Posts by Ben Geier:
Healthcare was already one of the most high profile and contentious political issues in America, but since the COVID-19 pandemic began it has become even more of a pressing topic. Donald Trump tried and failed to repeal the Affordable Care Act (commonly known as Obamacare) in the first year of his presidency but has mostly abandoned healthcare as an area of potential reform — especially since the Republicans lost the House of Representatives in 2018. Democratic challenger Joe Biden, though, has a series of healthcare proposals that he hopes to enact if he wins in November. If you have questions about healthcare coverage or any other financial issue, consider finding a financial advisor with SmartAsset’s free financial advisor matching service. Read more
Unions can be a great way for workers to gain power in the workplace and make sure they are treated and compensated fairly. Overall, union participation rates in the U.S. are down: In 2018 the rate was 10.5%, while in 1983 it was 20.1%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Still, there are some places where unions are stronger than others. That’s why SmartAsset decided to crunch the numbers and find the states with the strongest unions. Read more
Though the COVID-19 pandemic has eaten up most of the political headlines this general election season, the contest of Joe Biden vs. Donald Trump does feature a number of deep differences in other areas beyond the public health crisis, including on tax and economic policies. The actual distinctions between candidates on issues of taxes and finance can be difficult to parse for the average voter, so this guide will go through some of the major issues related to the subject and explain exactly where the two candidates stand. Regardless of who wins in November, consider working with a financial advisor to make the most of your money. Read more
Tax policy is one of the more inscrutable parts of American politics, yet it’s one of the areas that impacts the most people on a day-to-day basis. Former Vice President Joe Biden, the Democratic… Read more
The days of the strict 40-hour workweek, with weekends and evenings spent relaxing, are a distant memory for many people. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data from 2019, more than 10… Read more
If you’re able to do so, biking can be a great way to get around. Besides the physical benefits, this mode of transportation is great for the environment and generally requires you to have less of… Read more
According to a recent poll from the National Endowment for Financial Education, nearly nine in 10 Americans say COVID-19 has triggered stress on their personal finances. Money – or lack thereof –… Read more
A decision to move can arise from various factors, such as landing a new job, wanting to start or grow a family and desiring a favorable housing market. And as a result of their particular needs,… Read more
Given that so many Americans were stuck indoors and without access to gyms during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, those looking to burn some of those quarantine calories and stay healthy may… Read more
The ongoing coronavirus crisis has impacted nearly all facets of life, and one of the most difficult challenges for Americans to deal with has been the disruption to the job market, a fact that can… Read more
From lesson plans and student development to grading and proctoring, teaching is one of the most demanding jobs out there. And it can also be demanding financially – some teachers struggle to afford… Read more
They say the good old hockey game is the best game you can name, and for some cities across the U.S., that is clearly true. Since the 2005-2006 National Hockey League (NHL) season – which came… Read more
Where Americans in the early stages of their careers choose to live can have an outsize influence on their professional development and trajectory. After all, not all places offer the same… Read more
Community college is a great option for any number of high school graduates in America. Whether you require more experience to be accepted to a four-year college, want an associate’s degree in a… Read more
Owning a home is a major goal for many people across the U.S. Securing a mortgage and buying that home, though, can be difficult to achieve. According to a June 2020 Home Values report from Zillow,… Read more
The job market is constantly changing. Jobs in a certain field and geographic area may be abundant one decade only to experience a sharp decline the next. This can be because of many factors,… Read more
According to Census Bureau data from 2018, there are approximately 5.43 million full-time working women in the U.S. earning at least $100,000. The opportunity to attain higher salaries affects not… Read more
According to wedding-focused website The Knot, the average cost of a wedding in the U.S. is $33,900. There are some cities, though, where you still can have the wedding of your dreams for much less,… Read more
Many states and localities that enacted shelter-in-place orders with the onset of the coronavirus crisis are now carefully implementing phased plans to reopen. With air travel not as available or… Read more
While women in the U.S. seeking financial and social equality still face many challenges, certain conditions have improved in recent years. That’s why SmartAsset wanted to take a look at where U.S.… Read more
According to a 2018 Gallup report, approximately four in 10 Americans would choose to live in a town, a small city or a suburb of a small city as opposed to big cities and rural areas. As Americans… Read more
Homeownership often represents a foundation to build on as well as long-term stability. This applies not only to the lifestyle a homeowner envisions when making a purchase, but also to the value of… Read more
The tech industry is one of the most lucrative in the U.S. Though the COVID-19 crisis has cost the industry jobs just like virtually every industry, going into tech remains the goal of many young… Read more
Though it may not always be apparent to the average citizen, the federal government is responsible for many of the everyday conveniences that help the country operate. Even some state programs are… Read more
Having sufficient savings is imperative as a person enters retirement and leaves the workforce behind. But several factors – including a delayed start to saving, the increasing cost of living, a… Read more
