financial services company Bankrate found that around two in three U.S. adults have a negative view about tipping, and that 41% of U.S. adults think businesses should just pay their employees better, so that they don’t have to rely so heavily on tips. Tipping is thought to have its roots in ancient Rome, but in its modern form it’s believed to have originated in Tudor England. In the 19th century, when wealthy Americans returned from travels in Europe, they began tipping out of a desire to appear aristocratic. At first, the practice was strongly opposed by most diners, who argued that it was contrary to the American ideal of a society without stratification by social class. But tipping stuck, in part because business owners stood to benefit, as the practice shifts some of the burden of paying servers onto customers. Read More: ‘It’s the Legacy of Slavery’: Here’s the Troubling History Behind Tipping Practices in the U.S. From tipping on crushed ice to dinner at Chipotle, five consumers explore their relationship with tipping, and explain their tipping choices. Here’s what they said. (The following responses have been condensed and edited for clarity. The individuals featured asked to remain anonymous to protect their professional interests.) 26-year-old congressional staffer who makes $70,000 living in Washington, D.C. 60-year-old CEO of a consumer insights firm who makes over $300,000 living in Oviedo, Florida 30-year-old policy advisor who makes $120,000 living in Cambridge, Massachusetts 60-year-old consultant who makes $60,000 living in The Woodlands, Texas 27-year-old advocacy professional who makes $110,000 living in East Lansing, Michigan 26-year-old congressional staffer who makes $70,000 living in Washington, D.C. I try to tip fairly and well. I always tip reasonably at restaurants where I’ve received table service, and often when buying things at a counter—in part because the iPads present tipping options and it feels rude to click “no tip.” I never, ever carry cash, so I typically won’t tip at a hotel or after experiencing other interpersonal kinds of service (I recently went on a boat tour and they had a tip jar at the end). I feel bad about this, but not bad enough to start carrying cash. Also, as a teenager I was an ice cream scooper in a touristy destination and most of my income was through tips, so I will always tip high school kids doing the hard manual labor of being covered in dairy product. Day 1: I went to coffee near the office with a coworker to complain about work. I got a chai latte and a feta and mushroom pastry, which cost $10.22. I paid with Apple Pay. The payment tablet prompted me to add a tip—$1 was the lowest option. I went out to dinner with two coworkers to continue complaining about work. I paid the check—$138.60—with a credit card, and they Venmoed me their share. The tip was calculated for me on the receipt. I paid 20%, which was $23.10 and the middle of the three options offered (the others were 18% and 22%). Day 2: I took an Uber that cost $42.39. I paid with a credit card saved to the app and tipped $4. I don’t intuitively think to tip Uber and Lyft drivers. I lived in San Francisco during the height of Uber’s VC funding, where traveling anywhere in the city was really cheap and tipping was not part of the app. I usually will tip drivers eventually, since I know that’s how they make much of their income, but I typically will do a few dollars, rather than the pre-suggested 20%, particularly on expensive rides. I ordered sushi takeout that cost $15.24. I paid with a credit card and tipped 20%, which was $2.79. We ordered takeout and paid at the counter. The receipt had boxes on it: 15%, 18%, and 20%. I checked 20% and told my friend about how I’m working on this tipping diary. She said “I would never tip for takeout, they didn’t serve us.” Day 3: For lunch, I had surprisingly good airport food from a counter serve place, which cost $16.02. I paid with Apple Pay and tipped $1.92, which was the lowest option of the pre-set amounts. I do think cashiers deserve to be tipped, and, again, it’s hard to click the “no tip” button. I took an Uber from the airport to my friend’s house, which cost $38.59. I paid with a credit card saved to the app and tipped $4. Do people tip on Ubers? Am I being cheap here? Day 4: I got two coffees that cost $8.85 in total. I paid by tapping my phone to the payment tablet and tipped $1.59, which was 18%. This was a coffee shop at a convenience store, but I practiced coffee shop etiquette and tipped. Lunch cost $16.81. I paid with Apple Pay on a tablet and tipped $3.03, which was 18% and the middle option on the tablet. Then, I got shaved ice that cost $9.11. I paid by tapping my phone to the payment tablet and tipped $1, which was the cheapest of the pre-selected options. Later, I got cookies and pie that cost $14.41. I paid with Apple Pay on a tablet and tipped $2.16, which was 15%. In retrospect, I feel a little silly tipping for this—we grabbed a piece of pie out of a fridge and a package of cookies off a shelf and brought them to the counter to pay. Day 5: I bought coffees—they cost $12.42. I paid with my phone and tipped $1.86 (15%—the middle option). Later on, I got post-drinks pizza that cost $7.33. I paid by tapping my phone to the payment tablet and tipped $1.32 (18%). This was actually the worst pizza I’ve ever had in my life. Day 6: I got udon soup for dinner that cost $22.05. I ordered online and there was not an option to tip on this transaction! Later, I bought shaved ice for $7.55. I paid with Apple Pay and tipped $1.36, which was 18%. This wasn’t actually very good shaved ice. Day 7: I got sushi takeout for dinner that cost $15.56. I paid with Apple Pay on a tablet and tipped $3.11, which was 20%. This was a counter-service situation, but I could see the workers behind the counter making the rolls themselves to order! I took a Lyft to the airport that cost $32.82. I paid with a credit card saved to the app and tipped $4.92. This Lyft driver was particularly friendly and delightful, so I tipped more than I typically would. I got airport mac and cheese that cost $13.72. I paid with Apple Pay on a tablet and tipped $2.06, which was the lowest option of the pre-set amounts. After my flight, I took another Lyft that cost $10.99. I paid with a credit card saved to the app but I didn’t mean to not tip! I must have clicked out of the app without doing so. I don’t see a way to retroactively add a tip. Total in tips at the end of the week: $59.22 60-year-old CEO of a consumer insights firm who makes over $300,000 living in Oviedo, Florida I generally tip for service when the staff has done some “work,” like at a sit down restaurant or at a hairdresser where a personal service was provided. I’ll generally tip 15%-25% depending on the quality of the overall experience as well as the personal attention provided by the staff. Recognizing that servers in restaurants rely on their tips to make up for a below-market wage, I’ll tend to go on the higher side provided they show interest in earning it, with the minimum being 15%.I don’t like to tip in situations where there isn’t an extra element of service, like at a fast food place or, my pet peeve, at my dermatologist! I’ve noticed more institutions asking for a “tip” to be added to the bill with options starting at 18%. I don’t believe I should be tipping someone that is paid to do the job they are doing and the job is “put that pastry into a box and give it to the customer.” Also, I’m never quite sure who that tip goes to, so that is another reason for me not to tip. My general view is pay your staff a fair wage and then charge me accordingly. Don’t ask me to subsidize their wages or, worse, add to your bottom line by shaming me into a tip. Day 1: I got dinner at a local taco joint. It cost $43.23. I paid with a card and tipped $6.77 to take it up to $50. I generally tip 15% and round things off—it’s easier for me when reviewing charges on the back end. Day 2: N/A Day 3: I got carry-out baked goods from a local bakery. I paid cash for the goods ($11.60) then put $2 in the tip jar. They did a great job explaining how the two items compared and packed them in a box really well. They were very pleasant and polite. I generally would just have tipped $1. Day 4: I bought carry-out Indian food for $78.43, which I paid with a card. I don’t feel like carry-out in a dine-in restaurant warrants a tip. There is no element of service that I experience. I’ll occasionally tip 10% if the option is there on the screen to tap, but these guys gave 25%, 22%, and 18% along with “other.” The ridiculousness of thinking I’ll give a tip when their staff has to do zero work and making that above the norm annoyed me. Day 5: N/A Day 6: N/A Day 7: N/A Total in tips at the end of the week: $8.77 30-year-old policy advisor who makes $120,000 living in Cambridge, Massachusetts I’ll always tip in situations in which it’s clear it’s expected of me. I’ll also tip if I pay after receiving a service, and I thought it was good. I’m more likely to tip if I like the employee(s) I’m dealing with or like and/or frequent the establishment. Day 1: I went to Chipotle for a chicken burrito bowl with a fountain soda, which cost $16.16. I paid with a card and did not leave a tip. I go here for lunch at least once a week. The staff were friendly today. They did give me a scoop of mild salsa when I asked only for the spicy, but I wasn’t going to tip anyway. I just don’t get the sense that I’m expected to at fast casual places like that. Day 2: I went back to the same Chipotle as before and got another chicken burrito bowl with a fountain soda for $16.16. I paid with a card and did not leave a tip. Day 3: I went back to the same Chipotle again and got a steak burrito bowl with a fountain soda for $18.03. I paid with a card and did not leave a tip. Day 4: I got coffee and a breakfast sandwich from my locally owned coffee shop for $9.76. The employees know me by name there so I paid with a card and tipped $1.95. I love this coffee shop—I go there regularly, and I feel it’s expected to tip at coffee shops. For lunch, I went back to the same Chipotle and got another chicken burrito bowl for $16.16. I paid with a card and did not leave a tip. I took an Uber that cost $17.58. My driver was prompt and polite so I paid with a card, gave five stars, and tipped $1.76 which was 10%. I had dinner at a restaurant before going to see a play that cost $70.80. I paid with a card and tipped $14, which was 20%. I always tip 20% for meals with servers unless the service is especially bad. After the play I had drinks at a bar that cost $38.70. I paid with a card and tipped $7, which was 20%. I always tip 20% for drinks. I took another Uber home that cost $16.59. My driver was prompt and didn’t, like, say anything rude during the ride so I gave him five stars and a 10% tip ($1.66). Day 5: I got a black coffee from the local coffee shop I love for $3.80. I paid with a card, but did not leave a tip this time. I wasn’t really thinking about it in the moment, but I think it was because I just got a black coffee and there’s not much that goes into preparing that. For breakfast, I went to a fast casual place I had never tried before and got another coffee and a breakfast sandwich for $9.85. I paid with a card and tipped $1.97, which was 15%. After that, I stopped on a long bike ride and got a salad for $14.99 from a locally owned place. I paid with a card, but did not leave a tip. I like to tip at locally owned places, but I saw that the salads were pre-made when I was checking out, which I didn’t like. Honestly, it was also probably because I knew I’d never go back there. I went back to the same Chipotle for lunch, and got a steak burrito bowl for $18.03. I paid with a card and did not leave a tip. Day 6: I went back to my regular local coffee shop and got coffee and a breakfast sandwich for $14.03. I paid with a card and tipped $1.83 which was 15% as usual. Later, I got drinks at Topgolf (the indoor driving range) that cost $28.09. The service was fine, so I tipped 20% ($4.70) as per usual. Day 7: I got a turkey sandwich, water and chips for lunch at a ski lodge cafeteria for $15.41. I paid with a card and did not leave a tip since there was no service and the food wasn’t made to order. Later, I had dinner which included a sandwich and two beers and cost $33.81. Since there was table service, I paid with a card and tipped $5.60, which was 20%. Total in tips at the end of the week: $40.47 60-year-old consultant who makes $60,000 living in The Woodlands, Texas At places where I stand in a line to order—fast casual places—I tip 10%-15%. I tip 20% if I am getting good table service. I don’t tip for take out. Day 1: I went to Nando’s in Houston. I paid $23.98 with my card, and tipped $3.89. It was a quick lunch and there was no table service. Day 2: I had a casual dinner with friends at Palette Indian Kitchen. It cost $67.12 and I tipped $13.42—the table service was good. Day 3: I got a quick lunch back at the Kitchen. I paid $16.24 on card and tipped $2.44—no table service. Day 4: I went for dinner at Oporto, a local restaurant. I paid $390.50 on my card and tipped $78.10—it was my treat. We were a party of eight so the tip was automatic. I did not mind paying the 20% since the service was good. Day 5: N/A Day 6: N/A Day 7: N/A Total in tips at the end of the week: $97.85 27-year-old advocacy professional who makes $110,000 living in East Lansing, Michigan People deserve to be paid for their work. I used to tip 20% on basically everything, back when you would only be asked to tip in a small number of places. I still tip 20% for any sit down meal service, bartender, rideshare, and delivery, but now I don’t tip for takeout, or checking out at coffee shops unless there’s like a specific reason to. I also believe that the wage should be on the establishment, not the customers, and I would much rather pay a bit extra for the base price, and know that every staffer is paid a consistent or fair rate, than having tipping allowing businesses to skirt paying their people. I know this is different for servers specifically, who make more on average, but tipping has extended far beyond servers at this point. Day 1: I got dinner from Chipotle, which cost $9. The woman working was nice, and the guy in front of me was rude to her, so I paid with a card and left a $2 tip. She was also generous with portions, which deserves a tip at Chipotle. I also picked up takeout sushi for my wife for $26. I paid with a card and did not leave a tip—I just don’t see a reason to tip on takeout. Day 2: I went to a local taco restaurant for lunch and paid $18.99. Since it was a sit-down restaurant, I paid with a card and tipped $5.01, which was close to 20%. I added an extra cent because whole numbers make my brain feel good. I picked up Pad Thai takeout for my wife. It cost $10.50, I paid with a card and did not leave a tip since it was takeout. I went to CVS and bought masks for a man outside the store for $15.89. I paid with a card and did not leave a tip. There was a donation screen, but since I was quite literally buying something for a random man on the street, I felt like I didn’t need to add a donation on top of that. Day 3: I bought movie tickets, popcorn, and a drink for $39.96. I paid with a card, but did not leave a tip when prompted. I don’t feel I need to tip in situations like cafeteria-style or movie theaters. After the movie, I went to a bar and had drinks that cost $12.44. Since there was a bartender, I paid with a card and tipped $3, which was around 20%. Sometimes I tip based on how many drinks I’ve ordered rather than a flat percentage. I’ll do a dollar a drink or something, but this time I just tipped doing quick math, which was around 20%. Day 4: I went for lunch at a Chipotle-style restaurant called Los Amigos Taqueria and got food that cost $12.57. The person working was nice so when the tablet prompted tip amounts of $1, $1.50 and $2, I went in the middle. I went out to dinner, which cost $68.90. Since it was full service, I paid with a card and calculated 20% on my phone which came out to $13.79. I think I literally did the calculations on my phone for this. I don’t have a strong reason for why I did this, but just did. Day 5: I got food from a cafeteria that cost $21.60. When I was asked to tip at checkout, I paid with a card but I did not leave a tip. I was actually a little taken back. I went to a cafeteria where I had to pick out my own food and was asked for a tip at checkout. It’s like if I were to go grocery shopping and then was asked for a tip from the cashier. Later, I went to a restaurant with 15 people and put it all on my card—it cost $664.20. The others Venmoed me later. The tablet prompted 18%, 20% and 25% so I hit 20% which was $132.84. Day 6: I went to breakfast at a cafe in Portland on the drive back to Brighton from a ski trip in Maine, and had food that cost $21.19. Since it was a sit-down cafe with a server, I paid with a card and tipped $5 which was close to 20%. I had to leave quickly so I tipped fast. Day 7: I bought a takeout salad that cost $16.48. Since it was takeout, I paid with a card and did not leave a tip. Later, I went to a cafe in Brighton, where I was staying with a friend, and had food that cost $23.75. Since it was a sit-down with a server, I paid with a card and tipped $6.50 which was around 20% calculated quickly. Total in tips at the end of the week: $169.64.....»»
