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Connecting the most important stories of our time to how they affect regular Paychecks. 💸

21/08/2024

If you live in a rural area of Washington State, you may not have a 4-year college or university close by. Does that mean you can’t get a 4-year bachelor’s degree? As it turns out, no! You have options, you motivated education seeker you! How does this work? Let’s take a look!

Here are Five Fast Facts on Washington State’s community college model:

🏫 It’s About The Community - It is possible to get a 4-year degree – including teaching or nursing – at a local community college. This typically benefits students who are “place-bound,” meaning they can only attend college close to home due to work or family obligations. Currently, 24 states offer this in one form or another.

☑️ Checking The Boxes - Almost any degree is eligible, as long as the community college can show there’s a local area need for the job and that students will enter their program. If both the supply and demand are there, it’s two thumbs up!

🍎🩺 It’s Applicable - These degrees are called applied bachelor’s degrees because they are designed to provide students with great hands-on experience that is applicable to their chosen profession. Well, we’d hate for it to be experience that didn’t apply, wouldn’t we?

👍 Catching On - Washington State has been doing this since 2005, and has 33 colleges offering 165 bachelor’s degrees. In that time, the state has awarded almost 2,000 degrees in education and nursing alone!

💰 Big Difference - This is huge for two reasons. First, community college is generally about half the cost of 4-year college, especially if the student lives on campus. Even better, folks with bachelor’s degrees will typically earn a salary of over $74k, a whopping 43% more than an associate’s degree and a 100% increase over those with just a high school diploma! They also open up a lot more kinds of jobs as options, and have a lower unemployment rate. Spend less and make more? It’s like an economics degree is built in!

🔥Bottom line: We LOVE this! Not only does it allow people who need and want those degrees to get them at a much lower cost, but it then opens new doors and gives them a chance to make more money for themselves and their families! Hard to see anything but a win here.

Do you know anyone who got one of these bachelor’s degrees at a community college?

t.ly/XNVL7

20/08/2024

What’s better than a one-bedroom apartment? A two-bedroom apartment! 🥳 Think of all the fun you could have in that bonus room! Play some music. Throw some raves. Avoid getting evicted. 🪩🕺

Depending on where you live in the Buckeye State, you’ll have to earn a certain size paycheck to get that cozy apartment. 💵 We’ve got all the stats right here. 👇

Here’s Five Fast Facts on paychecks and apartments:

🏘️ Bed, Bath, & Beyond - According to a new report, Ohioans need to earn at least $20.81 an hour at a full-time job to be able to afford a “modest” two-bedroom apartment. That’s a 9% increase from last year’s report when it was $19.09 an hour.

🏙️ Big City Life - If you live in one of Ohio’s three biggest cities, you’ll have to earn even more. In Columbus, you’ll need to make $25.04 an hour. Cincinnati renters need to make $22.98 an hour. In Cleveland, you’ll need to earn $21.31 an hour.

💸 Burn to Earn - According to Ohio jobs data, only two out of the ten professions with the most employees in the state make more than $20.81 (registered nurses and general operations managers). Common Ohio jobs that typically pay out less than $20 include customer service reps, retail salespeople, and home health workers.

🫠 Double Dare - Right now, Ohio’s minimum wage is $10.45 an hour. That means that a person with a minimum wage job would have to work 80 hours a week to get in that two-bedroom apartment. The current Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom in the state is $1,082.

🏌️ Outta Here - If you can’t pay, you can’t stay. Last year, Ohio landlords filed almost 108,000 eviction cases last year, the most cases in almost ten years. Homelessness in Ohio has also jumped 7% between 2022 and 2023.

🔥Bottom line: We know, life ain’t cheap these days. We talk about it all the time LOL. Just our two cents, but hardworking Americans deserve to come home to a nice place to live…with a bonus room.

Do you live in an apartment in the Buckeye State?

t.ly/53f-X

19/08/2024

When you think of retirement, age 65 probably pops up, right? But why is that the golden number? Retirement can get tricky, especially when those medical bills start rolling in like they're on sale. Sure, Medicare’s there to help, but should you really cling to that soul-draining job just for it? Or is there a smarter way to dodge that?

Here are Five Fast Facts on waiting for Medicare:

⏳ How We Got Here - Age 65 became the retirement age way back in 1935. But a lot’s changed since then—people live longer, do less heavy lifting, and everything costs way more. Fast forward to 2024, and the average retiree’s health care bill is a whopping $165,000! The problem? Most people only plan for $75k. You don’t need to be a math whiz to see that’s not going to end well

🆕 Change It Up - One option is to switch to a job you like better that provides better benefits. Even if it doesn’t provide better benefits, you’re still bringing in income, which means your savings will last longer, and you’ll enjoy life better with the better job. And your spouse will probably love that you’re out of the house some, too.

🐍 Leverage COBRA - The Continuation of Health Care Coverage (COBRA) law allows you to pay for the same coverage you currently have for up to 18 months. If you time your exit right, you could retire at age 63.5 and just use COBRA to cover the gap. Also, it sounds good. Be like, “Yeah, bro, I’m on COBRA.”

🔍 Do Your Research - The key is to find out what’s available to you, how much it will cost, and what it will provide. You might find good plans and coverage from local civic groups, state organizations, professional or business groups, or even a former job. Get started around the age of 50 while you still have time to make a plan and fund it. Or start laying the guilt on your kids and grandkids so you can land in their basement.

