financial wellness
More Americans Joining Workforce, But Many Are Unable to Find Living-Wage Jobs
Last Updated on September 19, 2025 by Daily News Staff
WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — The American workforce expanded from July to August, but many of those workers found they were unable to secure Living-Wage Jobs, according to an analysis by the Ludwig Institute for Shared Economic Prosperity (LISEP).
In its monthly True Rate of Unemployment (TRU) for August, LISEP reported that 22.5% of American workers are now classified as “functionally unemployed,” defined as the jobless, plus those seeking but unable to secure full-time employment, even if they want to work full-time and/or cannot earn above the poverty line after adjusting for inflation. This is an increase of 0.2 percentage points over the July TRU.
TRU’s sister metric, TRU Out of the Population (TRU OOP) – a measure of those who are functionally unemployed out of the entire population, not just active workforce participants – remained unchanged, which, when coupled with a rising TRU, indicates more workers are joining or returning to the labor force.
“It is a net positive that previously discouraged workers are rejoining the workforce, but unfortunately, their return to the workforce is, in many cases, not a return to full-time, living-wage employment,” said LISEP founder and chair Gene Ludwig. “The challenge for policymakers is to continue to encourage positive growth in employment opportunities, but do so in a manner that provides for growth in living-wage jobs for every American who wants one.”
Demographically, Black workers saw the biggest jump in TRU, increasing by 0.6 percentage points, from 25.8% to 26.4%. This, with the Black TRU OOP climbing by 0.7 percentage points, indicates that a larger percentage of Black workers are classified as functionally unemployed. Hispanic workers saw no change in the TRU, holding steady at 26.3%, with White workers tracking the overall TRU and increasing by 0.2 percentage points, to 20.7%. Male TRU increased a full percentage point, from 17.5% to 18.5%, while women dropped a half percentage point, from 27.5% to 27.0%.
Living-wage job opportunities continue to be an issue for workers with only a high school diploma, with the TRU for this group jumping 2.5 percentage points, from 24.5% to 27.0%. Likewise, those without a high school degree saw their TRU increase, from 47.3% to 47.6%. TRU for workers with some college (but no college degree) dropped, from 25.6% to 23.7%, but an analysis of the TRU OOP for this group indicates the decline is likely due to discouraged workers in this cohort leaving the workforce.
“We know the cost of living continues to be an issue for low- and middle-income Americans, as inflation continues to erode the ability of these workers to maintain even a basic standard of living. So in that respect, I’m somewhat relieved there wasn’t a bigger increase in the overall TRU,” Ludwig said. “But at the same time, we are witnessing an alarming decline in the opportunities for some minority workers to earn a living wage, which is undoubtedly a reason for concern. The bottom line: we can do better.”
About TRU
LISEP issued the white paper “Measuring Better: Development of ‘True Rate of Unemployment’ Data as the Basis for Social and Economic Policy” upon announcing the new statistical measure in October 2020. The paper and methodology can be viewed here. LISEP issues TRU one to two weeks following the release of the BLS unemployment report, which occurs on the first Friday of each month. The TRU rate and supporting data are available on the LISEP website at https://www.lisep.org/tru.
About LISEP
The Ludwig Institute for Shared Economic Prosperity (LISEP) was created in 2019 by Ludwig and his wife, Dr. Carol Ludwig. The mission of LISEP is to improve the economic well-being of middle- and lower-income Americans through research and education. LISEP’s original economic research includes new indicators for unemployment, earnings, and cost of living. These metrics aim to provide policymakers and the public with a more transparent view of the economic situation of all Americans, particularly low- and middle-income households, compared with misleading headline statistics.
About Gene Ludwig
In addition to his role as LISEP chair, Gene Ludwig is founder of the Promontory family of companies and Canapi LLC, a financial technology venture fund. He is the founder and CEO of Ludwig Regulatory Group (LRG), which advises financial firms on critical matters. Ludwig is the former vice chairman and senior control officer of Bankers Trust New York Corp. and served as the U.S. Comptroller of the Currency from 1993 to 1998. He is also author of the book The Vanishing American Dream, which investigates the economic challenges facing low- and middle-income Americans. On Twitter: @geneludwig.
SOURCE Ludwig Institute for Shared Economic Prosperity
Understanding and Improving Business Credit Can Support Financing Readiness, Credibility and Long-Term Confidence
(Feature Impact) Nearly 60% of small business owners seek financing each year, according to the Federal Reserve’s 2025 Small Business Credit Survey, but only about 2 in 5 secure the full amount they request.
