When I think back on my childhood, my happiest memories aren’t tied to things I owned. They’re about the freedom of growing up in a small Ohio town where everyone knew your name and kids ran in packs.

The neighborhood park was our meeting place. A few bikes tossed in a friend’s front yard signaled the game was on. There were no texts or group chats. But childhood today often looks different. Connection revolves around gaming consoles, phones, sneakers, and the next must-have gadget. If you can’t afford it, you risk being left out.

That contrast led me to talk to my 79-year-old dad, a man who wears thriftiness the way others wear luxury. He genuinely enjoys finding new ways to save money.

He never tried to keep up with anyone. While others rushed to buy the newest car or gadget, he was content with what he had. That mindset made him the quintessential millionaire next door.

He helped shaped my relationship with money. I don’t feel compelled to chase status or possessions. Here are eight lessons from my frugal dad that have stood the test of time — and how they still apply today.

Every dollar you spend is a vote for the life you want to build. When your spending aligns with what matters most, money feels less like sacrifice and more like purpose. For couples especially, shared values turn financial decisions into a source of clarity instead of conflict.

Imagine you could swap places with legendary investor Warren Buffett, now 95. Would you? Time is scarce and unrecoverable, unlike money. 

Remember this when deciding whether to take a promotion just for a bigger paycheck, even if it means less time with family; or working longer hours for a fancier car when your current one works fine; or buying a bigger house when your kids already attend a great school in a safe neighborhood.

The returns on personal growth compound for decades. Education, learning a new skill, reading widely, or even investing in therapy can strengthen both your earning potential and your resilience. In a partnership, personal growth benefits everyone — stronger individuals make stronger teams.

Every borrowed dollar limits future freedom. A loan may feel manageable today, but it quietly shapes your choices tomorrow, from the jobs you can take to where you can live. Prioritizing flexibility over financing buys peace of mind and the ability to pivot when life changes.

Turning the lights off is a metaphor for the small things we do. It’s more than about saving a few cents on electricity; it’s a mindfulness practice. Every small act of frugality adds up, and it builds awareness of how we use our resources. 

A quiet life is often an intentional one. Choosing simplicity means choosing time over things, presence over pressure, and meaning over noise. Less clutter often leads to less stress — and more room for what actually matters.

The average new car now sells for over $50,000, and when you factor in financing, fuel, and insurance, monthly costs can exceed $1,200. Vehicles that are about three years old often hit the sweet spot between price and reliability. Investing the difference between new and used can significantly boost long-term net worth.

Cheapness cuts corners at all costs. Frugality focuses on getting value for your money. A frugal person maintains what they own, spends intentionally, and is generous where it counts.

Understanding that difference can prevent endless money conflicts because frugality builds a meaningful life, while cheapness slowly erodes joy.

Brian Page is the founder of Modern Husbands, a company dedicated to helping couples manage both financial and home responsibilities as a team. He holds a master’s degree in education and is certified as both an Accredited Financial Counselor® and a Fair Play Certified® domestic labor specialist.

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As a clinical psychologist, I often have to caution clients to examine the sparks that they feel for a new romantic prospect.

You want to be excited about someone new and feel a deep connection to them. But many of us carry old wounds from our childhood, previous relationships, or formative experiences.

If your past was chaotic, inconsistent, and confusing, then you may be drawn to those same relationship dynamics again and again. Here are five signs that the chemistry you feel might actually be a red flag.

In your past, if someone made you feel loved but also anxious, your nervous system learned that loving and fearing the same person was okay.

Mixed signals, hot and cold affection, and inconsistency can then feel intimate rather than anxiety-inducing. Excitement and anxiety are closely related emotions, so you feel on edge, but mistake this feeling for excitement and chemistry.

What to do: Slow down and notice how your body feels around this person. Does your nervous system settle when you are around them or are you always on edge? If it’s the latter, that may be a signal that the feeling you have isn’t chemistry, and that this person makes you feel unsafe.

The emotional rollercoaster when someone pulls away and the relief when they come close again can feel like a spark, especially if you had relationship dynamics like that in the past.

When you are stressed, your body releases hormones such as cortisol, which activates reward and addiction pathways in your brain.

As a result, you may unconsciously chase that stress, conflict, unpredictability, and intensity because it gives your body a hit of the feel-good chemicals that it craves.

