The hottest Income Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Finance Topics

Yes, Americans are much richer than Japanese people

Noahpinion • 28353 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
💰 Finance Economics Wealth 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.

Freedom to write, freedom to research, to do something together: An interview with Ruth Ben-Ghiat 

read • 10220 implied HN points • 31 Jul 23
🚌 Education Academia Research Writing Income Feedback
  1. Scholars on Substack are reaching new audiences and earning income for their research and writing.
  2. Substack provides academics like Ruth Ben-Ghiat with financial freedom to pursue public-interfacing research.
  3. Academic writers use Substack for engaging with readers, testing new ideas, and shaping their research through feedback.

Why I Gave Up Solo Freelancing And You Should Too.

VERY GOOD PRODUCTIZED GUIDES • 79 implied HN points • 26 Aug 24
💼 Business Freelancing Entrepreneurship Outsourcing Income Work Life
  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 Writing Income Content creation Online Platforms Freelancing
  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.

Some thoughts on the Substack controversy

The Watch • 2631 implied HN points • 27 Dec 23
💼 Business Controversy Monetization Platform Subscription 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
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Why I keep talking about “bottom-half” men

Sex and the State • 26 implied HN points • 26 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social Issues Inequality Education 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.

Do/Don't Give Me Money

Yassine Meskhout • 393 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
💼 Business Freelancing Monetization Writing Income Sustainability
  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.

How Low Wages Made Japan A Deficit Addict

Japan Economy Watch • 339 implied HN points • 07 Dec 23
💰 Finance Economy Government Income Investment Taxation
  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 Consumer spending Aging Income Savings Healthcare
  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 Economics Inflation Income Savings Employment
  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 Writing Income Freelancing Content creation
  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.

Hayek, republican freedom, and the minimum income

Hypertext • 139 implied HN points • 15 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Welfare Economics Libertarianism 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 Blockchain DeFi Investing Valuation 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.

Another Follow-Up Against Agglomeration

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 105 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
💰 Finance Economics Housing Income Construction Mortgage
  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.

Your payslip - explained

Concepts of Finance 🧠 • 179 implied HN points • 24 May 23
💰 Finance Personal Finance Income Taxes Payroll Financial Education
  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 Economy Taxes Income Distribution Corporations
  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 Economics GDP Population Income Investment
  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 Government Poverty Ethics Activism 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.

Shut up and Build!

Play Permissionless • 99 implied HN points • 12 Jan 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Startups Income Product Development
  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 Economics Currency Trade Income Inflation
  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 Economy Consumption Income Savings Government spending
  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 Wages Economic Theory Labor Market Income Wealth
  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.

Housing Can’t Be Affordable and an Investment

Good Reason • 3 HN points • 27 Feb 24
💰 Finance Housing Market Investment Wealth Inflation 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.

Capital Gains are Labor Income

Something to Consider • 0 implied HN points • 27 Apr 22
💰 Finance Taxation Investment Income Economic Policy
  1. Capital gains should be taxed like regular income because all investments require effort and analysis. It's unfair to give special tax breaks to those who already have wealth.
  2. Investing isn't just sitting back and earning money; it involves making decisions and taking risks. Therefore, it shouldn’t be treated so differently from labor income in tax policy.
  3. While there are suggestions to change how investment taxes work, confusing definitions of investments make it complicated. A simpler solution would be to treat all earnings as labor income and reduce advantages for the wealthy.

Vector Lab in collaboration with Avery Corp: Special Research Report: Getting Rich Quick

Do Not Research • 0 implied HN points • 15 Oct 22
💰 Finance Investing Income Risk management Promotions Collaboration
  1. The research aimed to find ways to get rich quick through novel schemes rather than going for traditional jobs or hustles.
  2. There are distinctions between scams and schemes, with schemes focusing on exploiting systems instead of individuals.
  3. One profitable scheme discussed in the research is 'gambling promotion arbitrage' which involves taking advantage of 'risk free bet' offers from different sportsbooks.