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Author: Vishesh Raisinghani

  • Trump tariffs could crush Canada’s economy, warns former Trudeau advisor — says the country fought 2 world wars with America, helped in Afghanistan. Now Canadians are ‘hurt’ and ‘angry’

    Trump tariffs could crush Canada’s economy, warns former Trudeau advisor — says the country fought 2 world wars with America, helped in Afghanistan. Now Canadians are ‘hurt’ and ‘angry’

    Canadians and Americans have shared battlefields from Vimy Ridge to Kandahar. But they’re now bracing for an economic war against each other.

    Canadian economist Mike Moffatt is sounding the alarm about this 150-year old alliance unraveling as Trump’s tariffs reshape public opinion north of the border.

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    “I think it’s a combination of we’re hurt and angry,” said former advisor to ex-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on a recent episode of The Prof G podcast.

    He warned that the trade war could cripple the Canadian economy while also imposing hard costs on ordinary Americans by diminishing U.S. soft power.

    Economic costs on both sides

    Like any failing relationship, a trade war inflicts damage on both sides, leaving neither unscathed.

    On the Canadian side, the Bank of Canada estimates that the trade war could lower GDP growth by as much as 3% in the first year.

    “It would basically look like the 2008-09 financial crisis up here,” said Moffatt. “But unlike ‘08-’09, it would actually be inflationary in nature. It’s actually a little bit more like the pandemic where we get the GDP drop of the financial crisis without the deflation of the financial crisis.”

    The chaos has also shifted the way Canadians see their southern neighbors. According to a recent Leger poll, 27% of Canadians said they consider the U.S. an “enemy”, a stark rise from just 4% in 2020, according to YouGov.

    Americans, too, are bracing for economic fallout. The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta recently lowered its first-quarter 2025 GDP growth estimate from approximately 3% to -2.4%. Meanwhile, a study by the Peterson Institute for International Economics estimates that the average U.S. household could face an additional $1,200 in costs due to the trade war. Notably, this estimate accounts for the offsetting impact of Trump’s anticipated tax cuts but doesn’t factor in the effects of reciprocal tariffs from other nations.

    One example of these retaliatory measures is a proposed 25% surcharge on electricity exports to New York, Michigan and Minnesota by the Canadian province of Ontario — potentially leading to higher energy bills for American families. The Ontario government announced it made $260,000 off of the one day that surcharge was enacted on March 10.

    The Trump administration had delayed several tariffs on Mexico and Canada until April 2. However, the administration brought in a 25% tariff on Canadian automobiles on March 27. Canada responded with reciprocal tariffs, including a 25 per cent tariff on non-CUSMA compliant U.S.-made vehicles, and on the non-Canadian and non-Mexican content of CUSMA compliant U.S.-made vehicles on April 9.

    Read more: Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don’t have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here’s how

    Protect your finances

    With uncertainty surrounding the length and severity of this trade war, families should take proactive measures to fortify their financial positions. Adjust your monthly budget to account for potential price increases and consider cutting back on non-essential spending. Reducing debt can also help your financial resilience.

    Keep a close eye on your industry, as trade barriers may reshape the labor market. Several automakers, food distributors, freight companies and liquor producers have already begun layoffs.

    Building an emergency fund with three to six months’ worth of expenses can provide a crucial safety net, particularly for those working in export-dependent industries.

    These financial moves will not only help navigate the immediate economic turbulence but also position you and your family for long-term stability — regardless of geopolitical shifts.

    What to read next

    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

  • ‘I’m 1,000% sure this works’: Here’s Dave Ramsey’s No. 1 technique for achieving financial freedom in America — claims it fixes the ‘stupid problem.’ But should you use it, too?

    ‘I’m 1,000% sure this works’: Here’s Dave Ramsey’s No. 1 technique for achieving financial freedom in America — claims it fixes the ‘stupid problem.’ But should you use it, too?