💡 Oh, By The Way - Even if you do wait until you can get Medicare, news flash: it’s not free! The average premium is around $175 per month, but it can go as high as $400 per month, and it changes from year to year. It is very likely you’ll need supplemental coverage, too, which can often also range up to $400 per month. That’s assuming the country doesn’t go bankrupt, of course. There’s that, too.

🔥Bottom line: The best thing you can do is start saving for retirement early. Give yourself a few decades to bank money, and you’ll almost certainly be fine no matter what. But not everyone has that luxury, and even if you do there are still plans to be made. Don’t wait until it’s too late and you have only bad options…or no options at all!

Do you have a plan for health care in retirement?

t.ly/3LA1C

18/08/2024

If you work a minimum wage job in Michigan, you’re in for a raise!

The legal whiplash has been substantial on this one, so it’s understandable if you haven’t kept up. We’ll try to break down the key points for you, though, so you know what happened and when that delicious raise may be landing on your Paycheck!

Here are Five Fast Facts on the rising minimum wage in Michigan:

📝 Going Back - In 2018, the One Fair Wage proposals aimed to raise the minimum wage to over $12/hr by 2023, eliminate the lower wage for tipped workers, and give most workers paid sick leave. The legislature passed these into law before they hit the ballot, then stretched the wage increase to 2030 instead.

👍👎 Pros And Cons - Supporters of the proposals wanted higher wages for workers, but the opposition said it would raise prices and in the end jobs would be lost. What you think about this probably depends on which side of the aisle you’re on…

🚫 Lawyer Up - Anyway, many lawsuits were fired up, and things bounced their way through the court system, much like a ping pong match - first one way, then the other! It ended with the MI Supreme Court deciding 4-3 that what the legislature did was unconstitutional. So, the proposals are now back to being implemented.

📈 The New Wage Plan - The key date is February 21st each year. Starting in 2025 the minimum wage will go up to $10/hr, then in 2026 to $10.65, in 2027 to $11.35, and in 2028 to $12. The rate will also be linked to inflation, so these numbers will end up even higher.

🤢 The Other Proposals - On the same timeframe, the scale of wages for tipped workers goes away so that eventually they will be paid the full minimum wage and any tips are over and above that. Also, most employers throughout the state will be required to provide one hour of paid medical leave for every 30 hours worked, even part time or seasonal workers.

🔥Bottom line: Aside from the political aspect of the minimum wage rising, this will definitely be a good thing for the workers who get paid more. Assuming they do, in fact, keep their jobs. 🤞

What do you think about all this?

t.ly/ft4lc

17/08/2024

What’s the deal with homework? 📓 You’re not working on your home! Gotta love a solid Seinfeld reference. 🙃

If you go to college, you probably have a lot of homework. You’ll also set yourself up for career success in the future! 🚀 Right now, you might be able to land a decent job without a bachelor’s degree. However, a new study shows that could change within the next decade. 🤔

Here’s Five Fast Facts on good jobs and bachelor’s degrees:

📈 Can You Take Me Higher? - Experts predict a growth of over 15 million ‘good jobs' by 2031. But here’s the twist: they say the lion’s share of these jobs will require some kind of higher education. They estimate 66% of jobs will require at least a bachelor’s degree.

👍 Good Stuff - So what exactly is a ‘good job’? It’s more than having a boss that doesn’t make you come in on Saturday. According to the report, a ‘good job’ is one that pays a minimum salary of $43,000 to workers aged 25 to 44 and $55,000 to workers aged 45 to 64.

👷 Blue, You’re My Boy - Not into the whole college scene? Thinking about a trade instead? These days, many blue-collar jobs require specialization and training post-high school. Basic blue-collar jobs will still be available in 2030, but you’ll most likely have to get some extra education to get the biggest paycheck.

💼 In the Middle - How have things changed over the years? Back In 2021, 22% of ‘good jobs’ were available to folks who didn’t have a bachelor’s degree, but did have some kind of post-high school education. That includes associate’s degrees, certificates, or special licenses. Researchers predict that number will drop to 19% by 2031. For workers who only have a high school degree, availability of ‘good jobs’ is predicted to drop to 15%.

🧑‍💻 Office Space - By 2031, the managerial and professional sector is predicted to have the most ‘good jobs’ (6.2 million). Out of those jobs, 84% are expected to require at least a bachelor’s degree.

🔥Bottom line: Hey, don’t shoot the messenger! This is just one study’s outlook on what jobs could look like in the future. Whether you head to college or not, setting yourself apart from the competition is the key to securing a decent paycheck!

Do you agree with this study?

t.ly/5RXqq

16/08/2024

Sometimes you have to spend money to save money. That is definitely the case with solar panels! Let’s set aside the political aspects of solar power saving the planet and instead focus on the nuts and bolts of whether or not they’re a good investment for normal folks. Do they save you money, or are they a total scam? Read on for the answer!

Here are Five Fast Facts on solar panels:

🤔 Pick And Choose - There are a few different routes you can go. You’ve got polycrystalline or monocrystalline solar panels, both of which convert sunlight into electricity using silicon crystals. Thin film panels use a different material but do essentially the same thing at lower cost. You’ve also got things like Tesla roofs and Powerwalls which actually replace the normal shingles on your house, but provide some extra solar benefits and include some battery storage. Options abound!

⚡ Efficiencies - The most efficient is the monocrystalline panels, followed by polycrystalline panels and then thin film and the other options. But that efficiency comes at a price (naturally)!

💲 The Price Tag - It depends on lots of factors – things like where you live, how much sun you get, how many square feet you install, and more – but the average residential solar panel installation is about 20-25 panels for around $18,600. But it can go up to $30k or more, so make sure you plan ahead!