I worked at Sephora for 11 years. Here are my absolute favorite beauty products of all time.
As a former Sephora employee, some of my favorite makeup and skincare products include picks from First Aid Beauty, ILIA, and Urban Decay. I worked at Sephora for 11 years.Nora CandrevaAfter working at Sephora for 11 years, I have lots of go-to makeup and skincare products.The First Aid Beauty facial radiance pads and pure-skin face cleanser are great products.I love the Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech foundation and Urban Decay Vice Lip Bond long-wear lipstick.I saw a lot of changes in beauty trends during my 11 years at Sephora. But one question clients asked me always remained the same: Which products would you recommend?Despite the murky outlook of the economy, shoppers are still spending their cash on beauty products and looking to get the best value on the items they buy.Here are my favorite makeup and skincare products as a freelance makeup artist and former Sephora employee.The Haus Labs by Lady Gaga Triclone Skin Tech foundation makes my clients' skin look flawless.The Haus Labs by Lady Gaga Triclone Skin Tech foundation has an amazing formula.Nora CandrevaThe Haus Labs by Lady Gaga Triclone Skin Tech foundation creates a natural medium-coverage look. This product has an amazing formula with skincare ingredients like fermented arnica, which can help reduce redness.The brand's concealers are also fabulous and can even be used as foundation.The Ilia Super Serum skin tint features great skincare ingredients.The Ilia Super Serum skin tint SPF 40 provides light-to-medium coverage.Nora CandrevaFull disclosure, I work as a brand ambassador for Ilia at some Sephora stores — but I genuinely love the Ilia Super Serum skin tint because it has great skincare ingredients.The SPF 40 product contains ingredients like niacinamide, which can treat acne, and squalane, which hydrates the skin. It's a beautifully tinted serum with dewy light-to-medium coverage.When it comes to mascara, I have to recommend the Diorshow products.The Dior Diorshow Maximizer 3D triple-volume plumping lash primer and 24h buildable-volume mascara are a great combination. Nora CandrevaI usually point clients who want voluminous lashes to the Dior Diorshow Maximizer 3D triple-volume plumping lash primer and the 24h buildable-volume mascara. Personally, I prefer the waterproof Diorshow mascara formula. The primer can nourish and curl your lashes, and the Diorshow mascara is great for building volume.Take care of your lips with the OleHenriksen Pout Preserve hydrating peptide lip treatments.The OleHenriksen Pout Preserve peptide lip treatments come in various shades.Nora CandrevaMy lips always feel hydrated and plump when I use the OleHenriksen Pout Preserve hydrating peptide lip treatments.I love the Strawberry Sorbet shade because it leaves a beautiful hint of pink on the lips.The Urban Decay Vice Bond glossy long-wear lipstick is truly impressive.When I want lip colors that last, I go for the Urban Decay Vice Bond glossy long-wear lipsticks.Nora CandrevaI was wowed when I first tried the Urban Decay Vice Bond glossy long-wear lipstick.The highly pigmented colors stay on my lips longer than the rest of my makeup. To use it, shake the lipstick, apply it to your lips, and let it dry while you keep your mouth open.Sephora Collection setting products seal makeup in perfectly.I love the Sephora Collection translucent setting powder and setting spray.Nora CandrevaBecause I was encouraged to sell Sephora Collection makeup when I worked in the store, I've tried many of the products. My favorites were always the setting products because they lock down makeup for a reasonable price.I'd even say the Sephora Collection translucent loose setting powder is comparable to the pricier Laura Mercier translucent one.Similarly, the Sephora Collection all-day makeup setting spray is just as good for setting your face as the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless spray.In terms of skincare, there are some great sunscreen options to choose from at Sephora.I'd usually recommend the Ilia C Beyond triple serum SPF 40 or the Tula Skincare Protect and Glow sunscreen gel.Nora CandrevaI always tell my clients that sunscreen is like health insurance for the face.I swear by the Ilia C Beyond triple serum SPF 40 because the tinted formula, which comes in three shades, can cover redness without leaving a white cast. It also layers underneath foundation beautifully.The Tula Skincare Protect and Glow daily sunscreen gel SPF 30 gives the skin a gorgeous glow while protecting it from sun damage.The right balm and oil cleansers remove makeup and sunscreen effortlessly.The Dermalogica Precleanse cleansing oil can remove dirt and impurities. Nora CandrevaDouble cleansing, or washing your face with two cleansers, starts with removing makeup and sunscreen with balms or oils.I recommend the Farmacy Green Clean makeup-removing cleansing balm or the Dermalogica Precleanse cleansing oil. Be gentle when massaging these products on the skin, especially around the eyes, so you don't lose any lashes.Choose cleansers that complement your skin type.The First Aid Beauty pure-skin face cleanser is a great cream-based product.Nora CandrevaI recommend choosing a basic cleanser according to your skin type and concerns.For example, I have combination skin (oily and dry), so I use the gel-based Shani Darden cleansing serum. The cleanser feels luxurious with how it foams up. I also felt like how it removes dirt and oil without drying out my skin.If your skin is dry and sensitive, I recommend a cream-based product like the First Aid Beauty pure-skin cleanser. The fragrance-free cream formula even doubles as a makeup remover.The Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant exfoliant can help smooth textured skin.The Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant exfoliant activates when mixed with water.Nora CandrevaI usually recommend an enzyme exfoliant for those with dry or flaky skin and a chemical exfoliator with glycolic or lactic acids for clients with textured skin.The Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant exfoliant is an enzyme powder that's activated when mixed with water.This gentle yet effective scrub helps even skin tone while cleansing and reducing the appearance of pores. It's a great step before applying foundation.I have a few go-to chemical exfoliants that nourish the skin.Dr. Dennis Gross peel pads and First Aid Beauty facial radiance pads are good chemical exfoliants.Nora CandrevaWhen I want a chemical exfoliant that nourishes my skin, I use the Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta extra-strength daily peel pads.I also loved using the First Aid Beauty facial radiance pads when prepping clients' skin at Sephora's Beauty Studio. They're a staple for preparing a good base to apply makeup to, and I've even found they work for people with sensitive skin.For moisturizers, Skinfix products are my holy grail.The Skinfix Barrier+ products can help restore skin health.Nora CandrevaI suggest people with dry skin go for a cream-based moisturizer because it has a thick consistency that will lock in moisture. On the other hand, I recommend those with oily skin opt for a gel or lightweight formula with a watery texture that won't feel too heavy.The Skinfix Barrier+ strengthening and moisturizing triple lipid-peptide cream and lightweight pore-refining gel cream hydrate and help to restore the skin barrier.The Biossance squalane-and-marine-algae eye cream is one of my favorite skincare picks.The Biossance squalane-and-marine-algae eye cream instantly brightens the skin.Nora CandrevaMy all-time favorite eye cream is the Biossance squalane-and-marine-algae product.It's the ultimate one-and-done eye cream because it can firm and instantly brighten the under eyes. For an extra refreshing application, chill your eye cream in the fridge.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»
It"s hard to compete with Elon Musk when recruiting AI talent, CEO says
In the battle for AI talent, Elon Musk holds considerable sway, Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas said. Elon Musk launched xAI last year.Getty ImagesPerplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas said Elon Musk's xAI is stiff competition in the recruiting space.The AI CEO said Musk's company offers the highest compensation at the moment.It's also difficult to compete with Musk's celebrity status, the CEO said.In the battle for AI talent, Elon Musk holds considerable sway.Aravind Srinivas, the CEO of the AI company Perplexity, said it can be difficult to compete with the Tesla CEO when recruiting.Musk launched his own AI startup, xAI, last year and Srinivas said it has since become one of the highest-paying companies for AI talent — on par with OpenAI. Last year, The Wall Street Journal reported that OpenAI was offering salary packages as high as $900,000."Whoever has the highest valuation will be able to win this race all the time because, on paper, you're always going to be able to offer the same amount of shares but the dollar value is going to be much higher," Srinivas told The Verge's Alex Heath.OpenAI hit a reported $80 billion valuation last month. Meanwhile, Perplexity was finalizing a deal that would value it at about $1 billion, The Journal reported earlier this month."Whatever offer we make, the same offer made by xAI is more valuable because they say on paper that they're valued more," he added.Heath reported that xAI recruits have been told by the company that their stock options are tied to a $25 billion valuation. In January, Financial Times reported that Musk's AI venture was in talks to raise $6 billion at around a $20 billion valuation.Perplexity makes a product that provides answers to people's questions powered by AI. It competes against OpenAI's ChatGPT and xAI's Grok, among others in the space.Srinivas said Stripe CEO Patrick Collison told him he was chasing the wrong hiring candidates after he tried to recruit a senior software engineer who was also being recruited by xAI. Instead, Collison told the CEO to focus on finding people who "want to actually build the stuff that you're building," Srinivas said.The AI CEO said that his company has more users than xAI's Grok, a chatbot that is only available to premium subscribers on the social media site X. It's not clear how many X Premium users there are, but TechCrunch reported in October that the social media site formerly known as Twitter had less than 900,000 subscribers. (xAI is a separate corporation from the social media site X, but the two companies work closely together under Musk, according to xAI's website.)Nonetheless, Srinivas said the fact that xAI's leader is Musk — who has a celebrity status and cult following unlike any other CEO in tech — is a significant hurdle."We have the right to say, 'You should consider us approximately in the same ballpark,'" Srnivas said. "But then they say, 'No, Elon Musk is different.' So that makes it difficult to compete with X.AI."It's not the first time that the Perplexity CEO has highlighted just how ruthless hiring in the AI space can be. Earlier this month, Srinivas said on a podcast that he'd faced difficulty trying to hire a Meta employee because his company didn't have as many GPUs or, in other words, as many graphic-processing units to power and train its AI systems as Mark Zuckerberg's company.A role at one of Musk's companies has always been something highly sought after in the tech world — whether its xAI, Tesla, X, or SpaceX. Earlier this year, Fortune reported that X received thousands of applications even after the company very publicly laid off over half its workforce last year. Similarly, Tesla hires previously told Business Insider that recruits are more willing to accept lower pay to work under Musk.Representatives for Srinivas and Musk did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Do you work for one of Musk's companies or have insight to share? Reach out to the reporter from a non-work email and device at gkay@businessinsider.comRead the original article on Business Insider.....»»
Avoid Every Orange Juice Brand Except For These 8
Orange juice is a staple of American breakfast; not all are made the same. Some products deserve the longevity they have, while others are perhaps bought out of habit or because we’re afraid to try something new. Made from either churning or squeezing the fruit, orange juice has additional ingredients for taste and preservation. It […] The post Avoid Every Orange Juice Brand Except For These 8 appeared first on 24/7 Wall St.. Orange juice is a staple of American breakfast; not all are made the same. Some products deserve the longevity they have, while others are perhaps bought out of habit or because we’re afraid to try something new. Made from either churning or squeezing the fruit, orange juice has additional ingredients for taste and preservation. It comes in various flavors including navel orange, blood orange, Valencia orange, tangerine and clementine. Some companies may add flavor packs, like orange oils or essence, to boost flavor. It’s great on its own, but orange juice is also a common ingredient in other drinks. The orange juice market amounts to $20.7 billion in the United States alone and is expected to grow every year by close to three percent. Minute Maid orange juice is made by Coke, and Tropicana orange juice is made by Pepsi. These two companies account for almost 60% of the orange juice production in the United States. Whether fresh-squeezing it from home or adding it to your McDonald’s breakfast meal, sometimes orange juice just hits differently. To determine the eight best orange juice brands, we studied the pros and cons of each. We present them to you in no particular order. 1. Minute Maid Orange juice is a common staple in the United States for meals and snacks. Easier to find at common grocery stores like Walmart Made with natural, ripe oranges Comes in various types Minute Maid Isn’t Going Anywhere Minute Maid orange juice is manufactured by Coca-Cola. Manufactured by Coca-Cola, Minute Maid is one of the highest-selling orange juices in the country. This familiar carton is sold in almost every grocery store and is allegedly made from perfectly ripe, natural oranges. The juice comes in a low pulp version, a pulp-free version, an additional calcium and Vitamin D option and a Kids+ option. The Kids+ option includes extra vitamins A, B1, C, D and E. Some consumers report that the taste of Minute Maid orange juice isn’t as authentic as they’d like, but it’s safe to say Minute Maid orange juice isn’t going anywhere. 2. Trader Joe’s Trader Joe’s makes their own brand of orange juice. No added sugar Kosher Subtle tartness Hint of Tart Citrus Acidity, But Pleasantly Smooth Trader Joe’s orange juice has no added sugars but is only available in their stores. Trader Joe’s current orange juice offering is only available in a no-pulp option. There are no extra sugars added, although orange juice comes with natural sugar. The hard part about Trader Joe’s products is that they are only sold in their store and those can be difficult to find. The upside is that the company is constantly trying new recipes and combinations to improve its offerings. The company claims its product is 100% juice and high in potassium and vitamin C. 3. Whole Foods 365 Whole Foods Market also has their own organic orange juice. Organic Gluten-free Most juices are not made from concentrate Four Ingredients and Lots of Calcium Orange juice is high in calcium and vitamin C. According to Whole Foods, their 365 Whole Foods Market orange juice contains as much calcium as a glass of milk. While they sell a variety of orange juice products at stores, their offering is dairy-free, vegetarian and kosher. Orange juice is offered in several formats: no pulp, calcium and vitamin D and extra pulp. According to Whole Foods, none of their orange juice is made from concentrate. It only lists four ingredients in the calcium and vitamin D version: organic juice, calcium lactate, tricalcium phosphate and vitamin D3. 4. Tropicana Tropicana is manufactured by Pepsi and is one of the most popular orange juice brands. Extremely reliable choice Some consumers report a viscous, thick texture Less tart than others Sip It All Day Long Consumers drink Tropicana all day because they say it’s less tart than other options. As stated previously, Tropicana is one of the most popular orange juice brands in the country, is manufactured by Pepsi and has undergone some name changes over the years. Tropicana has been bottled since 1947 and you’d be hard-pressed to find an American who hasn’t seen these bright bottles in stores. Some consumers report that they can sip this all day long because it’s not as tart as other options, making it a good choice if you want orange juice for more than just a meal. Tropicana comes in an original no-pulp version and a light version with added vitamin C and zinc. The company claims its products have 50% less sugar than regular orange juice brands and 50% fewer calories. 5. Florida’s Natural There is no concentrate in Florida’s Natural orange juice. More citrus taste Available in six different sizes, perfect for a large family or a single person Squeezed from fresh oranges Orange Juice Was the Original Product Orange juice was the first product Florida’s Natural produced. Although Florida’s Natural has branched out into other drinks like lemonade and grapefruit juice, the company began with orange juice. Many report that this orange juice has a more citrus taste with less tart, so it’s ideal for those who want a more subtle flavor. Products are available in a no pulp, with pulp and most pulp versions, so you can determine how thick you want your juice to be. There is also a version with additional calcium and vitamin D, and that comes in a no-pulp and with-pulp option. 6. Simply Orange Simply Orange claims to be the most authentic orange juice brand. Consumers claim it’s orange juice in its unfiltered, authentic form Not from concentrate No added sugars Fresh-Squeezed, All-Natural Taste Simply Orange also offers orange juice combined with other fruits. Simply Orange is available in several types: pulp-free, low acid, pulp-free with additional Vitamin D and calcium, medium plus with calcium and Vitamin D and high pulp. If you want to be adventurous and mix your orange juice with other fruits, you can also choose orange juice with pineapple or orange juice with mango. Simply Orange is also manufactured by Coca-Cola and has no added sugars. There is only one ingredient in their product – just fresh squeezed orange juice. 7. Nature’s Nectar Nature’s Nectar is sold in Aldi grocery stores. High in vitamin C Claims to promote immune and heart health More affordable than other brands Same Juice, Lower Price Orange juice comes in many forms including pulp-free and light. Nature’s Nectar is the “generic” brand of orange juice made by the grocery store chain Aldi. The downside to this is that it’s only available at one store, but the benefit is that it’s more affordable than other fresh orange juice brands. This product is not made from concentrate and comes in a light version. There is also an orange juice mix with pineapple or mango and an orange juice with added calcium and vitamin D. 8. Uncle Matt’s Uncle Matt’s uses two different types of oranges to make their juice. Made of Valencia and Hamlin oranges Kosher Gluten-free and vegan Focused on Everything Organic Vitamin C helps in skin health, wound healing and boosting immunity. Uncle Matt’s orange juice includes folate, antioxidants, vitamin B, vitamin C and potassium. If you’re looking for Uncle Matt’s, you can purchase off the website in bulk, but the company only offers a 52 oz option. Choose from regular orange juice, light orange juice, juice with added calcium, and juice with pulp. Finding the best orange juice brand usually comes down to personal preference, but there are some that are healthier than others. No matter what brand you choose, you get a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals with every glass of juice. Sponsored: Want to Retire Early? Here’s a Great First Step Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances? Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free. Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions. The post Avoid Every Orange Juice Brand Except For These 8 appeared first on 24/7 Wall St.......»»