    After 20 years of offering financial advice, selling 12 million copies of his book and creating an audience of over 10 million regular listeners, Dave Ramsey says he’s absolutely certain about one thing: the debt snowball method is the best way to reduce debt.

    “I’m 1,000% sure this works,” the 64-year-old radio host said on a recent episode of The Ramsey Show. “The debt snowball is probably what we’ve become best known for.”

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    The snowball technique involves sequentially paying off all debt, except for the primary residence, starting from the smallest loan amount and working your way up to the largest balance.

    In theory, every loan paid off gives you more room and more momentum to target the next one until you’re debt-free.

    Ramsey insists that the technique is not only effective but also superior to other debt-reduction techniques such as the avalanche method or consolidation. And the reason is less mathematical and more psychological.

    Snowball technique works with brain chemistry

    As of March 2025, 23% of U.S. adults say they have unmanageable amounts of debt, according to Experian.

    Fortunately, 45% of adults also say that they have paid off debt that they previously considered unmanageable and 26% of them said they used the snowball method to do so.

    However, advocates of the avalanche method or debt consolidation argue that these techniques are more mathematically efficient.

    Debt consolidation involves paying off all your loans with a single loan, potentially at a lower interest rate. The avalanche method, meanwhile, prioritizes outstanding balances with the highest interest rate first.

    In both cases, lowering your monthly interest burden gives you more wriggle room. It also slows down the compound growth of your liabilities, making them more manageable.

    However, Ramsey encourages his listeners to look beyond the math. "Honey, if we were doing math we wouldn’t have debt!” he said. “It’s not a math problem, it’s a stupid problem. We have to fix the stupid, not the math.”

    He insists the magic ingredient that makes the snowball method superior is “brain chemistry.”

    Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

    “Dopamine is released when you complete a task,” he says, explaining that this boost creates a feedback loop that makes it easier to commit to the method over the long term.

    “A series of behaviors put you into debt, and you don’t fix a behavior problem with a math solution,” he explans. “You fix a behavior problem with a behavior solution.”

    Despite his conviction, there’s no evidence to suggest the snowball method is superior to other forms of debt management.

    None of these techniques is a one-size-fits-all solution, and most people would be better off picking a strategy that fits their own personality.

    Personal approach to debt management

    While the snowball method might be best for those who need constant reinforcement to stay disciplined, others might be more motivated by the math. After all, getting rid of a balance with a hefty interest rate can also offer a psychological reward.

    With this in mind, consider the avalanche method if you think some of your most expensive loans are causing you more distress.

    Alternatively, you could consider debt consolidation if you find it easier to manage one loan instead of several different ones.

    Also, consider other methods to pay down debt. Roughly 36% of adults who paid off an excessive loan said they took an additional job or a side gig to do so, according to Experian’s survey.

    Meanwhile, 23% said using a budgeting app was enough to help them mitigate their burden.

    There’s no silver bullet. The best method is just the one you think you’re most likely to commit to over the long-term.

    What to read next

    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

  • Prof G warns America is creating dynasties of ‘unproductive young rich people’ — but they’re not very happy and that’s ‘good news’ to him. Here’s why and his $10,000,000 solution

    Prof G warns America is creating dynasties of ‘unproductive young rich people’ — but they’re not very happy and that’s ‘good news’ to him. Here’s why and his $10,000,000 solution

    The Great Wealth Transfer currently underway isn’t a solution for wealth inequality.

    Instead, it’s likely to fuel a rising “dynasty” of young people with too much money and too little motivation to work, according to NYU professor Scott Galloway.

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    “When you go to nice hotels, there are people in their 50s and 60s and you can tell it’s probably their money — and then there’s a whole raft of a younger generation with their parents’ credit cards,” says the entrepreneur and investor on a recent episode of his Prof G podcast. “What you have with dynastic wealth is you’re taking capital that should go back into the ecosystem and just creating these dynasties of unproductive, rich people.”