💡 Oh, By The Way - There are a number of other things you need to think about, too. Got lots of trees? Might need to trim ‘em. And don’t forget regular maintenance and cleaning, which could cost a few hundred dollars per year. Solar panels can also increase the value of your home, which will also increase your home insurance costs (Zillow says it’s an average of 4.1%). Um, yay?

👍 Worth It? - It’s a pretty stiff cost up front, but the savings could be huge over the long term. First, there’s a federal tax credit that will save you 30% of the panel costs until 2032 (it goes down after that), which is about $5,500 for the average installation! If you live in a place with lots of sun and high energy costs, you’re almost guaranteed to save money over time, with many estimates being around 10%. That’s enough for at least a couple Starbucks per week!

🔥Bottom line: There are so many variables that impact both costs and savings that it can be hard to estimate how it might work out for you. But, Forbes has a guide and calculator that can help you get a pretty good idea. If you’re interested in getting solar panels for your home, the best thing you can do is contact a high quality panel company in your local area to get a professional guide through the process.

Are you going solar?

t.ly/isPH8

15/08/2024

We all want to save money wherever we can nowadays, right? Well, if you live in Washington State, you may soon see a drop in your electricity bill. Now, don’t get too excited because there are a number of factors involved, but let’s dig into this possibility and see what’s up.

Here are Five Fast Facts on possible electricity bill credits for Washington State residents:

⚡ The Program - A new program called the Washington Families Clean Energy Credits program was fired up last week. The goal is to provide low- and middle-income households with a $200 credit on their electric bill. Up to 675,000 households may qualify for the $150 million set aside for it.

🏭 The Method - The credits will be distributed to the utility companies to be applied directly to customer accounts. They are limited to one per household and will be applied by September 15th. That’s moving at blinding speed, considering it’s a government thing!

👋 The Eligible - If you’re already part of a utility company’s low-income assistance program, you’re already in! Anyone else can apply here to see if they qualify. Lottery tickets not included.

😆 The Priority - The first credits will go to households at or below 80% of their local median income, then with income up to 150% of their local median income if there’s money left over. Money left over from a government program? Hahahahahahaha…!

🤔 The Controversy - Now, for the tricky part. The money for this program comes from the sale of Washington State’s cap and trade program, which we’ve talked about before. Some say this program is driving up the cost of energy in the state, meaning if it wasn’t in effect there would be no need for the credits in the first place! Gotta love the irony, huh?

🔥Bottom line: While it’s great for folks to save money any chance they get, it does once again raise the question of whether or not the cap and trade program is worth it. Credits for those who need it most are great…but wouldn’t it be better for everyone if all prices were lower?

What do you think?

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14/08/2024

A new school season is in the air! Can you smell it? 👃 What does an upcoming school season smell like, anyway? Parents say it smells like peace, quiet, and an uninterrupted viewing of their favorite Netflix series. 🧘📺

Wondering how Ohio’s early education stacks up against the rest of the nation? Dive into these fresh stats. 🤿

Here’s Five Fast Facts on Ohio’s early education system:

📋 Meet Me in the Middle - A recent study ranked the early education systems of all 50 states from best to worst. They looked at three major factors: access, quality, and resources & economic support. The Buckeye State came in towards the middle at 36.

🏫 Quality Check - Only 11 states in the country offer universal pre-K programs, and Ohio isn’t one of them (womp womp). On the flip side, Ohio ranked a little higher for overall quality of their early education system. They’re 21st on that list.

🎒 Rest of the Pack - Arkansas is number one in the country for early education. Indiana was the worst. Here’s how Ohio’s neighbors stack up: West Virginia (6), Michigan (11), Pennsylvania (14), and Kentucky (25).

💵 Spending Stats - According to the National Institute for Early Education Research, Ohio spent a total of $72,000,000 on early education. That comes out to around $4,000 per child.

🚸 For the Kids - While pre-K isn’t required in Ohio, experts say it makes a big difference. Kids who enroll are more academically prepared, more likely to graduate from high school, and have a better chance of earning high paychecks as adults than kids who don’t.

🔥Bottom line: A middle-of-the-road ranking isn’t too shabby…but it’s not stellar either. There’s always room for improvement!

Are your kids enrolled in a pre-K program?

t.ly/vYbt-

13/08/2024

Wouldn’t it be great if you could hop in a time machine and go back a few years to lock in a much lower interest rate on a home loan? Where’s a DeLorean when you need one?? ⚡

If you’re short one operational flux capacitor, you might instead look for an assumable home mortgage, which can make you feel like you’re paying yesteryear’s prices for today’s home purchase.

Here are Five Fast Facts on assumable home mortgages:

🤔 What Is It - An assumable mortgage is one where a buyer just takes over the seller’s mortgage at its existing finance rates and terms instead of starting a new one. Kinda like a contractual Mr. Ripley.

👍 Good For Buyers - Today’s interest rates for 30-year fixed mortgages are around 6.7%. But, around 85% of existing homeowners have a rate under 6%, and almost a quarter of homeowners have a rate below 3%. Quite the incentive there!

📈 Ramping Up - Assumed mortgages on FHA loans rose by 72% in 2023, and by 628% on Veterans Affairs loans. They are on track to more than double this year, too. Of course, even then we’re only talking about a few thousand. They’re rarer than an intelligent TikTok video!

