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Underperformers at work are getting squeezed out. Here are 4 ways to bulletproof your job from the AI revolution. Agnes ApplegateAugust 15, 2025 at 4:07 AM CEO Daniel Snell says the best way for employees to bulletproof their jobs from the AI revolution is to get really engaged with AI.

- - Underperformers at work are getting squeezed out. Here are 4 ways to bulletproof your job from the AI revolution.

Agnes ApplegateAugust 15, 2025 at 4:07 AM

CEO Daniel Snell says the best way for employees to bulletproof their jobs from the AI revolution is to get really engaged with AI.Keeproll/Getty Images -

CEO Daniel Snell has been running a management consulting and social impact company for 20 years.

Snell says that ignoring AI is the worst strategy for employees who want to protect their jobs.

Instead, he says workers have to engage with AI and align with change leaders.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Daniel Snell, a 53-year-old cofounder and CEO of Arrival, based in London. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

As efficiency starts to improve, whether driven by AI or not, underperformers will get squeezed out.

I've been running my management consulting and social impact company, Arrival, for 20 years now. Lately, I've experienced investors and business leaders hoping that AI can unlock efficiency, productivity, and performance to get organizations growing again.

Having worked with senior leaders at companies like Tesco and GSK to help develop high-performing teams, I tell my clients that putting their heads in the sand is the worst strategy when it comes to AI.

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To bulletproof yourself as an employee from the AI revolution, you have to get really engaged. Don't get overwhelmed by it, and don't buy into the narrative of fear.

Daniel Snell shares strategies for employees to prove their value at work amid the AI revolution.Miranda Parry/Arrival1. Test AI for your company

Don't limit yourself to what your business is giving you or what it's doing with AI.

Run some projects, do some experiments, do some external research, and look at organizations that are using AI really well. Take those ideas to your manager and your boss and see if you're allowed to get involved. Be solution-oriented. Don't be problematic.

Think about how you can apply AI in an aligned way, immerse yourself in the executive strategy and intentions, and figure out what your company perceives as issues, opportunities, and challenges. Use that as a guide to test an AI model within your particular context and figure out how you can contribute real value.

2. Demonstrate the value of your work

Many people think that activity is productivity. Sharing lots of insights or working really hard has nothing directly to do with perceived value or productivity.

When you're doing work, make sure you're really clear on how it's valuable to the company and how it's aligned with the strategy. Don't drift into projects or roles without testing in your own mind whether this project or this team is perceived as part of the organization's future growth.

If you're not clear about that, you can easily be put into a team or department that is not valued or not valued highly enough.

3. Align yourself with leaders who are part of the change

If you align yourself with a leader, a department, a project, or a division that is not about the future of growth, you won't be visible. So, align yourself with leaders who are part of the change agenda.

It'll be crushing to realize you're not invited to the exciting conversations and you aren't among those meetings where the best talent is going. It'll be apparent. Just figure out how to get into those circles where the heat of the business is.

Bring a contribution or value based on how you're going to establish better efficiencies, productivity, performance, and how AI can drive that.

4. Skip meetings and projects that waste time

Sometimes, you get into meetings and wonder why you're there, what the purpose of the meeting is, or where it's going. In many cases, it's going nowhere.

Excuse yourself from meetings where you know there won't be a clear decision or you won't get any value. When I work with leaders, I tell them to just reject the meeting if nobody can clearly articulate what the decision is and why they're there to make it.

Often, projects are started that aren't attached to the business's core strategic focus. You can get rid of those projects, and it makes absolutely no difference. In fact, it lifts performance.

Once you figure out what projects and meetings are unnecessary, you will bring exponentially better value and be rewarded for that. But if you think lots of meetings, activities, projects, and insights are going to deliver value, then you're grossly mistaken.

Do you have career advice to share? Contact this reporter, Agnes Applegate, at [email protected].

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August 15, 2025

Underperformers at work are getting squeezed out. Here are 4 ways to bulletproof your job from the AI revolution.

Underperformers at work are getting squeezed out. Here are 4 ways to bulletproof your job from the AI revolution. Agnes ApplegateA...

4 Nonessential Bills To Pause ASAP To Avoid Financial Disaster Caitlyn MoorheadAugust 15, 2025 at 4:49 AM SrdjanPav / iStock.

