Andrew Lokenauth | TheFinanceNewsletter.com
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new grads looking at the job market
February 17, 2026 at 9:31 PM
new grads looking at the job market
BREAKING: 1 in 4 unemployed people (1.8 million Americans) have been job searching for over half a year, per CNBC.
And unemployed Americans with 4-year college degrees now make up a record 25.3% of total unemployment.
You don’t realize how weak the economy is right now.
And unemployed Americans with 4-year college degrees now make up a record 25.3% of total unemployment.
You don’t realize how weak the economy is right now.
February 17, 2026 at 8:27 PM
BREAKING: 1 in 4 unemployed people (1.8 million Americans) have been job searching for over half a year, per CNBC.
And unemployed Americans with 4-year college degrees now make up a record 25.3% of total unemployment.
You don’t realize how weak the economy is right now.
And unemployed Americans with 4-year college degrees now make up a record 25.3% of total unemployment.
You don’t realize how weak the economy is right now.
Before Trump, the US economy averaged 328,000 new jobs each month.
But last year, the US added only 181,000 jobs in total.
But last year, the US added only 181,000 jobs in total.
February 17, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Before Trump, the US economy averaged 328,000 new jobs each month.
But last year, the US added only 181,000 jobs in total.
But last year, the US added only 181,000 jobs in total.
You need to earn 80% more than you did before the pandemic to comfortably afford a home.
February 17, 2026 at 2:15 AM
You need to earn 80% more than you did before the pandemic to comfortably afford a home.
Married and own a home by 30 years old in the US
1960: 52%
1970: 48%
1980: 45%
1990: 43%
2000: 35%
2010: 25%
2025: 12%
I’m sure everything is fine.
1960: 52%
1970: 48%
1980: 45%
1990: 43%
2000: 35%
2010: 25%
2025: 12%
I’m sure everything is fine.
February 17, 2026 at 12:37 AM
Married and own a home by 30 years old in the US
1960: 52%
1970: 48%
1980: 45%
1990: 43%
2000: 35%
2010: 25%
2025: 12%
I’m sure everything is fine.
1960: 52%
1970: 48%
1980: 45%
1990: 43%
2000: 35%
2010: 25%
2025: 12%
I’m sure everything is fine.
A $400K mortgage is now $3,000/month.
A $400K mortgage was $1,500/month in 2021.
$1,500 more each month for the same home.
A $400K mortgage was $1,500/month in 2021.
$1,500 more each month for the same home.
February 16, 2026 at 11:44 PM
A $400K mortgage is now $3,000/month.
A $400K mortgage was $1,500/month in 2021.
$1,500 more each month for the same home.
A $400K mortgage was $1,500/month in 2021.
$1,500 more each month for the same home.
Just one generation ago, our parents bought homes, raised children, paid for college, took vacations, and retired comfortably… all on one middle-class salary.
What happened?
What happened?
February 16, 2026 at 9:42 PM
Just one generation ago, our parents bought homes, raised children, paid for college, took vacations, and retired comfortably… all on one middle-class salary.
What happened?
What happened?
Good employees don't quit jobs, they quit:
• Low pay
• Bad bosses
• Office politics
• Toxic workplaces
• Micro-management
• Feeling undervalued
• No work-life balance
• Lack of opportunities
It's okay to leave jobs that no longer serve you.
Remember, it's important to be happy where you work.
• Low pay
• Bad bosses
• Office politics
• Toxic workplaces
• Micro-management
• Feeling undervalued
• No work-life balance
• Lack of opportunities
It's okay to leave jobs that no longer serve you.
Remember, it's important to be happy where you work.
February 16, 2026 at 8:47 PM
Good employees don't quit jobs, they quit:
• Low pay
• Bad bosses
• Office politics
• Toxic workplaces
• Micro-management
• Feeling undervalued
• No work-life balance
• Lack of opportunities
It's okay to leave jobs that no longer serve you.
Remember, it's important to be happy where you work.
• Low pay
• Bad bosses
• Office politics
• Toxic workplaces
• Micro-management
• Feeling undervalued
• No work-life balance
• Lack of opportunities
It's okay to leave jobs that no longer serve you.