💸 The Catch(es) - As with any deal that seems too good to be true, there are catches. First, only government-sponsored loans are eligible, ruling out about 75% of all mortgage loans today. Also, buyers will have to put down a much bigger down payment, usually the difference between the sale price and the balance on the existing mortgage. Of course, then you might as well just pay cash for the whole thing, right?

⛔ Just One Problem - There isn’t much upside for lenders, so they don’t generally even talk about them, much less push them. And why would they, when they are losing out on today’s higher interest rates? They’re so rarely used that many lenders don’t even understand them or how they work, so that’s another reason they’re hard to come by.

🔥Bottom line: So, it’s a great way to get a tremendous rate on a home loan…if you can find a seller and a lender willing to do it. Good luck! Hopefully you don’t need roads to get up to 88mph!

Do you know of anyone who assumed a mortgage?

t.ly/9FGEz

12/08/2024

Ah, tax season. 💰 Also known as: time to pay Turbo Tax to avoid complicated government paperwork gymnastics! 🤸

But…a 🆓 solution is on the way for PA!

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Governor Josh Shapiro just announced PA will soon get on board with Direct File, the IRS's free electronic tax-filing system. ✅

Here’s Five Fast Facts on Direct File for PA taxpayers:

🪽 Free as a Bird - The Direct File program allows taxpayers to file online directly with the IRS for free. The goal of the program is to offer an easier and cheaper alternative than paid tax-prep services like TurboTax and H&R Block.

✈️ Your Pilot Speaking - Direct File just wrapped up a pilot program and Yellen reported some promising results. By the final week of the program, the new tax agency was able to process over 5,000 accepted returns per day from over 140,000 taxpayers.

💸 Super Savings - Yellen also said that Direct File saved taxpayers $5.6 million in federal filing fees (yippee)! An additional $90 million was issued in refunds and 90% of survey respondents rated their overall experience with the service excellent or above average.

🧑‍💻 Filing Fun - Each year, Americans spend around $11 billion on tax preparation services, accountants and similar services to get their returns in on time. According to the U.S. Department of Treasury, Americans spend an average of $270 and 13 hours filing their taxes.

👀 Coming Soon - Right now, Direct File is only available for those who live in one of the 12 pilot program states. In 2025, at least 1.5 million Pennsylvanians will be eligible to use the tool.

🔥Bottom line: While you’re waiting for your turn to use Direct File, you should see if your old employer owes you any sneaky money. According to a recent analysis, 260 PA companies owe 9,000 workers some cash! Read more about that at the link below.

Will you try Direct File?

t.ly/PMvJJ

11/08/2024

Ugh, interest rates. They're not the worst ever, but they still hurt, especially with inflation already draining our wallets. The big question everyone’s been asking for months: when will they drop? We might finally see some action soon.

Here are Five Fast Facts on possible interest rate changes:

⏳ Where It Began - Two years ago, the Fed started hiking rates to fight inflation, which hit a crazy 9.1%. Now it's down to just over 3%, but they’re aiming for 2%. They’ve kept rates steady since last summer, and yeah, it feels like forever—because it kind of is.

😣 False Starts - The Fed has said repeatedly that they intend to bring rates down as soon as inflation is closer to that long term target. It just hasn’t happened yet. Once again, they kept rates as-is in the July meeting. Status quo? How about status no!

💡 Suggestions - The good news is that Fed Chair Jerome Powell said after the July meeting that they’re strongly considering a cut in September if things keep going the way they are, confirming expectations from investors and speculators. Again. But pay no attention to that.

💰 Extra Cash? - So what do you do with this info? No change right now, but maybe something in the coming months. If you’ve got extra cash, it’s a great time to invest it! Grab those high interest rates on savings accounts or CDs while you can because they may be going down soon. Wait…who has extra cash laying around right now?!

😥 Borrowing Soon? - If you need to borrow, it’s unfortunately not great. If you can’t wait, then at least shop around. You can likely find at least some discounts or better deals if you’re willing to do the research and comparisons. Freddie Mac estimates that getting four mortgage estimates should allow you to save $1200 per year in interest! Ooh, then you might have some extra cash laying around to invest…

🔥Bottom line: It’s still just a suggestion right now. But hopefully unemployment and inflation will behave so the Fed will finally pull the trigger on lower rates. While there’s still a long way left to go, any help would be appreciated by normal folks making payments on stuff.

What do you think will happen with interest rates?

t.ly/ymoAT

10/08/2024

Hey all you cool cats and kittens! 👋😻 Heard about the recent stock market mayhem? Let’s bring Wall Street back to Main Street for a hot minute and have a chat.

A couple days ago, the market was all panic and no disco. 📉 Haven’t you people ever heard of closing the goddamn door? 😤

Here, we break down what happened and talk about how an economic downturn could impact your paycheck. 👇

Here’s Five Fast Facts on the recent stock market drop:

🤓 Nerdy Numbers - No matter where you looked, Monday’s stock market was a steaming hot garbage pile. The S&P 500 Index dropped 106 points (3%) by the end of the day. The tech-heavy Nasdaq fell 3.43%, losing a huge $907 billion in value. The Dow Jones also plunged over 1,000 points (2.6%). These were the biggest drops for the S&P and the Dow since 2022.

🐺 Huff and Puff - So what tanked this thing? There’s a few factors at play. One reason is that the July jobs report was weaker than expected. When this happens, investors start panic-selling stocks in fear that the Big Bad Recession Wolf is on the way. Another recession signal: rumblings of an emergency Fed rate cut much sooner than expected.