    There are growing signs that the wealth gap could worsen as the transfer of assets from baby boomers to their children and grandchildren gains momentum.

    However, Galloway believes there is some “good news” for younger Americans from modest-income families and a potential solution to the problem.

    The good news

    Baby boomers in America are expected to pass on between $70 trillion and $90 trillion in assets to their offspring, according to Cerulli Associates.

    “The average age of the world’s billionaires is almost 69 right now. So this whole transition or wealth handover will start to accelerate,” said John Mathews, head of UBS’ Private Wealth Management division, in an interview with CNBC.

    However, this massive wealth transfer isn’t distributed evenly across younger generations. A 2023 study published in the American Journal of Sociology found that the average 35-year-old millennial holds less wealth than the average boomer at the same age, but the top 10% of wealthiest millennials have 20% more wealth than the top 10% of boomers.

    In other words, a growing intergenerational wealth divide emerging, and it’s likely to accelerate in the coming years.

    However, Galloway says his time teaching at an Ivy League university has given him reason to be hopeful: “I know a lot of rich kids and I know a lot of kids who are not rich — and the levels of happiness are not greater among the rich kids.”

    To him, that’s “good news” for young people trying to build wealth independently and find fulfilling careers. It’s also a wake-up call for policymakers looking to tackle the growing wealth gap.

    Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

    The $10 million solution

    Galloway’s proposed fix for the widening wealth gap is what he calls “an exceptional inheritance tax.”

    “Inheriting more than say $10 million bucks doesn’t increase the happiness of your kids,” he says, suggesting that lawmakers implement a significant inheritance tax above that threshold.

    His recommendation isn’t far off from the current tax structure. For the 2025 tax year, estates worth more than $13.99 million are subject to a federal estate tax, according to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

    The tax rate ranges from 18% to 40%, depending on the estate’s size, according to SmartAsset. Beneficiaries may also face additional estate and inheritance taxes on the state level, depending on where they live.

    Still, there may be room to raise those rates. Japan currently has the highest inheritance tax in the developed world at 55%, followed by South Korea at 50%, according to PwC.

    What to read next

    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

  • American retirees in these 9 states could lose some of their Social Security benefits soon — do these 3 things ASAP if you live in one of them

    American retirees in these 9 states could lose some of their Social Security benefits soon — do these 3 things ASAP if you live in one of them

    Tax season is probably everyone’s least favorite time of year. But the experience can be a little more daunting for millions of Americans who receive Social Security benefits and live in a state that applies an additional tax on these payments.

    To be clear, most states don’t tax Social Security payments — the federal government will already tax them, beyond a certain gross adjustment income threshold. So the vast majority of retirees don’t need to worry about this. However, Colorado, Connecticut, Vermont, Montana, Minnesota, New Mexico, Rhode Island, West Virginia and Utah will collect some portion of your benefit payments.

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    If you live in any of these states, here are three ways you can prepare for this and potentially reduce your liabilities.

    Check income thresholds

    Most states that charge an additional tax on Social Security benefits do so only above certain income thresholds.

    In Connecticut, for instance, married couples filing together would pay state tax on these benefits if their joint threshold exceeds $100,000. Those filing under any other status would owe taxes only if the adjusted gross income (AGI) is above $75,000. New Mexico and Rhode Island also have thresholds at varying levels, depending on your status.

    At the federal level, if you’re single and your total income is above $25,000 or if you’re married and your combined income is above $32,000, a portion of your Social Security benefits could be taxable, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

    With this in mind, it’s important to keep track of all your various income sources and try to forecast future earnings as well to see if you hit any of these thresholds and so you can plan ahead.

    Look for tax credits or exemption rules

    Some states do offer exemptions, credits and offsets to lower the burden of taxes on lower- or middle-income retirees.

    In Colorado, for example, residents over the age of 65 are allowed to deduct the full amount of Social Security benefits included in their federal taxable income from their state taxable income.

    Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

    For instance, if $7,000 of your Social Security benefits were taxed at the federal level, you can subtract that same $7,000 when filing your Colorado state tax return.

    Meanwhile, Vermont offers exemptions to state taxes on Social Security and partial credits depending on your income.

    You should check your state rules during tax season to ensure you’re taking advantage of all these deductions and credits. However, the best way to minimize your liability and maximize your credits is to simply hire a professional.

    Speak to an expert

    Most Americans expect to file their taxes themselves in 2025, according to a recent survey by Invoice Home.

    Only 24% of respondents said they would hire a tax professional to assist them, while 39% said they would use third-party tools like TurboTax or H&R Block and 43% said they would trust AI more than an accountant.

    However, given how complex the tax system is, even for retirees on a fixed income, hiring a professional to assist you could be worth the investment. Someone with the right experience could help you navigate this tax season with confidence.

    If you’re worried about missing out on some credits or paying state taxes on your Social Security this year, consider reaching out to a tax planner or Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

    What to read next

    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

  • NFL legend Steve Young still drives a broken down 2011 Toyota Sienna with 132,000 miles — made over $49M in football but Dad told him to ‘get the most’ out of cars. Here’s what you can learn

    NFL legend Steve Young still drives a broken down 2011 Toyota Sienna with 132,000 miles — made over $49M in football but Dad told him to ‘get the most’ out of cars. Here’s what you can learn

    Legendary 49ers quarterback Steve Young earned nearly $49 million playing football, according to Spotrac, but you’d never guess it from the beaten-up 2011 Toyota Sienna he drives.

    In a recent interview with journalist Graham Bensinger, the two-time NFL MVP admitted he could easily afford a replacement for the car, which has 132,000 miles on it. However, he’s reluctant to let it go because of advice from his father, who always told him to “get the most out of it.” And he’s not the only Young family member who’s emotionally attached to the vehicle.

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    “This is a car that the kids all grew up in,” he told Bensinger. “My youngest Laila — that seat over there with the camera is the seat that she won’t give up. That’s her seat for life … she’s like, ‘No, I love this car [and] how it smells.’”

    Surprisingly, multimillionaires driving modest cars isn’t as unusual as some might think.

    The modest cars of millionaires

    Contrary to the common stereotype, most wealthy people aren’t driving around in flashy Ferraris and bright orange Lamborghinis. A 2022 study by Experian Automotive, found that the top car brands for households earning over $250,000 were Toyota, Ford and Honda.

    Even billionaires opt for relatively inconspicuous cars. Warren Buffett reportedly drives a Cadillac XTS — no Bugatti for the Oracle of Omaha.

    In other words, most affluent people who could splurge on luxury vehicles simply choose not to. Meanwhile, many ordinary consumers are stretching their budgets to the limit. A recent survey by CDK Global found that 57% of car buyers said they hit the top end of their budget, while 7% exceeded it.

    The strain on consumers is also reflected in auto loan data. As of mid-2024, one in every 24 drivers with a car loan was paying more than $1,000 in monthly payments per vehicle, according to Experian — a ratio that has nearly quadrupled since 2020.

    For many, the family car is becoming a significant financial burden. Here’s how you can avoid the growing auto loan crisis.

    Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

    Drive smart

    For most consumers, cutting transportation costs is one of the most effective ways to improve their finances. According to a 2022 report by the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, transportation is the second-largest annual expense for the average household.

    One way to reduce this expense is by purchasing a car that’s within — or even below — your means. Buying a used car, for example, helps you avoid significant depreciation and can lower transportation costs substantially. As of 2024, the average used car costs roughly $20,000 less than a new one, according to Edmunds.

    To figure out whether a vehicle fits your budget, consider the 20/4/10 rule:

    • Put at least 20% down.
    • Choose a loan term of no more than four years.
    • Keep all car related expenses below 10% of your gross income.

