The hottest Income Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Finance Topics

Economics Links, 3/11/2026

In My Tribe • 318 implied HN points • 11 Mar 26
💼 Business Income
  1. The population is aging rapidly, creating huge demand for long-term care, soaring costs, and a shortage of direct-care workers that will make care unaffordable for many people.
  2. Median earnings for young men have risen substantially from 1989 to 2024, challenging the idea that younger men are broadly worse off in terms of wages.
  3. There’s a debate over funding and incentives: bundling subscriptions could help consumers but may undercut top creators and change incentives, while large-scale philanthropy can lack market discipline compared with investing in businesses or supporting local charities.

Labor Force Trends: Per-Adult vs. Per Capita

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 147 implied HN points • 04 Mar 26
💼 Business Income
  1. Which denominator you use matters: per-adult and per-capita measures can tell very different stories for both housing and the labor market. Picking the wrong one hides important demographic shifts and can lead to wrong conclusions.
  2. Since about 2008 there was a sharp break in household formation that reversed the long post‑WWII decline in adults per family household, and smaller families (fewer children) mask that reversal when you look per capita; some evidence suggests high housing costs helped drive the fertility decline.
  3. On labor, workers per capita have been flat or higher because fewer children offset retirements, so the employment‑population ratio makes the coming retirement wave look more dramatic than a per‑capita view does; still, more retirees will change consumption patterns and economic burdens.

Yes, Americans are much richer than Japanese people

Noahpinion • 28353 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
💰 Finance Income
  1. Americans generally have a higher standard of living compared to Japanese people, especially when you look at their salaries. Even though Japan has a strong economy, many people earn significantly less than their American counterparts, especially for starting jobs.
  2. Living standards in Japan might seem appealing due to factors like safety and good public transportation, but these benefits can be overshadowed by long working hours and less leisure time. While Japan is safe and has beautiful cities, many people still work hard and face economic struggles.
  3. While GDP can show how wealthy a country is, it doesn't capture everything about quality of life. Americans have access to more modern conveniences and have higher average salaries, but Japan offers a safer and healthier living environment, which makes comparing them more complicated.

Top Links 945 Why the US feels so expensive. The electrotech solution space. The history of degrowth & the most remote village in China.

Chartbook • 414 implied HN points • 08 Dec 25
💰 Finance Income
  1. People are feeling like living in the US is getting more expensive because the income needed for a comfortable life keeps rising.
  2. The topic of degrowth looks at how reducing consumption can be beneficial for the environment and society.
  3. There are fascinating insights about remote places, like the most isolated village in China, showing how different lifestyles exist around the world.
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Why I Gave Up Solo Freelancing And You Should Too.

VERY GOOD PRODUCTIZED GUIDES • 79 implied HN points • 26 Aug 24
💼 Business Income
  1. Freelancing offers flexibility, but it can also mean you have to work constantly, even when you're not feeling well. There can be no breaks without risking your income.
  2. Life changes can force you to reevaluate your work style, like having to care for a family member or dealing with personal health issues. It shows that relying solely on freelancing can lead to financial instability.
  3. Building a business that runs independently allows you to have more freedom. By outsourcing tasks, you can focus on what you love and still earn money, instead of trading your time for every dollar.

How Much Money Can You Make Writing on Medium in 2024?

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 1099 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
💼 Business Income
  1. You can make money writing on Medium, but it takes time, effort, and a good strategy. Many writers don't succeed because they rush or lack a clear plan.
  2. Medium has a large potential audience and a payment program that can benefit writers. However, most writers earn less than $100 a month because they don't utilize this platform effectively.
  3. Many new writers quit after a year due to slow growth and unrealistic expectations. It's important to stay committed and focus on improving your writing and promotion strategies.

How to determine your own value

The Shift With Sam Baker • 1118 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Income
  1. Value can be determined by more than just money, accolades, or others' opinions.
  2. It's important to question societal norms that undervalue certain types of work or individuals.
  3. Many creative, self-employed individuals, especially women, often face the expectation to work for free despite their expertise and experience.

Why Cash Isn’t Truly King: Cash Transfers, Opportunity, & Real Engines of Transformation

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 384 implied HN points • 20 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Income
  1. Cash alone doesn't solve poverty. It helps with short-term comfort but doesn't lead to big changes in people's lives or opportunities.
  2. Building skills and connections is crucial. Opportunity comes from investing in education and forming networks, not just having money.
  3. Programs that provide resources for education and health have a larger impact on long-term success than cash payments. It's about creating an environment that supports growth.