It’s not uncommon for business owners to be caught off guard by a credit issue just when they’re poised to take their companies to the next level. To help business owners better understand how business credit can aid growth, consider this information from Chase for Business.
The Hidden Impact of Business Credit
Many owners miss the importance of business credit – 74% of business owners have used personal credit cards or lending products that rely on their personal credit score for business purposes, according to a May 2026 Chase small business survey. However, business credit can play an important role in accessing capital, managing operations and planning for the future. Without a clear understanding of their business credit profiles, owners may miss out on opportunities or face unexpected challenges when seeking loans, negotiating with suppliers or expanding their businesses. That’s why it’s essential for small business owners to proactively monitor and manage their business credit.
Managing Business Credit
To help millions of small business owners better understand and manage this part of their financial picture, Chase for Business introduced Business Credit Journey, a complimentary digital tool designed to help owners establish, monitor and improve their business credit.
The tool brings together credit monitoring, score insights, actionable steps and educational resources in one place. It builds on the American Dream Initiative, a nationwide effort to help power 10 million small businesses, offering resources beyond basic credit tracking to help owners spot issues early, understand what’s driving their scores and take action before opportunities slip away.
“Small business owners aren’t overlooking business credit, they just can’t see it clearly or aren’t sure how to use that information,” said Jameson Troutman, head of product for Chase for Business. “This tool is meant to change that, offering owners an easier, accessible way to understand their business credit scores and empowering them to take action over time.”
Why Business Credit Matters
Business credit is only one part of the financing equation, but it can influence how prepared a business is for future opportunities, help owners make informed decisions and avoid surprises when it matters most.
Why Business Credit Can be Easy to Overlook
For many owners, business credit is easy to put off while managing the daily demands of running their businesses. That can be especially true when they’re focused on growth, and nearly 80% of business owners expect growth in 2026, according to Chase’s Business Leaders Outlook.
In that environment, business credit may not get attention until a financing need or growth opportunity puts it into focus. That often means businesses confront their credit profile only when it starts to limit their options.
How Digital Tools Can Help
Created to make business credit easier to understand and manage, the tool allows business owners to monitor their credit scores, see what is influencing them and receive insights and actionable steps tailored to their business profile. It’s designed to help owners stay on top of changes over time and take a more proactive approach to strengthening their business credit.
“Small business owners deserve resources that help them make more informed decisions,” Troutman said.
For many small businesses, credit only becomes visible when something depends on it. Having a clearer view earlier can change the decisions owners make long before that moment. Visit chase.com/business/creditjourney to learn more.
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Family
Where Wildfire Preparedness Falls Short: 5 Elements Often Missing from Evacuation Plans
While you may have a wildfire emergency plan in place, there may be key elements missing that can make a meaningful difference during an evacuation.
(Feature Impact) While you may have a wildfire emergency plan in place, there may be key elements missing that can make a meaningful difference during an evacuation. Real-world events continue to show small but critical gaps often create delays during evacuation and challenges in the hours and days that follow.
“Preparation isn’t just about having a bag by the door,” said Holly Sacks, director, Port UW and CAT Management at Mercury Insurance, a multiple-line insurance carrier offering personal auto, homeowners, renters and commercial insurance. “It’s about being able to move quickly and confidently when conditions change. We see time and again that the difference between a smooth evacuation and a stressful one often comes down to a few overlooked details.”
In fact, research from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) shows preparedness efforts are often uneven as many households focus on supplies while overlooking documentation, communication planning and other practical considerations that directly impact response time and recovery.
Wildfire behavior continues to evolve, with faster-moving fires and shorter evacuation windows becoming more common in many regions. IBHS research emphasizes that preparedness is not just about what households have, but how quickly and effectively they can act under pressure. Look beyond standard evacuation checklists with these commonly overlooked elements, backed by industry research and real-world claims experience, according to Mercury Insurance.
Medications and Health Information
Checklists of basic supplies often fail to account for prescription medications, dosage details and medical records. Even a short disruption can create health complications.
Pet Planning
Pets are frequently an afterthought in evacuation scenarios, but without carriers, food or a clear plan for transportation and shelter, evacuations can become delayed or complicated.
Backup Communication
Families relying on a single communication method may struggle to reconnect when wildfires disrupt cell service and internet access. Establish a secondary plan, including meeting points and out-of-area contacts.
Vehicle Readiness
Low fuel, unclear routes or unfamiliarity with alternate exits can slow evacuation during critical moments when plans overlook the basics of transportation.
Insurance Documentation
Homeowners and renters often assume they can retrieve policy information later, but access to policy numbers, coverage details and contact information can speed up claims and recovery. Digital backups or cloud access can help ensure this information is available when needed.
