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It’s been more than five years since the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the U.S. unemployment rate seems to have settled down for the most part after an April 2020 high of nearly 15%.

After the rate hovered between 3% and 4% between 2022 and 2024, it has slightly increased since the start of 2025. The latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics has the nationwide rate at 4.6%. December 2025 saw more bad news, as the total number of layoffs reached one million for the first year since 2020.

Why Are Layoffs Increasing?

One of the primary reasons for the increase in layoffs has been the continued adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), with companies surveyed in a report by Challenger, Gray & Christmas citing it as the cause of nearly 55,000 layoffs since January 2025. Another common reason for layoffs in 2025 was restructuring, which is a broad term that companies can use in numerous situations.

More reasons for the gradual increase in layoffs include economic uncertainty over tariffs, general macroeconomic conditions, and impacts from the Department of Government Efficiency cuts. DOGE alone is responsible for nearly 300,000 layoffs in 2025. PeopleFinders examines where people in the U.S. are experiencing the highest unemployment rate increases.

12 Locations Americans Are Experiencing the Most Job Disruption

Although the national unemployment rate has risen over the past year, some metropolitan areas are seeing decreased unemployment. Job markets are strong in Oklahoma, Indiana, Alabama, and Nebraska, for instance.

Other areas are not as lucky. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more U.S. metros with a population of at least one million lost jobs between July 2024 and July 2025. Twelve of those large metros had unemployment rates increase by at least half a percentage point in that time span.

1. Cleveland, Ohio

Among the nation’s 56 largest metros, Cleveland saw the highest unemployment rate increase (0.8%) between July 2024 and July 2025. The rate today stands at around 5.2%. Manufacturing and hospitality jobs have taken a hit in the Cuyahoga region, and college graduates have found it more difficult to secure white-collar jobs.

2. Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, Oregon-Washington

While Seattle’s unemployment rate held steady, its neighbor to the south, Portland, hasn’t bee

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No matter how you feel about AI, one important thing to consider is that AI can be extremely valuable—if you know how to use it correctly.

For instance, if you input a generic ask like “What’s the rental market like?”, you’re going to get a very generic answer. The key to AI is being as specific as possible when wording your questions—and also cross-referencing AI-generated content with other sources!

To help you dip your toes into the pool of AI and refine your searching skills, RentRedi explored 20 AI prompts landlords may find useful.

20 Useful AI Prompts for Independent Landlords

1. “What are the current rental market trends in [City/ZIP Code]?”

• This can help rental owners set competitive rent prices and plan for supply/demand changes.

2. “What landlord-tenant laws should I be aware of in [State]?”

• It’s important for landlords to stay up-to-date on shifting state laws that pertain to rental properties.

3. “How do I write a legally sound lease agreement for [State]?”

• Along with consulting a real estate lawyer, this can ensure your lease is enforceable and protects your interests.

4. “What are the best ways to screen tenants legally and effectively?”

• Good screening habits can help you choose better tenants, reducing the risk of late payments or evictions.

5. “What tax deductions can landlords claim in [Current Tax Year]?”

• Understanding what qualifies as deductions ahead of time can help landlords plan accordingly to maximize profit by reducing taxable income.

6. What technology should I use to run my rental business?

• Use this prompt to learn about various technologies, from security and energy efficient tech to property management software, that can help optimize your rentals.

7. “How can I estimate the ROI on a rental property investment?”

• To ensure potential investments will generate positive cash flow, try an AI prompt for landlords like this one to help determine your ROI.

8. “What are the most common tenant complaints, and how can I prevent them?”

• Maintenance can be one of the biggest points of friction between landlords and tenants.

9. “What’s the best time of year to list a rental property?”

• If you know the best time of year to list a rental property, you can optimize marketing efforts and timing to reduce turnaround time.

10. “What’s a good move-in/move-out checklist for landlords?”

• This AI prompt for landlords can help protect you from disputes over property conditions and security deposits. Make sure you’re always conducting thorough inspections of your rental properties to ensure any issues are remedied sooner rather than

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Congratulations, you’ve received a job offer that includes equity compensation. Getting an equity grant is always exciting, but before you go on a spending spree, you need to understand what you’re actually getting. Too many job candidates accept equity packages without asking the right questions, only to discover later that their “valuable” equity grant isn’t really worth what they thought.

When job seekers truly understand their equity compensation—including vesting mechanics and realistic valuation scenarios—they make better decisions and join companies with appropriate expectations. This benefits everyone: new employees, recruiters, and hiring managers.

With this in mind, Pave, a compensation intelligence platform used by more than 8,600 companies, shares five important things you need to know about any equity award before signing on the dotted line.

What Type of Equity Award Am I Getting?

Every equity award vehicle, or equity type, works in unique ways and has different financial implications for employees. This story will focus on the two most common award vehicles: stock options and restricted stock units (RSUs).

Stock options, which are most commonly used at early stage private companies, give you the right to buy company shares in the future at a fixed price (i.e., the “strike price”) once certain vesting requirements are met. However, these awards can lose their value if the company’s stock price drops below the strike price.

Meanwhile, RSUs, which are most commonly used at late-stage private companies and public companies, represent shares in the company you will receive once certain vesting requirements are met. RSUs always have some value so long as the company remains in business.

Digging a bit deeper, there are also different types of stock options to be aware of, which have specific tax implications. Incentive stock options (ISOs) offer preferential tax treatment to employees but come with certain restrictions. In contrast, nonqualified stock options (NQSOs) are more flexible but create ordinary income tax when they are exercised. RSUs are taxed as ordinary income when they vest, even if shares are not sold.