    By setting up firm financial guardrails, you can avoid the auto loan debt trap many consumers are driving into.

    What to read next

    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

  • Mystery $6,000 deposits are showing up in the bank accounts of Social Security beneficiaries — and about 3 million US seniors can expect the money. Here’s why and how to tell if it’s legit

    If a $6,000 deposit recently landed in your bank account out of nowhere, you’re not alone.

    While the Trump administration has stirred worries about potential cuts to Social Security, at least 3.2 million Americans are set to receive an increase in their benefits thanks to a rule finalized during the Biden years.

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    On January 5th, President Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act, which repealed two statutes that reduced benefit payments to many public sector workers, including teachers and firefighters.

    As of March 4th, more than 1.1 million Americans have already received retroactive payments, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA). So far, the average payment is $6,710.

    However, not everyone on Social Security can expect such a huge bump in benefits, and the lack of awareness about this new rule has left some room for potential scams. Here’s what you need to know.

    Eligibility and potential scams

    Although many former government employees are set to benefit from this new rule, not everyone in the public sector is covered. The SSA clarified that “only people who receive a pension based on work not covered by Social Security may see benefit increases.”

    According to the SSA, 72% of the state and local public sector workforce is ineligible because their payments were not covered by the two statutes that were repealed — the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO).

    To check your eligibility and see if you have a retroactive payment due, you could reach out to the SSA directly on its national 1-800 number. You can likely expect a long wait time as the agency has cut roughly 7,000 jobs and reportedly has plans to cut thousands more.

    You could also reach out to your accountant or financial advisor to learn more about how this new rule impacts you. However, do not seek assistance from anyone who calls and claims to be from the SSA. The agency has warned about “bad actors” who could take advantage of the rule change.

    “SSA will never ask or require a person to pay either for assistance or to have their benefits started, increased, or paid retroactively,” says the SSA website. “Hang up and do not click or respond to anyone offering to increase or expedite benefits.”

    Even if you’re ineligible for this payout or not yet retired, monitoring changes to this program is crucial for your financial planning and security.

    Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

    Monitoring changes with Social Security

    The national welfare system is facing significant challenges in the years ahead. According to a recent report by the SSA Board of Trustees, the trust fund from which benefits are paid is expected to be depleted by 2035.

    Meanwhile, in an interview with Bloomberg News, Social Security Commissioner Leland Dudek threatened to cease operations if Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) wasn’t given access to sensitive data at the agency. The commissioner walked back his threat after a federal judge offered clarifications on a recent ruling.

    Put simply, these are interesting times for the SSA. Taxpayers who expect some benefits in the future should set up a my Social Security account to track their personal information, monitor reputable sites such as AARP or The National Institute on Retirement Security for the latest updates, and speak to a financial advisor to plan for any changes to the system in the years ahead.

    What to read next

    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

  • Dave Ramsey just issued a blunt reality check to Americans under 40: ‘If you don’t retire a millionaire, that’s no one’s fault but yours.’ Here’s the math to hit $11,600,000 at 65

    Dave Ramsey just issued a blunt reality check to Americans under 40: ‘If you don’t retire a millionaire, that’s no one’s fault but yours.’ Here’s the math to hit $11,600,000 at 65

    While the headlines have been dominated by a rollercoaster in the stock market, financial guru Dave Ramsey isn’t going doom-and-gloom.

    In fact, the radio host believes every young American has a shot at becoming a millionaire.

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    “If you’re under 40 years old and you don’t retire a millionaire, that’s no one’s fault but yours,” the 64-year-old said on X, formerly known as Twitter..

    Here’s a closer look at the math behind his exhortation.

    Everyone can be a millionaire

    Despite the economic challenges facing young Americans, Ramsey believes that the average 25-year-old needs to save just a fraction of their annual income to retire at 65 with over $1 million.

    However, his thesis assumes that this 25-year-old invests in “good growth stock mutual funds.” According to his calculations, diligently investing just $100 a month into such growth funds could create a $1,176,000 nest egg within 40 years.