What to do: Your body needs to learn how to slow down and feel safe again. This can look like stretching, breathwork, meditation, nature walks, and decreasing your workload.

Being drawn to someone doesn’t always mean the chemistry is good. You may be unconsciously trying to gain mastery over an old wound by reenacting the pain.

You believe that you can make it right this time. You might also recreate painful dynamics that mirror your past because you can predict what happens, and this gives you a false sense of control.

What to do: Self-reflection is important here. Does this person remind you of something from your past? Therapy can provide you with a safe space to unpack your history. 

If it feels exciting when your partner is jealous, this isn’t chemistry — it is your insecurity rearing its head.

You might even do something on purpose to trigger their jealousy in order to feel closer to them or make them prove to you that you are wanted. In your mind, this might sound like, “If they choose me, then I’m finally good enough,” or, “If they chase me, it means they love me enough.”

What to do: Work on yourself so your validation comes from within, not from other people. Remember who you are outside of the context of this relationship, and that you are already more than enough. 

Steady connection should feel grounding and safe. But if your nervous system is used to chaos, calm can feel boring and even uncomfortable. 

You may catch yourself thinking there’s no spark, and then chase the next thrill by creating tension, initiating conflict, or even leaving the relationship. If you feel safe and you aren’t used to that, in your mind, this might sound like, “If I feel safe, I’ll let my guard down but then I’ll get hurt.”

The lack of spark doesn’t mean there isn’t chemistry. It might just mean there isn’t anxiety.

What to do: Teach your body that it’s okay to feel calm. When you feel like you want to create conflict or chase a thrill, stop and notice that. Then practice doing the opposite of what your urges are, and waiting for them to pass.

Noticing patterns in your relationships is a great first step. Of course, you should always consult with your physician or therapist before making significant changes. Understanding how to slow down and process your past can help you relearn what safety and consistency feel like.

Dr. Amy Tran is a clinical psychologist. Her PhD in child and adolescent psychology informs her work on attachment, relationships, and emotional safety. She is a digital artist and author of ”This Book is a Safe Space.″ Follow her on Instagram.

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American consumers aren’t feeling great about the economy or their own financial situation, with the phrase “affordability crisis” dominating headlines and political campaigns over the last few months.

The majority — 70% — of Americans surveyed in a Marist poll of over 1,400 adults taken in December, say that the cost of living in their area is not very affordable, or not affordable at all, for the average family.

While President Donald Trump called the word “affordability” a “con job by the Democrats,” in a speech in early December, other politicians have insisted it’s an issue for their constituents.

“The affordability crisis is not a hoax, it is a reality felt by Americans everywhere.” Rep. Sarah McBride, D-Del. said in a newsletter.

Nearly half of Americans say their financial situation is worse than a year ago, a recent Credit Karma survey found. And consumer sentiment in December sank 29% from 2024 according to the University of Michigan’s monthly survey.

While annual inflation is down from the historic highs the U.S. saw in 2022, prices for everyday essentials remain elevated, and in some categories continue to rise. In November 2025, coffee prices were up nearly 19% from the previous year and the cost of beef was up around 15%, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Housing costs rose over 14% between September 2023 and September 2025, per Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Medical costs are up nearly 7% over the same period, and costs for services are up over 8%. While some of those price increases are related to supply issues, Trump’s tariff agenda has also pushed prices on essentials like bananas and coffee and discretionary items like toys and electronics.

“It’s not like people are overspending,” Joey Khoury, partner and senior wealth advisor at Mission Wealth, says. Middle and lower-earners especially aren’t “spending lavishly,” he adds, but as living costs have risen it’s become harder for them to stay within their normal budgets.

Consumer spending has increased with each subsequent quarter, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, despite worsening sentiment and weakening consumer confidence, per The Conference Board’s monthly survey.

“What we’re seeing is there is still inflation pressure across the system, particularly in the retail environment, and consumers, through our research tell us that they are effectively trying to muscle through this,” Will Auchincloss, Americas retail sector leader at EY-Parthenon, says. “They’re trying to buy what they’ve always bought or want to buy, but in the face of higher prices.”

Higher earners may be cutting back on some nonessentials, including vitamins and supplements, he says, or trading down to lower-cost alternatives.

However, lower earners are “not just talking about pulling back,” he says. “They are actively pulling back and having a hard time making ends meet.”