Where People From Indiana Are Moving to the Most
Americans are more likely to move to a new state than they have been in years. According to the latest estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 8.2 million people moved between states in 2022, more than in any year in over a decade. While reasons for moving vary from person to person, […] The post Where People From Indiana Are Moving to the Most appeared first on 24/7 Wall St.. Americans are more likely to move to a new state than they have been in years. According to the latest estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 8.2 million people moved between states in 2022, more than in any year in over a decade. While reasons for moving vary from person to person, the recent uptick in interstate mobility may be tied to recent changes in the labor market — specifically, the sweeping adoption of remote work policies in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Census data shows that more than 24 million Americans worked from home in 2022, compared to fewer than 9 million in 2019, the year before the pandemic. Without needing to be within commuting distance of an office, larger shares of the population are free to choose a place to live based on other factors, including housing, climate, cost of living, and family. The historic number of moves across state lines in 2022 was driven in part by moves out of Indiana. An estimated 137,624 Americans left Indiana in 2022 for a different part of the country. With the exception of New Mexico and Rhode Island, people from Indiana relocated to every state, as well as the District of Columbia, in 2022. Across these places, the influx of former-Indiana residents in 2022 ranged from less than 10 to nearly 13,800. The places bringing in the most people from Indiana include some of the most populous states in the country, as well as several states that share a border with Indiana. These are the states people from Indiana are moving to the most. 50. New Mexico: 0 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to New Mexico in 2022: None Total num. of Americans who moved to New Mexico in 2022: 72,095 — 15th fewest of 50 states (0.00% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 2,092,565 (15th smallest of 50 states) 49. Rhode Island: 0 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Rhode Island in 2022: None Total num. of Americans who moved to Rhode Island in 2022: 40,311 — 6th fewest of 50 states (0.00% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 1,083,984 (7th smallest of 50 states) 48. Idaho: 6 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Idaho in 2022: 6 (0.00% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Idaho in 2022: 87,949 — 19th fewest of 50 states (0.01% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 1,919,357 (13th smallest of 50 states) 47. Maine: 9 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Maine in 2022: 9 (0.01% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Maine in 2022: 41,618 — 7th fewest of 50 states (0.02% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 1,372,172 (9th smallest of 50 states) 46. South Dakota: 29 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to South Dakota in 2022: 29 (0.02% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to South Dakota in 2022: 31,300 — 3rd fewest of 50 states (0.09% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 898,505 (5th smallest of 50 states) 45. Wyoming: 34 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Wyoming in 2022: 34 (0.02% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Wyoming in 2022: 28,948 — 2nd fewest of 50 states (0.12% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 575,705 (the smallest of 50 states) 44. Utah: 111 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Utah in 2022: 111 (0.08% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Utah in 2022: 91,341 — 20th fewest of 50 states (0.12% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 3,337,151 (21st smallest of 50 states) 43. Nebraska: 147 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Nebraska in 2022: 147 (0.11% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Nebraska in 2022: 49,159 — 11th fewest of 50 states (0.30% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 1,943,359 (14th smallest of 50 states) 42. Delaware: 153 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Delaware in 2022: 153 (0.11% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Delaware in 2022: 46,162 — 9th fewest of 50 states (0.33% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 1,008,173 (6th smallest of 50 states) 41. Vermont: 219 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Vermont in 2022: 219 (0.16% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Vermont in 2022: 26,151 — the fewest of 50 states (0.84% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 641,722 (2nd smallest of 50 states) 40. Hawaii: 229 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Hawaii in 2022: 229 (0.17% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Hawaii in 2022: 56,209 — 13th fewest of 50 states (0.41% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 1,425,611 (11th smallest of 50 states) 39. New Hampshire: 249 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to New Hampshire in 2022: 249 (0.18% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to New Hampshire in 2022: 49,782 — 12th fewest of 50 states (0.50% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 1,384,607 (10th smallest of 50 states) 38. District of Columbia: 253 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to District of Columbia in 2022: 253 (0.18% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to District of Columbia in 2022: 64,506 (0.39% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 660,942 37. Louisiana: 266 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Louisiana in 2022: 266 (0.19% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Louisiana in 2022: 75,330 — 17th fewest of 50 states (0.35% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 4,537,185 (25th largest of 50 states) 36. Alaska: 296 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Alaska in 2022: 296 (0.22% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Alaska in 2022: 36,563 — 5th fewest of 50 states (0.81% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 724,196 (3rd smallest of 50 states) 35. North Dakota: 324 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to North Dakota in 2022: 324 (0.24% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to North Dakota in 2022: 34,536 — 4th fewest of 50 states (0.94% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 770,498 (4th smallest of 50 states) 34. Iowa: 402 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Iowa in 2022: 402 (0.29% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Iowa in 2022: 72,231 — 16th fewest of 50 states (0.56% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 3,166,734 (20th smallest of 50 states) 33. Oklahoma: 449 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Oklahoma in 2022: 449 (0.33% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Oklahoma in 2022: 117,788 — 24th fewest of 50 states (0.38% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 3,974,110 (23rd smallest of 50 states) 32. Oregon: 642 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Oregon in 2022: 642 (0.47% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Oregon in 2022: 128,359 — 24th most of 50 states (0.50% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 4,201,011 (24th smallest of 50 states) 31. Connecticut: 674 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Connecticut in 2022: 674 (0.49% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Connecticut in 2022: 145,315 — 21st most of 50 states (0.46% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 3,588,965 (22nd smallest of 50 states) 30. Montana: 693 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Montana in 2022: 693 (0.50% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Montana in 2022: 48,165 — 10th fewest of 50 states (1.44% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 1,111,641 (8th smallest of 50 states) 29. Maryland: 713 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Maryland in 2022: 713 (0.52% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Maryland in 2022: 139,784 — 22nd most of 50 states (0.51% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 6,100,234 (19th largest of 50 states) 28. Mississippi: 872 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Mississippi in 2022: 872 (0.63% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Mississippi in 2022: 69,948 — 14th fewest of 50 states (1.25% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 2,907,327 (17th smallest of 50 states) 27. Washington: 1,118 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Washington in 2022: 1,118 (0.81% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Washington in 2022: 248,355 — 10th most of 50 states (0.45% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 7,710,339 (13th largest of 50 states) 26. West Virginia: 1,159 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to West Virginia in 2022: 1,159 (0.84% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to West Virginia in 2022: 43,493 — 8th fewest of 50 states (2.66% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 1,758,432 (12th smallest of 50 states) 25. Arkansas: 1,330 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Arkansas in 2022: 1,330 (0.97% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Arkansas in 2022: 86,375 — 18th fewest of 50 states (1.54% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 3,007,872 (18th smallest of 50 states) 24. Nevada: 1,436 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Nevada in 2022: 1,436 (1.04% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Nevada in 2022: 127,406 — 25th most of 50 states (1.13% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 3,145,500 (19th smallest of 50 states) 23. Pennsylvania: 1,498 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Pennsylvania in 2022: 1,498 (1.09% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Pennsylvania in 2022: 262,700 — 9th most of 50 states (0.57% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 12,845,436 (5th largest of 50 states) 22. Massachusetts: 1,616 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Massachusetts in 2022: 1,616 (1.17% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Massachusetts in 2022: 171,077 — 17th most of 50 states (0.94% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 6,918,482 (16th largest of 50 states) 21. Alabama: 1,693 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Alabama in 2022: 1,693 (1.23% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Alabama in 2022: 139,263 — 23rd most of 50 states (1.22% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 5,022,366 (24th largest of 50 states) 20. Wisconsin: 2,299 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Wisconsin in 2022: 2,299 (1.67% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Wisconsin in 2022: 120,434 — 25th fewest of 50 states (1.91% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 5,835,492 (20th largest of 50 states) 19. New York: 2,426 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to New York in 2022: 2,426 (1.76% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to New York in 2022: 301,461 — 6th most of 50 states (0.80% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 19,474,187 (4th largest of 50 states) 18. Colorado: 2,455 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Colorado in 2022: 2,455 (1.78% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Colorado in 2022: 229,876 — 11th most of 50 states (1.07% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 5,781,381 (21st largest of 50 states) 17. New Jersey: 2,710 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to New Jersey in 2022: 2,710 (1.97% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to New Jersey in 2022: 175,023 — 16th most of 50 states (1.55% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 9,174,261 (11th largest of 50 states) 16. Kansas: 2,828 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Kansas in 2022: 2,828 (2.05% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Kansas in 2022: 94,208 — 21st fewest of 50 states (3.00% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 2,906,619 (16th smallest of 50 states) 15. South Carolina: 3,136 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to South Carolina in 2022: 3,136 (2.28% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to South Carolina in 2022: 219,707 — 14th most of 50 states (1.43% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 5,228,328 (23rd largest of 50 states) 14. Minnesota: 3,276 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Minnesota in 2022: 3,276 (2.38% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Minnesota in 2022: 117,016 — 23rd fewest of 50 states (2.80% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 5,654,602 (22nd largest of 50 states) 13. Missouri: 3,411 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Missouri in 2022: 3,411 (2.48% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Missouri in 2022: 163,254 — 18th most of 50 states (2.09% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 6,111,432 (18th largest of 50 states) 12. Arizona: 3,759 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Arizona in 2022: 3,759 (2.73% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Arizona in 2022: 282,729 — 7th most of 50 states (1.33% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 7,285,247 (14th largest of 50 states) 11. Tennessee: 4,067 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Tennessee in 2022: 4,067 (2.96% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Tennessee in 2022: 225,969 — 13th most of 50 states (1.80% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 6,976,549 (15th largest of 50 states) 10. Virginia: 4,800 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Virginia in 2022: 4,800 (3.49% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Virginia in 2022: 266,970 — 8th most of 50 states (1.80% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 8,590,803 (12th largest of 50 states) 9. North Carolina: 4,829 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to North Carolina in 2022: 4,829 (3.51% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to North Carolina in 2022: 341,582 — 4th most of 50 states (1.41% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 10,588,557 (9th largest of 50 states) 8. Georgia: 4,937 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Georgia in 2022: 4,937 (3.59% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Georgia in 2022: 327,795 — 5th most of 50 states (1.51% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 10,791,161 (8th largest of 50 states) 7. California: 5,422 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to California in 2022: 5,422 (3.94% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to California in 2022: 475,803 — 3rd most of 50 states (1.14% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 38,629,179 (the largest of 50 states) 6. Michigan: 9,723 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Michigan in 2022: 9,723 (7.06% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Michigan in 2022: 157,955 — 19th most of 50 states (6.16% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 9,936,710 (10th largest of 50 states) 5. Texas: 10,167 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Texas in 2022: 10,167 (7.39% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Texas in 2022: 668,338 — 2nd most of 50 states (1.52% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 29,671,447 (2nd largest of 50 states) 4. Florida: 11,790 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Florida in 2022: 11,790 (8.57% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Florida in 2022: 738,969 — the most of 50 states (1.60% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 22,043,900 (3rd largest of 50 states) 3. Ohio: 12,230 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Ohio in 2022: 12,230 (8.89% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Ohio in 2022: 200,809 — 15th most of 50 states (6.09% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 11,631,820 (7th largest of 50 states) 2. Kentucky: 12,947 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Kentucky in 2022: 12,947 (9.41% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Kentucky in 2022: 113,197 — 22nd fewest of 50 states (11.44% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 4,462,146 (25th smallest of 50 states) 1. Illinois: 13,792 people from Indiana People from Indiana who moved to Illinois in 2022: 13,792 (10.02% of outbound moves from Indiana) Total num. of Americans who moved to Illinois in 2022: 228,308 — 12th most of 50 states (6.04% from Indiana) Total population in 2022: 12,455,441 (6th largest of 50 states) Main rank Geography New residents from Indiana in 2022 Share of all outbound moves from Indiana in 2022 (%) Share of all inbound moves from Indiana in 2022 (%) 1 Illinois 13,792 10.02 6.04 2 Kentucky 12,947 9.41 11.44 3 Ohio 12,230 8.89 6.09 4 Florida 11,790 8.57 1.60 5 Texas 10,167 7.39 1.52 6 Michigan 9,723 7.06 6.16 7 California 5,422 3.94 1.14 8 Georgia 4,937 3.59 1.51 9 North Carolina 4,829 3.51 1.41 10 Virginia 4,800 3.49 1.80 11 Tennessee 4,067 2.96 1.80 12 Arizona 3,759 2.73 1.33 13 Missouri 3,411 2.48 2.09 14 Minnesota 3,276 2.38 2.80 15 South Carolina 3,136 2.28 1.43 16 Kansas 2,828 2.05 3.00 17 New Jersey 2,710 1.97 1.55 18 Colorado 2,455 1.78 1.07 19 New York 2,426 1.76 0.80 20 Wisconsin 2,299 1.67 1.91 21 Alabama 1,693 1.23 1.22 22 Massachusetts 1,616 1.17 0.94 23 Pennsylvania 1,498 1.09 0.57 24 Nevada 1,436 1.04 1.13 25 Arkansas 1,330 0.97 1.54 26 West Virginia 1,159 0.84 2.66 27 Washington 1,118 0.81 0.45 28 Mississippi 872 0.63 1.25 29 Maryland 713 0.52 0.51 30 Montana 693 0.50 1.44 31 Connecticut 674 0.49 0.46 32 Oregon 642 0.47 0.50 33 Oklahoma 449 0.33 0.38 34 Iowa 402 0.29 0.56 35 North Dakota 324 0.24 0.94 36 Alaska 296 0.22 0.81 37 Louisiana 266 0.19 0.35 38 District of Columbia 253 0.18 0.39 39 New Hampshire 249 0.18 0.50 40 Hawaii 229 0.17 0.41 41 Vermont 219 0.16 0.84 42 Delaware 153 0.11 0.33 43 Nebraska 147 0.11 0.30 44 Utah 111 0.08 0.12 45 Wyoming 34 0.02 0.12 46 South Dakota 29 0.02 0.09 47 Maine 9 0.01 0.02 48 Idaho 6 0.00 0.01 49 Rhode Island 0 0.00 0.00 50 New Mexico 0 0.00 0.00 No Commission Fees, No Minimums, No Velvet Ropes. (Sponsored) Robinhood revolutionized commission free investing, and it continues to do so today. With a few simple taps you can trade stocks like Nvidia and Amazon, market beating mutual funds, and trade options with Robinhood Financial. FDIC insurance coverage is just another benefit. And, you can buy and sell cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Dogecoin (DOGE) with Robinhood Crypto. Sign up today — click here to start your journey. The post Where People From Indiana Are Moving to the Most appeared first on 24/7 Wall St.......»»