Remember, it's important to be happy where you work.
Why can't data centers use regular water? Why does it have to be clean drinking water?
Not used water. Not recycled water. Clean drinking water?
Not used water. Not recycled water. Clean drinking water?
February 16, 2026 at 5:32 PM
Why can't data centers use regular water? Why does it have to be clean drinking water?
Not used water. Not recycled water. Clean drinking water?
Not used water. Not recycled water. Clean drinking water?
Deaths are higher in emergency rooms of hospitals owned by private equity firms, per Harvard University.
They did the math: It’s cheaper to let you die than to save you with a procedure you can’t afford.
This is what happens when profits are prioritized over people.
They did the math: It’s cheaper to let you die than to save you with a procedure you can’t afford.
This is what happens when profits are prioritized over people.
February 16, 2026 at 3:55 PM
Deaths are higher in emergency rooms of hospitals owned by private equity firms, per Harvard University.
They did the math: It’s cheaper to let you die than to save you with a procedure you can’t afford.
This is what happens when profits are prioritized over people.
They did the math: It’s cheaper to let you die than to save you with a procedure you can’t afford.
This is what happens when profits are prioritized over people.
Every Republican since Eisenhower has increased the deficit.
Every Democrat since Carter has decreased the deficit.
Every Democrat since Carter has decreased the deficit.
February 13, 2026 at 3:37 PM
Every Republican since Eisenhower has increased the deficit.
Every Democrat since Carter has decreased the deficit.
Every Democrat since Carter has decreased the deficit.
The DOW has fallen below 50,000 today.
$1 trillion was wiped out from the US stock market.
No one tell Pam Bondi.
$1 trillion was wiped out from the US stock market.
No one tell Pam Bondi.
February 13, 2026 at 2:43 AM
The DOW has fallen below 50,000 today.
$1 trillion was wiped out from the US stock market.
No one tell Pam Bondi.
$1 trillion was wiped out from the US stock market.
No one tell Pam Bondi.
Millennials living through their jobs replaced by AI, unaffordable housing, $1.7 trillion student loan debt, a global pandemic, 4 recessions, and 7 stock market crashes, all before hitting 45.
February 12, 2026 at 2:06 PM
Millennials living through their jobs replaced by AI, unaffordable housing, $1.7 trillion student loan debt, a global pandemic, 4 recessions, and 7 stock market crashes, all before hitting 45.
Microsoft released a study showing the 40 jobs most at risk by AI:
February 11, 2026 at 12:30 AM
Microsoft released a study showing the 40 jobs most at risk by AI:
A $100,000 salary in 1990 would be over $250,000 in today's dollars.
A $100,000 salary today would be less than $40,000 in 1990.
A $100,000 salary today would be less than $40,000 in 1990.
February 10, 2026 at 11:34 PM
A $100,000 salary in 1990 would be over $250,000 in today's dollars.
A $100,000 salary today would be less than $40,000 in 1990.
A $100,000 salary today would be less than $40,000 in 1990.
Honestly... any salary under $50,000 for jobs requiring college degrees should be illegal.
February 10, 2026 at 9:34 PM
Honestly... any salary under $50,000 for jobs requiring college degrees should be illegal.
JUST IN: You can now use buy now, pay later for your rent.
Rent Now, Pay Later is a new option for renters where you pay a fee or a monthly subscription and if you miss a payment, interest rates go way up.
THIS IS VERY VERY BAD.
Rent Now, Pay Later is a new option for renters where you pay a fee or a monthly subscription and if you miss a payment, interest rates go way up.
THIS IS VERY VERY BAD.
February 6, 2026 at 5:03 PM
JUST IN: You can now use buy now, pay later for your rent.
Rent Now, Pay Later is a new option for renters where you pay a fee or a monthly subscription and if you miss a payment, interest rates go way up.
THIS IS VERY VERY BAD.
Rent Now, Pay Later is a new option for renters where you pay a fee or a monthly subscription and if you miss a payment, interest rates go way up.
THIS IS VERY VERY BAD.