- - 4 Nonessential Bills To Pause ASAP To Avoid Financial Disaster

Caitlyn MoorheadAugust 15, 2025 at 4:49 AM

SrdjanPav / iStock.com

Both essential expenses and discretionary expenses add up quickly, making the minutiae of paying your daily and monthly bills difficult to deal with, especially if you're living paycheck to paycheck. If you don't have enough to cover your basic cost of living, you need to reduce your nonessential spending and get a better handle on your monthly budget.

For You: 8 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000

Up Next: 25 Creative Ways To Save Money

Here are four nonessential bills to pause ASAP if you need to catch up financially.

Trending Now: Suze Orman's Secret to a Wealthy Retirement--Have You Made This Money Move?

Unused Subscription Services

Streaming services, food delivery memberships and software subscriptions typically come with a monthly fee that you can pause or cancel at any time. Even a single subscription adds up over a year but can go unnoticed thanks to autopay.

For example, the standard Netflix subscription with ads costs $7.99 a month or nearly $96 per year. However, most people have more than one streaming subscription, and it's estimated that, on average, people are spending about $61 a month for about four services, which is around $732 per year. That could be hundreds of dollars in savings money as opposed to discretionary spending.

Trending Now: 8 Frugal Habits Americans Are Ridiculed for — and Why You Shouldn't Care

Eating Out

Based on the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans spend roughly $3,933 per month on dining out, categorized as food away from home. This means just by eating outside of your home, you spend about $328 on a monthly average.

Some reports show that the average price per serving of a home-cooked meal was $4.31, while the average cost of eating out was $20.37. In general, thanks to tariffs and rifts in global trade, food costs are going up, so though it is essential to spend money on eating, editing now can save you from running out of money each month.

Professional Services

Consider pausing professional services that you can do yourself instead, such as house cleaning, lawn care or pet grooming. For example, homeowners can pay between $500 and $800 per year for a lawn care service. This is a great edit down for your budget when trying to catch up on your finances.

This could also include a personal trainer or even your gym membership. You can work out at home or find cheaper alternatives.

Recurring Allocations

You can temporarily adjust recurring allocations, such as 401(k) contributions and insurance, if you need some wiggle room financially. For instance, if you automatically contribute 10% of your paycheck to your 401(k), consider adjusting it to 7% for a few months to build up your savings.

Final Take To GO: Better Ways To Save

There are more ways to save in addition to pausing nonessential bills. When the economy becomes uncertain, it's up to you to get your house in order and avoid financial disaster, as no one else can do it for you. Here are a few ways to start today:

Use up gift cards: Dig into your wallet and look for unused gift cards. You probably have at least one unused card. You can even sell them on third-party marketplaces for up to 85 cents on the dollar.

Get an energy audit: Cut back on your energy bills by getting a professional energy audit or doing one yourself. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, Americans waste up to $400 per year due to drafts, air leaks and outdated heating and cooling systems.

Negotiate lower bills and interest rates: Many customers who ask for a lower interest rate on one of their credit cards succeed, so it's at least worth trying to negotiate costs as you have more power over your money than you realize.

Josephine Nesbit contributed to the reporting for this article.

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August 15, 2025

4 Nonessential Bills To Pause ASAP To Avoid Financial Disaster

4 Nonessential Bills To Pause ASAP To Avoid Financial Disaster Caitlyn MoorheadAugust 15, 2025 at 4:49 AM SrdjanPav / iStock. ...

Investors want rate cut 'validation,' but the Fed's dilemma won't go away Hamza ShabanAugust 15, 2025 at 5:00 AM This is The Takeaway from today's Morning Brief, which you can sign up to receive in your inbox every morning along with: The Chart of the Day What we're watching What we're reading Econo...

- - Investors want rate cut 'validation,' but the Fed's dilemma won't go away

Hamza ShabanAugust 15, 2025 at 5:00 AM

This is The Takeaway from today's Morning Brief, which you can sign up to receive in your inbox every morning along with:

The Chart of the Day

What we're watching

What we're reading

Economic data releases and earnings

The push and pull of conflicting data sets and the crosscurrents of the Fed's dual mission were on full display this week. And so was the specter of stagflation.

Producer prices surged in July, heating up far ahead of forecasts and offering an uncomfortable surprise of mounting pricing pressures on their way to consumers. At the same time, the number of Americans filing new applications for jobless benefits fell last week, signaling low layoffs.