Do/Don't Give Me Money

Yassine Meskhout • 393 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
💼 Business Income
  1. The writer turned on paid subscriptions, but values being read over being paid and doesn't plan to put writing behind a paywall.
  2. The writer mentions not needing money due to getting paid well in their job, expressing gratitude for readers' interests and potential financial support for more writing time.
  3. The writer's writing schedule is irregular due to their job, but hopes it can become financially sustainable in the future to write full-time.

Some thoughts on the Substack controversy

The Watch • 2631 implied HN points • 27 Dec 23
💼 Business Income
  1. Substack has faced controversy over hosting white supremacists and other objectionable content
  2. Switching platforms can be risky for content creators like the author due to potential loss of subscribers and audience
  3. The author suggests direct support via other payment methods for those who want to support writers on Substack without contributing to the company

On Substack (sigh)

Notes from a Small Press • 79 implied HN points • 18 Nov 25
💼 Business Income
  1. Substack has faced criticism and controversies over its policies, leading many writers and readers to leave or stop using the platform. This has created a divide among newsletter creators regarding where to publish.
  2. Many writers rely on Substack for income, and leaving the platform could significantly hurt their earnings. This makes it tough for some to decide whether to stay or leave because the options out there might not be any better.
  3. The idea of creating a newsletter co-op, where writers could collaborate and bundle their subscriptions, was interesting but faced challenges in gaining interest. Without more options for writers, the future of independent newsletters seems uncertain.

How Low Wages Made Japan A Deficit Addict

Japan Economy Watch • 339 implied HN points • 07 Dec 23
💰 Finance Income
  1. Low wages in Japan lead to decreased consumer purchasing power, causing a need for government intervention through deficit spending.
  2. Household income in Japan has been declining over the years, affecting consumer spending and economic growth.
  3. Government deficits in Japan are used to finance consumer spending and support the economy due to stagnant wages and decreased savings.

Is Aging Behind Japan’s Drop in Consumer Spending?

Japan Economy Watch • 339 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
💰 Finance Income
  1. Aging is not the main reason for Japan's declining consumption, which is partly due to a decrease in the number of people and stagnant or falling income.
  2. Spending per capita dropped 1.3% from 2012 to 2022 despite an increase in GDP, indicating a complex mix of factors contributing to the decline.
  3. Economies of scale play a significant role in the spending habits of seniors, who end up spending about 7% more per person compared to younger households.

Americans' Incomes Are Rising Too Fast for 2% Inflation

The Overshoot • 393 implied HN points • 25 Feb 23
💰 Finance Income
  1. Americans' incomes have been rising rapidly, with a 10% increase in disposable income since last summer.
  2. This rise in income is leading to concerns about potential inflation, as increased spending may outpace production.
  3. The surge in employment income is a key factor in driving consumer spending and could impact inflation rates.

I Write One Article Every Month And Get $2,000 Easily

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 779 implied HN points • 13 Oct 22
💼 Business Income
  1. Writing regularly can help you earn money, like making $2,000 monthly by just one article a month. It's a simple way to make some extra cash.
  2. Many people look for quick ways to earn money, thinking they can make it easily. However, success often takes time and effort.
  3. When you see claims of high earnings from minimal work, remember that it usually starts slow and builds up over time. Don't be fooled by the easy money talk.

House Prices to Income

CalculatedRisk Newsletter • 47 implied HN points • 04 Nov 25
💰 Finance Income
  1. House prices compared to incomes are important to track, but income data often comes out late and can be misleading. It's tricky to decide which income figures to use for accurate comparisons.
  2. The median household income increased to $83,730 in 2024, showing growth from the previous year. This change can affect how we view housing affordability.
  3. Currently, house prices are still high compared to historical averages, which means buying a home might be more expensive than usual. They're not far from the peaks seen during the housing bubble.

Top Links 641 The UK's trade deficit with the US. Low-income growth in the USA. How electrification stalled. "M: son of the century" and "The new us".

