On my first day of work at the neighborhood ice cream shop, my boss lined up cups on the counter, handed me a scooper, and set a timer.

“A perfect scoop takes under 24 seconds,” he said. 

Ice cream splattered as I tried to keep up. It humbled me, but I kept showing up. The pay is $16.50 an hour plus tips, and I — a 31-year-old with years of experience in news and tech — expected to be working alongside teenagers. 

Instead, when I started working at Lady Moo Moo in Bed-Stuy, I found myself surrounded by people who, like me, had already built careers and are now navigating an unpredictable job market. Some had been laid off just as I had. Others, like my colleague who is a sex educator and public health advocate, lost funding in their fields. A few are juggling multiple part-time roles to stay afloat. 

We’re all piecing together income however we can, showing up where steady work exists. We have responsibilities and ambition. We’re trying and adapting. There is zero shame in it. 

My life used to look very different. At 23, I was the U.S. news lead for ByteDance’s first U.S. content product, TopBuzz. By 25, I oversaw content strategy at SmartNews, a Japanese news aggregation startup that once felt like the future of media.

I still remember the 10th anniversary celebration. The company flew the U.S. team and several colleagues from Japan to San Francisco and put us up in beautiful hotel suites. The CEO opened a five-figure bottle of whiskey in front of everyone. The future felt bright. A few months later, most of the U.S. team, including me, was laid off. Talk about whiplash.

In 2024, Meta offered me a job that was listed in New York, which has always felt like home. After I accepted, the role shifted to San Francisco. I was hopeful about this next step in my career when I moved west. But no one on my team worked in my building, I had five different managers, and I was laid off again after only a year.

I moved back to New York with part of my severance, assuming my experience, especially with Meta, would help me find work quickly. Instead, I stepped into the most brutal job search I’ve ever experienced. When I logged onto LinkedIn, my feed was full of people going through the same thing.

After a long interview process at Yahoo, I didn’t get the full-time role I’d applied for. But a month later, the hiring manager offered me a part-time weekend contract. I accepted immediately. It meant waking up at 5 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays and going without benefits, but I loved the work and wanted to stay in the industry.

I figured a job at the ice cream shop in my neighborhood, which is open every year from April through November, might help fill the gap. 

I never expected to get a scooping job in my 30s. I took it to make some extra money until I regained my footing. But I ended up finding so much more in it. 

At Lady Moo Moo, the line wraps around the block even on rainy days. On Halloween, a little girl dressed up as the shop’s golden gumball. The basement is filled with gifts, drawings, thank you notes and even a paper mache cow a customer made.

People come in after long workdays, school pickups, and difficult conversations, or simply because they want a moment of sweetness. I saw couples on dates, friends catching up, and neighbors stopping by because the shop is part of their daily rhythm. 

Every shift, I met people who never imagined they would be picking up part-time work: artists, teachers, nonprofit workers, tech employees, museum curators, and neighbors doing their best to make life work in a difficult economy. No one was ashamed. Everyone showed up for themselves and for each other.

During our final week of the season, the owner took the entire staff out to dinner. I’ve worked full-time jobs with far larger budgets that never expressed appreciation like that. Walking home afterward, my arms sore from 24-second scooping drills, I didn’t feel “behind” in my career. I felt grounded and grateful. I felt like I belonged somewhere again.

Do I want another full-time role? Of course. I miss health insurance. I miss buying fresh groceries. I miss sleeping past dawn. But this experience gave me something I didn’t realize I needed — and when the shop opens its second, year-round location in early 2026, I’ll keep scooping while I continue my job search as long as my schedule allows it.

In a moment when the job market felt chaotic and stability seemed elusive, I found steadiness in a community that held me up. It reminded me that life is about more than titles and résumés.

It’s about the places you go and the people you meet who show you that you’re not alone — the ones who scoop beside you and turn a side gig at a small neighborhood shop into something that feels like home.

Kaila Curry is a journalist, senior content manager, audience engagement and social media strategist and, most recently, an ice cream scooper. She has held editorial and content leadership roles at ByteDance, Meta, and SmartNews, and is currently seeking a full-time role.

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I spent seven years studying high-achieving students, interviewing hundreds of them and their families.

Many young people I met described monitoring grades, rankings, and résumés as if they were constantly evaluating their worth. In some families, achievement took on an outsized role, leading some children to wonder whether their parents’ love was tied to how well they performed.

Achievement culture promises to open doors, suggesting that better grades and better college degrees guarantee better futures. But a growing body of research shows that this relentless chase can breed perfectionism, a trait linked to higher rates of anxiety and depression.