    Ramsey doesn’t mention any specific growth funds, but his calculations imply a roughly 12.85% annual growth rate.

    The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) has delivered a compounded annual growth rate of 14.00% since 2010, and the Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQQM) has delivered 17.24% annually since 2015.

    In fact, the S&P 500 has delivered an average annual return of 10.13% since 1957, according to Investopedia.

    Given the long-term performance of these index funds, Ramsey’s assumption doesn’t seem unreasonable, even when you take into account the recent volatility in the stock market in response to President Donald Trump’s tariff announcements. There have been many shocks, dips, corrections and outright crashes in the past 100 years, and the market has always eventually bounced back.

    Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

    Ramsey’s path to $11.6 million

    The four variables of the compound growth calculation are time, initial investment, regular investment and growth rate. Of these, the only variable you can somewhat control is regular investment.

    Investing $200 or $300 a month could help you create a nest egg significantly bigger than just $1 million. Ramsey recommends setting the bar even higher at 15% of gross annual income.

    “The average household income in America today is $79,000. If you invested 15% of that ($11,850 a year), you would retire with around $11.6 million,” he said on X.

    However, most Americans are saving significantly less than Ramsey’s target. As of February 2025, the average personal savings rate is just 4.6%, according to the Federal Reserve. The rising cost of living, stagnant wage growth and debt servicing costs are barriers most families face regardless of age.

    If you’re in your 20s or 30s, you should probably set long-term financial goals with a margin of safety. The future is highly unpredictable, and there’s no guarantee that inflation and stock market performance over the next 40 years will match the previous 40 years.

    Nevertheless, Ramsey’s post demonstrates that even minor adjustments and minimal monthly savings can make a big difference if you start early. You still have time if you’re under 40, which is your most significant advantage.

    This is why he encourages young Americans to reject the doom and gloom. "You can make excuses, or you can take control of your money,” he says. “But you can’t do both."

    What to read next

    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

  • ‘This is a tragedy’: Mark Carney warns the 80-year period of US economic leadership ‘is over’ — says America is no longer the anchor of global trade. Here’s how to survive the ‘new reality’

    ‘This is a tragedy’: Mark Carney warns the 80-year period of US economic leadership ‘is over’ — says America is no longer the anchor of global trade. Here’s how to survive the ‘new reality’

    Trump’s “Liberation Day” may be the first step in America’s exit from its role as the world’s economic anchor and trusted trade ally. That’s according to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who didn’t hold back in a press conference shortly after reciprocal tariffs on U.S. autos were announced.

    “The system of global trade anchored on the United States … is over,” Carney said during the recent announcement. “The 80-year period when the United States embraced the mantle of global economic leadership … is over. While this is a tragedy, it is also the new reality.”

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    As the former head of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, and an Oxford-Harvard trained economist, Carney certainly has the experience needed to help Canada navigate this new reality. But his stern warning is rippling far beyond Canadian borders.

    According to the BBC, world leaders, including EU Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen and Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, say the ongoing trade war will have “dire” consequences for millions of people across the world and undermine the global trading system.

    Here’s why the chorus of concern continues to expand and how you can prepare for what’s to come.

    The world’s largest buyer

    The U.S. isn’t just the largest economy in the world, it’s also the largest consumer of goods and services.

    In 2023 alone, the U.S. imported goods worth $3.17 trillion in aggregate, according to Visual Capitalist’s coverage of World Trade Organization data. China, the second-largest economy in the world, is a net exporter, according to the Financial Times.

    As a result, the global economy heavily relies on American consumption, and any trade barriers, such as tariffs or embargoes, could have severe consequences for nearly every country.

    This is why Carney is warning that the Trump tariff policy could “rupture the global economy.”

    There are plenty of signals validating this thesis. Global stock markets have shed $9.5 trillion in total value since early April, according to The Street, while JPMorgan’s probability forecast for a U.S. recession this year sits at 60%.