If you’re in your 20’s or 30’s, consider this a blessing and invest for your retirement.
February 5, 2026 at 7:20 PM
If you’re in your 20’s or 30’s, consider this a blessing and invest for your retirement.
When you realize that over 70% of licensed Realtors didn’t sell a single home last year… and then you remember what that actually means
February 5, 2026 at 12:04 AM
When you realize that over 70% of licensed Realtors didn’t sell a single home last year… and then you remember what that actually means
This is insane.
2005: Median Home Price: $220,000
2025: Median Home Price: $420,000
A 91% increase.
2005 Median Salary: $44,326
2025 Median Salary: $56,292
A 27% increase.
2005: Median Home Price: $220,000
2025: Median Home Price: $420,000
A 91% increase.
2005 Median Salary: $44,326
2025 Median Salary: $56,292
A 27% increase.
February 4, 2026 at 10:22 PM
This is insane.
2005: Median Home Price: $220,000
2025: Median Home Price: $420,000
A 91% increase.
2005 Median Salary: $44,326
2025 Median Salary: $56,292
A 27% increase.
2005: Median Home Price: $220,000
2025: Median Home Price: $420,000
A 91% increase.
2005 Median Salary: $44,326
2025 Median Salary: $56,292
A 27% increase.
Own a home and married by age 30 in the US:
2025: 12%
2010: 25%
2000: 35%
1990: 43%
1980: 45%
1970: 48%
1960: 52%
This is crazy.
2025: 12%
2010: 25%
2000: 35%
1990: 43%
1980: 45%
1970: 48%
1960: 52%
This is crazy.
February 4, 2026 at 5:45 PM
Own a home and married by age 30 in the US:
2025: 12%
2010: 25%
2000: 35%
1990: 43%
1980: 45%
1970: 48%
1960: 52%
This is crazy.
2025: 12%
2010: 25%
2000: 35%
1990: 43%
1980: 45%
1970: 48%
1960: 52%
This is crazy.
An entire generation is now realizing that owning a home will NEVER be an option for them.
Our parents bought homes with single incomes and now you can’t even rent a 2 bedroom without dual incomes.
This isn’t a personal failure, it’s a system failure.
Our parents bought homes with single incomes and now you can’t even rent a 2 bedroom without dual incomes.
This isn’t a personal failure, it’s a system failure.
February 4, 2026 at 2:49 PM
An entire generation is now realizing that owning a home will NEVER be an option for them.
Our parents bought homes with single incomes and now you can’t even rent a 2 bedroom without dual incomes.
This isn’t a personal failure, it’s a system failure.
Our parents bought homes with single incomes and now you can’t even rent a 2 bedroom without dual incomes.
This isn’t a personal failure, it’s a system failure.
BREAKING: Investment Funds are holding the lowest cash level on record at 3.2%.
All while Trump wants the Fed to cut rates with the S&P 500 near all-time highs.
All while Trump wants the Fed to cut rates with the S&P 500 near all-time highs.
February 3, 2026 at 5:11 PM
BREAKING: Investment Funds are holding the lowest cash level on record at 3.2%.
All while Trump wants the Fed to cut rates with the S&P 500 near all-time highs.
All while Trump wants the Fed to cut rates with the S&P 500 near all-time highs.
Realizing the US is headed for mass unemployment and no one is prepared.
February 1, 2026 at 3:14 AM
Realizing the US is headed for mass unemployment and no one is prepared.
JUST IN: December Core PPI inflation rises to 3.3% (above expectations) and PPI inflation is now 3.0% (above expectations).
And this is why no amount of “budgeting” can excuse the fact that inflation is robbing us blind.
And this is why no amount of “budgeting” can excuse the fact that inflation is robbing us blind.
January 30, 2026 at 3:25 PM
JUST IN: December Core PPI inflation rises to 3.3% (above expectations) and PPI inflation is now 3.0% (above expectations).
And this is why no amount of “budgeting” can excuse the fact that inflation is robbing us blind.
And this is why no amount of “budgeting” can excuse the fact that inflation is robbing us blind.