E A

E A

  • Joined: July 9, 2024
  • Articles: 975

Tax Tug-of-War: Balancing Business Breaks and Climate Stakes

Congress is currently debating important tax changes that could impact individuals, businesses, and renewable energy projects. Lawmakers are working to continue certain tax cuts originally introduced by President Trump in 2017, including a policy called "bonus depreciation" which allows businesses to immediately write off the full cost of new investments. However, this move could lead to a significant drop in government revenues—over $219 billion less in the next ten years. At the same time, legislators are considering rolling back some tax incentives introduced by President Biden that encouraged investment in renewable and clean energy projects. These proposed changes have sparked heated debate, as supporters believe they help economic growth, while critics are concerned about the impact on climate goals and the federal budget.

Spend Less, Live More: America’s New Era of Mindful Consumption

In 2025, no-buy and slow-spending challenges continue to be popular among American consumers due to increasing costs and ongoing economic uncertainty. Many people are pledging to limit all non-essential spending for specific periods—from a single month to a whole year. These challenges started as trending New Year's resolutions but have stayed relevant because of persistent issues like high inflation and global tensions that raise prices. Additionally, the popularity of "buy now, pay later" services has made overspending easier, prompting people to reconsider their financial habits. Social media discussions suggest this trend isn't just temporary—it signals a deeper shift toward more careful and intentional consumption choices among consumers.

Mortgage Rates Soar, Homeownership Dreams Fade for Many Americans

As of June 26, 2025, mortgage rates continue to remain high across the United States, with the average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage around 6.81% and the 15-year fixed rate at approximately 6.02%. These elevated rates make buying homes difficult for many Americans. Although slightly decreased from previous peaks, rates are much higher compared to the record lows (around 2.65%) observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. This surge is largely due to persistent inflation, cautious policy from the Federal Reserve, and continued uncertainties in the global economy, creating financial pressure and limiting affordability for first-time homebuyers and average citizens alike.

Digital Deception: How Cash App Fights Back Against Rising Scams

As digital payment platforms like Cash App become more popular, scams targeting consumers have risen sharply. Scammers often trick users by pretending to be banks or government agencies, pressuring them to quickly send money by making threats of legal trouble or serious fines. Even younger and digitally savvy users are affected—around 40% of Gen Z have experienced such scams, highlighting the wide reach of this problem. To fight back, Block, the company that owns Cash App, recently announced new efforts to protect users. They have successfully identified and stopped over $2 billion in fraud through alerts that warn customers as soon as suspicious activity is detected, directly helping users avoid becoming victims of these increasingly sophisticated schemes.

High-Yield Savings Accounts Thrive Amid Inflation and Economic Uncertainty

As of June 2025, high-yield savings accounts continue to offer attractive returns for savers, with top banks like Varo Money providing rates up to 5.00% APY. Other leading accounts are also offering over 4%, making them a safe and appealing option amid ongoing economic uncertainty and high inflation. These higher-than-normal interest rates result from the Federal Reserve’s decision to keep interest rates elevated due to concerns about continuing inflation. While investing in stocks remains risky due to ongoing global and economic volatility, high-yield savings accounts offer savers a secure and federally insured place to build up their savings safely.

Side Hustle Surge: How Americans Adapt and Thrive in the 2025 Economy

In 2025, many people are turning to side hustles due to economic conditions like high costs of living, slow wage increases, and uncertainty about the future. Side hustles—like driving for Uber, renting spaces via Airbnb, or freelancing using platforms such as Upwork—have become popular options for people needing extra income. Additionally, more Americans are boosting their job prospects by learning new digital skills through online platforms like LinkedIn Learning and Coursera. This trend shows that people are becoming more proactive in securing their financial well-being, as well as adapting to a changing economy.

Priced Out: America’s College Cost Crisis Hits Home

College costs in America continue to rise, placing serious financial stress on families. A recent Citizens Bank survey revealed that 60% of parents plan to delay retirement, one in five parents are taking second jobs, and almost one-third are tapping into retirement accounts to cover their children's tuition costs. With the average yearly cost at public universities now around $40,000—40 times higher than in 1963, parents are struggling to support their children's education while also managing daily living expenses. This problem is made worse by economic issues such as rising costs of daily necessities, limited increases in pay, and higher levels of household debt, which have left families increasingly overwhelmed by the financial demands of attending college.

Priced Out: Housing Costs Squeeze Americans’ Wallets in 2025

In 2025, rising housing costs are creating serious financial challenges for many Americans. Mortgage rates close to 7% and home prices that increased by 4% in just one year are putting extra strain on household budgets. These higher costs have grown faster than general inflation, which stands around 2.4%. Renters and homeowners, especially in parts of the Northeast and Midwest, are facing some of the toughest burdens due to steep increases in rent and homeownership expenses. On the other hand, states in the Sun Belt have extra housing available, helping to slow down price increases. Because housing expenses now take up a larger portion of monthly spending, people have less money to spend elsewhere, causing consumer confidence to fall sharply. In fact, consumer sentiment reached a record low according to the University of Michigan's survey in April 2025.

Sticker Shock: Americans Feel the Squeeze as Inflation Outpaces Incomes

As of mid-2025, many Americans are feeling worried about the economy because inflation, or rising prices, remains higher than what experts want. Even though inflation has dropped since its peak in June 2022, it continues to push costs up faster than many families' incomes. Right now, interest rates are high, which makes borrowing money for things like homes or cars more expensive. Although wages overall have risen, not everyone has benefited equally, causing financial stress for many households. Surveys show that many people now feel they need to earn around $150,000 a year just to feel comfortable—a big increase compared to expectations before the pandemic.

Pig-Butchering Scams: How Cybercriminals Are Turning Trust Into Tragedy

Foreign criminal groups are increasingly targeting Americans through sophisticated online financial scams called "pig-butchering." Criminals initially pretend to be friendly contacts through social media or dating apps, eventually convincing victims to send large sums of money to fraudulent investment accounts they believe are real. This method has become a massive operation, costing victims around the world more than $44 billion every year. These scams have grown dramatically due to economic uncertainty, leading more people to look for investments promising quick profits. Criminals exploit weaknesses in U.S financial regulations by creating fake accounts at reputable American banks using stolen or false identities, enabling them to easily receive and move victims' stolen money.

Trending now

Budgeting and Saving
Debt Management
Side hustle ideas to boost income
Investing basics for beginners