But the reading also suggested people on the hunt for jobs are having a tough time. Firings aren't ramping up, but neither are hirings — which the latest jobs report and its revisions made quite clear.

The data didn't spark a second-guessing of a coming rate cut in September. But the market blinked. Odds of the Fed holding firm next month increased from 0% on Wednesday to 9% on Thursday after the releases, according to data from the CME Group. And the chances of a jumbo cut of 50 basis points in September have evaporated.

Things change fast, but the main takeaway hasn't changed: Markets are still pricing in over a 90% chance the central bank will reduce rates when officials meet again.

But while those odds held fast, so has the conviction of market contrarians who predict the Fed won't lower rates. Observers who haven't bought into the inevitability of a September cut say that Thursday's figures reinforced their position.

Read more: How the Fed rate decision affects your bank accounts, loans, credit cards, and investments

"There is nothing in the latest week's jobless claims data to alter the Federal Reserve's view of the labor market or our call that the Fed will hold off on cutting rates until December," said Nancy Vanden Houten, lead economist at Oxford Economics, in an email on Thursday.

The perplexing brew of economic commentary, data, and expectations will make Fed Chair Jerome Powell's speech next week at the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium all the more relevant.

The stock market is at a record high on cut vibes, and "investors are hungry for additional validation," as Clark Geranen, chief market strategist at CalBay Investments, put it in a note to clients on Thursday.

There's a school of thought that the public cares more about inflation because it weakens all of us to some degree, whereas job losses can devastate a life or a household but are felt more narrowly by those unlucky enough to get axed by HR.

No doubt there are political and social dynamics that can make that theory more or less convincing. But Fed officials say they prioritize their dual mandates of stable prices and maximum employment using more dispassionate criteria: Which goal is more out of sync?

But therein lies the stagflation's biggest rub: It's easy for policymakers to get it wrong when you have more than one way to stumble into error.

Hamza Shaban is a reporter for Yahoo Finance covering markets and the economy. Follow Hamza on X @hshaban.

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August 15, 2025

Investors want rate cut 'validation,' but the Fed's dilemma won't go away

Investors want rate cut 'validation,' but the Fed's dilemma won't go away Hamza ShabanAugust 15, 2025 at 5:00 AM T...

Where Will Navitas Semiconductor Stock Be in 3 Years? Leo Sun, The Motley FoolAugust 15, 2025 at 3:09 AM Key Points Navitas' stock trades about 70% below its alltime high. It faces challenging macro headwinds. Its stock looks expensive relative to its growth potential.

- - Where Will Navitas Semiconductor Stock Be in 3 Years?

Leo Sun, The Motley FoolAugust 15, 2025 at 3:09 AM

Key Points -

Navitas' stock trades about 70% below its all-time high.

It faces challenging macro headwinds.

Its stock looks expensive relative to its growth potential.

10 stocks we like better than Navitas Semiconductor ›

Navitas Semiconductor (NASDAQ: NVTS), a producer of gallium nitride (GaN) and silicon carbide (SiC) chips, took its investors on a wild ride after it went public by merging with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) on Oct. 21, 2021. Its stock opened at $13, soared to a record high of $22.19 a month later, but sank to an all-time low of $1.52 on April 4, 2025. Like many other SPAC-backed start-ups, Navitas disappointed its investors by missing its own growth forecasts and racking up steep losses.

Today, Navitas' stock trades just above $7 a share. It bounced back as its new AI data center partnership with Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) attracted a stampede of bulls and squeezed out the bears. But could Navitas' stock generate even bigger gains and set fresh highs over the next three years?

Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue »

An illustration of a semiconductor.

Image source: Getty Images.

What happened over the past three years?

GaN and SiC power chips are faster, more power-efficient, and can operate at higher temperatures and voltages than traditional silicon chips. That makes them well-suited for mobile fast chargers, electric vehicle (EV) chargers, laptop adapters, data center power supplies, solar inverters, industrial motor drives, and energy storage solutions.

Navitas generates most of its revenue from its GaNFast Power ICs, which bundle together switching, sensing, control, and security features on a single chip. It expanded into the SiC market through its acquisition of GeneSiC, which mainly supplies SiC power chips for the EV and data center markets, in 2022. Its major customers now include Dell Technologies (NYSE: DELL), which uses GaN/SiC chips in its laptop chargers; the Chinese automaker Changan, which uses its GaN ICs in its on-board EV chargers; and Nvidia, which selected its 800 V HVDC architecture to support its AI workloads at its data centers earlier this year.

