Here's Your Fortune: Cutting Debt, Groceries vs Dining Out, Siri is now AI & Cash in On Your Opinions

Tomorrow’s Fortune

Welcome to the action-packed newsletter designed to help you navigate the world of business, investing, and technology. You owe it to yourself to stay informed! If you missed last week’s post, check it out here. 😎 

Today’s post is 2,094 words (~4 minutes). Don’t be lazy… let’s get rich!

Cool Fact: Alexa, play "Who Let the Dogs Out"! Amazon's virtual assistant Alexa has taken her pet-friendly features to the next level by learning to recognize your furry friend's unique bark. So the next time Fido starts howling at the moon, Alexa might mistake it for a request to play the latest canine chart-topper, leaving you scratching your head in confusion.

Today’s Digest:

1. New YT Video! If there’s one thing in common… no one likes credit card debt… so let’s tackle ways how to reduce it in this new video

2. Menu Prices Soar: Why Dining Out Costs More While Groceries Chill. Find out how to save on your next meal while still enjoying a delicious dining experience.

3. Apple Embraces AI: Siri Gets Smarter, ChatGPT Comes to Town! Discover the future of AI on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

4. Cash in on Your Opinions: The Ultimate Guide to Paid Online Surveys. Turn your spare time into extra cash by simply sharing your thoughts.

KENNY FINANCE ON YOUTUBE!

Back again with a Friday special on YouTube! As I said before, my goal is to touch a million lives through financial wellness and provide the framework, insights and playbook to be SMART with your money.

Few things:

1. Check out tonight’s video on How to get out of debt FAST!… Debt does nothing but cause financial stress… let’s make a change and start eliminating our debt 💸

2. Make sure you Subscribe and hit those bell notifications so you never miss a beat 📲

3. WATCH THE ENTIRE VIDEO! Pls and thank you… it helps the YT algorithm spread to others who could use the advice

4. Like and comment and let me know what you think 🤩

5. I’ll be uploading fire content every Friday until you’re rich

6. Check out KENNY FINANCE for other videos

TOP STORY

Why Restaurant Meals Are Getting Pricier While Groceries Stay Flat

Hold onto your wallets, foodies! While grocery prices have taken a chill pill in recent months, the cost of dining out is still on the rise. It's a culinary conundrum that has budget-minded diners scratching their heads and venting online.

Let's crunch some numbers: menu prices at sit-down restaurants jumped 0.4% from April to May, while prices at fast food joints ticked up 0.2%. Over the past year, menu prices at full-service restaurants climbed a whopping 3.5%, and fast food prices skyrocketed 4.5%!

Meanwhile, grocery prices have been relatively well-behaved, increasing just 1% over the past year. In May, grocery prices actually flatlined, a welcome change from the months of relentless increases that had consumers feeling the pinch.

So, what's the deal with the menu price madness? Restaurant chains have been raising prices at a breakneck pace, blaming inflation and rising costs for ingredients and labor. But consumers are starting to push back, complaining about shrinking portions, sneaky price hikes, and the disappearance of once-affordable options.

McDonald's, for example, has seen its menu prices rise 21% over the past five years. While the company claims this is in line with overall inflation, TikTok videos of $3 hash browns and $16 meals have gone viral, fueling outrage among penny-pinching customers.

Chains like Burger King, KFC, and Starbucks have rolled out temporary deals and bundles to appease disgruntled diners. But don't be fooled – these promotions are just a band-aid solution. Restaurant operators have clarified that they plan to continue raising prices, even if it means losing some customers along the way.

On the bright side, grocery prices have finally started to simmer down. Apple prices plummeted 13.2% thanks to a bumper crop, while ham and cheese also saw significant price drops. Coffee, milk, rice, and fish got a little cheaper.

However, it's not all good news in the grocery aisle. Meat prices, particularly for beef, have soared due to supply constraints and wildfires in Texas. Hot dogs, bacon, poultry, and eggs have also gotten pricier this year.

The good news is that grocery prices stayed flat from April to May, with some items even getting cheaper. Milk, rice, eggs, and fresh vegetables all saw slight price decreases.

So, what's the takeaway from this menu price mystery? It's a tale of two food industries – one where prices are still soaring, and another where prices are finally starting to stabilize. While restaurant chains scramble to find ways to keep customers happy without sacrificing profits, grocery shoppers can breathe a sigh of relief as the cost of filling their carts becomes a little less painful.

But don't celebrate just yet, foodies. The menu price mystery is far from solved, and the battle between rising costs and consumer expectations is sure to continue. In the meantime, enjoy those discounted meals while you can, and savor the sweet taste of grocery savings!

BITS OF GOLD

• Powell’s patience pays off?

  • The Federal Reserve is giving interest rates the cold shoulder, keeping them at a sizzling 5.25% to 5.5% for now. Why? Inflation's still crashing the party, refusing to dip below the Fed's 2% target. So, the Fed's hitting the pause button on rate cuts until this party crasher gets the hint.

• Apple's AI "holy grail" fuels its return to the top

  • Apple reclaims its crown as the world's most valuable company, fueled by a recent AI-driven surge in its stock price, hitting a market cap of $3.31 trillion. Hot on Apple's heels are Microsoft and Nvidia, both riding the AI wave with valuations exceeding $3 trillion. Wedbush analyst Dan Ives predicts a thrilling race between these tech giants, with all three potentially reaching a $4 trillion valuation within the next year.

• Inflation's taking a breather, but is it just a summer fling?

  • Inflation finally hit the brakes in May, giving consumers a well-deserved break as prices chilled out for the first time since last summer. While gas prices dipped, making road trips a bit more bearable, the housing market continues to throw a party that nobody wants to attend. This unexpected slowdown in rising prices may just convince the Federal Reserve to join the chill vibes with potential rate cuts later this year.