    However, this isn’t the first time the world has faced an economic calamity, and there are ways you can prepare your finances for a tough road ahead.

    Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

    Safe havens

    There’s no way to predict what the economy could look like a few months from now. But there are ways to protect your wealth and household budget right away.

    Recessions usually coincide with a sharp surge in layoffs and unemployment, so building up a larger-than-usual emergency fund could bolster your family’s finances if you happen to lose income.

    Cutting back on discretionary spending and adding a margin-of-safety to your annual budget could help you mitigate the added costs of these import tariffs.

    Estimates by the Yale University Budget Lab conducted after the “Liberation Day” announcement suggest that the typical American household could see an average purchasing power loss of $4,700 in 2024 dollars due to the trade war.

    For your investments, you could consider a safe haven asset such as gold to protect some of your wealth.

    Each ounce of the yellow metal is up 16% over the past six months, and some investors are retreating to it as a safe haven during market volatility.

    What to read next

    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

  • Prof G says the US does everything to ‘buttress’ the riches of older Americans even as young people struggle — claims housing has shot up 4X while buying power has plunged. Do you agree?

    Prof G says the US does everything to ‘buttress’ the riches of older Americans even as young people struggle — claims housing has shot up 4X while buying power has plunged. Do you agree?

    There’s been plenty of debate about the stubborn wealth and income gap in our economy. But according to NYU Professor Scott Galloway, the real chasm isn’t just between the rich and the poor. It’s between the old and the young.

    In a recent conversation with Simon Sinek, Galloway proposed the theory that the economic system favors people who were born early enough to accumulate assets such as real estate cheaply, and now enjoy inflated valuations.

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    This generational divide is the fundamental cause for widespread economic dissatisfaction, according to him.

    “Everything we do is ‘how do we buttress the wealth of incumbents and old people and make it more expensive for young people?” he said. “Their housing has gone up 4x, their education has gone up 2x and, on an inflation-adjusted basis, their income has gone down.”

    While recent data confirms a wide wealth divide between generations, subtle shifts suggest the gap is starting to close gradually.

    Generational wealth divide

    As of Q4 2024, baby boomers held 51% of household wealth in America, according to Federal Reserve data. Altogether, their assets were worth $82.48 trillion. By comparison, millennials had just $16.26 trillion in total assets.

    This wealth disparity could be the root cause of dissatisfaction for many young Americans, many of whom are now old enough to start families and need larger homes.

    At the same time, there are some encouraging signs. Millennials have been accumulating assets rapidly in recent years, as their share of the national total surged from nearly 1% in 2010 to 10% in 2024. Boomers, on the other hand, now see a drop over the same period.

    And according to a 2024 Wall Street Journal report, millennials and older members of Generation Z now have 25% more wealth than Generation X and baby boomers did at a similar age, when adjusted for inflation.

    Inheritances could be helping some younger people achieve prosperity. According to NorthWestern Mutual, experts predict the Great Wealth Transfer from baby boomers and Gen Xers to their children will be worth $90 trillion.

    However, having wealthy parents isn’t the only path to wealth accumulation.

    Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

    Beating the odds

    If you’re a young person in America from a low- or middle-income family, the odds are stacked against you. However, there are ways to beat the system and out-perform your peers in the wealth accumulation race.

    Avoiding or minimizing debt could put you ahead of the game. Roughly 97% of retirement-age U.S. adults still have nonmortgage debt, according to a recent retirement study. This includes things like student loans, auto loans and credit card debt. If you can minimize debt during your working years, you could come out on top in retirement.

    Another way to beat the odds is to accumulate assets as rapidly as you can. As of February, the personal savings rate is just 4.6%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. If your debt burden is lower than most Americans, you could afford to set aside more of your disposable income for savings and investments.

    By saving slightly more and investing in a low-cost index fund that tracks the broad stock market, for example, you could gain exposure to the country’s most robust wealth creation engine.

