Posts by Ben Geier:
About three in four American adults (73%) said they donated money to a charitable organization in the past year, according to an April 2020 Gallup poll. That’s a new record low, beneath even the charitable giving rate of the Great Recession era. Though the coronavirus pandemic, with its elevated unemployment, may have made Americans less likely to steer their money toward altruistic causes, the generosity they do spread is something financial advisors strongly recommend to reduce their clients’ tax liabilities. Of course, not all places in the U.S. are equally philanthropic, so SmartAsset crunched the numbers to uncover where in the country Americans are most charitable. Read more
For Americans seeking a more affordable and less crowded alternative to the bustle of a big city but not interested in very small towns, a mid-sized city might be the best place to put down roots. But not all of them are equally suited to meet the needs of their inhabitants. That’s why SmartAsset crunched the numbers on a variety of financial factors to find the mid-sized cities that are the most livable. Read more
How easily veterans adjust to their lives after service depends on many factors, not the least of which is their ability to maintain adequate finances to cover their home payments and daily needs. There’s good news for vets on that front, though: While about 37,000 veterans still experienced homelessness in January 2019, the homelessness rate among veterans declined more than 2% in 2019 and had decreased 50% since 2010, according to a 2019 report from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Despite that marked improvement, not all places are equally suited to help veterans thrive. That’s why SmartAsset crunched the numbers in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to find the best places for veterans. Read more
According to Census data, more than 17% of American households earn between $50,000 and $74,999, making it the income bracket comprising the highest number of people. This large cohort may not be… Read more
The COVID-19 pandemic has made many indoor activities difficult or impossible amid government ordinances. Since allocating some savings towards theater tickets and sporting events is now out of the… Read more
The middle class may be feeling the squeeze, but the upper-middle class certainly isn’t. The former cohort has shrunk from 61% of households in 1971 to just 52% now, according to the Pew Research… Read more
Halloween typically scares up a major boost in U.S. consumer spending, to the tune of $8.78 billion in 2019, according to the National Retail Federation. Though this year’s celebration will be scaled… Read more
The question of tax dodging has been in the news a lot lately — namely because of the New York Times Report that President Donald Trump, despite his claimed billions of dollars in wealth, paid only… Read more
Entering the workforce as a young person can be difficult. For many people who are fresh out of college, it’s particularly challenging to determine exactly which industries are likely to hire someone… Read more
A financial transactions tax is exactly what it sounds like — a tax levied on each transaction an investor makes in the financial markets. The U.S. does not have a significant financial transaction… Read more
Buying a house can be stressful. For many people, it turns out to be the most significant and expensive financial transaction of their lives. Scoring a deal, though, can help allay some anxiety. But… Read more
Raising kids is a difficult task – one that has been made harder for many in recent months as a result of the COVID-19 crisis and the accompanying economic trouble. Finding the best place to grow a… Read more
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… 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… Read more
The question of Biden vs. Trump is on everybody’s mind as the 2020 presidential election comes closer. Though the COVID-19 pandemic has eaten up most of the political headlines this general election… 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