U.S. weighing options in Africa after Niger junta orders departure from key counterterrorism base
U.S. weighing options in Africa after Niger junta orders departure from key counterterrorism base.....»»
15 Massive Companies That Have Received Billions From The Government
There are few things that can unite the average American more than struggling to make ends meet while hearing that multi-billion-dollar corporations are receiving generous amounts of government handouts. It is frustrating to hear about how much money the government gives out to massive companies while those same companies pay obscene executive salaries, make multiple […] The post 15 Massive Companies That Have Received Billions From The Government appeared first on 24/7 Wall St.. There are few things that can unite the average American more than struggling to make ends meet while hearing that multi-billion-dollar corporations are receiving generous amounts of government handouts. It is frustrating to hear about how much money the government gives out to massive companies while those same companies pay obscene executive salaries, make multiple stock buybacks every year, and fire thousands of employees, all while some pay little to no taxes on their resulting profits. But what companies are the biggest offenders? Which of the biggest companies in America are suckling at the teat of government generosity and benefiting from the efforts of their well-paid lobbyists and corrupted elected officials? Here we will look into 15 of the biggest companies that have received at least three billion dollars from the United States government. Background on This List A close-up view of money. While some companies on this list might be new, the problem is not. In the 1960s, the issue of government subsidizing companies was known as “socialism for the rich, capitalism for the poor”. After the 2008 financial crisis, it was called “privatizing profits and socializing losses”. But how do we define a government handout, also known as corporate welfare? It is difficult to delineate the boundary between necessary incentives or good-will financial support for the good of the country and profit-driven corruption, crony capitalism, or run-of-the-mill greed. There are several ways for companies to benefit from government corruption and generosity. There are times when the government will cover the cost of something that a company should pay for itself, like new football stadiums. There are other times that the government can pay more than what a particular product is worth, or offer contracts for things that it doesn’t necessarily need, like with defense contractors or aviation and space technology. There are also valuable tax breaks and deals that allow companies to write off significant profits or losses and essentially pay no taxes. And finally, there are indirect benefits of government programs that companies take advantage of, like welfare. For example, McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) and Walmart (NYSE:WMT) are both among the top companies that employ the most people who rely on Medicaid and food stamps in order to make ends meet. What does this mean? It means that millions of people in the country, many of them employed full-time at Walmart and McDonald’s cannot survive on the wages of their job, so the government has to make up the difference. These two companies expect (and rely on) the government to pay their employees, essentially subsidizing their wages, while they make billions in profits every year. For this list, however, we will look only at direct subsidies paid to companies. We used information available at Good Jobs First, CNBC, and other reliable news organizations that use data available in public disclosures and financial reports. #15 NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE) United States electricity lines. Subsidies received: $3,008,691,129 Number of subsidies: 116 NextEra Energy is an energy company that generates electricity from fossil fuels and generates over $18 billion in revenues every year. It is the largest electric utility company in the world by company value, being worth over $120 billion in 2023. It owns several energy companies throughout the United States and Canada. One might wonder about how a utility company can act morally and ethically when it is driven by profits and receiving billions in government welfare. #14 Venture Global LNG A liquefied natural gas facility. Subsidies received: $3,285,883,566 Number of subsidies: 6 Venture Global LNG is a supplier of liquefied natural gas produced in the United States. It primarily operates out of four Louisiana export terminals. In 2021, Venture Global announced that it had secured a twenty-year deal with China to supply gas to the country. Of all the companies on this list, this was the most difficult to research, and for good reason. Information is difficult to find and harder to verify. The United States Federal Energy Regulatory Commission recently announced that they are asking Venture Global to explain why most of its filings regarding one of its U.S.-based terminals are all confidential. #13 NRG Energy (NYSE:NRG) NRG Energy’s Joliet Station power plant in Joliet, Illinois. Subsidies received: $3,405,383,876 Number of subsidies: 264 NRG Energy is an energy generation and retail electricity company based in Houston, Texas. It has over 7 million customers in over 24 states. It owns several other energy subsidiaries and operates 40 power plants. NRG generates electricity from fossil fuels and sustainable and renewable energy like wind farms, solar farms, and nuclear power plants. #12 Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE) Sempra Energy corporate headquarters. Subsidies received: $3,878,692,264 Number of subsidies: 51 Yet another energy company, Sempra Energy is a San Diego-based utility company and one of the largest utilities holding companies in the United States with more than 40 million customers. It focuses on natural gas and electricity production. Sempra owns several subsidiaries in the United States and a handful of South American companies. It is one of the largest energy companies in the world with over 20,000 employees and $78 billion in assets in 2022. This success isn’t without controversy, of course. It has been sued over accusations that it manipulated gas supplies and electricity prices. #11 Volkswagen Volkswagen’s sprawling assembly plant in southeastern Tennessee. Subsidies received: $3,977,630,513 Number of subsidies: 216 Surprisingly, Volkswagen, the world-renowned and Germany-based automobile company, almost breaks the top ten of our list. Most of the subsidies paid to Volkswagen have come from states, not the federal government. The top payers are South Carolina with $1.3 billion paid, followed by Tennessee with almost $1 billion, and Michigan with just over $700 million. #10 Texas Instruments A calculator produced by Texas Instruments. Subsidies received: $4,286,328,869 Number of subsidies: 69 Texas Instruments is a Dallas-based semiconductor producer. Most of its revenue comes from the development of chips and processors and holds over 45,000 patents. In 2023, Texas Instruments had over $17.5 billion in revenue and 34,000 employees. Many of Texas Instruments’ products are used in consumer electronics and computers, industrial sensors and controls, and defense technology like radar systems, missiles, bombs, military computers, and much more. #9 Foxconn Technology Group Terry Gou, CEO of Foxconn Technology group, speaks during the news conference on June 18, 2015 in Chiba, Japan. Subsidies received: $4,820,110,112 Number of subsidies: 74 Our first foreign company on the list. Foxconn is the international name of Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., a Taiwanese electronics manufacturer. It is the largest contract electronics manufacturer in the world and earns most of its revenue from operations in China. It owns several subsidiaries around the world and has over 767,000 employees as of 2022. Annual revenue reached over $213 billion in 2022 with over $133 billion in total assets. Foxconn has been the target of several controversies including extreme and inhumane working conditions at its locations, high rates of suicide among its employees, and food poisoning at one of the company-provided hostels. #8 Cheniere Energy Liquefied Natural Gas tanks under construction. Subsidies received: $5,617,152,523 Number of subsidies: 43 Cheniere Energy is another liquefied natural gas supplier based in Houston, Texas. It was actually the very first American company to export liquefied natural gas to countries abroad in 2016. Cheniere signed a contract with Chinese-owned CPC Corporation, Taiwan in 2018 to supply natural gas for 25 years to Taiwan for $25 billion. Cheniere had a net income of over $1.4 billion in 2022 and has over 1,500 employees. Originally an oil and gas company, recent increases in natural gas production and consumption led Cheniere to transition entirely into natural gas and has seen explosive growth ever since. #7 Alcoa (NYSE:AA) Alcoa building in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Subsidies received: $5,727,691,764 Number of subsidies: 134 Alcoa stands for Aluminum Company of America, and it is the eighth-largest aluminum producer in the world. It was founded in 1888 in Pittsburgh and remains there to this day. It has managed to purchase large competitors to remain among the strongest materials producers in the country. However, Alcoa has been the target of many strong criticisms regarding its environmental impact. It was listed as the 15th worst polluter in the United States in 2010 by the Political Economy Research Institute. #6 Amazon.com An Amazon fulfillment center in Las Vegas, NV. Subsidies received: $5,802,700,434 Number of subsidies: 455 What does one of the largest, most powerful, and richest companies in the world need government welfare for? Great question. Amazon owns Audible, Diapers.com, IMDb, Twitch, Zappos, Goodreads, Ring, Whole Foods Market, and many more companies. It’s safe to say that wherever Amazon operates, a lot of money will be changing hands (just not in the form of taxes or liveable wages, of course). In 2019 alone, Amazon had 104 political lobbyists and spent $16.8 million on lobbying politicians. #5 Micron Technology One of Micron’s many U.S.-based buildings. Subsidies received: $6,856,681,915 Number of subsidies: 19 Micron Technology, Inc. is a Boise-based computer memory and data storage manufacturer. In 2023, Micron had a total revenue of $15.54 billion and 43,000 employees. Interestingly, even though Micron is based in Idaho, the vast majority of subsidies were paid by New York state, to the tune of $6.3 billion. #4 General Motors (NYSE:GM) GM’s Metal Fabricating Division. Subsidies received: $7,550,136,090 Number of subsidies: 786 What could possibly be said about General Motors that hasn’t been said already? General Motors managed to survive the decline of the United States automotive decline, but not all on its own. For example, General Motors had to file for bankruptcy in 2009, just months after receiving a $17.4 billion bailout from the government. The failure of the company to actually use the money to help the company avoid failure led to President Obama forcing CEO Rick Wagoner to resign. The United States government has repeatedly invested billions into GM stock to prop up the industry and preserve jobs. #3 Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) A Ford dealership sign. Subsidies received: $7,742,056,086 Number of subsidies: 703 Ford is the second-biggest automobile company in the United States, right behind General Motors, and the sixth-largest in the world. In 2023, Ford produced 4.4 million vehicles leading to revenue of over $176 billion. It currently employs around 177,000 people. Most of the corporate welfare Ford has received has come from state and local governments, with the majority coming from Michigan. Like General Motors, Ford has also benefited from substantial government loans and bailouts, with over $33 billion in total. #2 Intel Intel headquarters in Santa Clara, California. Subsidies received: $8,360,460,516 Number of subsidies: 128 Our last technology company, Intel is a California-based semiconductor manufacturer and the largest semiconductor manufacturer in the world. Intel has been one of the primary and most influential companies in the personal computer industry and computing in general. It has over 124,000 employees around the world and achieved $54.23 billion in revenue in 2023. Most of the corporate welfare has come from state and local governments. Oregon, New Mexico, and Ohio have been the largest contributors. It has also received over $290 million in government loans and bailout assistance. #1 Boeing (NYSE:BA) The Boeing logo on the front of a hangar. Subsidies received: $15,502,641,455 Number of subsidies: 957 While most of us recognize Boeing for its airplanes (and the most recent headlines regarding Boeing’s faulty aircraft, safety scandals, and investigations) it is also one of the largest manufacturers of rockets, satellites, missiles, and rotorcraft. It is the fourth-largest defense contractor in the world and the largest United States exporter. Ever since its merger with McDonnell Douglas, Boeing’s tradition of engineering excellence and technological prowess has been replaced with driving up stock prices and maximizing shareholder returns. This shift in priorities has been reflected in the quality of its products. Boeing has also been accused of war profiteering. Specifically, it has sold weapons to forces fighting in the war in Yemen and the 2023 Israel-Hamas War. The vast majority of Boeing’s corporate welfare has come from Washington state, but it has also received over $74 billion in generous loans and bailout assistance. ALERT: Today Could Be Your Best Shot At Early Retirement (Sponsored) If you want to retire before 65, pay attention. Study after study has shown that the longer you stay invested, the better your chances at an early retirement. Every day that goes by without saving and investing for tomorrow means more to earn and save later. Don’t waste any more time and get started with Robinhood today. The app makes it easy to buy and sell stocks, mutual funds, trade options, and even cryptocurrencies. Sign up today — click here to start your journey. The post 15 Massive Companies That Have Received Billions From The Government appeared first on 24/7 Wall St.......»»
Are Options Traders Betting on a Big Move in Annovis Bio (ANVS) Stock?
