Musk's Playbook Won't Do for Social Security
One idea is to modernize the benefit formula to target assistance better. Social Security must protect those with lower lifetime earnings, but the program can be made more progressive by slightly slowing benefit growth for higher-income retirees, many of whom live longer and collect more. Increasing the number of working years used to calculate benefits would also improve incentives to work at older ages and help reduce the program's shortfall.
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Forbes
36 minutes ago
- Forbes
Save $50 On The Omnilux LED Face Mask This Weekend Only
You can save $50 on the best-selling Omnilux LED face mask during the brand's Prime Glow Sale—just $10 shy of the best price we saw for the mask last Black Friday. One of our top picks, the Omnilux Contour Face is lightweight and easy to use with a contoured design that fits snugly around your features—perfect for beauty lovers looking for something simple but effective. The set also includes multiple power adapters, so you can take it abroad while traveling this summer. During the current Omnilux Prime Glow Sale, you can save up to $200 on three full-size LED ... More devices—or $50 on the brand's best-selling Contour Face LED mask. Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailer After testing a variety of popular LED face masks, our beauty team named the Omnilux Contour Face the best silicone LED face mask thanks to its easy-to-follow instructions and overall fit. Most importantly, its combination of red light and near-infrared light therapy left our tester's skin looking even and glowy after months of use. If you're looking for more beauty favorites, the Omnilux sale also includes up to $200 off three full-sized devices (a great gifting opportunity), 15% off mini devices and topical skincare and $92 off limited-time bundles. The FDA-cleared and dermatologist-recommended device targets fine lines, dark spots, redness and uneven skin texture. While your results might vary based on your individual complexion and skin concerns, the brand says that you should begin to notice changes in your skin within four to six weeks (as long as you commit to at least three 10-minute sessions per week). At $50 off, this deal is just $10 away from the mask's Black Friday-low last year—and the best price you're likely to see until the holidays. If you're not sold on the Contour Face, the current sale also includes popular items like the targeted Eye Brightener, the Contour Glove and the Omnilux Men LED face mask. Supervising deals and coupons editor, Kara Cuzzone, also gives the mask high marks. 'The Omnilux Contour Face is the best LED mask I've tried. I like that it's lightweight and flexible, so it's easy to pack and take on the go,' she says. 'Plus, each session is only 10 minutes. After I use it, my skin looks noticeably brighter and my redness is less visible.' Commerce editor and co-author of this story Katherine Louie has been using this mask consistently for several months and says she's noticed less redness, fewer breakouts and less inflammation overall. Yes, multiple Forbes Vetted editors and writers tested the Omnilux Contour Face and found it provided benefits including brightening, evening out skin tone and decreasing redness. As dermatologist Dr. Corey L. Hartman previously told Forbes Vetted, the device is FDA-cleared, and the brand supports its claims with clinically reviewed and published research. The mask features 132 medical-grade LEDs and optimized wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to deliver noticeable changes to the skin. As long as users are consistent with their applications—wearing the mask three to five times per week for 10 minutes at a time—Omnilux says there should be visible results within four to six weeks. After the six-week period, users can move into routine maintenance treatments, though frequency required depends on individual lifestyle choices and long-term skin goals. Omnilux advises wearing the LED mask three to five times per week to start. If you have more sensitive skin, you may prefer to start at three times per week and gradually build up to five times per week. Since everyone's experience with light therapy can be different, it's a good idea to consult with a dermatologist or esthetician before starting, especially if you're unsure how your skin might react.
