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401(k) balances differ widely across gender and racial lines, as income inequality weighs on savings. A government program wants to change that.
• Overall, the market was mixed ahead of a key inflation report and the start to the second-quarter earnings season later this week.
• Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will testify before the Senate Banking Committee.
• We’ll also get the NFIB small business optimism index for June.
The high inflation of the past years might have you feeling like your paycheck isn’t going as far as it used to.
But what is considered a good salary for a single person in the U.S.?
Cost of living
For reference, the median salary nationwide was about $59,540 last year. But to determine what makes a “good” salary, you have to look at your cost of living.
New York, California, Massachusetts, and Hawaii have some of the highest costs of living in the nation. On the other end of the spectrum are Mississippi, Oklahoma, Kansas, and West Virginia, with some of the lowest costs of living.
Budgeting with what you got
Even if you earn a salary that’s on the higher side, it matters what you do with it. Making ends meet isn’t only about the cost of living in your state or city, it’s also about your personal financial situation, including debt levels, and your spending habits. Sticking to a budget can help you navigate this.
Facing decades-high food prices, wholesale clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club are becoming all the rage among roommates.
Read more >> Welcome to Mickey D’s UniversityEmployers of some traditional lower-wage workers are exploring ways to make on-the-job experience count as college credit.
Read more >> Are you doing the 30-day no-spend challenge?If you’re looking to cut back on expenses, this challenge could help you take the first step.
Read more >>Other news that caught our eye
Boeing pleaded guilty to a criminal fraud charge linked to two fatal crashes of its 737 MAX jets. The company agreed to pay a nearly $244 million fine.
Paramount Global and entertainment company Skydance Media agreed to merge in a deal valued at roughly $8 billion after months of negotiations.
More than two million homes and businesses in Texas lost power after Hurricane Beryl made landfall.
Insurance companies made some $50 billion from Medicare payments for diagnoses that weren’t treated, per the Wall Street Journal.
A record number of travelers took to the air on Sunday, with more than 3 million people passing through U.S. airport security, according to the TSA.
Financial planner tip of the day
“Once good credit has been established, using it wisely and responsibly can offer flexibility and freedom. Installment loans like mortgages, car loans, and student loans might make it easier to reach major life goals, while credit cards for smaller purchases can help build credit and possibly qualify for lower interest rates on those big purchases.”
Brian Walsh, CFP® at SoFi