    Even on a modest salary, saving 10% or 15% of your income and investing in ETFs or stocks could help you accumulate more than $35,649, the median net worth of an American in their 30s, according to Empower.

    Finding side gigs or upgrading your professional skills to boost your earnings could be another way to supercharge this strategy.

    What to read next

    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

  • Even Ben Shapiro blasted Trump tariffs as one of the ‘biggest tax increases’ in US history — warns Americans will get smoked with ‘hundreds of billions of dollars’ in taxes. Do you agree?

    Even Ben Shapiro blasted Trump tariffs as one of the ‘biggest tax increases’ in US history — warns Americans will get smoked with ‘hundreds of billions of dollars’ in taxes. Do you agree?

    The stock market turmoil has deepened to the point where even some of President Trump’s staunchest allies are voicing concern.

    After the so-called “Liberation Day” announcement, conservative commentator Ben Shapiro criticized the administration’s erratic economic approach, calling the now-paused tariffs a covert tax hike on consumers and businesses nationwide.

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    " Trump’s reciprocal tariffs impose hundreds of billions of dollars in new taxes on Americans,” said Shapiro on his podcast. “[It] would be the largest tax increase since the Revenue Act of 1968. One of the biggest tax increases on American consumers in the history of America."

    Surprisingly, Shapiro’s description of the Trump tariffs, which were paused for 90 days on April 9, echoes that of former Vice President Kamala Harris, who referred to Trump’s tariff proposals as a “sales tax on the American people” during last year’s campaign.

    Here’s why the administration is facing growing backlash for its global trade war — even from its core supporters.

    Covert tax hike

    While Trump calls tariffs a “beautiful thing to behold,” economists would describe them as import taxes.

    “Tariffs are federal taxes, set by Congress, and applied to goods at the border,” confirmed Robert Gulotty, an associate professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Chicago.

    In many cases, these additional taxes are passed along to the consumer. The Peterson Institute for International Economics estimates that an average American family pays an additional $1,200 per year due to tariffs.

    It’s worth noting that the institute’s analysis already factors in the offsetting impact of the extended Tax Cuts and Jobs Act but does not account for additional tariffs announced by the Trump administration after February. Put simply, the true cost to families is likely much higher.

    Since many consumers and businesses cannot afford these added expenses, the economic outlook has weakened, and the stock market appears to reflect that.

    Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

    $11 trillion wealth destruction

    From the beginning of this year through April 7, the S&P 500 had lost roughly 15% in value, while the Nasdaq-100 and Dow Jones Industrial Average had fallen 18% and 12%, respectively. According to MarketWatch, U.S. stocks have lost $11 trillion in market value since Trump’s inauguration. The Dow Jones and S&P 500 did experience a big jump once the tariffs were paused.

    However, the rapid erosion of wealth on this tariff-laden rollercoaster has left many ordinary Americans questioning the White House’s economic policies. According to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll, Trump’s approval rating now stands at just 43%. Meanwhile, another poll by the Marquette Law School found that 58% of adults believe tariffs hurt the U.S. economy.

    Unfortunately, these polls haven’t swayed the president’s position. On April 7, he announced an additional 50% tariff on Chinese imports if it doesn’t withdraw its 34% reciprocal tariffs on American imports, according to the Associated Press. In other words, the trade war is escalating.

    With no resolution in sight, consumers and investors should brace for a prolonged global trade conflict.

    Look for a safe haven

    If tariffs start back up again, consumers should build a margin of safety into their household budgets in anticipation of rising costs. Meanwhile, investors may want to seek refuge in hard assets like gold. The price of gold has surged 15.8% over the past six months.

    However, no asset class or nation is immune to the economic volatility that appears to be in store ahead.

    "Trade wars are, in fact, not good and not easy to win, particularly if you don’t actually have a plan," Shapiro said.

    What to read next

    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.