“Consumers are balancing many pressures,” including tariffs, sticky inflation and a softening labor market, says Leanna Haakons, a business development and marketing expert, and president of Black Hawk Financial.

At the same time, “they’re still seeking a sense of normalcy and value in their purchases,” Haakons says. For some households, she says, that means being more selective about what they do buy.

“Consumers are buying fewer items overall, but focusing on high-value, more meaningful purchases, durable goods, gifts, things for the household, home upgrades, things that really are valuable to their day to day life,” Haakons says.

While they may be steadily spending, many consumers are also relying on credit cards and buy now, pay later (BNPL) loans to fund their purchases.

Credit card debt rose to a collective $1.23 trillion in the U.S. as of the third quarter of 2025, according to New York Fed data. And a growing number of Americans say they’re using BNPL plans to pay for groceries, a LendingTree survey found in April.

“Consumers are borrowing more and more to cover the spending challenges they’ve got, and that obviously can’t go on forever,” Auchincloss says.

As of the fourth quarter of 2025, growing shares of consumers are already changing behaviors according to McKinsey & Company research.

Nearly a third of adults (29%) say they’ve dipped into their savings in the last three months, up from 26% in Q3. Another 29% say they’ve reduced their savings rate, also up from 26% in the third quarter. And 28% are using credit cards more, up from 26%, McKinsey finds. BNPL usage also ticked up by a percentage point over the same period.

Consumers are hopeful they’ll be able to find their financial footing in 2026 and many are optimistic about meeting their goals, the Credit Karma survey found. Still, 32% of Americans expect things to get worse in the new year, according to a recent Bankrate survey.

Rent prices may cool off in 2026, experts at real estate firm Douglas Elliman recently told CNBC Make It. But overall inflation is expected to stay at or above 3% throughout the year, economists at Deloitte and Fitch Ratings predict.

“The smartest approach for households heading into 2026 is to be selective with spending, prioritizing debt repayment going into the new year,” Haakons says. She encourages folks to pay off their credit card balances and try to time major purchases “wisely,” taking advantage of potential interest rate cuts later in the year.

“It’s important to be prudent going into 2026,” she adds, “because there are some strong signals that there could be some more difficult times ahead for employment.”

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After years of steep increases, renters are finally seeing sustained price relief, a trend that appears to be carrying into early 2026.

In November, the median asking rent across the 50 largest U.S. metro areas was $1,693, down about 1% from a year earlier and marking the 28th consecutive month of year-over-year declines, according to Realtor.com listings data. Nationally, the median rent fell to $1,367, down 1.1% from a year earlier, according to Apartment List’s data.

November is typically the slowest month for rentals, but rents fell more from October to November this year than they did over the same period last year, according to Apartment List.

With new apartment supply still hitting the market, rents are expected to remain lower into 2026.

“Barring a major economic shock, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the more renter-friendly periods we’ve seen in a decade,” says Michelle Griffith, a luxury real estate broker at Douglas Elliman.

Rent relief comes after a sharp run-up in prices earlier in the decade.

Prices for one- and two-bedroom rentals were rising at an annual pace above 12% in mid-2021 and mid-2022 amid high demand, according to Realtor.com data. Since early 2023, rent growth has turned negative as a surge of new apartment supply entered the market.

In 2024, more than 600,000 new multifamily apartment units — typically large, managed apartment buildings — were completed nationwide, the most in a single year since the 1980s, according to Apartment List.

The biggest rent cuts have shown up in these buildings, where the surge of supply has forced landlords to compete for tenants.

“We’re seeing price wars within buildings, longer days on market, and the need for multiple price reductions just to generate foot traffic,” says Jaclyn Bild, a real estate broker associate at Douglas Elliman.

Prices for detached homes and higher-end rentals have held more steady, with demand remaining relatively strong, she says.

Rent relief hasn’t been uniform, as conditions vary widely by market. The sharpest declines have occurred in fast-growing Sun Belt and interior Western metros with a surge in new housing supply in recent years—especially Austin.

These 10 cities recorded some of the steepest year-over-year drops in median asking rent in November, using data for the 50 largest U.S. metro areas, according to Realtor.com.

1. Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos, Texas: −6.6%
2. Denver–Aurora–Centennial, Colorado: −4.8%
3. Birmingham, Alabama: −4.6%
4. Jacksonville, Florida: −4.2%
5. Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, Arizona: −4.0%
6. San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, California: −3.5%
7. Las Vegas–Henderson–North Las Vegas, Nevada: −3.0%
8. Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, Texas: −2.7%
9. Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, Florida: −2.7%
10. San Antonio–New Braunfels, Texas: −2.7%

While rents remain well above pre-pandemic levels, the momentum has shifted in many markets.