Investors need to pay close attention to Annovis Bio (ANVS) stock based on the movements in the options market lately. Investors in Annovis Bio, Inc. ANVS need to pay close attention to the stock based on moves in the options market lately. That is because the Oct 18, 2024 $5 Put had some of the highest implied volatility of all equity options today.What is Implied Volatility?Implied volatility shows how much movement the market is expecting in the future. Options with high levels of implied volatility suggest that investors in the underlying stocks are expecting a big move in one direction or the other. It could also mean there is an event coming up soon that may cause a big rally or a huge sell-off. However, implied volatility is only one piece of the puzzle when putting together an options trading strategy.What do the Analysts Think?Clearly, options traders are pricing in a big move for Annovis Bio shares, but what is the fundamental picture for the company? Currently, Annovis Bio is a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) in the Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry that ranks in the Top 28% of our Zacks Industry Rank. Over the last 30 days, one analyst has increased the earnings estimate for the current quarter, while none have revised their estimates downward. The net effect has taken our Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current quarter from a loss of $1.46 per share to a loss of $1.35 in that period.Given the way analysts feel about Annovis Bio right now, this huge implied volatility could mean there’s a trade developing. Oftentimes, options traders look for options with high levels of implied volatility to sell premium. This is a strategy many seasoned traders use because it captures decay. At expiration, the hope for these traders is that the underlying stock does not move as much as originally expected.Looking to Trade Options?Check out the simple yet high-powered approach that Zacks Executive VP Kevin Matras has used to close recent double and triple-digit winners. In addition to impressive profit potential, these trades can actually reduce your risk.Click to see the trades now >> Infrastructure Stock Boom to Sweep America A massive push to rebuild the crumbling U.S. infrastructure will soon be underway. It’s bipartisan, urgent, and inevitable. Trillions will be spent. Fortunes will be made. The only question is “Will you get into the right stocks early when their growth potential is greatest?” Zacks has released a Special Report to help you do just that, and today it’s free. Discover 5 special companies that look to gain the most from construction and repair to roads, bridges, and buildings, plus cargo hauling and energy transformation on an almost unimaginable scale.Download FREE: How To Profit From Trillions On Spending For Infrastructure >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Annovis Bio, Inc. (ANVS): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research.....»»
Do Options Traders Know Something About Gritstone bio (GRTS) Stock We Don"t?
Investors need to pay close attention to Gritstone bio (GRTS) stock based on the movements in the options market lately. Investors in Gritstone bio, Inc. GRTS need to pay close attention to the stock based on moves in the options market lately. That is because the Apr 19, 2024 $2.00 Put had some of the highest implied volatility of all equity options today.What is Implied Volatility?Implied volatility shows how much movement the market is expecting in the future. Options with high levels of implied volatility suggest that investors in the underlying stocks are expecting a big move in one direction or the other. It could also mean there is an event coming up soon that may cause a big rally or a huge sell-off. However, implied volatility is only one piece of the puzzle when putting together an options trading strategy.What do the Analysts Think?Clearly, options traders are pricing in a big move for Gritstone bio shares, but what is the fundamental picture for the company? Currently, Gritstone bio is a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) in the Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry that ranks in the Top 28% of our Zacks Industry Rank. Over the last 60 days, two analysts have increased their earnings estimates for the current quarter, while none have dropped their estimates. The net effect has narrowed our Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current quarter from a loss of 36 cents per share to a loss of 32 cents in that period.Given the way analysts feel about Gritstone bio right now, this huge implied volatility could mean there’s a trade developing. Oftentimes, options traders look for options with high levels of implied volatility to sell premium. This is a strategy many seasoned traders use because it captures decay. At expiration, the hope for these traders is that the underlying stock does not move as much as originally expected.Looking to Trade Options?Check out the simple yet high-powered approach that Zacks Executive VP Kevin Matras has used to close recent double and triple-digit winners. In addition to impressive profit potential, these trades can actually reduce your risk.Click to see the trades now >> Infrastructure Stock Boom to Sweep America A massive push to rebuild the crumbling U.S. infrastructure will soon be underway. It’s bipartisan, urgent, and inevitable. Trillions will be spent. Fortunes will be made. The only question is “Will you get into the right stocks early when their growth potential is greatest?” Zacks has released a Special Report to help you do just that, and today it’s free. Discover 5 special companies that look to gain the most from construction and repair to roads, bridges, and buildings, plus cargo hauling and energy transformation on an almost unimaginable scale.Download FREE: How To Profit From Trillions On Spending For Infrastructure >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Gritstone bio Inc. (GRTS): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research.....»»
Are Options Traders Betting on a Big Move in TeraWulf (WULF) Stock?
Investors need to pay close attention to TeraWulf (WULF) stock based on the movements in the options market lately. Investors in TeraWulf Inc. WULF need to pay close attention to the stock based on moves in the options market lately. That is because the Jan 17, 2025 $7.00 Call had some of the highest implied volatility of all equity options today.What is Implied Volatility?Implied volatility shows how much movement the market is expecting in the future. Options with high levels of implied volatility suggest that investors in the underlying stocks are expecting a big move in one direction or the other. It could also mean there is an event coming up soon that may cause a big rally or a huge sell-off. However, implied volatility is only one piece of the puzzle when putting together an options trading strategy.What do the Analysts Think?Clearly, options traders are pricing in a big move for TeraWulf shares, but what is the fundamental picture for the company? Currently, TeraWulf is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) in the Financial - Miscellaneous Services industry that ranks in the Bottom 44% of our Zacks Industry Rank. Over the last 30 days, one analyst has increased the earnings estimates for the current quarter, while none have dropped their estimates. The net effect has narrowed our Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current quarter from a loss of 2 cents per share to a loss of 1 cent in that period.Given the way analysts feel about TeraWulf right now, this huge implied volatility could mean there’s a trade developing. Oftentimes, options traders look for options with high levels of implied volatility to sell premium. This is a strategy many seasoned traders use because it captures decay. At expiration, the hope for these traders is that the underlying stock does not move as much as originally expected.Looking to Trade Options?Check out the simple yet high-powered approach that Zacks Executive VP Kevin Matras has used to close recent double and triple-digit winners. In addition to impressive profit potential, these trades can actually reduce your risk.Click to see the trades now >> Infrastructure Stock Boom to Sweep America A massive push to rebuild the crumbling U.S. infrastructure will soon be underway. It’s bipartisan, urgent, and inevitable. Trillions will be spent. Fortunes will be made. The only question is “Will you get into the right stocks early when their growth potential is greatest?” Zacks has released a Special Report to help you do just that, and today it’s free. Discover 5 special companies that look to gain the most from construction and repair to roads, bridges, and buildings, plus cargo hauling and energy transformation on an almost unimaginable scale.Download FREE: How To Profit From Trillions On Spending For Infrastructure >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report TeraWulf Inc. (WULF): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research.....»»
Top 3 Restaurant Stocks to Buy Despite Industry Woes
Restaurant stocks like YUMC, SHAK and EAT are likely to benefit from robust off-premise sales, sales-building initiatives and digital initiatives. The Zacks Retail – Restaurants industry’s performance continues to be impacted by high wages and food cost inflation. However, rapid increases in menu prices, average check growth and expansion efforts bode well. Industry participants also benefit from partnerships with delivery channels and digital platforms. Sales have steadily risen, which is a good sign for the industry. Stocks like Yum China Holdings, Inc. YUMC, Shake Shack Inc. SHAK and Brinker International, Inc. EAT are well-poised to benefit from the aforementioned factors.Industry DescriptionThe Zacks Retail – Restaurants industry comprises several owners and operators of casual, upscale casual, fine dining, full-service and fast-casual restaurants. Some industry participants operate as roasters, marketers and retailers of specialty coffee. Some companies develop, operate and franchise quick-service restaurants worldwide. A few restaurant operators offer cooked-to-order dishes, which include noodles and pasta, soups, salads and appetizers. Some industry players develop, own, operate, manage and license restaurants and lounges worldwide. A few companies also operate technology-enabled Japanese restaurants in the United States and provide Japanese cuisine through a revolving sushi service model.4 Trends Shaping the Future of the Restaurant IndustryTraffic Woes & High Costs Linger: The restaurant industry has been facing declining traffic for quite some time. A rapid increase in menu prices is the primary reason behind traffic erosion. Restaurant operators are grappling with the high cost of operations. Intense competition, high wages and food cost inflation are a concern. The industry continues bearing increased expenses, which have been affecting margins. Higher pre-opening costs, marketing expenses and costs related to sales-boosting initiatives are exerting pressure on the company’s margins.Sales Continue to Increase: Despite inflationary pressures, sales at U.S. restaurants continue to rise, fueled by a growing number of Americans opting to dine out. According to the Commerce Department, sales at food services and drinking establishments increased 6.3% year over year. Most restaurant operators are also gaining from implementing ghost or virtual kitchens. The idea of providing off-premise offerings and a connected curbside service is steadily garnering positive customer feedback.Digitalization to Drive Growth: Restaurant operators’ focus on digital innovation, sales-building initiatives and cost-saving efforts has been a catalyst. With the growing influence of the Internet, digital innovation is the need of the hour. Restaurant operators constantly partner with delivery channels and digital platforms to drive incremental sales. Partnerships with delivery channels like DoorDash, Grubhub, Postmates and Uber Eats and the rollout of self-service kiosks and loyalty programs continue to drive growth. Restaurant operators focus on driverless delivery systems to augment sales amid the coronavirus crisis.Off-Premise Sales Acting as a Key Catalyst: The industry is gaining from the increase in off-premise sales, which primarily include delivery, takeout, drive-thru, catering, meal kits and off-site options such as kiosks and food trucks. Most restaurant operators have initiated the testing of ghost or virtual kitchens. The idea of providing off-premise offerings and a connected curbside service has been garnering positive customer feedback.Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Dismal ProspectsThe Zacks Gaming industry is grouped within the broader Retail-Wholesale sector. It carries a Zacks Industry Rank #158, which places it in the bottom 37% of more than 252 Zacks industries.The group’s Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates dull near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.The industry’s position in the bottom 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries results from a negative earnings outlook for the constituent companies in aggregate. Looking at the aggregate earnings estimate revisions, analysts are gradually losing confidence in this group’s earnings growth potential. Since Jan 31, 2024, the industry’s earnings estimate for the current year has decreased by 0.4%.Before we present a few stocks that you may want to consider for your portfolio, let’s take a look at the industry’s recent stock-market performance and valuation picture.Industry Underperforms the S&P 500 & SectorThe Zacks Retail – Restaurants industry has underperformed the Zacks S&P 500 composite and its sector over the past year.Over this period, the industry has increased 6.9%, compared with the Zacks S&P 500 composite’s gain of 29.4%. The sector has increased 33.8%.One-Year Price PerformanceRestaurant Industry's ValuationBased on the forward 12-month P/E, a commonly used multiple for valuing restaurant stocks, the industry is currently trading at 23.48X compared with the S&P 500’s 20.92X. It is marginally above the sector’s forward 12-month P/E ratio of 20.44X.Over the last five years, the industry has traded as high as 34.68X and as low as 21.7X, with the median being at 25.15X.3 Key Restaurant PicksYum China: The company is benefiting from menu innovation, unit expansion and digitalization efforts. Also, collaborations with prominent eCommerce and social media platforms have extended the brand's reach beyond physical outlets, facilitating the acquisition of new customers and cost-effective promotional strategies.YUMC carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Yum China sales and earnings for the fiscal 2024 are anticipated to improve 8.7% and 9.5% year over year, respectively. In the past year, shares of the company have decreased 31.2%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Price and Consensus: YUMCShake Shack: The company is benefiting from digital marketing strategies, strong Same-Shack sales and unit expansion efforts. It plans to open nearly 40 company-operated openings and 40 licensed Shack during the fiscal 2024. The company’s digital retention continues to remain strong. It has also been making more investments in digitization to sustain its digital guest enhancement strategies in the near term.SHAK carries a Zacks Rank #2. Shake Shack earnings for fiscal 2024 are anticipated to improve 91.9%. In the past 30 days, the consensus mark for 2024 earnings has been revised upward by 51.1%.Price and Consensus: SHAKBrinker International: The company is notably benefiting from improved menu pricing and a favorable menu item mix. Margins expanded on the back of sales leverage, menu pricing, favorable commodity mix, lower delivery and off-premise supplies.Shares of this Zacks Rank #2 company gained 23.7% in the past year. EAT’s sales and earnings for fiscal 2024 are anticipated to rise 4.9% and 30.4%, year over year, respectively.Price and Consensus: EAT Infrastructure Stock Boom to Sweep America A massive push to rebuild the crumbling U.S. infrastructure will soon be underway. It’s bipartisan, urgent, and inevitable. Trillions will be spent. Fortunes will be made. The only question is “Will you get into the right stocks early when their growth potential is greatest?” Zacks has released a Special Report to help you do just that, and today it’s free. Discover 5 special companies that look to gain the most from construction and repair to roads, bridges, and buildings, plus cargo hauling and energy transformation on an almost unimaginable scale.Download FREE: How To Profit From Trillions On Spending For Infrastructure >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Yum China (YUMC): Free Stock Analysis Report Brinker International, Inc. (EAT): Free Stock Analysis Report Shake Shack, Inc. (SHAK): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research.....»»
Implied Volatility Surging for SoundHound AI (SOUN) Stock Options
Investors need to pay close attention to SoundHound AI (SOUN) stock based on the movements in the options market lately. Investors in SoundHound AI, Inc. SOUN need to pay close attention to the stock based on moves in the options market lately. That is because the Apr 19, 2024 $3.50 Call had some of the highest implied volatility of all equity options today.What is Implied Volatility?Implied volatility shows how much movement the market is expecting in the future. Options with high levels of implied volatility suggest that investors in the underlying stocks are expecting a big move in one direction or the other. It could also mean there is an event coming up soon that may cause a big rally or a huge sell-off. However, implied volatility is only one piece of the puzzle when putting together an options trading strategy.What do the Analysts Think?Clearly, options traders are pricing in a big move for SoundHound AI shares, but what is the fundamental picture for the company? Currently, SoundHound AI is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) in the Computers - IT Services industry that ranks in the Top 17% of our Zacks Industry Rank. Over the last 30 days, no analysts have increased their earnings estimates for the current quarter, while three have dropped their estimates. The net effect has widened our Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current quarter from a loss of 7 cents per share to a loss of 9 cents in that period.Given the way analysts feel about SoundHound AI right now, this huge implied volatility could mean there’s a trade developing. Oftentimes, options traders look for options with high levels of implied volatility to sell premium. This is a strategy many seasoned traders use because it captures decay. At expiration, the hope for these traders is that the underlying stock does not move as much as originally expected.Looking to Trade Options?Check out the simple yet high-powered approach that Zacks Executive VP Kevin Matras has used to close recent double and triple-digit winners. In addition to impressive profit potential, these trades can actually reduce your risk.Click to see the trades now >> Infrastructure Stock Boom to Sweep America A massive push to rebuild the crumbling U.S. infrastructure will soon be underway. It’s bipartisan, urgent, and inevitable. Trillions will be spent. Fortunes will be made. The only question is “Will you get into the right stocks early when their growth potential is greatest?” Zacks has released a Special Report to help you do just that, and today it’s free. Discover 5 special companies that look to gain the most from construction and repair to roads, bridges, and buildings, plus cargo hauling and energy transformation on an almost unimaginable scale.Download FREE: How To Profit From Trillions On Spending For Infrastructure >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report SoundHound AI, Inc. (SOUN): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research.....»»
