Author: Michael Erst

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Hi, I’m Michael Erst, a finance writer dedicated to making money matters clear and accessible. I cover everything from investing and market trends to personal finance strategies and economic insights. My goal is to help you navigate the world of finance with confidence, whether you're managing your budget, exploring new investment opportunities, or keeping up with the latest financial news.

Elon Musk is amplifying far-right political movements around the worldElon Musk has used his platform to amplify far-right voices and policies from Germany to the U.K. and beyond.Jason Alley has owned his cattle farm for almost 13 years. Through his work on over 91 acres at the corner of Farm-to-Market 1209 and FM 969, he has watched Elon Musk’s companies expand over the surrounding land in Texas.Alley said he sees construction start months before he reads about it in the news. He said he receives inquiries three times a week about selling his land, occasionally from one of the tech billionaire’s…

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Miguel Cortina  |  MotorTrendFor those of us who don’t regularly face icy roads, driving on snow can be an intimidating experience. Understanding how to maintain traction while keeping control of the car — especially when dealing with understeer or oversteer — is crucial for staying safe. Fortunately, Bridgestone’s Winter Driving School in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, offers the ideal environment to master these skills. With expert instruction and real-world scenarios, it teaches drivers how to navigate slippery conditions with confidence — and what to do when things don’t go as planned.Nestled in scenic farmland just outside one of Colorado’s top ski…

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Phishing scams worse than ever: What to watch out forThe Better Business Bureau says complaints about scam calls, texts and emails have doubled in the past year. Find out what to watch for.Scripps NewsAn SMS scam targeting road tolls has resurfaced, claiming people owe money for unpaid bills.An example of the scam text people may receive reads as follows: “Pay your FastTrak Lane tolls by February 13, 2025. To avoid a fine and keep your license, you can pay at https://ezdrivema.com-xlk.vip/i/. (Please reply Y, then exit the text message and open it again to activate the link, or copy the…

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Okay, folks. It’s time to get serious about Social Security. I don’t like to be the person who sounds alarms and causes unnecessary panic. But the reality is that we’re creeping closer to Social Security’s financial breaking point. And while the program isn’t at risk of going away completely, benefit cuts are a big possibility. Here’s the backstory. Social Security gets the bulk of its funding from payroll taxes. But in the coming years, that revenue stream is expected to shrink as baby boomers stage a mass exodus from the workforce. Image source: Getty Images. And yes, it’s a much-deserved…

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Rent-a-chicken: A solution to high egg prices and shortagesSome people are turning to creative ways to circumvent the high cost of eggs by renting their own chickens.Having trouble finding eggs at the grocery store? Maybe you should consider getting your own egg-laying chickens.Don’t know the first thing about egg-laying hens or their upkeep? A Pennsylvania business, Rent The Chicken, can help.As consumers nationwide struggle with shortages of eggs and soaring prices brought on by the bird flu, calls to Rent the Chicken have increased, said Jenn Tompkins, who goes by “Homestead Jenn” and co-founded the business with her husband, Phil.But…

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In-N-Out announced that it will close its Irvine office by 2029 on Monday as it readies to open dual headquarters, including in Nashville and Southern CaliforniaIn-N-Out moving headquartersAfter more than 30 years in Orange County, In-N-Out is moving its corporate offices back to LA County, in Baldwin Park near the first In-N-Out location.Fox – LALOS ANGELES − California fast-food staple In-N-Out announced that it will close its office in Irvine as the company is set to split its corporate workforce between California and Tennessee.In-N-Out said Monday that many of its California corporate employees will move from Irvine in Orange County…

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The all-electric Blazer is the quickest super sport ever for Chevrolet, reaching 60 mph from zero in 3.4 seconds.General Motors: History, innovation, and legacyLearn about the rich history and notable innovations of General Motors, from its founding in 1908 to its leadership in electric and autonomous vehicle technology.The Blazer EV SS can go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds and boasts 615 horsepower.Chevrolet will also have the Corvette Stingray pacing the Xfinity Series and the Silverado RST pacing the Craftsman Truck series race.The 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV SS will be the first-ever electric vehicle to pace the field…

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Duolingo holds funeral for Duo the Owl, its make-believe mascotDuo the Owl is gone? The lauguage-learning app Duolingo announced the mysterious passing of their beloved mascot Duo.After hours of nail-biting agony, Duolingo users finally have answers to how the brand’s beloved make-believe owl mascot named Duo “died” on Tuesday afternoon.The language-learning app shard a video to Duolingo’s TikTok Wednesday showing what appears to be a Tesla Cybertruck ramming into Duo in a parking lot, following by an animated explosion. Duo is then seen transcending through the sky, space and ultimately what appears to be hell.”Reward for whoever can identify the…

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Civil rights activists call for Target boycott after DEI rollbackCivil rights activists are pushing for a nationwide boycott of Target over its decision to phase out its DEI initiatives.Straight Arrow NewsConsumers are rallying to speak through their wallets – or lack of spending – as a way to protest the retreat by some companies from DEI initiatives and President Trump’s actions to eliminate federal DEI programs since taking office. They are calling on consumers to boycott specific retailers and for one day later this month, to refrain from spending any money at all.Numerous social media accounts are sharing the message…

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Odds of winning the Powerball and Mega Millions are NOT in your favorOdds of hitting the jackpot in Mega Millions or Powerball are around 1-in-292 million. Here are things that you’re more likely to land than big bucks.The new owners of an Illinois gas station have procured more than $100,000 after selling a winning state lottery ticket in Cook County.The ticket, worth $10.4 million, was sold Saturday at a Mobil gas station in Des Plaines, about 20 miles northwest of Chicago, according to the Illinois State Lottery. The lottery has not yet announced the identity of the winner.Together, Sijo George,…

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