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1 week ago | 
money.usnews.com | Erica Sandberg |Barri Segal |Tanza Loudenback
Key Takeaways Luxury dupes are products, services and places that can offer the same effect for far less money. Dupes aren’t cheap fakes, but high-quality substitutions for the real thing. Just a few excellent dupes include sneakers, perfume, hotels, handbags, headphones, cashmere, sunglasses and vacations. Wanting to splurge on something extra special is normal.
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3 weeks ago | 
money.usnews.com | Geoff Williams |Barri Segal |Tanza Loudenback
Key Takeaways New York is sending out inflation rebate checks, along with a few other states that are sending out state government rebates. Often, refund checks that go out to taxpayers require meeting certain criteria, such as being a certain age or earning a specific income. Economists are typically not too confident about how much these inflation refund checks help taxpayers, but concede that any extra money generally makes at least a slight positive impact for households.
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3 weeks ago | 
money.usnews.com | Barri Segal |Tanza Loudenback |Geoff Williams |Jessica Walrack
Key Takeaways If your household income is at or near the federal poverty level, there are government programs to help you. The programs cover various areas, including groceries, child care and tax filing help. The amount of money you receive from a federal government program will likely depend on the state running it. Life is expensive, and managing money can be complicated.
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4 weeks ago | 
money.usnews.com | Dawn Papandrea |Barri Segal |Tanza Loudenback
Key Takeaways It's customary to give small tokens of appreciation at the end of the school year to teachers and support staff. Participating in a group gift can help keep costs manageable. Gift cards, cash and hand-written notes are the most appreciated presents, according to teachers. Offset gift costs by leveraging credit card rewards, savvy shopping and DIY skills.
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1 month ago | 
money.usnews.com | Kimberly Lankford |Barri Segal |Liisa Rajala
Key Takeaways Trump's tax bill, which the House passed on May 22, will reduce taxes for high earners. The bill preserves many of the tax breaks from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which were scheduled to expire at the end of 2025. The top tax bracket will continue to be 37% rather than reverting back to 39.6%. The bill reduces the itemized deductions for taxpayers in the top income tax bracket.
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1 month ago | 
money.usnews.com | Kimberly Lankford |Barri Segal |Liisa Rajala
Key Takeaways: The House bill passed on May 22 includes several new or expanded tax breaks for children, health care costs, car loans and education expenses, and some significant changes to student loans. The government would contribute $1,000 to new child savings accounts for babies born from 2025 through 2028. Expanded HSA contributions and eligible expenses may help middle-income families. Revising student loan repayment rules may cost families more.
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1 month ago | 
money.usnews.com | Erica Sandberg |Barri Segal |Tanza Loudenback
Key Takeaways: Most consumers are looking for products that have the lowest prices this year, but that's not always the best decision. Some goods and services that are priced too low can be risky, such as tires, home security products and sunglasses. Some things you buy at the lowest price can cost more in the end, such as appliances and tattoos. Comfort and convenience purchases such as flights and bedding, can be a good reason to spend more.
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1 month ago | 
money.usnews.com | Erica Sandberg |Barri Segal |Liisa Rajala
Key Takeaways Eighty-five percent of U.S. consumers are actively seeking financial information, with most turning to friends and family members for advice. Trusted individuals can be appealing sources of information but may not have the acumen to provide neutral, tailored and accurate advice. Eighty-six percent of people know what they want about their money, and 45% said they secretly know more about finances than they typically let on.
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1 month ago | 
money.usnews.com | Erica Sandberg |Barri Segal |Tanza Loudenback
Key Takeaways You can lower the cost of festival admission by working the event or purchasing a ticket from credible sources. Credit cards and payment plans can help you save money, but only if you pay on time and pay the bill before interest is added. Eat before you go and pack essentials to avoid purchasing them at a premium once you're inside. Consider staying in a tent with friends and create low-cost festival looks by shopping at thrift stores or modifying clothes you already have.
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1 month ago | 
realestate.usnews.com | Josephine Nesbit |Dawn Bradbury |Barri Segal
Key Takeaways Johns Creek, Georgia, ranks No. 1 on the 2025-2026 Top 250 Best Places to Live list. Johns Creek is only 25 miles from downtown Atlanta, and is near major highways and international airports. The city offers a higher value of living thanks to its top-rated schools, low crime rates and strong sense of community.