So what can a parent do to protect against this narrow view of success and self-worth?

We can help young people turn their self-focused attention outward. When children shift from “How am I doing?” to “Where can I be useful?” they develop a stronger identity, rooted in contribution rather than performance. Small, everyday ways of being needed — helping a neighbor, being counted on at home, showing up for a team — can buffer against that harmful inner-scorekeeping and build a sturdier sense of self-worth.

When kids anchor their efforts in something beyond themselves, everyday stressors become more manageable. They stop believing they are only a grade or a score, and start feeling like a person who matters in the world. Here’s how:

Recently, a woman told me she was on her way to the park with her two young kids when she saw their elderly neighbor raking her lawn. The neighbor waved off the woman’s offer to help, but still, she unloaded her kids from the car, and they grabbed rakes, piling leaves into bags.

The kids talked about it all afternoon — how happy their neighbor was, how much fun they had, and how good it felt to be useful. They were experiencing what psychologists call a “helper’s high” and a growing sense of agency.

To help children look beyond themselves, try prompts like “What do you think she might need today?” or “Who could use a hand right now?” Regular acts, such as checking on a neighbor, delivering a meal, and volunteering, strengthen kids’ sense of belonging within their community.

One mother I interviewed taped a sheet of paper to the front door with a short list of family tasks. When her kids came home from school, she’d ask them to sign the ones they could take on that day. 

Over time, these small commitments helped her children see themselves not just as children who sometimes help, but as contributors to their family.

That shift toward a helper identity matters. In a study of 149 children ages 3 to 6, researchers found that thanking children for “being a helper” rather than “helping” significantly increased their willingness to pitch in. They were motivated by the idea of becoming someone who helps. 

Across studies, people who feel useful and connected show lower stress and greater resilience, suggesting that contribution is protective.

Kids learn generosity by watching us. But modeling alone isn’t enough. We have to make our thinking visible. 

When you check on a neighbor, bring soup to a sick friend, or help someone who looks overwhelmed, narrate the “why” behind your actions. 

You might say, “I brought her soup so she knows she’s not alone.” Or, you might explain, “He looked like he needed a hand with those bags,” or, “I texted her because I had a feeling today might be hard.” These small explanations give kids a mental model of why we help and an internal script they can use themselves.

In a culture that too often reduces young people to what they achieve, helping them look outward is one of the most potent antidotes we have to excessive pressure. 

When young people discover ways to contribute that aren’t tied to external metrics, they gain a more grounded sense of who they are and the larger role they can play in the world.

Jennifer Breheny Wallace is an award-winning journalist and author of the New York Times bestseller ”Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic — and What We Can Do About It.” She lives in New York City with her husband and three teens. You can follow her on Instagram @jenniferbrehenywallace. 

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Americans earning a regular salary may have trouble living comfortably in all 50 states.

The median annual wage for individuals was just below $62,000 at the end of 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But it takes a salary of at least $80,829 for a single adult to live comfortably in West Virginia, the most affordable state, according to a recent SmartAsset study.

SmartAsset defines “comfortable” as earning enough to follow the 50/30/20 budget method, which recommends putting 50% of your income toward essentials like rent and food, 30% toward discretionary spending and 20% toward debt repayment and savings. It used the latest estimates from Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Living Wage calculator to estimate individuals’ cost of necessities in each state.

On the other side of the spectrum from West Virginia, residents in Hawaii need to earn a minimum of $124,467 a year to live comfortably, SmartAsset finds. That’s the highest of any state and one of two states — along with Massachusetts — where individuals need to earn at least $120,000 a year to afford a comfortable lifestyle.

Here’s how much money it takes for a single adult to live comfortably in every U.S. state 2025.