Boston Scientific (BSX) Global Growth Robust, Macro Issues Ail
Boston Scientific (BSX) is consistently registering fast recovery within its MedSurg segment in the post-pandemic period. Boston Scientific BSX is gaining traction in the emerging markets. New regulatory approvals and accretive acquisitions bode well for its long-term growth. Yet, an unfavorable currency movement and macroeconomic concerns are major dampeners. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) at present.BSX successfully continues with its expansion of operations across different geographies outside the United States. In 2022, 40% of the company’s consolidated revenues came from international regions.The company is also putting additional efforts to expand its foothold in the emerging markets (which are defined as all countries except the United States, Western and Central Europe, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Canada), which hold strong growth potential based on their economic conditions, healthcare sectors and global capabilities. In the fourth quarter of 2023, despite the ongoing weaknesses in Russia, the emerging markets registered sturdy growth, primarily due to strong performance in China and Latin America. During this period, the emerging markets' net sales grew nearly 19% year over year on an operational basis.In the post-pandemic period, Boston Scientific has been consistently registering fast recovery within its MedSurg segment. The Endoscopy business within MedSurg is gaining from strong worldwide demand for its broad range of gastrointestinal (GI) and pulmonary treatment options. The company is gaining market shares with its biliary franchise, led by the AXIOS Stent and Delivery System and the hemostasis, single-use imaging and metal stents franchises.Boston Scientific Corporation Price Boston Scientific Corporation price | Boston Scientific Corporation QuoteIn the fourth quarter of 2023, BSX reported strong organic growth contributions from single-use imaging and AXIOS technologies. Endoscopy demonstrated notable strength in the United States, Latin America and Asia-Pacific, with new product momentum and healthy procedure demand over the past few quarters.Within Urology, Boston Scientific continues to expand its market share globally. The company’s Stone Management franchise is growing well, led by LithoVue Single-Use Digital Flexible Ureteroscope System. Further, BSX is also registering strong growth within its Prosthetic urology franchise.We are also impressed with the company’s recent acquisitions that have added numerous products (though many are under development) with immense potential. This, in turn, should help boost the top line in the long term.In December 2023, Boston Scientific announced its plans to acquire Axonics, a medical technology company that offers innovative devices to treat urinary and bowel dysfunction. With this $3.7-billion acquisition, the company expects to expand its differentiated technologies portfolio within Urology.In November 2023, BSX acquired Relievant Medsystems, the developer of FDA-approved Intracept Intraosseous Nerve Ablation System. This business is expected to expand the company’s Neuromodulation portfolio.On the flip side, the industry-wide trend of challenging macroeconomic conditions in the form of inflation, disruptions in economic activity, global supply chains and labor markets, volatile financial market dynamics and significant volatility in price and availability of goods and services is putting pressure on Boston Scientific’s profitability. Further, international conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war and tension between China-Taiwan, have increased cybersecurity risks on a global basis. With the sustained macroeconomic pressure, the company may struggle to keep its operating expenses under check.In the fourth quarter of 2023, the company reported a 13.4% rise in cost of product sold and a 18.6% rise in selling, general and administrative expenses. Adjusted operating margin contracted 22 bps to 22.1% in the quarter.Meanwhile, with Boston Scientific recording 40% of its sales from the international market, it remains highly exposed to currency fluctuations. Unfavorable currency movements have been a major dampener over the past few quarters, as in the case of other important MedTech players too.In 2023, the company had an approximate 80 basis-point headwind from foreign exchange on revenues.Key PicksSome better-ranked stocks in the broader medical space are DaVita DVA, Cardinal Health CAH and Stryker SYK. While DaVita sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Cardinal Health and Stryker carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) each at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.Estimates for DaVita’s 2024 earnings per share (EPS) have moved up from $8.46 to $8.97 in the past 30 days. Shares of the company have surged 81.9% in the past year compared with the industry’s 26.9% growth.DVA’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 35.57%. In the last reported quarter, it delivered an earnings surprise of 22.22%.Cardinal Health’s shares have surged 59.1% in the past year. Earnings estimates for Cardinal Health have risen from $7.17 per share to $7.28 for fiscal 2024 and from $7.94 per share to $8.03 for fiscal 2025 in the past 30 days.CAH’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 15.6%. In the last reported quarter, it posted an earnings surprise of 16.67%.Estimates for Stryker’s 2024 EPS have increased from $11.84 to $11.86 in the past 30 days. Shares of the company have risen 30.7% in the past year compared with the industry’s growth of 10.8%.SYK’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 5.09%. In the last reported quarter, it delivered an earnings surprise of 5.81%. Infrastructure Stock Boom to Sweep America A massive push to rebuild the crumbling U.S. infrastructure will soon be underway. It’s bipartisan, urgent, and inevitable. Trillions will be spent. Fortunes will be made. The only question is “Will you get into the right stocks early when their growth potential is greatest?” Zacks has released a Special Report to help you do just that, and today it’s free. Discover 5 special companies that look to gain the most from construction and repair to roads, bridges, and buildings, plus cargo hauling and energy transformation on an almost unimaginable scale.Download FREE: How To Profit From Trillions On Spending For Infrastructure >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Boston Scientific Corporation (BSX): Free Stock Analysis Report Stryker Corporation (SYK): Free Stock Analysis Report DaVita Inc. (DVA): Free Stock Analysis Report Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research.....»»
25 Most Stressed Cities in the United States
In this article, we will be taking a look at the 25 most stressed cities in the United States. If you do not want to learn about the global impact of stress and depression, head straight to the 5 Most Stressed Cities in the United States. In the bustling landscape of the United States, certain […] In this article, we will be taking a look at the 25 most stressed cities in the United States. If you do not want to learn about the global impact of stress and depression, head straight to the 5 Most Stressed Cities in the United States. In the bustling landscape of the United States, certain cities bear the weight of stress more heavily than others, grappling with a myriad of economic, social, and environmental pressures. From the relentless pace of urban life to the strains of economic inequality and natural disasters, these cities like Memphis, New Orleans, and Birmingham, among others stand as microcosms of modern-day stressors. Exploring the factors contributing to their heightened stress levels offers insights into the challenges faced by individuals and communities, as well as opportunities for resilience and change. Understanding the Impact of Stress and Depression: Trends, Challenges, and Market Growth The global stress and depression market is a significant sector within the mental health industry, addressing prevalent conditions that impact individuals worldwide. In the United States, stress is a common issue affecting a large portion of the population daily. The prevalence of stress is particularly high among females due to various social and economic factors, including additional responsibilities, financial insecurity, and increased likelihood of experiencing domestic violence. A substantial number of individuals in the US face stress daily, with approximately 40 million people suffering from anxiety disorders, leading to significant economic costs amounting to around $42 billion annually. Females tend to experience higher levels of stress compared to males, influenced by factors such as societal expectations, caregiving responsibilities, and vulnerability to domestic violence. Events like the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated stress levels globally, affecting individuals’ mental well-being due to disruptions in daily life, economic uncertainties, and social isolation. Economic challenges, job insecurity, and financial instability contribute significantly to stress levels among individuals. Job demands, long working hours, and workplace pressures are common sources of stress for many individuals. Strained relationships, family conflicts, and social pressures can also lead to heightened stress levels. According to a survey conducted by the American Psychological Association in 2020, over 70% of Americans reported experiencing increased stress levels due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, a study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health found that job stress costs American companies an estimated $300 billion annually in lost productivity and healthcare expenses. In terms of financial instability, a report by the Federal Reserve in 2020 found that almost 40% of Americans would struggle to cover a $400 emergency expense. These statistics illustrate the significant impact that stress and financial instability can have on individuals and society as a whole. The global market for anxiety disorders and depression treatment is projected to reach $19.3 billion by 2029 with a CAGR of 0.9%. The global mental health market was valued at USD 375.21 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 532.86 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 3.85%. The mental health market is witnessing significant growth driven by increased awareness of mental health issues and advancements in technology. Navigating Workplace Stress: Impact, Gender Disparity, and Solutions Research findings from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) emphasize the pivotal role of job stress in shaping the mental well-being of employed individuals. Gender disparity in occupational distribution contributes significantly to the differential experiences of stress between men and women in the workforce. Variations in job responsibilities, societal norms, and working conditions all contribute to distinct levels of stress encountered by male and female workers. The European Commission’s report underscores the unique hurdles women face in their professional lives due to occupational gender segregation. The financial repercussions of workplace stress are substantial, as evidenced by the significant costs incurred by American companies due to unforeseen absenteeism caused by job-related stress, estimated at $602 per worker annually. A study conducted by a major corporation found that 60% of employee absences could be attributed to stress-related factors. Over the years, disability costs have soared, with stress playing a significant role in the rise of illness and disability claims. Studies indicate that the stress associated with job searching can indirectly influence college students’ excessive use of social media, with social support serving as a buffer against heightened stress levels. This underscores the disproportionate impact of job search-related stress on graduating college students, highlighting the importance of robust social support systems during this transitional period. A Gallup poll highlights the pervasiveness of work-related stress, with over 50% of American employees facing daily stress, emphasizing the widespread problem of job burnout. Additionally, a recent survey shows that 92% of graduating college seniors think employers should offer mental health benefits, with over a third actively seeking such companies. As Generation Z is set to comprise 27% of the workforce by 2025, executives need to reassess mental health benefits and ensure employees utilize them effectively. Employees in unhealthy environments experience increased psychological distress, resulting in mental health issues. In the past year, 81% of workers admitted that workplace stress negatively affected their mental well-being, up from 78% in 2021. Furthermore, three-quarters of employees reported that workplace stress harmed their relationships. Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ:BIIB), a leading biotech company, is dedicated to advancing mental health treatments through innovative science and research. Collaborations with firms like Sage Therapeutics are reshaping mental health care. Despite a slight revenue dip in Q1 2024, Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ:BIIB) shows strong growth in GAAP diluted EPS. Non-GAAP diluted EPS saw a minor decrease. Cash flow from operations in Q1 2023 was $455 million, with net debt at $263 million as of March 31, 2023. Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ:BIIB) remains committed to its mission of promoting global health through transformative medicines and sustainable practices. Sage Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:SAGE) pioneers innovative treatments for mood disorders like stress and depression, notably quinolone and brexanolone for postpartum depression. Their strategy integrates patient perspectives, leveraging science to address root causes. Financially, as of December 31, 2023, they held $753 million. Q4 2023 saw $0.8 million from ZURZUVAE sales and $75.0 million in license and milestone revenue. Despite a $32.7 million net loss, significant improvement indicates progress toward stability. Key pipeline milestones include ZURZUVAE’s commercial launch and progress in clinical-stage programs like dalzanemdor (SAGE-718) and SAGE-324. Sage Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:SAGE) envisions an integrated approach to mental and physical health, advocating for innovation and accessibility in mental health care. With a focus on advancing brain health medicines, Sage Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:SAGE) continues to lead in mental health therapeutics. Antonio Guillem/Shutterstock.com Our Methodology Our methodology for ranking the most stressed cities in the United States adopts a consensus-driven approach. We assessed work stress, financial stress, family stress, and health and safety stress factors, assigning scores to each city based on a combination of these stressors. Cities are then ranked in ascending order, from low stress to high stress, to provide insight into the varying degrees of stress experienced across different locations in the country. Here is our list of the 25 most stressed cities in the United States. 25. Indianapolis, Indiana Insider Monkey Score: 0.04 Indianapolis, Indiana, grapples with significant stress and mental health challenges. Marion County has over 58,000 adults with substance use disorders and 163,000 with mental illness, including 39,000 with serious conditions. Suicidal ideation affects 41,000 adults, with over 14,000 planning and 5,000 attempting suicide. Workforce stress is worsened by limited access to care due to shortages and barriers like transportation and internet access. In Indiana, financial hurdles prevent many from receiving mental health care, with 37.4% citing cost. 24. Columbus, Georgia Insider Monkey Score: 0.08 Columbus, Georgia stands among the most stressed cities in the US. Stress levels are rising, with mental health concerns becoming more prevalent. Despite a growth in median household income to $50,542 in 2021, stress remains pervasive. The average commute time of 20.2 minutes and median property value of $146,000 contribute to residents’ stress. Financial pressures related to transportation and housing add to workplace stress. 23. Mobile, Alabama Insider Monkey Score: 0.12 Mobile, Alabama, is among the cities with highest stress rates in America, ranked twenty-third in stress levels. Nearly four in 10 Americans in Mobile face stress-related issues. The workforce in Mobile also experiences significant stress from job demands, work environment, and economic pressures. 22. Newark, New Jersey Insider Monkey Score: 0.16 Newark, New Jersey, is consistently ranked as one of the most stressed cities in the US due to factors like work, finances, family, and health. A significant portion of its population experiences high levels of stress. Many workers in Newark face stress due to factors like work hours, job security, and underemployment rates. 21. Cincinnati, Ohio Insider Monkey Score: 0.2 Cincinnati, Ohio, is ranked as one of the most highly stressed cities in the US, with approximately 50.53% of its population experiencing stress. Workforce stress is significantly, influenced by factors like work hours, job security, traffic congestion, unemployment rates, and income growth. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health issues, affecting about a third of Greater Cincinnati adults, highlighting external factors’ impact on mental well-being in the city. 20. Shreveport, Louisiana Insider Monkey Score: 0.24 In Shreveport, Louisiana, many residents experience high-stress levels, potentially contributing to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Work-related stress is prevalent due to factors such as long hours and financial pressures. These stressors significantly impact individuals’ well-being and quality of life, indicating a broader mental health concern that requires attention and support from healthcare services. 19. Montgomery, Alabama Insider Monkey Score: 0.28 Montgomery, Alabama, is nineteenth among the most stressed cities in the U.S., facing significant challenges with mental health and finances. Work-related stress is a primary concern due to job insecurity and long work hours. Residents experience poor health, lack of sleep, high divorce rates, and limited access to mental health professionals. Financial struggles are prevalent, marked by low-income levels, high debt, low credit scores, and elevated poverty rates. Alabama, overall, has a high prevalence of mental health conditions, affecting approximately 794,000 adults. 18. Houston, Texas Insider Monkey Score: 0.32 Houston faces financial stress due to factors such as a high percentage of single-income families (46.6%), below-average income growth (4.5% compared to the national average of 6.2%), limited remote work opportunities (15.6% working remotely), and a significant portion of workers lacking health insurance (30.4% compared to the national average of 10.5%). These stressors contribute to overall heightened stress levels in the city, compounded by long work hours, lengthy commutes, financial constraints for families, and a scarcity of remote work options. 17. Wilmington, Delaware Insider Monkey Score: 0.36 Wilmington, Delaware faces significant stress-related challenges, including high rates of anxiety and depressive disorders among adults, with 29.3% reporting symptoms from February 1 to 13, 2023. Although specific figures for Wilmington are lacking, national data suggests increased suicide rates in 2021, indicating a persistent concern. Stress factors in urban areas like Wilmington encompass economic pressures, job-related stress, social disparities, crime rates, and healthcare access. 16. Akron, Ohio Insider Monkey Score: 0.4 Akron, Ohio, ranks as the 16th most stressed city in the United States. Stress affects individuals regardless of gender, although women typically report higher levels. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated stress, with social distancing measures and isolation impacting residents. Additionally, 40% of households in Akron struggle to afford basic needs like food, housing, and healthcare, contributing to financial stress. 15. Fayetteville, North Carolina Insider Monkey Score: 0.44 Fayetteville, North Carolina, ranks among the top 25 most stressed cities in the U.S. Mental health in Fayetteville is strained by job security and average weekly work hours. Common stressors include household income, bill payments, foreclosure rates, bankruptcy rates, debt-to-earnings ratio, and median credit scores. 14. San Bernadino, California Insider Monkey Score: 0.48 In San Bernardino, California, stress is prevalent, with factors such as average weekly work hours and underemployment contributing to its levels. Mental disorders are also widespread in the city, with nearly one in five adults affected and approximately half of teenagers experiencing a mental disorder in their lifetime. Suicide rates are a significant concern, particularly among white residents, with men being four times more likely than women to commit suicide. In terms of financial statistics, San Bernardino County has a primary care doctor availability rate of 1.23 per 1,000 people, with approximately 9.9% of the population lacking health insurance coverage. Around 69.1% of adults in the county have had recent preventive care visits, contributing to overall population health. 13. North Las Vegas, Nevada Insider Monkey Score: 0.52 North Las Vegas, Nevada, is notably stressed. In North Las Vegas specifically, over 17.3% report frequent mental distress, while 13.3% experience frequent physical distress. Gender differences show that 57% of women see Las Vegas as highly stressful compared to 48% of men. In Nevada, 41.4% of adults show symptoms of anxiety or depression. Suicide rates are alarming, with one person taking their life every 11 minutes in the US; Nevada records 657 suicides, underlining the severity of mental health challenges. 12. Jackson, Mississippi Insider Monkey Score: 0.56 Jackson, Mississippi, is one of the top most stressed cities in America, reflecting the state’s overall stress levels. Money-related stress is prevalent due to high poverty rates and financial instability. Mental health concerns are exacerbated by limited access to services. High work-related stress and suicide rates underscore the severity of the issue. Common stressors include financial strain, health concerns, and social stressors like crime rates. Poverty and high unemployment exacerbate stress levels in the city. 11. Augusta, Georgia Insider Monkey Score: 0.6 Augusta, Georgia, ranks 11th in stress levels in the U.S., driven by work, financial, family, and health stresses. Georgia sees a 1.50% increase in mental health issues among adults. Augusta faces significant financial stress, with nearly one in four residents below the poverty line and a poverty rate exceeding 20%. Work stress affects a significant portion of the city’s workforce. Augusta has experienced one of the lowest median household income changes in the U.S. over four years. 10. Toledo, Ohio Insider Monkey Score: 0.64 Toledo, Ohio, is tenth among the most stressed cities in the United States, facing significant financial challenges. In June 2022, its unemployment rate was 4.6%, with a poverty rate of 25.6%. Housing affordability stands at 16.03%, and food scarcity affects 11.8% of the population. The gender distribution of clients seeking mental health services shows a relatively equal split between females (50%) and males (47.6%). Stress in Toledo is largely attributed to high poverty rates, unemployment, housing struggles, and food insecurity. 9. Louis, Missouri Insider Monkey Score: 0.68 St. Louis, Missouri, ranks 9th for overall stress levels in the U.S. Stressors include work, financial, family, and health-related issues. Financial stress is evident in metrics such as household income, bill payments, foreclosures, bankruptcy rates, debt-to-income ratio, and credit scores. 8. Birmingham, Alabama Insider Monkey Score: 0.72 Birmingham, Alabama, consistently ranks among the top stressed cities in the U.S. Mental health issues affect around 214,000 adults, with anxiety and depression prevalent. The state saw 823 suicides. Financially, Birmingham struggles with high poverty rates, low credit scores, and a high divorce rate. Work stress is notable, influenced by long work hours and job insecurity. 7. New Orleans, Louisiana Insider Monkey Score: 0.76 New Orleans, Louisiana, ranks high in stress. About 11.8% of the population experiences poor mental health, while 31.3% sleep less than 7 hours, potentially exacerbating stress. Economic inequality, with a poverty rate of 26.2% and an unemployment rate of 6.9%, contributes to stress. Additionally, 37.7% of households spend over 30% of their income on housing costs, adding to financial burdens in the city. 6. Memphis, Tennessee Insider Monkey Score: 0.8 In Memphis, Tennessee, severe stress and mental health challenges are prevalent. Up to 40% of US children have mental health issues, with higher rates observed in Tennessee. Shockingly, 60% of those in need of mental health services in the state don’t receive treatment. Memphis ranks high in stress, with work, financial, family, and safety concerns impacting well-being. Financially, disparities in household income, high foreclosure, and bankruptcy rates add pressure. Crime rates, exceeding the national average, contribute to stress, along with high unemployment and underemployment rates. Click to see and continue reading the 5 Most Stressed Cities in the United States. Suggested Article: 35 Low-Stress High-Paying Jobs In The World 25 Low-Stress Jobs for Seniors 30 Most Stressful Jobs in the US Disclosure. None: The 25 Most Stressed Cities in the United States is originally published on Insider Monkey......»»
20 Safest Places To Retire in the US
This article takes a look at the 20 safest places to retire in the US. If you wish to skip our detailed analysis on navigating retirement living in the US, you may go to 5 Safest Places To Retire in the US. Taking your Pick in the Retirement Location Mix Retirement may be the end […] This article takes a look at the 20 safest places to retire in the US. If you wish to skip our detailed analysis on navigating retirement living in the US, you may go to 5 Safest Places To Retire in the US. Taking your Pick in the Retirement Location Mix Retirement may be the end of the road, but it’s rarely all that it’s made up to be. For the average American retiree, their retirement years are riddled with financial struggles, health troubles, and often, a growing sense of loneliness. A study by the Pew Research Center found that 27% of Americans aged 60 and older live alone – 11% more than senior citizens in the 130 other countries that the research encapsulated. As for financial status, the latest United States Census reported that 10.3% of Americans aged 65 and older were living in poverty. With such dire circumstances, retirement is often about taking the best pick out of the options presented. Given the choice, any senior citizen would want to spend their Golden Years living in a place with a reasonable cost of living that is safe and has access to good healthcare. While such locations may be difficult to come by, they do exist. Better yet, US citizens can get a head start on retirement planning and give themselves a greater budget to work with. While the amount that you’re able to save for retirement depends on several factors – such as your income, the number of dependents you’re supporting, and your health, amongst others – it also has to do with how well you plan out your retirement. A recent study by the Milken Institute stated that the ideal age at which Americans should start saving for retirement is 25 or younger. While 25 may seem too early, the math behind this is of compounding investment – the earlier you start saving, the more time you’ll be able to give your savings to grow. A Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW) survey found that Americans think they need at least $1.8 million in savings for a comfortable retirement. With such a hefty amount on the savings list, the earlier you start, the better. Even if you’re not looking to amass the figure that has been attributed from the Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW) survey, America’s growing cost of living is reason enough to get a head start on retirement planning. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. According to the Milken Institute study, Baby Boomers started saving for retirement at the average age of 35, whereas Gen X began at 30. For senior citizens who are closing in on the retirement age without much in the bank, there is still hope. Many financial and investment management companies assist customers in financially securing their retirement and picks such as Mercer International Inc. (NASDAQ:MERC) and BlackRock, Inc.(NYSE:BLK) may be the answer to the financially unprepared. From portfolio management to custom financial plans, the likes of BlackRock, Inc.(NYSE:BLK) and Mercer International Inc. (NASDAQ:MERC) can help retirees plan better. Once financially better off, senior citizens can afford to be pickier with their retirement destination choices – opting for places that offer a good quality of life while also being cheap and giving good value for money. All in all, a financially stable retiree can afford to consider the best places to retire in the US. To facilitate present and future retirees contemplating a retirement move, we have compiled the following list of the 20 safest places to retire in the US. holbox/Shutterstock.com Methodology To compile this list of the 20 safest places to retire in the US, we consulted several sources including The Travel, Comerica, GOBankingRates, and U.S. News & World Report. Once a list of places was compiled using these sources, we then ranked them across multiple factors, namely, how safe they are, how they score in terms of health, their median figure for a one-bedroom rental, and their average monthly grocery bill for an individual. For this article, rental prices were taken from Zillow Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:Z) and Zumper, grocery figures were taken from the Economic Policy Institute, health scores were taken from WalletHub’s 2023 ranking of Healthiest & Unhealthiest Cities in America, and safety scores were taken from WalletHub’s 2023 ranking of Safest Cities in America. For the healthiest cities, WalletHub used four metrics – healthcare, food, fitness, and green space. For safest cities, WalletHub used three metrics – home and community safety, natural disaster risk, and financial safety. A cumulative score was then assigned to each city where a double weightage was given to the safety score. The 20 highest-scoring cities then made up our list of the 20 safest places to retire in the US. For cities that gained an equal score, their safety scores were used as a tie-breaker. The resulting list is presented in ascending order, with the highest-ranked place being presented last. It is important to remember that personal preference plays a big part. The best course of action is to visit the place you plan to move to, converse with locals, take advice from a financial consultant, and only then make your final decision. By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders. Here are the 20 safest places to retire in the US: 20. Washington, DC Insider Monkey Score: 28 Safety Score: 60.58 Health Score: 59.78 Median One-bedroom Rental: $2,200 Average Monthly Grocery for One: $410 The first pick on our list of the safest places to retire in the US is none other than the capital of the United States – Washington. A historical city, Washington is set on the Potomac River and is defined by its neoclassical buildings. The city’s main features include the federal government’s buildings – namely, the Capitol, the Supreme Court, and the White House – several museums, and the famed Kennedy Center. 19. New York City, New York Insider Monkey Score: 30 Safety Score: 70.07 Health Score: 56.33 Median One-bedroom Rental: $3,200 Average Monthly Grocery for One: $422 There’s little else that compares to retiring in New York. The glamour of the Big Apple draws in retirees from all over the States, and New York’s high safety score of 70 adds to the attraction. While definitely on the expensive side – the median monthly charge for a one-bedroom rental is $3,200 – there’s lots that the city offers to make up for it. As for retirees who have a limited budget but an urge for a New York retirement, they can explore some of the more affordable options in the city – Zillow Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:Z) lists rentals starting as low as $650. 18. Charleston, South Carolina Insider Monkey Score: 31 Safety Score: 65.34 Health Score: 46.57 Median One-bedroom Rental: $2,000 Average Monthly Grocery for One: $374 A port city, South Carolina’s Charleston carries unmatched charm. Best known for its quaint appearance, the city’s streets are lined with cobblestone paths, antebellum houses in pastel shades, and horse-drawn carriages – a true dream come true for retirees who want to escape the ultra-modern city life. The cherry on top is that it’s also one of the safest places to retire in the US for retirees. 17. Boston, Massachusetts Insider Monkey Score: 38 Safety Score: 73.25 Health Score: 57.39 Median One-bedroom Rental: $2,700 Average Monthly Grocery for One: $415 A college town, Boston is a hub for higher learning. Home to the likes of Northeastern University, Boston is also a popular spot with retirees. A large city, it offers senior citizens an active and enriching lifestyle with a plethora of activities to engage in including museums, an aquarium, gardens, and parks. 16. Chicago, Illinois Insider Monkey Score: 39 Safety Score: 69.98 Health Score: 54.33 Median One-bedroom Rental: $1,795 Average Monthly Grocery for One: $377 If you’ve dreamed of spending your retirement indulging in the best of eats, then Chicago might be the perfect spot for your retirement years. Best known for its cuisine – including deep dish pizza, Chicago-style hotdogs, and the famed Polish sausage – Chicago retirees will never tire of the food. Architecture and museums are also high up on the list of what the city has to offer, and retirees can spend many a day exploring the city’s attraction spots. 15. Orlando, Florida Insider Monkey Score: 43 Safety Score: 65.15 Health Score: 54.59 Median One-bedroom Rental: $1,518 Average Monthly Grocery for One: $371 Orlando’s winning quality is its range of theme parks. The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS)’s Magic Kingdom, United Parks & Resorts Inc. (NYSE:PRKS)’s SeaWorld, and Universal Orlando Resort are some of the most popular. Not to forget, The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS)’s Epcot is also a great day pick for retirees who want to experience the marvel of different cultures without travel. Theme parks aside, Orlando also boasts great weather – warm and sunny with mild winters – making it a retiree’s paradise. 14. Port St. Lucie, Florida Insider Monkey Score: 46 Safety Score: 76.21 Health Score: 38.64 Median One-bedroom Rental: $1,700 Average Monthly Grocery for One: $376 Another Florida pick, Port St. Lucie is one of the safest places to live in the U.S. for families. While rent is on the higher side at a median price of $1,700, retirees can find cheaper options – Zillow Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:Z) lists rentals starting as low as $850. A city full of nature, Port St. Lucie is the ideal retirement spot for senior citizens who want to spend time in the great outdoors. 13. Portland, Oregon Insider Monkey Score: 47 Safety Score: 68.51 Health Score: 61.09 Median One-bedroom Rental: $1,415 Average Monthly Grocery for One: $388 Our first Oregon city, and claiming the 13th spot on our list of safest places to retire in the US, is Portland. The city is located on two rivers, the Willamette and Columbia, and is also bordered by the snowy Mount Hood. Although Oregon’s largest city, Portland offers residents a chance to relax and sit back at one of its many coffee shops, parks, and microbreweries. 12. El Paso, Texas Insider Monkey Score: 56 Safety Score: 71.61 Health Score: 39.02 Median One-bedroom Rental: $888 Average Monthly Grocery for One: $308 With monthly rent and groceries for an individual coming out to the $1,200 mark, El Paso is one of the cheapest and safest places to retire on our list. In fact, with some smart budgeting, an El Paso retirement makes it possible to live in USA on $2,000 a month. The city is surrounded by mountains and experiences over 300 sunshine days – perfect for retirees who want to spend their retirement outdoors. 11. Mobile, Alabama Insider Monkey Score: 56 Safety Score: 74.75 Health Score: 37.36 Median One-bedroom Rental: $904 Average Monthly Grocery for One: $345 Another addition to one of the cheapest and safest places to retire in the US, Mobile in Alabama is a port city. With a high safety score of over 70, Mobile residents can retire with peace of mind, focusing on the fun things in life. The city participates in Mardi Gras and has museums that are perfect for a day out. 10. Worcester, Massachusetts Insider Monkey Score: 56 Safety Score: 81.21 Health Score: 45.49 Median One-bedroom Rental: $1,700 Average Monthly Grocery for One: $383 Starting off the top 10 safest places to retire in the US is the Massachusetts city of Worcester. The city boasts one of the highest safety scores on our list, making it an ideal pick for retirees who want to spend their Golden Years living in peace. Worcester residents can visit the EcoTarium, the Salisbury Mansion Museum, and the Worcester Art Museum – among many more. 9. Charleston, West Virginia Insider Monkey Score: 57 Safety Score: 73.32 Health Score: 33.2 Median One-bedroom Rental: $795 Average Monthly Grocery for One: $317 For senior citizens who are planning to live out their retirement years on a Social Security check but still want to live in a reasonable place, Charleston in West Virginia is the perfect find. With rent and groceries coming out around the $1,000 mark – Zillow Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:Z) lists cheaper options than the $795 median – retirees would have dollars left over. These can be put towards local trips, indulging in luxurious buys, or even amenities such as domestic help. 8. Manchester, New Hampshire Insider Monkey Score: 59 Safety Score: 80.7 Health Score: 45.62 Median One-bedroom Rental: $1,550 Average Monthly Grocery for One: $379 The number eight spot on our list of safest places to retire in the US goes to our first and only New Hampshire pick – Manchester. Located on the Merrimack River, Manchester is best known for its rich mill history. Residents can visit the Currier Museum of Art, Millyard Museum, and the Zimmerman House to immerse themselves in the city’s culture and roots. 7. Dover, Delaware Insider Monkey Score: 60 Safety Score: 74.97 Health Score: 39.71 Median One-bedroom Rental: $1,222 Average Monthly Grocery for One: $331 Next up on our list of safest places to retire in the US is the capital city of the state of Delaware. With a population of under 40,000 at the time of the latest United States Census, Dover combines small-town living with the amenities associated with larger cities. Retirees can find a host of indoor and outdoor activities to occupy themselves with. 6. Tampa, Florida Insider Monkey Score: 61 Safety Score: 76.54 Health Score: 52.3 Median One-bedroom Rental: $1,595 Average Monthly Grocery for One: $375 Next up on our list is another pick from one of the most popular retirement states in the US – Florida. The Sunshine State city of Tampa is best known for its lively atmosphere comprised of beaches, theme parks, and nightlife. A fun and happening place to live, Tampa retirees can also immerse in historical and cultural offerings at the city’s museums. Click to continue reading and see the 5 Safest Places To Retire in the US. Suggested Articles: 13 States That Don’t Tax Retirement Income 15 Best Places To Retire In Hawaii 29 US Cities Where You Can Retire on $2000 a Month Disclosure: none. 20 Safest Places To Retire in the US is originally published on Insider Monkey. .....»»