Navitas is a fabless chipmaker that outsources its manufacturing to third-party foundries. That capital-light model enables it to focus on developing new chips instead of spending a lot of money on upgrading its plants. That sets it apart from Wolfspeed (NYSE: WOLF), the SiC and GaN chipmaker, which filed for bankruptcy this June after failing to balance the costs of running its own foundries with its soaring debt levels.

Before Navitas went public, it claimed it would grow its annual revenue from $12 million in 2020 to $308 million in 2024. It also expected to achieve a positive adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) by 2023. But here's what actually happened over the past three years.

Metric

2022

2023

2024

Revenue

$37.9 million

$79.5 million

$83.3 million

Revenue Growth

60%

109%

Adjusted EBITDA

($32.9 million)

($19.3 million)

($27.8 million)

Data source: Navitas, Marketscreener.

In 2024, Navitas' growth stalled out as the macro headwinds disrupted its orders from its EV, solar, and industrial customers. It also ended a key distribution deal for its SiC products, and it generated more sales from its lower-margin GaN chips instead of its higher-margin SiC chips. That pressure, along with its rising R&D expenses, caused it to remain deeply unprofitable on a generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) basis as its adjusted EBITDA stayed negative.

What will happen to Navitas over the next three years?

Over the next few years, Navitas' data center deal with Nvidia -- which will be ramped up in 2026 and expanded in 2027 -- could significantly boost its revenue. It should also benefit from the growing adoption of GaN and SiC chips in EV chargers, laptop chargers, and other electronic devices. However, the tariffs against China and its intentional retreat from its lower-margin (but higher revenue) mobile markets could offset those tailwinds and throttle its overall growth.

Based on those expectations, analysts expect Navitas' revenue to grow at a CAGR of 7% from 2024 to 2027 -- but its adjusted EBITDA should stay negative by the final year. And with an enterprise value of $1.27 billion, it still looks expensive at 26 times this year's sales.

Navitas' valuations are likely being inflated by its deal with Nvidia. Expectations for lower interest rates are amplifying those gains by driving more investors toward speculative stocks again. Those higher valuations could cap its gains over the next three years.

If Navitas matches analysts' expectations, grows its revenue by another 7% in 2028, and trades at a more reasonable 10 times its forward sales, its stock price would actually decline 7% to roughly $6.10 and reduce its enterprise value to $1.1 billion. Therefore, its stock could underperform the market until it stabilizes its core businesses. But over the long term, Navitas could still be a good long-term play on GaN and SiC chips as they displace traditional silicon chips.

Should you invest $1,000 in Navitas Semiconductor right now?

Before you buy stock in Navitas Semiconductor, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Navitas Semiconductor wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $649,544!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,113,059!*

Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,062% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 185% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor.

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*Stock Advisor returns as of August 13, 2025

Leo Sun has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Nvidia. The Motley Fool recommends Wolfspeed. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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August 15, 2025

Where Will Navitas Semiconductor Stock Be in 3 Years?

Where Will Navitas Semiconductor Stock Be in 3 Years? Leo Sun, The Motley FoolAugust 15, 2025 at 3:09 AM Key Points Navitas' s...

Got $1,000? 3 Stocks to Buy Now While They're On Sale Geoffrey Seiler, The Motley FoolAugust 15, 2025 at 3:15 AM Key Points Amazon is using AI to make its ecommerce business more efficient. e.l.f.'s acquisition of Rhode is set to change its growth trajectory.

- - Got $1,000? 3 Stocks to Buy Now While They're On Sale

Geoffrey Seiler, The Motley FoolAugust 15, 2025 at 3:15 AM

Key Points -

Amazon is using AI to make its e-commerce business more efficient.

e.l.f.'s acquisition of Rhode is set to change its growth trajectory.

Roku is moving towards profitability, while still growing its revenue.

10 stocks we like better than Amazon ›

Stock price pullbacks in leading companies offer a great opportunity for long-term investors to scoop up their stocks at a discount, further compounding their growth potential. A $1,000 buy-in can be a great starting point to take an initial position. If there are additional pullbacks in the future, an investor can potentially add more shares.

Let's look at three stocks for great companies you might want to consider buying while they are still on sale.

Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Learn More »

A store mannequin holding a bag labeled Sale.

Image source: Getty Images.

1. Amazon

Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) shares retreated following its second-quarter earnings report after the company issued cautious guidance. However, this could be a great time to pick up shares of the stock on the pullback. The stock is trading down about 8% from all-time highs hit earlier this year.

Amazon keeps finding new ways to make its already well-oiled e-commerce machine run more efficiently. Artificial intelligence (AI) is now built into nearly every part of its logistics network, from deciding which warehouse should hold a product to guiding drivers to the exact spot for delivery. More than a million robots are at work inside its facilities, speeding up order flow and cutting costs. These efficiency gains were on full display last quarter when its North America operating income climbed 47% on just 11% revenue growth.

At the same time, Amazon Web Services (AWS) remains the global leader in cloud computing, and it's now playing a key role in the AI boom. Developers and enterprises are using Amazon's Bedrock and SageMaker tools to build and run AI models, while new offerings like Strands and AgentCore make AI agents easier and safer to deploy.

Infrastructure spending will trim margins in the short run, but those investments should pay off for years. Between a leaner retail business and a market-leading cloud unit, Amazon has two powerful growth engines that make it a stock worth owning for the long haul. A $1,000 investment will net you roughly 4.5 shares.

2. e.l.f. Beauty

After taking a tremendous share in the mass-market cosmetics industry, e.l.f. Beauty (NYSE: ELF) shares slipped following a quarter where growth slowed. The stock trades about 45% below its all-time high set last summer and about 10% of its 2025 high in January.

However, with its pending $1 billion acquisition deal for Rhode, the company is set to add a fast-growing premium skincare brand to its lineup. Rhode has racked up over $200 million in annual sales with barely any marketing, a small set of products, and sales only through its own website.

The brand's upcoming debut at Sephora will expand its reach, and e.l.f. can use its retail relationships to increase its distribution even more. Hailey Bieber, Rhode's founder, will stay on as chief creative officer, keeping the brand's voice intact as the product range grows.

Premium skincare carries better margins than mass-market color cosmetics, and Rhode's early results show the potential for rapid growth. After a brief slowdown in sales, the Rhode acquisition puts the company back in growth mode. With its history of shaking up the beauty business, e.l.f. is well-positioned for its next chapter. A $1,000 investment will get you just over 8.25 shares.

3. Roku

Roku (NASDAQ: ROKU) has built the most widely used operating system for streaming, but for years it struggled to turn that scale into meaningful profits. As a result, the stock is down about 82% from all-time highs hit in 2021. That's starting to change. Management now expects to post positive operating income in the fourth quarter, well ahead of earlier projections, with more margin improvements in store in the coming years. The stock price is up about 62% in the past year.

While the company is known for its streaming devices, its real focus is on its platform segment revenue. Roku is driving more subscription signups through bundles and curated content recommendations, while attracting performance advertisers through its Roku Ads Manager. It's also deepening its ties with major demand-side platforms like Amazon and The Trade Desk, making it easier for advertisers to buy Roku inventory.

Its own Roku Channel continues to grow, and the acquisition of Frndly TV adds over 50 budget-friendly live channels that should boost ad sales. In its most recent quarter, revenue rose 15% to $1.1 billion, beating expectations. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) jumped 79% year over year, demonstrating that the company is still growing strongly.

Roku's ad platform still has plenty of room to grow, and the shift toward profitability changes the story for investors. With shares still well below past highs, now can be a great time to pick up the stock while it's still on sale. A $1,000 buy-in will get you 11.5 shares.

Should you invest $1,000 in Amazon right now?

Before you buy stock in Amazon, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Amazon wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

See the 10 stocks »

*Stock Advisor returns as of August 13, 2025

Geoffrey Seiler has positions in LVMH Moët Hennessy - Louis Vuitton and e.l.f. Beauty. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, Roku, The Trade Desk, and e.l.f. Beauty. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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August 15, 2025

Got $1,000? 3 Stocks to Buy Now While They're On Sale

Got $1,000? 3 Stocks to Buy Now While They're On Sale Geoffrey Seiler, The Motley FoolAugust 15, 2025 at 3:15 AM Key Points Am...

The Best Times of Year To Make BigTicket Purchases Caitlyn MoorheadAugust 15, 2025 at 2:07 AM Zorica Nastasic / Getty Images Savvy shoppers know that timing is everything.