• Housing inflation crashes the economic cooldown

  • Housing inflation is throwing a house party and refusing to leave! Despite the overall cooldown in prices, rent and owner's equivalent rent are still dancing to their own beat, rising 0.4% monthly for the fourth time in a row. This stubborn refusal to join the cool-down party has economists and the Federal Reserve scratching their heads, wondering when the housing market will finally stop spiking the punchbowl.

🏠💸TASTE OF THE FUTURE WITH AI

Apple Joins the AI Frenzy: Siri Gets a ChatGPT Makeover and More!

In a move that's sure to shake up the tech world, Apple has officially partnered with OpenAI, the brains behind the wildly popular chatbot, ChatGPT. Get ready for a major AI infusion into your favorite Apple devices, from the iPhone to the iPad and even the MacBook.

At Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference on Monday, the company unveiled its ambitious foray into the competitive field of generative AI, aptly named "Apple Intelligence." This new suite of tools will allow users to harness the power of AI to effortlessly craft emails and texts in their unique writing style, edit photos like a pro, and even create personalized emojis of themselves and their friends.

But the AI fun doesn't stop there. Apple's senior vice president of software engineering, Craig Federighi, demonstrated how ChatGPT can be seamlessly integrated into Apple's writing apps, like Notes and Pages. Imagine generating a draft for a document and then watching AI-powered images magically appear based on your text. And the best part? You won't need an OpenAI account to access these ChatGPT features, although subscribers will enjoy even more perks.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Apple's AI strategy is that its models run entirely on your device, eliminating the need for a cloud connection. While this may limit the model's knowledge base compared to larger counterparts like ChatGPT, Siri can always call on ChatGPT for backup when needed. For instance, if you're stumped on how to decorate your backyard deck, just snap a photo and ask Siri for suggestions. Or, if you're unsure what to cook with the random ingredients in your fridge, Siri can tap into ChatGPT's culinary expertise to whip up a delicious recipe.

OpenAI's co-founder and CEO, Sam Altman, is thrilled about the partnership, stating that it "aligns with OpenAI's mission to make advanced AI accessible to everyone." Federighi echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Apple's commitment to expanding support for other AI models in the future.

So, what does this all mean for Apple users? Get ready for a smarter, more creative, and personalized experience across all your Apple devices. With ChatGPT at your fingertips, you'll be able to write like a pro, edit photos like an influencer, and unleash your inner artist with custom emojis. The future of AI is here, and it's looking pretty darn exciting.

Other Cool AI News!

• Human brain cells power the world's first "living computer"

  • Move over, silicon chips! Swedish scientists have created a "living computer" made of human brain cells. These tiny clumps of neurons, called organoids, function like miniature circuits, sending signals and storing information just like a traditional computer chip. The kicker? This bio-computer is a million times more energy efficient, potentially revolutionizing the energy-hungry world of computing.

• Luma AI's Dream Machine makes it a reality

  • Luma AI's "Dream Machine" is shaking up the AI world with its ability to turn simple text descriptions into stunning 5-second video clips. This groundbreaking tech is now available for everyone to experiment with, potentially sparking a wave of creativity in AI-generated video content. While the field is still in its early stages, Dream Machine's open approach could give it a head start in the race for AI media dominance.

• Tesla's humanoid robot joins the assembly line

  • Tesla's Optimus robot isn't just dancing anymore – it's clocking in on the factory floor! Two of these humanoid helpers have been spotted doing real work, although what that work entails remains a mystery. This marks a big step towards Elon Musk's vision of an automated workforce, but Optimus still has a long way to go before it reaches his "sentient humanoid robot" dream.

WHAT ABOUT TODAY’S FORTUNE? SIDE HUSTLE OF THE WEEK 💸

Cashing In on Your Opinions: Surveys

Your Guide to Paid Online Surveys

Craving some extra cash without the commitment of a second job? Look no further than the world of paid online surveys! It's the side hustle that pays you to share your opinions on everything from your favorite snacks to your dream vacation destinations. It's like getting paid to gossip with your friends but with a financial bonus!

Overview of this Side Hustle: Turn your opinions into cash with paid surveys! It's the perfect low-effort side hustle for those who love sharing their thoughts and earning a little extra dough. Platforms like Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, and Branded Surveys are your gateway to getting paid for your valuable insights.

Startup Cost: Zero, zilch, nada! Most survey sites are completely free to join, so you can dive right in without spending a dime. All you need is a device and an internet connection to start raking in those rewards.

Capital Intensity: This side hustle is the ultimate couch potato's dream. No fancy equipment, no inventory, no office space – just you, your device, and your opinions. Work from your bed, your couch, or even the beach (just don't forget the sunscreen!).

Interesting Growth Opportunities: While paid surveys may not be a get-rich-quick scheme, there are still ways to boost your earnings. Some platforms offer additional perks like cash-back shopping or rewards for sharing your browsing habits, so you can earn even more while you surf the web.

Earning Potential: While you won't be swimming in cash like Scrooge McDuck, paid surveys can be a sweet little side income stream. Most surveys will net you a few bucks each, but savvy survey-takers can earn up to $5 a day, potentially adding an extra $1,825 to your pocket annually. And remember, every penny counts!

While paid surveys won't replace your day job, they offer a fun and flexible way to pad your wallet with minimal effort. So, next time you're binge-watching Netflix or waiting for the bus, why not share your thoughts and get paid? It's the perfect side hustle for those who love to voice their opinions and earn a little extra dough on the side.

This newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. The content is based on publicly available information, and the author makes no representations about its accuracy or completeness. Readers should conduct their own research before making any investment decisions.