🎌 A Secret Third Thing - A third factor in the recent madness came all the way from Japan. Long story short, the Bank of Japan pulled the trigger on a hate hike, which threw a major wrench in what’s known as the carry trade. People borrow historically low currencies (like the Japanese Yen) to invest in higher currencies (like the US dollar). The recent rate hike turned the whole thing upside down, causing more market mayhem.

🛣️ The Long Haul - Should you hit the panic button? Ehh, not so fast. Right now, economists say that stock market blips (AKA corrections) like this one are more normal than we think. However, they do cause investors to panic over a possible recession. While you might be tempted to pull your money out of the market, remember that stocks are a long-term investment. If you take all of your cash out, you won’t have anything left to ride the inevitable recovery wave.

🌀 Downward Spiral - Even if you don’t have any money in stocks, a recession has huge impacts on the economy as a whole. In a recession, the average person is more at risk of layoffs as companies struggle to stay afloat. Price increases squeeze budgets tighter. Credit cards and loans become harder to get. If you lose your job, you may also lose access to healthcare, a huge financial burden to pay for on your own. Did we mention all of this turns stress and mental health issues all the way up? Sheesh.

🔥Bottom line: OK, no one’s using the R-word (recession, duh) just yet. But it never hurts to be informed about what’s going on and what it all could mean. At the end of the day, keeping your family and finances safe and sound is what matters most.

What’s your take on the stock market madness?

t.ly/JQJNQ

09/08/2024

The Fed’s goal is to bring inflation down to just 2%. They’ve been unsuccessful in that goal for a couple of years now, but hey, they’re still keeping an eye on the situation. While we all sit around waiting for the stars to align, if you’re a small business owner you might have a bit more urgency than the Fed seems to have. So where are we now, and what should you do about it?

Here are Five Fast Facts about small businesses borrowing money when interest rates are high:

🤡 This Is The Year…Just Kidding - The conventional wisdom going into 2024 that inflation was easing so rates should start coming down. It obviously still hasn’t happened yet. Even more importantly, the head of the Fed is downplaying talk of rate cuts. No need to read the tea leaves here, it’s just not happening anytime soon.

🔍 Outlook (Not The Microsoft Kind) - The experts tell us that job gains are strong, unemployment is low, and growth is still happening. These are the same experts who told us inflation would be down and rates would follow, so there’s that. But maybe they’re a bit humbled now because they’re also saying the economic outlook is “uncertain” so they’re not making any big changes right now.

🚀 If You Can Grow…Go Go Go! - If everything is stuck treading water, then what do you do? First, if you see the chance to grow your business, just do it! Don’t wait on better rates because no one knows when they’ll come back. Think about the opportunity cost - what do you lose if you don’t move now (even if rates aren’t great)?

🧮 Comparison Shopping - Always shop around. No matter what the overall rates are, there will always be variation in the specific terms from different lenders. Even if your credit is in the crapper, there are usually non-bank lenders who are willing to play ball. You might pay more, but at least you can get it done.

✂️ Cut The Fat - It’s never a bad thing to trim the excess out of your business, and when preparing to get financing is a great time to get into financial shape. The better your bottom line, the more likely you’ll find a good deal. Can you reduce inventory, renegotiate existing deals with suppliers, or find new suppliers with better pricing? Do it!

🔥Bottom line: It’s tough to be a small business right now! Surviving the COVID shutdowns was no small thing (WAY TO GO!!!), but borrowing in the current environment is tough for many reasons. If you’re careful and map it out, you can make it work for you.

Do you own a small business?

t.ly/9VZZi

08/08/2024

Enjoying the uptick in annoying political texts? 🤪 We sure are. Pro tip: reply to the cringiest ones with a GIF of something completely ridiculous. Will it stop the texts? Probably not. Will it make you laugh? We hope so. 🤸

Speaking of annoying texts, there’s a new texting scam in town. 🚨 And by town we mean Ohio.

Here’s Five Fast Facts on the E-ZPass scam:

🚩 Red Flags - Ohio law enforcement and the Ohio Turnpike just issued a scam alert to warn folks of a new texting scam related to the E-ZPass system. The system was impacted by the recent big technology outage and cyber crooks are taking full advantage.

💸 Show Me the Money - The scam texts come from a 438 area code (Montreal). Reports say the texts typically claim that the recipient owes $9.75 for unpaid tolls, although the amount can vary. They may also say that if you don’t click the included link and pay ASAP, you’ll get hit with charges of $97.50.

💻 Official Business - If you’re an E-ZPass user, your account should be linked to a form of payment through their online portal. There, you can re-up your funds when your balance is low or set it to auto replenish. E-ZPass will never text you about money you owe.

🤳 Click Bait - If you receive one of these scammy texts, delete the message. Whatever you do, don’t click on any links or enter your credit card number or personal information. Don’t give crooks the keys to the kingdom!

🚗 Right From the Source - If you’re curious about your E-ZPass balance or account status, the best thing to do is log in directly through the official website. From there, you can take care of any outstanding fees or contact customer service for assistance. Click the link below to go there!

🔥Bottom line: Scams like this aren’t just in Ohio. The FBI has received over 2,000 complaints of bogus toll collection texts since early March. Stay alert out there!