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $85,280
• Change from 2024: 1.74%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $100,298
• Change from 2024: 3.65%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $101,587
• Change from 2024: 4.36%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $81,078
• Change from 2024: 2.04%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $119,475
• Change from 2024: 5.12%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $105,955
• Change from 2024: 2.58%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $105,165
• Change from 2024: 4.77%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $97,469
• Change from 2024: 3.54%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $97,386
• Change from 2024: 4.37%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $99,590
• Change from 2024: 2.79%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $124,467
• Change from 2024: 9.48%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $96,429
• Change from 2024: 8.67%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $98,010
• Change from 2024: 3.06%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $86,570
• Change from 2024: 1.81%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $86,902
• Change from 2024: 4.24%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $87,610
• Change from 2024: 3.49%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $83,574
• Change from 2024: 3.56%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $85,322
• Change from 2024: 3.48%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $96,595
• Change from 2024: 5.35%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $108,867
• Change from 2024: 5.78%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $120,141
• Change from 2024: 3.55%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $87,235
• Change from 2024: 3.40%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $91,728
• Change from 2024: 2.80%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $86,320
• Change from 2024: 4.32%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $86,819
• Change from 2024: 3.32%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $92,851
• Change from 2024: 9.57%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $87,318
• Change from 2024: 4.32%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $99,216
• Change from 2024: 6.19%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $103,085
• Change from 2024: 5.09%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $108,992
• Change from 2024: 5.82%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $87,402
• Change from 2024: 4.53%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $114,691
• Change from 2024: 2.64%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $93,766
• Change from 2024: 4.55%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $82,285
• Change from 2024: 2.17%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $84,781
• Change from 2024: 5.05%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $84,282
• Change from 2024: 4.81%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $104,666
• Change from 2024: 3.54%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $95,306
• Change from 2024: 4.37%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $101,338
• Change from 2024: 0.50%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $92,144
• Change from 2024: 4.33%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $82,160
• Change from 2024: 0.87%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $91,478
• Change from 2024: 5.87%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $90,771
• Change from 2024: 4.30%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $99,466
• Change from 2024: 6.17%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $99,632
• Change from 2024: 4.04%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $106,704
• Change from 2024: 6.74%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $109,658
• Change from 2024: 2.97%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $80,829
• Change from 2024: 2.59%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $87,194
• Change from 2024: 3.66%

• Income needed for a single adult, 2025: $87,942
• Change from 2024: 0.33%

While the 50/30/20 budget can be an effective tool to manage your money, it can also be difficult to follow if you have high fixed costs. And though data suggests wage growth nationwide is actually outpacing price inflation, many Americans don’t feel that way.

About 7 in 10 Americans feel stressed about their finances, according to a CNBC/SurveyMonkey online poll conducted in April. Plus, President Donald Trump’s tariffs threaten to push prices up even further.

Boosting your income by switching jobs or getting a side hustle may be easier said than done, but it can help give you some breathing room in your budget, especially if you’ve already cut out as much discretionary spending as you can.

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Engagement season is upon us, with December being the most popular month to propose worldwide, according to The Knot.

And while traditionally men have been expected to shell out for that diamond — as Beyoncé put it in 2008, he should’ve “put a ring on it” — many women are changing their expectations around who makes the purchase.

Nearly 71% (70.6%) of women say they’re willing to contribute to the cost of their engagement ring, according to DatingAdvice.com’s recent Holiday Engagement Survey of 1,000 partnered U.S. adults.

Almost 19% said they would pay for the ring in full, about 23% said they’d partially pay and 29% said they would contribute if needed.

Here’s why Natassia Miller, a certified sexologist who founded the sex and relationship coaching company Wonderlust, thinks women might be changing their tune.

There are more couples earning two salaries, with or without kids, than there were a decade ago, according to the Pew Research Center.

And while, on average, the gender wage gap persists, there are some metro areas in the U.S. where women under the age of 30 earn as much as or more than their male counterparts, according to Pew.

“Today, with more dual‑income couples and women delaying marriage while they build careers,” says Miller, “there’s more openness to treating the ring as a shared investment.”

This piece of jewelry is expensive: The average cost of an engagement ring is $5,200, according to The Knot.

And headlines abound about Americans’ financial hardships. Overall prices are up 25% since January 2020, for example, according to Consumer Price Index data, and nearly half of Americans believe their financial situation worsened this year, according to a recent survey by Intuit Credit Karma.

“Against that backdrop, it makes sense that couples are more pragmatic,” says Miller. “Instead of one partner taking on debt to hit an arbitrary ring budget, some women would rather share the cost and keep the purchase aligned with reality.​”

Finally, even as they consider their financial realities, women are willing to pay because the ring is symbolic.

“Even women who are financially independent often grew up on a steady diet of rom‑coms, social media proposals, and bridal marketing where the ring is framed as proof of worthiness and desirability,” says Miller.

For many women, “an engagement ring is still a public symbol that says, ‘Someone committed to me, and is willing to show that to the world.’”

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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.

Want to give your kids the ultimate advantage? Sign up for CNBC’s new online course, How to Raise Financially Smart Kids. Learn how to build healthy financial habits today to set your children up for greater success in the future.