It's a tough balance, enjoying one's youth like there's no tomorrow but also putting away some savings in case there is. As a Gen Xer, I recall getting my paycheck on Fridays and immediately heading to Sunset Boulevard for margaritas "on me." (Lucky for my friends, not so fortunate for my savings account.)The issue is, as with every generation after the Boomers, it's simply harder to keep up. In a recent YouTube video, Tyreke Simmonds claims that Gen Z is dubbed "The poorest generation," and asks, "Did Baby Boomers kill the American Dream? Why is every generation financially worse off than the last one?" How generations under the boomers have struggled. www.youtube.com, Tyreke Simmonds Right away, he points out that while some of Gen Z struggles financially, this story is like a broken record. Economists said the same thing about Millennials and Gen X as well. To find out why exactly, he turns his attention to The Silent Generation and the Baby Boomers. Having come out of the Great Depression, the Silent Generation, in particular, were "raised with the mindset of scarcity and uncertainty when it comes to money," so they often saved as much as possible.Simmonds continues to explain that In the 1950s, there was an economic boom with factories who once made weapons for war now making affordable consumer goods. He claims when the Boomers came along, they "hadn't experienced such hardship." While many of their fathers' salaries were "modest," housing, groceries, and gas were affordable.In fact, according to David Beren's article, "6 Financial Benefits Baby Boomers Got That Future Generations Will Likely Never See Again," he notes that pensions were more common (and higher), house prices had not yet soared, and college was actually within financial grasp. "Can you imagine a world today where the average tuition cost for a single year of a four-year college program was only $2,469? Millennials and Gen Xers would be over the moon if this were the case. Unfortunately, this was the price of college in 1975, when many early Baby Boomers were first starting their higher education journey."He points out that for Gen Z, it's even more of a hardship. "Over the last twenty years, education costs have increased astronomically. Private college and fee costs have risen 126%, out-of-state tuition rose by 112%, and in-state tuition increased by 133%." Not only that, with the FOMO caused by social media posts, the desire to "keep up with the Joneses (or should we say the Kardashians)" is even more prevalent than ever. Kendall Jenner gives a thumbs up. Giphy E! Richard Barrington, Financial Analyst for Credit Sesame, shared with Upworthy, "Even if we're not in a recession, it certainly feels like one for a growing number of workers—especially younger workers. Total job growth over the past six months has been the weakest for any six-month period since the pandemic lockdown months of 2020.”But there are ways for Gen Z (and other generations) to live fun, exciting, social lives without breaking the bank. Dawn Allcot writes in a piece for Aol.com, "Millennials and Gen Z, in particular, struggle with finding a balance between socializing and saving money. A recent Ally Bank survey revealed that 59% of people in these generations have seen their financial goals blindsided by activities with friends."But, she points out, that doesn't have to be the case. Quoting Lindsay Sacknoff, head of Ally's consumer banking: “I absolutely believe you can have both—meaningful friendships and healthy finances—it just takes a little planning."GAME NIGHTS AT HOMEThere's no reason you can't hang with your friends in the comfort of your own home. Snag some chips and salsa and bust out old-school games. (It's legit more fun than it might sound.) Or, if you (or your apartment complex) have some kind of fire pit, grab some marshmallows and make s'mores. It harkens back to a simpler time when we weren't on our phones and could make do without photo ops. People having fun playing an old game. Giphy GIF by Reconnecting Roots STREET FAIRS, BLOCK PARTIES, AND FREE CONCERTSAllcot suggests looking to "free local events in your community too, from concerts to street fairs." One can find this, simply by Googling 'events nearby.'" Whether you're in a big or small town, there's usually something going on and often, at very little cost. Local coffee houses sometimes offer open mics in terms of music and comedy and one never knows what kind of gem they might find.THE GREAT OUTDOORSHiking, skateboarding, rollerblading…these are all free things one can do to be with friends, and be healthy to boot. If you're like me and would rather not work up a sweat, a good old-fashioned picnic can do the trick. Have people bring their favorite cheese/wine/grapes and just hang on a blanket. It might be the breath of fresh air people need right now. Rodney Mullen skates a ramp. Giphy MAKE CONTENTSpeaking of FOMO, for some it's hard not to attend the big events because they want to curate the illusion of an exciting life. But the truth is, you don't have to go to a stadium concert, or to Paris, or on a boat trip to have fun. You could spend a day with friends making fun videos on your phone. In an article for theshelf.com, they share (and it's no surprise) that Gen Z spends a lot of time consuming content. "While they’re not huge proponents of doom-scrolling, or even of using social as their go-to for work, Gen Zers rely on social media for leisure–using it for entertainment and connection." So how 'bout instead of scrolling through content — make it with your friends!"GO THRIFTING WITH BUDDIESOn the subreddit r/GenZ, someone asks, "How does Gen Z save money?" A few of the many excellent suggestions included thrift store shopping (from clothes to records to art). This Redditor got more specific: "STOP BUYING NEW, you can get an entire wardrobe for 150 at Goodwill, filled with brands from the mall."