Chartbook • 314 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
💰 Finance Income
  1. The UK has a unique trade relationship where it imports more from the US than it exports, leading to a trade deficit. This is unusual for a developed country.
  2. Low-income growth in the USA is a significant issue, highlighting economic challenges faced by many. It's affecting overall prosperity and living standards.
  3. Electrification efforts have hit a roadblock, indicating that progress in energy transition is not happening as fast as needed. This could impact future sustainability initiatives.

Hayek, republican freedom, and the minimum income

Hypertext • 139 implied HN points • 15 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Income
  1. Milton Friedman supported unconditional cash transfers as a solution to poverty in a market economy.
  2. Hayek's republican freedom theory emphasized the importance of free markets and limited government as well as the need for a minimum income to safeguard individual freedom.
  3. Although Hayek did not endorse a Universal Basic Income (UBI), his principles offer a strong argument for a social safety net in the form of unconditional cash transfers.

AAVE Part 2 - Valuation Methodology and Q&A Is Open!

DeFi Education • 1278 implied HN points • 19 Jul 21
🔮 Crypto Income
  1. AAVE earns most of its money by charging interest on loans, much like a traditional bank. This means that understanding interest rates is key to their success.
  2. Valuing AAVE involves analyzing its potential for growth and how well it can generate income in the future. This is important for investors to know before putting money in.
  3. There is an opportunity for discussion and questions about AAVE's valuation, indicating that community engagement is encouraged. People are invited to join in and share their thoughts.

This is the dream

Odds and Ends of History • 804 implied HN points • 01 Aug 23
💼 Business Income
  1. The author is considering launching a paid tier on Substack to support their writing.
  2. They have calculated that converting a small percentage of their subscribers could make it financially viable.
  3. If the paid tier is launched, the author plans to alternate free and paid content and provide additional posts for subscribers.

Your payslip - explained

Concepts of Finance 🧠 • 179 implied HN points • 24 May 23
💰 Finance Income
  1. Many people struggle to understand their payslip, which is a common document. Knowing how to read it can reduce anxiety about money matters.
  2. A payslip contains important information like your gross pay, deductions, and net pay. Gross pay is what you earn before deductions, and net pay is what you take home.
  3. Payslips often include abbreviation codes for pay and deductions. It's helpful to know these terms to fully understand your earnings and any deductions from your pay.

What Kishida Should Have Done On Wages, Taxes

Japan Economy Watch • 299 implied HN points • 15 Jun 22
💰 Finance Income
  1. Stagnant incomes in Japan are primarily due to the gap between corporate and household incomes, with corporations hoarding profits instead of reinvesting in the economy through wage hikes, investment, or taxes.
  2. The failure of corporations to fulfill promises of raising wages after receiving tax cuts highlights the need for better enforcement of existing laws mandating equal pay and potential increases in the minimum wage to improve living standards and consumer demand.
  3. Rolling back corporate tax cuts and using resulting revenue gains to reduce consumption tax could lead to a fairer income distribution between companies and households, addressing the imbalance in income growth and stimulating economic growth.

GDP Disappoints in Fourth Quarter

Japan Economy Watch • 139 implied HN points • 14 Feb 23
💰 Finance Income
  1. Japan's GDP growth in the fourth quarter of 2022 was below expectations, growing at only 0.6% annually.
  2. Over the past 15 years, Japan has experienced very slow economic growth, with private demand remaining weak and government spending being the main contributor to GDP growth.
  3. While Japan's population decline has had some impact, the country's GDP per capita has still increased at a slow rate, indicating deeper economic issues.

Divorcing for Liberty Sanity

The False Consensus Effect • 59 implied HN points • 12 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Income
  1. The author suggests embracing voluntary poverty as a way to protest against governments and their harmful actions.
  2. Poverty can be a creative way to navigate life, leading to self-sufficiency and alternate sources of income.
  3. Living below the poverty line is proposed as a form of resistance against contributing to unethical government actions and military spending.

A Pyramid of Inequality

Dada Drummer Almanach • 327 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🎶 Music Income
  1. The majority of tracks on music streaming platforms receive little to no streams, affecting artist royalties.
  2. Even popular tracks earn very little from streaming platforms due to low royalty rates.
  3. A more equitable distribution of streaming revenue is needed to support working musicians.

Shut up and Build!