- - The Best Times of Year To Make Big-Ticket Purchases

Caitlyn MoorheadAugust 15, 2025 at 2:07 AM

Zorica Nastasic / Getty Images

Savvy shoppers know that timing is everything. Outside of a strong savings plan, you can give your budget a boost by strategizing the best time of year to make large purchases. Sure, everyday items can be grabbed on the go, but things like cars and appliances can require more strategic planning.

Check Out: 9 Downsizing Tips for the Middle Class To Save on Monthly Expenses

Read Next: 8 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000

Money experts agree that the best time to make a large purchase depends on the item. Different shopping holidays can bring steep discounts, as retailers aim to hit sales targets and clear out inventory. Understanding these seasonal trends can help you stretch your dollars further.

Here's your month-by-month guide to the best times of year to make large purchases–and how to shop smart while doing it.

Trending Now: Suze Orman's Secret to a Wealthy Retirement--Have You Made This Money Move?

Spring and Summer

Expect deals on furniture, appliances, clothing and other items during holiday weekends like Memorial Day, Labor Day and Fourth of July. Don't forget that Amazon Prime Day is also typically in July, which makes for a much less expensive online shopping spree. Not only can you get a wide variety of clothing and everyday items at low prices, but you can also find deals on more expensive items.

Tools: Father's Day in June is an excellent time to buy tools at reduced prices. Power tools can cost a pretty penny, but getting a discount during a Memorial Day sale could help you buy Dad everything he deserves at a fraction of the price.

Furniture: Prime months for couches, tables, chairs and more are during the spring and summer because new furniture designs typically arrive in stores in February and August, prompting discounts on older models.

Mattresses: Mattresses are usually on sale during holiday weekends such as Memorial Day and Labor Day. Keep in mind that some of the best deals also appear during year-end sales when trying to restock new inventory. However, the most common discount occurs during the two holiday weekends bookending spring and summer.

Outdoor gear: As summer ends, outdoor products are often discounted in September and October to clear the decks for winter merchandise. This means summer is the best time to buy these items for the next season you'll need them.

Learn More: 8 Frugal Habits You Should Never Quit, According to Frugal Living Expert Austin Williams

Fall and Winter

The last quarter of the year, which typically includes October, November, and December, stands out as the optimal period for making many major purchases. People will line up or make sure they are online when big Black Friday sales and Cyber Monday deals go live.

Not only is this a great time for buying electronics, but also to kickstart the holiday shopping season with a bang. Here are just a few big purchases you'll want to wait for discounts on before purchasing.

Cars: Late December is particularly beneficial for car buyers. Dealerships are under pressure to meet year-end sales quotas and clear out old inventory, offering substantial discounts.

Homes: Typically, the housing market cools down in the fall and winter months, starting in October and extending into February. Sellers during this period are often more motivated, potentially leading to better deals for buyers.

Appliances: Look for significant markdowns during November and December as stores push holiday sales and clear out old stock to make room for new models. The colder months also see less competition among buyers, which can result in lower prices and a less stressful buying experience.

Electronics: Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which fall in November, are famous for extraordinary deals on electronics. Back-to-school promotions in late summer can also offer good savings.

Jewelry: After the Christmas holiday rush, expect prices to go down in January when demand wanes.

Final Take To GO

Though most retailers offer sales throughout the year, the holidays (before, after and during) can be the best time to make your next big purchase. Understanding these timing strategies not only helps in planning financially, but it also ensures you get the best value for your money.

byCosmopolite

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August 15, 2025

The Best Times of Year To Make Big-Ticket Purchases

The Best Times of Year To Make BigTicket Purchases Caitlyn MoorheadAugust 15, 2025 at 2:07 AM Zorica Nastasic / Getty Images Savvy...

I Asked ChatGPT What Would Happen If Billionaires Paid Taxes at the Same Rate as the Upper Middle Class Jordan RosenfeldAugust 15, 2025 at 2:07 AM JIM LO SCALZO / EPAEFE / iStock.com There are many questions that don't have simple answers, either because they're too complex or they're hypothetical.

- - I Asked ChatGPT What Would Happen If Billionaires Paid Taxes at the Same Rate as the Upper Middle Class

Jordan RosenfeldAugust 15, 2025 at 2:07 AM

JIM LO SCALZO / EPA-EFE / iStock.com

There are many questions that don't have simple answers, either because they're too complex or they're hypothetical. One such question is what it might mean for billionaires to pay taxes at the same rate as the upper middle class, whose income starts, on average, at around $168,000, depending on where you live.