Have you ever been the victim of a scam?

t.ly/9MBL4

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Married? Cut the time in half! Instead of 5 years only 2.5. #costofliving #disposableincome #paycheck #payucheckology #personalfinance #finance #financenews #financialtips #personalfinancetips

📅 It’s 2024 and you’re 30 years old. You saved over $300.00 on Memorial Day sales. 💸 You put that in a Roth IRA instead of leaving it in your bank. 🗓️ You do this for every major holiday sale (18 of them) moving forward. 📈 By the year 2059, assuming an average growth of 10.25% your Roth IRA would grow to over $1.5 million! 💰 Even if you stop investing at 2059 you’ll make about $159,000 per year off interest alone! 🌱 You can plant the seeds to make your money grow. GO! ▶ #paycheck #paycheckology #finance #financialtips #personalfinance #RetirementPlanning #Savings #Investing

👇 Here are 2 ways to inflation proof YOUR Money ⬇ 💰 1) High-Yield Savings Accounts: These are similar to traditional savings accounts but offer higher interest rates that can sometimes keep up with or exceed inflation. 🔒 These accounts are still FDIC insured, which means your money is safe up to certain limits. 📈 2) Stock Market Investments: Investing in stocks, mutual funds, or ETFs (exchange-traded funds) can offer higher returns, although with higher risk. 📊 Historically, the stock market has outperformed inflation over the long term. 🚀 Follow for more tips to help you with your money. #paycheck #paycheckology #finance #financialtips #personalfinance #InflationProof #Savings #Investing #WealthBuilding #inflation

SAVE THIS post to save money 🤑 🤖 Automatic payments are amazing if you want to get better at paying off your debt and hitting your savings goals! 💰 With automatic payments, you can put money away without even thinking about it! #savingchallenges #savingsgoals #debtpayoffgoals #debtpayments #debtfree #savingmadeeasy #savingmoney

📢 BOOMERS! 🏡 Millennials and Gen Zers who are complaining that they can't buy a house are not working for minimum wage. 💸 These are people making up to $90,000 a year but STILL can't afford a home. 🗣️ Minimum wage workers are also complaining because they can't afford it either. 🕰️ Back in 1980, a single bedroom apartment's rent was $243. 💵 Minimum wage was $3.10, so monthly income was $496. 📊 So rent would be 48% of your income in 1980. 🚀 Fast forward to 2024. The average rent is $1722. 💰 Minimum wage in 2024 is $7.25, giving you $1160 a month. 🏠 You can't even get an apartment with the current minimum wage. 📉 A minimum wage worker in 1980 spent 48% of their income. 📈 A minimum wage worker in 2024 needs 148% of their income. #paycheck #paycheckology #finance #financialtips #personalfinance #EconomicInequality #HousingCrisis #LivingWage #AffordableHousing

💵 If you have $400 a month to invest, here's how you can grow that $400 to $2.7 million. 📈 Invest your money in the stock market, which will get 10% as a rate of return on average. 💰 You will grow that $400 into $2.7 million in 40 years. 🎉 But wait, here is the best part. 💸 With $400 per month your total contributions over the course of that 40 years is only $192,000. 🤑 And your $192,000 just made you over $2.5 million in interest over time! 🧠 Learn how to invest, and let the money work for you. #paycheck #paycheckology #finance #financialtips #personalfinance #Investing #getrich #CompoundInterest #howtoinvest

If you're not happy you're using it wrong 😅 give it away make someone else's day ❤️ And make that someone me please 🫶 #moneymotivation Would more money make you happy?

💰 You're 30 years old, and you got a tax refund of $3200. Invest that, plus $300 per month until you retire. 👵 You’ll have $1.2 million dollars by the age of 65. 🤔 People always think, I should've started earlier I missed out. 🚫 Nope! Even if you start at 30, by 65 you'll have invested $129,200. 📈 If you invest that in the stock market, which earns about 10% in returns which compounds monthly with your contributions leaves you with over $1,243,000. 🕓 It’s never too late! #paycheck #paycheckology #personalfinance #finance #financialtips #personalfinancetips #Investment #Retirement #CompoundInterest #millionaire

BONUS tips in the caption 👇 10 Things You Didn't Know You Could Claim On Your Taxes 🧳 Moving Expenses 👶 Child Care 📚 School Expenses 🎓 Student Loans 🏕️ Kids Camps 🚑 Medical Travel 💻 Work from Home Expenses 🤝 Union Dues 🛡️ Insurance 🗞️ Digital News Subscriptions BONUS 3: 🚗 Vehicle Work Expenses 💉 Medical expenses (Over 7.5% of income) 👨‍👩‍👧 Dependant care (NOT just children) Save this for when you file taxes! ⬆. #paycheck #paycheckology #personalfinance #finance #financenews #financialtips #personalfinancetips #TaxDeductions #SaveMoney #TaxSeason

😩 If you are sick and tired of paying for your friends meals and expensive orders you need to watch this 🕵️‍♂️ Every now and then I eat out with my friends. 🍽️ and everyone will get a normally priced entree. Except this one guy. 🤵 He orders something on the higher end like a steak along with a drink and a dessert. 🤷‍♂️ Now that could be fine BUT 💵 when the bill would come, and we would discuss how we want to pay he would say let's just split it evenly, it's easier. 🙄 NO. Technology now makes it easier to split the bill fairly. First! the easiest option. Just ask for seperate bills. restaurants software is much better now. if you're not a big group/the place isn't busy just do this. Second 📱 there are apps to help you split the bill fairly! The app is called Tab. It's on Apple & Android. 👍 you take a photo of your group Bill 🤝 and everyone in the group can join the bill from their phone. ✅ You choose what you ordered and only pay for your share. 🧮 a great bonus is it calculates tax and tip for each person in their total too. 💵 Then you guys can just venmo, zelle, cashapp whoever pays. 🚫 I have no problem paying a few extra bucks with friends 🥩 but I'm not about to pay for someone's filet mignon or fancy drinks that I don't want. #paycheck #paycheckology #newsletter #personalfinance #finance #financenews #jobnews #financialeducation #financialtips #personalfinancetips #financialwellness #financialliteracy #financialknowledge #budgeting #savings #moneymanagement #debtmanagement #spending #savingsgoals #wealthbuilding #eatingouttips #financialfreedom #moneysavingtips #restauranthacks #frugalliving #frugalmeals