Play Permissionless • 99 implied HN points • 12 Jan 23
💼 Business Income
  1. Focusing on building and taking action can lead to concrete results and improvements in income.
  2. Building a service first, then turning internal tools into standalone products can provide value and stable cash flow.
  3. Taking a step back from the 'indie hacker game' mindset and following a proven playbook of service-oriented growth can lead to more sustainable success.

Does A Weak Yen Really Help Japan?

Japan Economy Watch • 199 implied HN points • 12 Feb 22
💰 Finance Income
  1. A weak yen has atrophied Japan's economic muscles as it relies on it like a crutch, impacting household income and overall economic growth negatively.
  2. Japan's export-driven growth fueled by a weak yen contrasts with Korea's growth driven by innovative products and efficiency improvements, leading to a significant difference in economic performance.
  3. The weak yen raises import prices and benefits big companies over consumers, showing how it indirectly transfers income and highlights the impact on inflation and household spending.

Conversation On Japan's Economic Vulnerability

Japan Economy Watch • 119 implied HN points • 08 Jul 22
💰 Finance Income
  1. In Japan, household income growth has shifted significantly towards relying on government transfers rather than private sector income, impacting consumer spending.
  2. The consumption share of real GDP in Japan has declined over the years, impacting economic growth and potentially leading to weaker consumption patterns.
  3. Japanese consumers have drastically reduced their saving rates, shifting towards a trend of living hand-to-mouth, which has implications on personal finances and economic stability.

Why Wages Slowed More In Japan Than Elsewhere

Japan Economy Watch • 159 implied HN points • 13 Dec 21
💰 Finance Income
  1. Wages in Japan have not just slowed down but actually fallen, unlike in other rich countries where wages have been suppressed.
  2. The widespread slump in wage growth goes against economic theory, signaling a shift in how consumer demand and wages have traditionally grown alongside output.
  3. One main reason for Japan's wage decline is the rise of poorly paid non-regular workers, showcasing the impact of political factors on wage disparities.

Another Follow-Up Against Agglomeration

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 105 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
💰 Finance Income
  1. The mortgage crackdown post-2008 led to a housing shortage, impacting construction of single-family homes in different cities.
  2. There is a correlation between the drop in construction activity after 2008 and metro area incomes, where lower income areas experienced a greater decline.
  3. Trends suggest housing constraints may lead to higher incomes, impacting new single-family home construction and mortgage lending standards across different cities.

The 15 Hour Work Week

Inland Nobody • 80 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
💰 Finance Income
  1. Keynes predicted a 15-hour work week due to wealth and free time.
  2. Living off 15 hours of work a week is feasible with basic needs met.
  3. Working more is a choice for better lifestyles and higher standards of living.

Why I keep talking about “bottom-half” men

Sex and the State • 26 implied HN points • 26 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Income
  1. The term 'bottom-half' refers to people in the lower half of social status based on income, education, and wealth. It's a way to discuss the challenges faced by those with less power.
  2. There is a growing gap between the top and bottom halves of society, making it increasingly important to talk about the experiences of the bottom-half. These experiences can be very different from those in the top-half.
  3. Many factors that determine someone's place in society are beyond their control, and understanding this can help us avoid blaming individuals for systemic issues.

We all deserve to be rich

Klement on Investing • 1 implied HN point • 21 Feb 25
💰 Finance Income
  1. Rich people often believe they deserve their wealth and should pay less taxes, while poor people think wealthy individuals should pay more. This shows a big difference in attitudes based on personal wealth.
  2. When people become wealthy through effort, they feel they earned it and support lower taxes. Surprisingly, even those who get rich by luck, like winning a lottery, also argue for lower taxes on their wealth.
  3. After people become wealthy, they often stop considering ideas about sharing wealth or paying higher taxes. They tend to seek out information that supports their own views, ignoring arguments for helping those less fortunate.

Housing Can’t Be Affordable and an Investment

Good Reason • 3 HN points • 27 Feb 24
💰 Finance Income
  1. US housing has become extremely expensive, with a median single family home selling for over $400K and prices rising more than 7% annually since 2012.
  2. If housing prices continue to rise at 7% annually, they'll nearly double in 10 years and nearly quadruple in 20 years, making homes unaffordable for many.
  3. Treating housing as an investment has consequences, creating an underclass unable to afford homes and pushing more people into debt, cramped living situations, and even homelessness.