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In today’s uncertain economy, more people are turning to certificates of deposit, or CDs, as a smart and safe way to grow their money. With inflation still affecting prices and fears of a recession on the rise, CDs offer something rare—guaranteed returns. Thanks to recent high interest rates set by the Federal Reserve, many banks are offering CDs with rates above 4%. This means that someone who puts $125,000 into a CD could earn thousands of dollars just by letting the money sit for a set amount of time. While stocks and other investments can go up and down quickly, CDs give savers peace of mind, making them a popular choice during these unpredictable times.

Scams are on the rise, and they’re getting harder to spot—especially for older adults. Many scammers use phone calls, emails, or text messages to trick people into sending money through gift cards, cryptocurrency, or other hard-to-trace methods. They may pretend to be from the government or a well-known company, using threats or offers that seem too good to be true. In just one year, over 16,700 cases of senior financial exploitation were reported in Ohio alone. With today’s uncertain economy, many people are more likely to fall for these schemes. That’s why it’s more important than ever to stay alert, ask questions, and never give out personal information or money in response to unexpected messages.

In 2025, a new survey shows that nearly three out of four Americans have at least one major financial regret, with many wishing they had started saving for retirement earlier or avoided getting into credit card debt. These regrets are felt across all age groups, but Gen Xers report the most concern. This comes at a time when inflation and economic uncertainty are making it harder for people to plan for the future. Despite these concerns, 43% of people say they haven’t taken any steps to fix their financial mistakes over the past year, showing how tough it can be to recover during difficult economic times.

Many people are turning to side gigs to earn extra money because of rising prices, job insecurity, and a tough job market. While side hustles can help cover short-term expenses, they might actually hurt your finances in the long run if not managed carefully. Experts say that working too many hours outside your main job can lead to burnout and less focus at work, which can slow down your chances for promotions and raises. Instead of taking on side gigs just to get by, it's better to make a plan—one that builds toward long-term financial and career goals. Focusing on improving skills or finding higher-paying job opportunities may offer better results than juggling multiple jobs without a clear strategy.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 (OBBBA) is a major tax law that was signed on July 4, 2025, and it’s already changing how Americans handle their money. One of the biggest updates in the bill is the increase in the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap to $40,000 for the year. This means people can now deduct more of what they pay in state and local taxes from their federal taxes, which could lead to lower federal tax bills—especially for families in high-tax states. The law also keeps earlier tax cuts and adds new benefits for workers, families, and seniors, aiming to give people more financial relief while the country deals with rising living costs and political tension ahead of the 2026 election.

Recent earnings reports from major retailers like Walmart, Home Depot, and Target show how Americans are changing the way they spend money during tough economic times. With inflation still high, old tariffs still in place, and the Federal Reserve’s decision-making unclear, shoppers are making more careful choices. Walmart is doing well by using technology like AI to keep prices low and keep sales growing, even while import costs rise. Home Depot’s steady performance shows people are still spending on home repairs, though the housing market affects their business. On the other hand, Target is struggling, as families cut back on non-essential shopping. All three companies give us a clearer picture of how people are rethinking their spending due to today’s financial challenges.

In July 2025, inflation in the U.S. rose more than expected, putting pressure on both families and the Federal Reserve. The Consumer Price Index (CPI), which tracks how prices change over time, showed that core inflation—excluding food and energy—went up by 3.1% compared to last year. Prices for services like healthcare, car repairs, and natural gas jumped, making it more expensive for people to manage everyday needs. Even though gas and fuel oil prices dropped, it wasn’t enough to stop overall inflation from rising. This puts the Federal Reserve in a tough spot: it wants to lower interest rates to help the economy, but doing so could make inflation worse. With economic uncertainty and tight household budgets, both policymakers and consumers are facing hard choices ahead.

In today’s uncertain economy, scammers are taking advantage of people’s financial worries by creating fake job opportunities and investment schemes. One common trick is called a “task scam,” where scammers pretend to offer well-paying remote jobs that ask users to complete simple tasks—for example, writing reviews or clicking links. These tasks seem to pay out money, but soon the victim is pressured to pay fees or invest money to keep earning. Scammers also use the growing interest in cryptocurrency to promise big returns on fake Bitcoin or crypto “investments.” Many of these scams look real, using fake websites or job posts that copy trusted companies. Because they feel like games that reward progress, victims often stay involved for a long time, hoping for their big payout—but it never comes.

The "4% rule" is a popular retirement strategy that suggests withdrawing 4% of your savings each year to make your money last about 30 years. However, this rule was based on past economic conditions with low inflation and stable investment returns. Today, things have changed. With high inflation, unpredictable markets, and new forms of investment like cryptocurrencies, the rule may no longer be safe for everyone. Experts warn about “sequence of returns risk,” which means if the market drops or inflation spikes early in your retirement, you could run out of money faster. Because of this, financial planners are encouraging retirees to adjust their plans and consider more flexible withdrawal strategies.

In today’s challenging economy, more than a third of Americans are taking on side hustles to deal with rising living costs and slow wage growth. High inflation and interest rates have made it hard for many people, especially younger workers, to make ends meet with just one job. Social media often promotes the idea that working extra jobs is a sign of strength and success. But experts warn that this “hustle culture” may do more harm than good. Constantly juggling multiple jobs can lead to burnout, stress, and in the long run, might actually hurt your main career growth. Balancing income and well-being has become a serious challenge for many.