High vacancies and a wave of new apartments still coming onto the market are expected to keep rent growth limited into early 2026, with prices leveling off later in the year rather than rebounding quickly, according to Apartment List.

“This is a good time to negotiate rather than assume the asking rent is fixed,” says Griffith. “Landlords are far more open to concessions, flexible lease terms, or modest rent reductions than they were even a year ago. Locking in a lease during periods of elevated supply, especially in late winter or early spring, can provide cost certainty before demand picks up again.”

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Getting a bachelor’s degree isn’t the only way to land a lucrative job anymore.

Resume Genius’s latest report identified the jobs that offer the highest pay without requiring a four-year college degree, using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The report demonstrates that “there’s no one way to get a high-paying job,” according to Resume Genius career expert Eva Chan.

“All of the jobs do have some degree of training, some have schooling, but they’re all very attainable without a degree,” she says.

Blue-collar jobs like electrical power-line installer and repairer are becoming increasingly popular, according to Chan.

“Maybe 10 to 15 years ago, they weren’t seen as lucrative,” Chan says, but more people are realizing that blue-collar roles and skilled trades can offer “high pay” and plenty of growth opportunities.

Management and sales roles like insurance sales agent are ideal for people who have strong interpersonal skills, according to Chan.

“Your pay can increase pretty quickly if you’re consistent and you’re good with building relationships,” she says.

According to Resume Genius, these are the 15 highest-paying jobs that don’t require a college degree, as well as each job’s median annual salary, median hourly wage and estimated job growth over the next decade.

1. Elevator and escalator installer and repairer
Median annual salary: $106,580Median hourly wage: $51.24
Estimated job growth 2024–2034: 5%

2. Transportation, storage, and distribution manager
Median annual salary: $102,010Median hourly wage: $49.05
Estimated job growth 2024–2034: 6%

3. Electrical power-line installer and repairer
Median annual salary: $92,560Median hourly wage: $44.50
Estimated job growth 2024–2034: 7%

4. Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanic and technician
Median annual salary: $79,140Median hourly wage: $38.05
Estimated job growth 2024–2034: 5%

5. Detective and criminal investigator
Median annual salary: $77,270Median hourly wage: $37.15
Estimated job growth 2024–2034: 3%

6. Locomotive engineer
Median annual salary: $75,680Median hourly wage: $36.38
Estimated job growth 2024–2034: 1%

7. Wholesale and manufacturing sales representative
Median annual salary: $74,100Median hourly wage: $35.63
Estimated job growth 2024–2034: 1%

8. Flight attendant
Median annual salary: $67,130Median hourly wage: $32.27
Estimated job growth 2024–2034: 9%

9. Property, real estate, and community association manager
Median annual salary: $66,700Median hourly wage: $32.07
Estimated job growth 2024–2034: 4%

10. Water transportation worker
Median annual salary: $66,490Median hourly wage: $31.97
Estimated job growth 2024–2034: 1%

11. Food service manager
Median annual salary: $65,310Median hourly wage: $31.40
Estimated job growth 2024–2034: 6%

12. Heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technician
Median annual salary: $62,740Median hourly wage: $30.16
Estimated job growth 2024–2034: 6%

13. Athlete and sports competitor
Median annual salary: $62,360Median hourly wage: N/A
Estimated job growth 2024–2034: 5%

14. Chef and head cook
Median annual salary: $60,990Median hourly wage: $29.32
Estimated job growth 2024–2034: 7%

15. Insurance sales agent
Median annual salary: $60,370Median hourly wage: $29.02
Estimated job growth 2024–2034: 4%

These jobs may not require traditional four-year degrees, but they do require “real skills and real training,” Chan says.

She advises job seekers to research the role and “look into the potential schooling that you’ll need.”

“You might need licenses, you might need a certification or you might just need years of experience or a little bit of training,” she says.

Many of these jobs also have clear paths for career progression, Chan says, which is “really compelling” for people who are looking for reliability and steady growth.

“A lot of these jobs aren’t that flashy or widely talked about,” she says, “but they do exist, and they have strong pay and keep essential systems running.”

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