💍 Is a prenup good or bad for you? 📝 Whether you write one or not, you get one. 🏛️ You just get it from the government vs getting to write it yourself. 📊 In 2021, the divorce rate was about 46% according to the Census. 💔 You've heard the stories of one person getting the money, the house, the cars, etc. 🛣️ And the other person is left on the wayside. 💸 You don't need to settle for that if money is your concern. 🤝 A prenup gives you the opportunity to make an agreement when you're in a good place with your partner. ❤️ It doesn't have to be about not trusting them. 🗣️ If you start the conversation about a prenup right from the beginning of a relationship, 🌱 Then keep it going as it grows, maybe you can take away some of the discomfort. 👐 AND make sure you're both taken care of. 🤔 BUT does that outweigh the lack of unconditional commitment that marriage is intended to be? 📝 Prenup - good or bad? 💬 Comment below! #paycheck #paycheckology #newsletter #personalfinance #finance #financenews #jobnews #financialeducation #financialtips #personalfinancetips #financialwellness #financialliteracy #financialknowledge #prenup #marriage #divorce #relationships #commitment #legal #financialplanning #loveandmoney #census #assets #agreement #protection #moneytalks #maritalfinance #decisionmaking

🚨 KEY 🔑 Things to watch for your 🤑 money in 2024 📉 The main one being inflation. 📈 Interest rates have been high. ⬆ So high. ⏳ For so long. 🏦 This caused the collapse of 3 HUGE banks back in the spring. 🤷‍♀️ While you may have not felt the effect directly. 👮‍♀️ These crashes caused people to ask for more strict regulations. 🚫 These will most likely make it harder for middle and lower income people to get loans. 💥 If rates stay high, we could see more things break. Takeaway: 1️⃣❌ Avoid loans and debt whenever possible for now with high rates. 2️⃣👀 Keep an eye out for better savings accounts that let you benefit from high rates. 🏛 The problem is, if the Fed cuts rates too soon🐇 or late 🐢, it could cause a recession 😱 or higher inflation. 👆 Follow us for part 2 of this video!⬆ 🗳️ I'll cover how Trump's tax policies are expiring soon. 📊 So the 2024 election WILL affect the economy. 💼 And why you NEED to ask for a raise NOW! #paycheck #paycheckology #newsletter #personalfinance #finance #financenews #jobnews #financialeducation #financialtips #personalfinancetips #financialwellness #financialliteracy #financialknowledge #inflation #interestrates #banking #economy #recession #regulations #loans #savings #federalreserve #taxpolicy #2024election #economictrends #moneymanagement #financialplanning #incomegrowth

🛒 Basic grocery purchases by Kevin McAllister in the 1990 film Home Alone went from $19.83 to $44 in 2022. 📈 Today in 2023, the same experiment ran a bill over $72 at one Chicago grocery store. 💸 In one year from 2022 to 2023, it almost doubled again! 💰 In 1990, these groceries were $19 and the median household income was $40,000. 🤔 Some of you may say, well sure, groceries doubled in 2022 to $44, but the income doubled as well. ✅ Yes! True. 📊 But in the past year, the cost went from $44 to $72, which is a 160% increase, but median household income is the same! 🏠 Groceries aren't the only thing. 🚗 Housing, transportation, and healthcare costs are up too! ❤️ Like this post if you want tips on how to save money on your groceries and cost of living. #paycheck #paycheckology #newsletter #personalfinance #finance #financenews #jobnews #financialeducation #financialtips #personalfinancetips #financialwellness #financialliteracy #financialknowledge #inflation #groceryshopping #costofliving #savings #budgeting #economy #householdincome #frugalliving #spending #financetips #moneymanagement #personalbudget #smartshopping #priceincrease #financialawareness

🚀 If you're in your 30s and 40s and think it's too late to be rich, you're wrong. 1️⃣ In your 30s and 40s, you're likely past entry-level incomes. 📈 Most people reach their top earning potential in their late 40s. 🔑 You're not an easily replaceable unskilled worker, you are valuable! 💰 You need to ask for a minimum 15% raise every single year. 🚀 Or find a new job that will give it to you. 🏃 Yes, it sounds crazy, but we're playing catch up. 👊 You need to be more aggressive than you would be had you started earlier. 2️⃣ You need to budget hardcore. ☕ I'm not here to shame you for wanting the occasional Starbucks, but you're going to have to make some sacrifices if you want to retire. 💵 Typically experts recommend a 50 30 20 split for needs, wants, and saving/investing. 📊 But if you can get saving/investing closer to 40% of your income by cutting down on needs and wants, you'll be in much better shape. 3️⃣ Open up a Roth IRA or a back door Roth IRA ASAP. 🏦 Contribute the maximum amount each year. 🔍 Remember, whenever it comes to investing do your own research! 🧑‍💼 Consult a financial advisor. 👆 follow us if you want to learn more about how to get rich! 🤑⬆ #paycheck #paycheckology #newsletter #personalfinance #finance #financenews #jobnews #financialeducation #financialtips #personalfinancetips #financialwellness #financialliteracy #financialknowledge #wealthbuilding #retirementplanning #RothIRA #investing #savings #careerprogression #earningsgrowth #budgeting #financialplanning #investmentstrategies #indexfunds #financialadvisor #moneymanagement #incomegrowth #wealthaccumulation