For more information and wildfire preparedness resources, visit MercuryInsurance.com/Resources/Fire.
Redefining Defensible Space with a Shift from Distance to Detail
As wildfire risks change, so does the playbook for protecting your home. Defensible space, long defined as a 100-foot buffer around a home, is being reshaped due to modern wildfire behavior driven by climate conditions and changing landscapes, increasing the speed, intensity and reach of fires.
Up to 90% of homes lost in wildfires are ignited by embers, not direct flame contact, which are travelling farther than expected – up to several miles – expanding risk beyond traditional fire zones. According to Sacks, as wildfire behaviors evolve, so should homeowners’ defense tactics.
Fire experts are emphasizing a more granular, zone-based approach to defensible space with a heightened focus on the immediate area surrounding the home. Update your strategy with these modern, evidenced-based steps recommended by Mercury Insurance:
- Prioritize “Zone 0:” The immediate perimeter 0-5 feet from your home is now considered the most critical line of defense. Remove anything combustible; even small items can ignite from embers and spread to the structure.
- Replace Combustible Materials Near the Home: Swap wood fencing, bark mulch and flammable landscaping for noncombustible alternatives like gravel, stone or concrete.
- Focus on Home Hardening: Previous guidance focused on vegetation clearing, but updated strategies encourage upgrading vents, roofing and gutters to reduce ember entry and accumulation, which is a leading cause of structure ignition.
- Increase Space Between Structures and Fuels: Fires are increasingly spreading from structure to structure, making it important to maintain separation between homes, fences, sheds and vegetation to reduce chain reactions during wind-driven events.
- Maintain Defensible Space Year-Round: Fire seasons are starting earlier and lasting longer, increasing the importance of ongoing maintenance rather than seasonal cleanup.
Photos courtesy of Shutterstock
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health and wellness
Americans are spending a fortune on wellness. A weekend outside is beating all of it.
Half of Americans say a short outdoor trip is more effective for their stress and mental health than their regular wellness routine, outperforming gym memberships, meditation apps and self-care habits they are already investing in.
Americans are spending a fortune on wellness. A weekend outside is beating all of it.
(Tiffany Miller) There is a yoga mat in your living room. A meditation app you opened twice. A gym membership that has become a monthly guilt subscription. You are trying. Most Americans are. According to new research from Eddie Bauer Adventure Club, a vacation club for active explorers that recently debuted in Moab, Utah, what actually works is as simple as stepping outside. The survey of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted in April 2026 finds that 40% feel noticeably more relaxed or recharged within 30 minutes of being outdoors, and 73% say it happens within an hour.
Below, Eddie Bauer Adventure Club explores what the findings reveal about the wellness benefits of getting outdoors.
The comparison against traditional wellness habits is striking. Half of Americans say a short outdoor trip is more effective for their stress and mental health than their regular wellness routine, outperforming gym memberships, meditation apps and self-care habits they are already investing in.
The problem is not awareness. It is frequency. Forty-three percent say they get outside, but not nearly enough. And even when they do make it out, the reset does not always get a fair chance. Sixty-two percent check their phones within the first hour of arriving somewhere in nature, including 31% who do so immediately.
The barriers keeping people indoors are more practical than you might think. Family responsibilities, travel costs and work schedules rank among the biggest barriers. Screen time and digital habits, often assumed to be the main culprits, rank lower than all of them.
What is draining people in the meantime runs deeper than any single habit. Financial stress leads the list at 24%, followed by general burnout and the persistent sense that they are always reachable and never fully off. The reset, when it comes, is fighting something that does not clock out.
The good news is that the solution people are looking for is more accessible than they might expect. They are not holding out for a two-week expedition. Asked what they hope to get from time outdoors, 27% of U.S. adults say a chance to unplug and disconnect from daily life entirely. The reset does not have to be complicated. It just has to happen.
That reset is also about more than personal stress relief. The outdoors is where people reconnect with the people who matter most. Asked how important it is that outdoor experiences can be shared across generations, with parents, children or grandchildren, 29% say it is one of the main reasons they seek out time outdoors at all.
For many Americans, the recharge they are looking for is not new. It is just outside.
Methodology
Decker Royal, on behalf of Eddie Bauer Adventure Club, commissioned Atomik Research to conduct an online survey of 1,000 adults throughout the United States. The margin of error is plus or minus 3 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level. Fieldwork was conducted between April 22 and April 27, 2026. Atomik Research, part of 4media group, is a creative market research agency.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
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