Freak accidents are scary and lead to morbid curiosity. While staying safe and being mindful of your surroundings are smart ways to avoid danger (and death), freak accidents (also referred to as unintentional injuries and deaths) can happen without warning.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unintentional injuries caused 222,698 deaths in the United States in 2023. These include death from falls, car accidents, and poisonings.In a Reddit forum, people curious about freak accidents discussed some lesser-known scenarios that can kill you almost immediately—and offered tips for how to stay safe: - YouTube www.youtube.com Dead tree branch caught in a tree canopyReferred to as “widow-makers,” dead tree branches or limbs can fall on you with deadly force. Avoiding walking under them; looking up when spending time outdoors could save your life."I'm a very experienced outdoorsman, my father was a survival trainer for the military and my whole family are rural dwellers," one person commented. "The number of times I've seen people choose a 'perfect' campsite, without ever having looked up, is staggering."Smoke inhalationInhaling smoke during a house fire is another deadly freak accident that can occur due to decreased oxygen levels, as well as the addition of inhaling noxious chemicals that may burn from materials like carpet and furniture."Smoke inhalation in a house fire can kill you in as little as two minutes," one person commented. "It is extremely important that you get as low as possible when evacuating your home to minimize your exposure. Most people know that smoke is dangerous, but they don't realize that you can die from inhaling it in such a short period of time."Snow in exhaust pipeDuring a snowstorm, it's essential that you make sure your car's exhaust pipe (muffler) does not get packed with snow, which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. "Not that it will immediately kill you, but I learned about people stranded in snow storms, let's say on the highway, who don't know you need to keep snow clear of your tailpipe or it will start filling the car with carbon monoxide," another person explained. "I randomly learned about it reading a novel and had no idea, and now every few years I read about a death because of it." - YouTube www.youtube.com Confined, poorly ventilated spacesEntering tight and poorly ventilated spaces can put you at risk for a lack of oxygen."Listen to me good. If you see someone go into a confined, poorly ventilated space, and they don't come out, DO NOT go in after them," one person shared. "If there's some sort of toxic chemical build up, it'll knock you out long before you get a chance to help the other person. I've heard multiple stories where four or five people died because they kept following each other into septic pits and what not. Toxic gas buildup can get you very, very quickly."Another person added, "Firefighter here, can confirm. People die this way somewhat regularly. Not super often, but more than you'd think. Industrial tanks/vats, caves, train cars, etc."Mixing different cleaning productsCleaning your home can also be deadly if you mix certain cleaning products together, which can chemically react. Bleach is the most dangerous product to mix with other cleaners like ammonia or acids, and should be avoided. This can lead to the creation of toxic gases, like deadly chlorine gas."Chlorine gas is easier to accidentally create than you probably think, and if you don't realize what you've just done, you could be dead a lot quicker than you wanted to be. A clean bathroom won't help you then," one person noted. Bacterial infectionBacterial infections are pretty common in the U.S., with the CDC reporting more than 2.8 million cases of antimicrobial-resistant infections each year. Of those, more than 35,000 people die. To prevent it, the CDC recommends cleaning and covering wounds, washing your hands, and managing chronic conditions."I got a bacteria in my foot about 3 months ago, which went into my blood stream and got into my heart," one person shared. "I died in the OR and had to be revived before a 10 hour surgery to replace and repair 3 heart valves and a large hole in my heart. 3 weeks in ICU, 2 weeks in cardio ward after that. Don't let little infections become big infections. I had no idea this was happening in my body, but on the third day of not getting out of bed cause I was so tired, we called 911."Aortic ruptureThe Cleveland Clinic defines an aortic rupture (also known as an aortic dissection) as "a complete tear through all three layers of the aorta — like a rip or a hole — in the wall of your aorta", which can cause immediate death. Only 5 to 30 people per 1 million have an aortic rupture each year. Decreasing your risk of an aortic rupture includes managing high blood pressure, living a healthy lifestyle, avoiding tobacco, and talking with your doctor about genetic risks."Yep, a friend of mine survived years of addiction, straightened out his life and was a month away from his wedding when he dropped dead from an aortic rupture," one person shared. "He was in the kitchen and his fiancé heard him say her name, she said he sounded like he was in pain, she turned around and saw blood coming from his mouth and his 'eyes went dead.' He was dead before he hit the floor."Charging your smartphone under your pillowCharging your phone by your bed is commonplace for many people, but tucking it under your pillow while charging can be extremely dangerous."Had a friend get sent to the ER as their phone overheated and the battery exploded right under their face," one person shared. "It was bad as they had shrapnel of the battery enter into the left side of the brain that could have severed veins in the brain. Had to go into emergency room to remove the shrapnel in the brain along with some in their ear and neck. Doctors told them one piece was less than a quarter from the jugular as well so they were literally close to death. Best practice is to place your phone and charger away from you (preferably on a nightstand or table) and not in your bed!"AntifreezeIngesting antifreeze can lead to deadly poisoning due to active ingredient ethylene glycol, which can cause fatal symptoms for the kidneys, nervous system, and more. It can also be dangerous to get on your skin."Also, antifreeze tastes delicious, so they had to add artificial taste to it to make it taste terrible, and you can think for a hot minute to think why this became a thing," another person commented.Cone snailsCone snails are found in tropical and subtropical oceans. While beautiful, they can kill due to a poison called "conotoxin.""So many people see a pretty seashell, pick it up, feel a tiny pinch that they don't think much of and then die," one person commented. "There is no antidote and the best anyone can do is make sure you're out of the water (it causes paralysis so a lot of people die by drowning) and keep you breathing long enough for your body to metabolize it as best as it can. It's going to be hideously painful the entire time though, if you make it through, and you're probably going to end up with a lot of pain for a VERY long time and never quite be the same after."