🎓 Think you need a degree for a great job? You're wrong! 📊 A survey shows over half of US companies already dropped degree requirements for some jobs. 🦸 Big names like Walmart, IBM, and Google are leading this trend. 📈 Accenture, One of the largest consulting and professional services firms in the world, hired 1,200 workers through their Apprentice program. 80% of them had no degrees! 💻 The tech industry leads the charge with 72% of employers looking to drop the degree, followed by finance (61%) and construction (42%) 🏢 70% of companies are dropping degree requirements for entry level roles, but 61% are dropping them for mid-level roles and even 45% for senior roles! 📲 Share this post with anyone you care about who didn't get a degree. 👆 🤑 They could make more money and you can be the reason why!

👀 Secret hack rich 🤑 people use to get Medicaid?! 🏥

🤑 This is the secret hack rich people use to get Medicaid 💰 and then make the government, really YOU, the taxpayer, cover their medical costs! Here's how it works: 👀 Medicaid looks at 2 things: income and assets. 💵 Both have to be under a low limit that varies per state. 🏦 For income, rich people will open qualified income trusts where their income is deposited and controlled by a trustee. 🚫 They can still access the money for restricted needs. 🔍 But because the funds are legally owned by the trust instead of the individual, it no longer counts against their Medicaid limit. 📉 For assets, rich people use asset protection trusts. 🤔 These are literally nicknamed Medicaid trusts because of how often this trick is used. 💼 These remove assets from your estate to help you qualify for Medicaid. ⏳ An important note here is that you need to set up your asset protection trust at least five years before you think you'll need the Medicaid benefits. 🔄 That's because there is a 5-year look-back window to assess your assets! 🧐 whether it's ethical or not - this is legal and rich people have been using tactics like this forever to get ahead. 📚 So it's important that you learn how the system works too! 👉 If you want to learn more about how rich people handle their money to get the most out of it, follow us at Paycheckology! #paycheck #paycheckology #newsletter #personalfinance #finance #financenews #jobnews #financialeducation #financialtips #personalfinancetips #financialwellness #financialliteracy #financialknowledge #wealthmanagement #medicaid #taxplanning #assetprotection #trustfund #legalstrategies #taxpayer #government #ethics #financialplanning #estateplanning #incomeplanning #assetmanagement #wealthstrategy #smartmoney

Here's what to LIE about on job interviews. 👂 1) Hate your current boss? In interviews, say you're seeking new challenges. 💸 2) Want the job for money? talk about something else you like. For example the career building or the company's mission. 📋 3) Bend the truth on skills, it's all relative. You might not be an Excel expert but you can be proficient. 🤐 Don't lie about anything big you can get caught for. Like your school or past jobs. 👀 What's the biggest interview lie you ever told? 💬 Comment below! 👇 #paycheck #paycheckology #newsletter #personalfinance #finance #financenews #jobnews #financialeducation #financialtips #personalfinancetips #financialwellness #financialliteracy #financialknowledge #JobInterview #CareerTips #Employment #CareerGrowth #InterviewTips #JobSearch #Skills #TruthInInterviews #JobHunting #CareerAdvice #CareerJourney

🎄 Here are the 5 best Michigan light shows for the holidays. 🟢 Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo - $17-25+ 🔴 The Christmas Lite Show at the LMCU Ballpark - $20+ 🟡 Big Bright Light Show in Downtown Rochester - FREE! 🟣 River Lights of Wonder in Three Rivers - FREE! 🔵 Spring Lake Sparkle - FREE! 💬 Comment your favorite light show below! 👇 #paycheck #paycheckology #newsletter #personalfinance #finance #financenews #jobnews #financialeducation #financialtips #personalfinancetips #financialwellness #financialliteracy #financialknowledge #HolidayLights #Michigan #FamilyFun #WinterWonderland #LightShow #HolidayTradition #ChristmasLights #WinterLights

When you've done well saving all year and then black Friday hits you 🤦‍♂️ #paycheck #paycheckology #newsletter #personalfinance #finance #financenews #jobnews #financialeducation #financialtips #personalfinancetips #financialwellness #financialliteracy #financialknowledge #savingmoney #spendingmoney #holidayshopping #blackfriday #blackfridayweekend #blackfridayshopping #budgeting

😭 Black Friday is ending. BUT! Don't make these mistakes and LOSE money instead of saving! 🚨 Here are the top 3 mistakes you're making that are costing you money! 💳 Overspending: 64% of you spend more than planned. Stick to budgets! 👀 Impulse buying: 40% of purchases are unplanned. Check if you actually need what you got. 🔍 Not comparing prices: 2 minutes checking can save you hundreds! 💡 Be smart this Black Friday. Don't let deals drain your wallet! #paycheck #paycheckology #newsletter #personalfinance #finance #financenews #jobnews #financialeducation #financialtips #personalfinancetips #financialwellness #financialliteracy #financialknowledge #BlackFriday #Savings #Deals #Budget #MoneyMistakes #SmartShopping #Discounts #Overspending #ImpulseBuying #PriceComparison #Budgeting #ConsumerWisdom #SpendWise #blackfridayshopping #blackfridayweekend

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