Find Out: I Asked ChatGPT What Would Happen If Billionaires Paid Taxes at the Same Rate as the Middle Class

Read Next: Use This Checklist to See if Your Family Is Financially Secure

ChatGPT may not be an oracle, but it can analyze information and offer trends and patterns, so I asked it what would happen if billionaires were required to pay anywhere near as much as the upper middle class. Here's what it said.

Trending Now: Suze Orman's Secret to a Wealthy Retirement--Have You Made This Money Move?

A Fatter Government Larder

For starters, ChatGPT said that if billionaires paid taxes like the upper middle class, the government would bring in a lot more money — potentially hundreds of billions of dollars more every year. "That's because most billionaires don't make their money from salaries like upper-middle-class workers do. Instead, they grow their wealth through investments–stocks, real estate, and businesses–which are often taxed at much lower rates or not taxed at all until the assets are sold," ChatGPT told me.

Billionaire income is largely derived from capital appreciation, not wages. In other words, they make money on their money through interest. And as of yet, the U.S. tax code doesn't tax "unrealized capital gains" so until you sell your assets, you could amass millions in appreciation and not pay a dime on it, ChatGPT shared.

Learn More: What Trump's New Tax Law Means for Upper-Middle-Class Families in 2025

What Do Billionaires Pay in Taxes?

Right now, many billionaires pay an effective tax rate of around 8% or less, thanks to loopholes and tax strategies. Meanwhile, upper-middle-class households earning, say, $250,000 might pay around 20% to 24% of their income in taxes. (Keep in mind that the government doesn't apply one tax bracket to all income. You pay tax in layers, according to the IRS. As your income goes up, the tax rate on the next layer of income is higher. So you pay 12% on the first $47,150, then 22% on $47,151 to $100,525 and so on).

So, if billionaires were taxed at the same rate as those upper-middle-class wage earners, "it would level the playing field–and raise a ton of revenue that could be used for things like infrastructure, education or healthcare," ChatGPT said.

The Impact on Wealth Equality

I wondered if taxing billionaires could have any kind of impact on wealth equality, as well. While it wouldn't put more money in other people's pockets, "it could increase trust in the tax system, showing that the wealthiest aren't playing by a different set of rules," ChatGPT said.

It would also help curb "the accumulation of dynastic wealth," where the richest families essentially hoard wealth for generations without contributing proportionally to the system.

But it's not a magic bullet. "Wealth inequality is rooted in more than just taxes–wages, education access, housing costs, and corporate ownership all play a role," ChatGPT said.

Billionaires paying taxes doesn't stop them from being billionaires, either, it pointed out.

Taxing Billionaires Is Not That Simple

While in theory billionaires paying higher taxes "would shift a much bigger share of the tax burden onto the very wealthy," ChatGPT wrote, billionaires are not as liquid as they may seem.

"A lot of billionaire wealth is tied up in things like stocks they don't sell, so taxing that would require big changes to how the tax code works."

Also, billionaires are good at finding loopholes and account strategies — it might be hard to enforce.

What's a Good Middle Ground?

We don't live in a black and white world, however. There's got to be a middle ground, so I asked ChatGPT if there is a way to tax billionaires more, even if it's not quite how the upper middle class are taxed.

A likely compromise would come from a policy decision, which isn't likely to be forthcoming anytime soon. President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill only offered more tax breaks to the wealthiest. However, policy proposals that have been floated, include:

A minimum tax on billionaires where they might pay around 20% of their overall income

Limiting deductions and closing tax loopholes that allow them to significantly reduce taxable income

Tax unrealized gains (those assets that have only earned but not yet been sold), gradually.

ChatGPT agreed that billionaires could pay more than they currently do, even if they don't pay exactly what upper-middle-class workers pay in percentage terms. "The key is to design policies that are fair, enforceable, and politically feasible."

I asked how realistic such policy proposals are, and ChatGPT told me what I already knew: They're "moderately realistic" but only with the "right political alignment."

byCosmopolite

in

August 15, 2025

I Asked ChatGPT What Would Happen If Billionaires Paid Taxes at the Same Rate as the Upper Middle Class

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