Understanding the type of equity award you’re about to receive will help you set realistic expectations and plan for taxable events. Don’t assume all equity awards work the same way, and it is always wise to consult with a tax professional before receiving or selling equity.

The vesting schedule of your equity award determines when you actually get your equity. When stock options vest, you have the right to exercise your options and get shares, and when RSUs vest, you instantly become a shareholder.

Vesting schedules vary widely. At private technology companies, awards typically have a four-year overall vesting period with shares earned at different intervals over that timeframe. At public technology companies, the prevalence of awards with three-year vesting periods is climbing.

Pay particular attention to so-called “cliff vesting” events in your awards, as they represent significant financial risk if you leave or

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Anyone who drives a car understands the sting of having to fill up their tank and pulling into the gas station, only to discover that gas prices have skyrocketed. Paying extra for gas means you have less to spend on other things, which, over time, can really put a crimp in your budget.

Cheap Insurance explored some of the reasons behind major changes in gas prices, and compiled a list of the cheapest gas stations in every state using data from Gas Buddy.

Gas prices fluctuate based on several factors, including the cost of the key ingredient, crude oil, as well as the available supply and demand for gasoline. If the price of oil rises, a major refinery goes offline, or more drivers are hitting the road, for example, then the cost will increase.

In the first half of 2022, a unique confluence of events led to a surge in gas prices. The increased demand stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and a slowdown in oil production all contributed to a national all-time high of $4.93 per gallon on average in June 2022.

Seasons also affect gas prices. Demand tends to drop in winter, but the cost also falls because gas stations switch to a different blend of gasoline that’s optimal for lower temperatures—and has cheaper ingredients.

Location also matters. The South and Midwest tend to have the lowest gas prices, while the West, including Hawai’i, has the highest. Californians, in particular, pay more for gas on average than any other state. That’s because of its high state excise taxes; its isolation from the country’s major pipelines, which causes supply issues; and its requirements that mandate a more environmentally friendly blend of gas that costs more to produce and adds to the price per gallon.

No matter where you live, read on to see if you can get a deal on gas near you.

Alabama
#1. Chevron (4426 Higgins Rd, Mobile): $2.09
#2. Clark (7413 Old Pascagoula Rd, Theodore): $2.15
#3. Chevron (101 Saraland Blvd N, Saraland): $2.18

Alaska
#1. Costco (48 College Rd, Fairbanks): $3.06
#2. Grizzly Ridge (18280 Sterling Hwy, Cooper Landing): $3.11
#3. Speedway Express (3679 College Rd, Fairbanks): $3.14

Arizona
#1. Shell (405 W Speedway Blvd, Tucson): $2.19
#1. ARCO (802 W Speedway Blvd, Tucson): $2.19
#3. Costco (1650 E Tucson Marketplace Blvd, Tucson): $2.25

Arkansas
#1. Valero (8110 Sheridan Rd , White Hall): $1.99
#2. Sam’s Club (7700 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith): $2.08
#3. Valero (9225 US-270, White Hall): $2.09

California
#1. EZ Trip (1451 S Madera Ave, Madera): $3.19
#1. Texaco (1434 W Yosemite Ave, Manteca): $3.19
#3. Yokut Gas Station (17051 Jersey Ave, Lemoore): $3.20

Colorado
#1. Shell (4075 Austin Bluffs Pkwy, Colorado Springs): $1.67
#2. Murphy Express (4010 Lee Vance Dr., Colorado Springs): $1.69

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When Americans think about retirement, they tend to focus on housing, travel, and daily living expenses. What often gets overlooked is healthcare, which is one of the highest and most unpredictable costs retirees face.

According to Fidelity, the average 65-year-old retiring today needs about $172,500 to cover their own healthcare expenses in retirement. That estimate excludes long-term care and can be significantly higher for people with complex medical needs. As healthcare costs rise faster than inflation and Americans live longer, the financial impact of medical care in retirement is difficult to ignore.

Yet despite the size of the expense, many retirees fail to plan for healthcare until it’s too late.

Why healthcare costs catch retirees off guard

Healthcare spending in retirement is difficult to estimate. Premiums increase, medical needs change, and coverage options are complex. American retirees are faced with thousands of different Medicare plan options, and comparing them is overwhelming. Mistakes are common and can cost people thousands of dollars each year.

The good news: Retirees who plan ahead and make smart choices can significantly reduce their healthcare costs. Below, My OTC by Chapter shares important steps you can take to offset the cost of healthcare in retirement.

Build healthcare into your retirement budget

If you’re not yet retired, make sure healthcare is a dedicated line item in your retirement budget. While it’s impossible to predict exactly how much you’ll spend—due to changing premiums, inflation, and unexpected health needs—using an average estimate like the $172,500 figure quoted by Fidelity can provide a helpful baseline.

Planning for healthcare early helps prevent surprises and reduces the likelihood of having to cut back on other retirement goals.

Use health savings accounts strategically

Health savings accounts (HSAs) remain one of the most tax-efficient ways to pay for healthcare in retirement. Funds can be used tax-free for qualified medical expenses, including Medicare Part B premiums.

If you’re still contributing, maximizing HSA savings before retirement can provide a dedicated pool of healthcare funds for later in life.

Make smart Medicare decisions

Medicare provides tremendous value to U.S. retirees. Unfortunately, many people are overwhelmed by the number of Medicare options available, and making the wrong choice can cost you thousands of dollars every year. As a result, many retirees seek guidance from licensed Medicare agents to make sense of the system and choose the right coverage.

Choose the right coverage for your needs

Choosing between Original Medicare and