Yahoo
37 minutes ago
- Yahoo
How the TACO trade could end up backfiring on investors
Investors have come to see Trump's more extreme trade policies as bluffs. But without financial markets to check Trump, will the trade backfire? GMO's Ben Inker says a weak reaction to tariffs could embolden Trump. Buying the dip during recent tariff volatility has been a profitable strategy this year, but will the so-called TACO trade backfire on bullish investors confident that the president will always back down? It didn't take long for investors to figure out that Trump doesn't always mean what he says when it comes to trade policy. The TACO trade — short for "Trump always chickens out," a phrase coined by the Financial Times' Robert Armstrong to describe Trump's habit of backing away from proposals that roil markets— has emerged as a result. Investors have started not to take Trump so seriously, believing his more extreme policy proposals, like blanket tariffs or firing the Chairman of the Federal Reserve, are just a bluff. But Ben Inker, the co-head of asset allocation at GMO, argues that this approach may backfire. Markets have acted as a check on Trump this year. The president paused tariffs in April after historic sell-offs in both stocks and bonds, and he's backed down from ideas like firing Jerome Powell as Fed chief after markets balked at the prospect. Now, with investors seemingly less willing to sell after every bold proposal Trump makes, he may have little incentive to back off from his trade war, which he has ramped up again this week. The president fired off letters throughout the week that included threats of 25% tariffs on Japan and South Korea, 50% tariffs on Brazil, and 35% on Canada. Stocks dipped on Friday as Trump re-escalated the trade war, but it was nothing like the sell-off in April, despite some tariffs announced in the week being steeper than expected. "What we're seeing today is Trump being much more aggressive," Inker said. He said that Trump's recent announcement of 50% tariffs on Brazil is "an aggressive stance that sort of presumes you can do whatever you want, which is quite different from what we saw with the backdown from the Liberation Day tariffs when the bond market started going crazy," Inker said. "In the absence of the financial markets telling him to back off, he won't back off," he added. Investors lately haven't been pricing in downside risks. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq hit all-time highs on Thursday, and valuations are high Inker said that the benchmark index is probably close to 40% overvalued. "The US stock market looks quite expensive. Not as expensive as it was in 2000, but expensive relative to just about any other point in history," Inker said. "And its valuation to the rest of the world is basically at an all-time high." The most attractive opportunities within stocks at the moment are deep value stocks and developed-market stocks outside of the US, Inker said. Read the original article on Business Insider Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Want To Make an Extra $1,000 a Month? This Stock Strategy Makes It Easy
Passive income is a myth — unless you're talking about dividend stock investing. And while earning an extra $1,000 through a side hustle, online business, or even a second job can feel great, earning truly passive income for doing (almost) nothing feels better. Trending Now: For You: If you want to build a dividend stock portfolio that pays out $1,000 a month, you'll need to follow the stock strategy outlined in this article. And while it can take time to build a truly passive income dividend portfolio, it's absolutely worth it. Dividend stocks are shares of stock in a company that pays out excess profits to shareholders in the form of a quarterly dividend. Most companies that pay out consistent dividends are larger businesses that are profitable. The dividend is a reward to investors for buying and holding shares of stock. You can invest in dividend stocks through most brokers or popular investing apps (like Robinhood or Public). When you look for a dividend stock, most brokers will list the annual dividend 'yield,' which is the percentage of the share price that you'll earn each year. For example; If you buy a dividend stock with a 3% yield and a $100 share price, you'll earn $3 each year for every share of that stock you own. Learn More: If you want to earn a cool $1,000 monthly on autopilot, you'll want to put together a dividend stock portfolio that consistently pays out a high dividend rate. Now, most dividend stocks don't pay out monthly, so you'll need to plan on making $3,000 every quarter instead. First, let's look at what average dividends stocks pay out. Then we can figure out how much you'll need to invest to earn $1,000 per month. It's important to not just Google 'highest-paying dividend stocks' and pick from a list you find on Reddit. This could end up losing you money, because many of the highest-paying dividend stocks are struggling companies whose dividend yield has increased because the stock price has declined by a large margin. But choosing only blue-chip companies with lower-paying dividends means you'd need a much larger portfolio to earn $1,000 monthly. The best approach is to find dividend-paying stocks that have consistently paid a dividend for at least 10 years, and invest in companies that have a track record of increasing their dividend each year. Dividend Aristocrats are companies that have increased their dividend payout each year for at least 25 years, and Dividend Kings have increased their dividend each year for at least 50 years. Picking from these two lists of companies ensures you're buying a stable, profitable company that prioritizes paying investors and overall financial stability. Here's an example portfolio of high-paying dividend stocks from the Dividend Aristocrats list: Company Dividend Yield Altria Group 6.97% Universal Corporation 5.62% Northwest Natural Holdings 4.93% Canadian Utilities Ltd. 4.90% Stanley Black & Decker 4.88% Black Hills Corporation 4.85% Federal Realty Investment Trust 4.66% Target Corporation 4.61% PepsiCo, Inc. 4.37% Archer-Daniels-Midland Co 3.94% Average Dividend Yield 4.97% If you split your money across this portfolio evenly, you could earn around 5% yield. But remember, as the share price changes, the yield changes and you could lose value while still earning a solid dividend. If you want to earn $1,000 per month in dividend stocks, you'll need to have enough money invested to earn it through dividend payouts. Since dividend payouts are typically every quarter, you'll need to aim for earning $3,000 per quarter, which equals $1,000 power month. If you invest in the example portfolio above, you'll earn around 4.97% annual in dividends. This means you'll need to invest enough that the 4.97% kicks off $1,000 per month. Here's the math: To earn $1,000 per month, you need to earn $12,000 per year. At a yield of 4.97%, you'll need around $241,448 in your dividend stock portfolio. Yes, that's a large portfolio to earn $1,000 per month. But it's also truly passive income — you don't have to do anything after investing, and the money will be deposited in your account every quarter. More From GOBankingRates 3 Luxury SUVs That Will Have Massive Price Drops in Summer 2025 Mark Cuban Says Trump's Executive Order To Lower Medication Costs Has a 'Real Shot' -- Here's Why How Much Money Is Needed To Be Considered Middle Class in Your State? This article originally appeared on Want To Make an Extra $1,000 a Month? This Stock Strategy Makes It Easy Sign in to access your portfolio