15 Best Places in Georgia For A Couple To Live On Only Social Security
This article looks at the best places in Georgia for a couple to live on only social security. If you wish to skip our detailed analysis on senior housing in the US and Georgia’s retirement-friendly economic outlook, you may skip to the 5 Best Places in Georgia For A Couple To Live On Only Social […] This article looks at the best places in Georgia for a couple to live on only social security. If you wish to skip our detailed analysis on senior housing in the US and Georgia’s retirement-friendly economic outlook, you may skip to the 5 Best Places in Georgia For A Couple To Live On Only Social Security. If you’ve reached the tail end of your career, it’s natural to evaluate your post-retirement life. In such a case, realizing that the money you’ve saved up maybe inadequate to set you up for a comfortable retirement shouldn’t come out as a shock. Surveys show that 56% of Americans feel they have inadequate funds to sustain themselves after retirement. Even those with 401Ks have their dreams shattered when they realize that their hard-earned income is liable to tax deductions and withdrawal penalties. Senior Housing in the US As of November 2023, the typical retired worker receives approximately $1,845 per month in retirement benefits, while the average spouse of a retired worker is entitled to around $886 per month in spousal benefits. This sets an extremely Orwellian backdrop to post-retirement life for the average couple. Furthermore, with interest rates at an all-time high, housing being ridiculously expensive, and continuous inflationary pressures, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the average household to sustain their living standards, even before retirement. This is an important reason that many Americans look towards the possibility of retiring in a different state. In 2023, 338,000 Americans retired to a new home, with a quarter of those moving across state lines. Even when moving to a new state, the likelihood of being able to purchase a retirement house is becoming increasingly grim for most people. According to JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM), home prices in the US are less affordable today than at the height of the 2006 housing bubble. It is worth noting that JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) was one of the institutions severely impacted by the housing crisis at that time and undertook a $13 Billion settlement with the government for its role in the crisis. Senior Living Communities In response to the ongoing housing crisis, senior living communities have emerged as a viable solution to financial insecurity among retiring couples. Companies such as Brookdale Senior Living Inc. (NYSE:BKD) offer both independent and assisted living facilities to seniors. Furthermore, with assisted and independent living rents starting from $800 and $870 respectively (as of August 2023), communities like Brookdale Senior Living Inc. (NYSE:BKD) are conveniently placed to cater to seniors receiving social security income. Welltower Inc. (NYSE:WELL) recently announced that it is entering into partnership with Affinity Living Communities to develop 25 new senior housing communities across America. Welltower Inc. (NYSE:WELL) is a real estate investment trust that invests in healthcare infrastructure Shankh Mitra, CEO of Welltower Inc. (NYSE:WELL), commented on this project by stating, “Our Wellness Housing portfolio helps address the significant and growing unmet demand for wellness focused rental housing for seniors.” Georgia’s Retirement Friendly Outlook While Florida continues to be the most popular retirement location in the US, the state of Georgia is a very feasible alternative for those wondering where is the most affordable place to live for seniors. Apart from favorable weather conditions and a vibrant retirement community, it’s also one of the best places for couples to live on only social security. Georgia hosts a vast range of retirement communities, including communities by Brookdale Senior Living Inc. (NYSE:BKD). The state also offers a very retirement friendly tax structure with a retirement exclusion on all social security income. In case you’ve managed to stow away some savings in a retirement account, the state partially taxes withdrawals from these retirement accounts. This is in important factor why Georgia ranked highly in our list of Best States to Retire on Social Security. With more and more retirees diverting towards retirement communities, Georgia is expected to receive attention from investors who are looking to bank on relocating seniors. JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) recently predicted that the housing crisis in the domestic US market would improve in 3.5 years, however, this would be entirely contingent on a reduction in mortgage rates and an increase in the average income. For those who cannot afford to wait this long, our list of best places in Georgia for a couple to live on only social security offers some food for thought. 15 Best Places in Georgia For A Couple To Live On Only Social Security Methodology To develop the most insightful list of best places in Georgia for a couple to live on only social security, we selected 10+ sources including, but not limited to NASDAQ News, Middle Georgia CEO, and Movoto. Using a consensus approach, we identified the most frequently recommended places as the best places in Georgia for a couple to live on only social security. We obtained additional data on these shortlisted places. This included metrics like cost of living, obtained from salary.com, and the livability index, obtained from the Area Vibes repository. Other metrics included figures for housing costs and the health index, each obtained from the AARP database. After converting each category on a 1-5 scale we developed a scorecard. Since all the places are within a single state, we did not introduce any metrics for taxation laws and other retirement benefits. Finally, we sorted our places in order of their cumulative scores and selected the top 15 places as the best places in Georgia for a couple to live on only social security. While some places in our list have higher living costs than the national average, Georgia’s taxation laws and the presence of retirement communities in these locations meant that they were some of the best places in Georgia for a couple to live on only social security. By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders. Here are 15 Best Places in Georgia For A Couple To Live On Only Social Security 15. Gainesville IM Score: 10 Livability Index: 66 Cost of Living Index: 103.1 Population: 47,999 Positioned at the base of the Blue Ridge mountains, Gainesville is the first city on our list of best places in Georgia for a couple to live on only social security. It has gained a lot of traction for its beautiful parks and welcoming small-town community. Although the cost of living is 3.1% higher than the national average, the housing costs are relatively affordable, and the town features a number of retirement communities that any outsider can easily settle into. 14. Twin City IM Score: 14 Livability Index: 66 Cost of Living Index: 89.3 Population: 1,664 A town in Emanuel County, Twin City is the perfect place to enjoy a reclusive retirement. With a population of just 1,664 people, it offers some of the most affordable housing in the entire state of Georgia. The town is famous for is amicable residents and peaceful streets, with the town slogan being “Twice as friendly, twice as nice”. It is home to various different senior living communities, meaning that both assisted living and independent living opportunities are available. Moreover, it is just 10 miles from the Emmanuel Medical Center in Swainsboro, allowing convenient access to medical help. Furthermore, due to its small population, the town hosts a very close-knit community. There are plenty of activities for sightseeing as the town houses cabins and cottages from the Victorian architecture. The George L. Smith State Park, spread over 1600 acres of land, is a place where locals can visit for a picnic, bike rides, or fishing. 13. Rome IM Score: 13 Livability Index: 64 Cost of Living Index: 98.4 Population: 38,139 Located in Floyd County, Rome is surrounded by natural beauty including rivers, forests, and parks. It is a convenient location to retire because of its warm climate and favorable cost of living, making it one of the best places in Georgia for a couple to live on social security only. The town has several retirement communities including Brookdale Rome, a project of Brookdale Senior Living Inc. (NYSE:BKD). 12. Athens IM Score: 14 Livability Index: 80 Cost of Living Index: 103.1 Population: 129,879 In comparison to most of the areas in our list, Athens is a more urban retirement destination with plenty of recreation in the form of sports, music, and architecture. It is home to the University of Georgia, because of which the town has managed to develop a more vibrant and liberal culture. Although cost of living in the city is a bit higher than the national average and home prices have hiked in the last few years, the rental market is still a favorable prospect. The town also has a fare-free public transport system by the name of Athens Transit, which operates on over 20 different routes. 11. Marietta IM Score: 14 Livability Index: 82 Cost of Living Index: 103.5 Population: 64,178 Located in the suburbs of Atlanta, Marietta has one of the highest scores on our livability index. As with most places in Georgia, the town offers plenty of historical recreation and cultural events. Even though its not the most affordable place to buy a house, you’ll have your choice of picking among retirement communities with approximately 40 different communities in the area. The cost of living is a tad bit higher than the national average, but expenses are significantly curtailed if you find the right community for you and your partner. 10. Albany IM Score: 14 Livability Index: 64 Cost of Living Index: 90.5 Population: 65,282 Albany is one of the cheapest places to live in Georgia. The town’s cost of living is 9.5% shy of the national average, mainly due to availability of cheap housing options. Thus, if you and your partner feel that a senior living community may not be a viable option for you, this is one of the few areas in Georgia where you might still be able to purchase your dream retirement home at a reasonable price. Conversely, there are also plenty of cheap options inside retirement communities as well. 9. Thomasville IM Score: 14 Livability Index: 73 Cost of Living Index: 96.9 Population: 18,052 A few years ago, Thomasville might have made the top 5 in our list. However, over the last few years retirees have flocked to this town rapidly, resulting in an upward tick in housing rates. However, despite this, the town offers a very feasible proposition to retirees, especially when compared to similar towns across the border in Florida. It has a cost of living 3.1% below the national average. Thomasville is located in the South of Georgia, just 30 miles north of Tallahassee, Florida with a population of 18,052. Its strategic location allows it to be a popular destination amongst people looking to revel in Georgia’s friendly taxation laws whilst also getting a pinch of the Florida experience. 8. Fayetteville IM Score: 14 Livability Index: 71 Cost of Living Index: 103.2 Population: 20,377 Fayetteville is a suburban town, a short distance from Atlanta. The town is host to a vibrant suburban community, making it extremely easy for retirees to settle in. Although the average cost of living is higher than the national average, taking into account the state’s taxation benefits means that it is still a very feasible proposition for retirees. Moreover, if you and your partner are not interested in having a reclusive lifestyle but cannot afford a suburban community that has the vibrancy of an urban city, Fayetteville might be the sweet spot for you. The town has plenty of recreational opportunities, one of Georgia’s largest theme parks, and access to great healthcare (through its close proximity to Atlanta). 7. Cumming IM Score: 14 Livability Index: 74 Cost of Living Index: 103.1 Population: 7,828 Part of the Forsyth County, Cumming is a small town with a population of just 7,828. Cumming is one of the best places in Georgia for a couple to live on only social security. Average housing costs are cheaper in comparison to the rest of Forsyth County, which is one of the most popular destinations to retire in Georgia among wealthy retirees. It has the highest rating on our livability index of all the places in our list and that is partly because it is considered as being a very safe place to live. The area offers access to almost all of the amenities as the rest of Forsyth County, whilst also having housing options that would suit those living on social security alone. 6. St. Simons Island IM Score: 15 Livability Index: 70 Cost of Living Index: 97.9 Population: 16,675 If you’re shaking your head at the sight of St Simons being on a list of best places in Georgia for a couple to live on only social security, you won’t be alone. Housing costs in this southern coastal town are higher than most of Georgia, and the cost of living isn’t economical enough to make up for it. However, the town houses some of the best senior living communities in the state. If you and your partner have a combined social security upwards of $3,500 it is very likely that you can find an affordable home in one of these communities. Thus, even though you’ll have to forego the luxury of renting an independent home, you’ll be getting plenty of recreational opportunities on this island all year round. Click to continue reading and see the 5 Best Places in Georgia For A Couple To Live On Only Social Security. Suggested Articles: 12 Biggest Canadian Mining Companies 10 Countries That Produce The Best Boxers In The World 11 Dry Shampoo Alternatives for Every Hair Color and Type Disclosure: none. 15 Best Places in Georgia For A Couple To Live On Only Social Security is originally published on Insider Monkey......»»