One of the biggest debates over the last century of popular music is "Who is your favorite Beatle?" This began in 1962, when the Fab Four had their first big hits in England, and young girls wore badges featuring photos of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, or Ringo Starr, proudly proclaiming their favorite. Who you choose as your favorite says a lot about you. If you liked Paul, you’re like the cute one who you could take home to your mother. John's fans enjoyed a guy with a bit more edge and a sharp sense of humor. George's admirers loved “the quiet one” for being a bit mysterious, but when he came out of his shell, he was just as charming and funny as the rest. And what's not to love about Ringo, the affable life of the party, who was the best actor in the group?Ethan Hawke on The BeatlesHowever, actor and Beatle fanatic Ethan Hawke believes that there is only one correct answer to “Who’s your favorite Beatle,” and that is none of them. He shared his passionate opinion with Kareem Rahma on his wildly popular SubwayTakes social media series.Using a microphone clipped to a New York City MetroCard, Hawke laid out his hot take on The Beatles. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SubwayTakes with Kareem Rahma (@subwaytakes)“The magic of the Beatles. The reason why you care about John Lennon. The reason why I care about John Lennon is cause of the chemistry. It's the combination that created the greatest rock band in the history of the world. It is undeniable that what they did together is they were the sum of all parts. And to say I have a favorite Beatle, it's like saying I have a favorite ventricle of my heart,” Hawke says.He then explained their unique chemistry as if they were four guys hanging out in a club. “Who makes the party happen? Ringo Starr. Here's the problem. If you're just hanging with Ringo, somebody please have a substantive conversation,” Hawke continues. “Somebody's gotta say, hey, guys, why were we born? Why do we have to die? And that's where George comes in. And somebody's gotta take the piss out of George, who's just as smart as him. That's where Lennon comes in. And Lennon starts hogging the conversation. And then you got Paul. Paul's like, ‘Hey, man, why don't we play some music?’”Hawke shared a similar opinion when he created a mixed CD of music by The Beatles' members after the break-up for his daughter’s birthday. In the liner notes, he explained why, even though they were no longer in the same band, their solo hits complemented each other perfectly.“There's this thing that happens when you listen to too much of the solo stuff separately—too much Lennon: suddenly there's a little too much self-involvement in the room; too much Paul and it can become sentimental—let's face it, borderline goofy; too much George: I mean, we all have our spiritual side but it's only interesting for about six minutes, ya know? Ringo: He's funny, irreverent, and cool, but he can't sing—he had a bunch of hits in the '70s (even more than Lennon), but you aren't gonna go home and crank up a Ringo Starr album start to finish, you're just not gonna do that. When you mix up their work, though, when you put them side by side and let them flow—they elevate each other, and you start to hear it: T H E B E A T L E S,” Hawke wrote.The Beatles' incredible music never seems to fade away; it is passed down from generation to generation because it possesses a timeless quality that touches people as deeply now as it did in the 1960s. The band’s story feels just as important as that of four young men from a gloomy port town in post-war England, who took inspiration from rockers across the pond and created their own sound that transcended that of their idols. The Beatles remain intriguing figures because, despite being incredibly talented and charismatic individuals, they relied on one another to create something truly transcendent.

A "rock 'n' roll history saga"... The post How ‘Ambulance Blues’ was fatefully brought out of retirement for Neil Young’s latest tour first appeared on Far Out Magazine.

Papa Roach’s “Braindead,” featuring H20 vocalist Toby Morse, is #1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart (dated 10/4). “We wanted to create something that felt urgent, honest, and in your face — and bringing Toby in took it to the next level,” explained Papa Roach frontman Jacoby Shaddix. “This song is a call to wake up before it’s too late.” Braindead Morse formed H2O, a Hardcore Punk band, on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in late ’94. Between ’96 and ’15 the band released seven albums. “Braindead” is Morse’s first solo ruler on a Billboard chart. H2O has multiple entries, including #1s, “Thicker Than Water” (1997) to “Use Your Voice (2015). Toby Morse Braindead,” currently a Papa Roach stand-alone single, is their 12th leader on the list, the group now claims sole possession of the 10th-most #1s in the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart. Papa Roach first ruled Mainstream Rock Airplay in ’09 with “Lifeline.” ### The post Papa Roach Are #1 With “Braindead” appeared first on RockinTown.

Cheese’s “sound money” properties also led to historical cases where it functioned as a medium of exchange or a store of value—two key functions of money.

Far-left lesbians violently mob up on demonstrators flying pro-ICE banners.

"Democrats are demanding healthcare for everybody. We want to save lives," says Dem rep.

"Let's first figure out who actually shot him beyond a reasonable doubt, then we can start working the motive component."