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Business and economy news coverage from TheDailyGlobe.

A water bill and calculator sit near a kitchen sink.
Consumer Money·Jul 4, 2026

Why Water Bills Are Becoming a Household Budget Pressure Point

Aging pipes, treatment needs, drought and storm damage are putting pressure on water systems, and those costs can reach families and small businesses through monthly bills.

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A parent and child sort school supplies and a backpack at a kitchen table.
Companies·Jul 3, 2026

Why Back-to-School Shopping Is Starting Earlier

Families are spreading school shopping across the summer as supplies, clothes, shoes, backpacks and other costs compete with regular bills.

Cookout groceries and a receipt sit on a backyard table.
Consumer Money·Jul 3, 2026

What a July Fourth Cookout Says About Food Prices

A classic holiday cookout is costing more this year, showing how grocery prices still press on family budgets even for simple gatherings.

Economy

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Grocery receipts and a calculator sit on a kitchen table beside a budget notebook.
Economy·Jun 3, 2026

Consumer Spending Shows Households Are Still Buying Under Pressure

April spending rose even as prices stayed elevated, showing why the economy can look steady while household budgets still feel tight.

An electric bill sits on a kitchen table beside a laptop showing a blurred data-center image.
Economy·Jun 2, 2026

Data Centers Are Turning Electricity Demand Into a Household Bill Story

AI and cloud infrastructure may feel distant, but rising electricity demand is becoming a practical question for utilities, regulators and households.

A kitchen table with receipts, a calculator and a laptop showing blurred budget charts.
Economy·May 27, 2026

Consumer Confidence Slips as Households Stay Cautious About Prices and Jobs

A May confidence reading shows households remain cautious about prices and jobs, even as parts of the economy continue to look steady on paper.

Workers inspect machinery on a factory floor with shipping pallets in the background.
Economy·May 27, 2026

Factory Survey Shows a May Rebound, but Cost Pressure Has Not Gone Away

A Richmond Fed survey showed improved factory activity in May, with stronger orders, shipments and employment, but one regional report does not settle the national manufacturing picture.

Consumer Money

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A couple reviews home listings and mortgage estimates at a kitchen table.
Consumer Money·Jun 24, 2026

Why Starter Homes Are Becoming Harder to Find Across Much of the Country

Rising home prices, limited inventory and higher mortgage costs are making it more difficult for many first-time buyers to find affordable starter homes.

A renter reviews lease paperwork and fees at a kitchen table.
Consumer Money·Jun 24, 2026

Rental Junk Fees Are Getting Federal Scrutiny as Housing Bills Stay Hard to Compare

The FTC has started a rulemaking process focused on rental housing fees, but no final rule has been adopted and key details remain unresolved.

A laptop checkout page sits beside a budget notebook and calculator.
Consumer Money·Jun 23, 2026

Buy Now, Pay Later Keeps Growing as Families Watch Every Dollar

Installment checkout options have become common for everyday purchases, giving families more payment flexibility while making monthly obligations harder to see.

A smartphone with an unknown message sits beside job-search materials on a kitchen table.
Consumer Money·Jun 20, 2026

Fake Job Texts Are Targeting People Looking for Extra Income

The FTC is warning about fake job-offer texts that can target people looking for flexible work, side income or a better paycheck.

Companies

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A small restaurant counter with receipts, prep items, and a calculator before service.
Companies·Jul 1, 2026

Why Restaurants Are Still Trying to Keep Meals Affordable

Families feel higher menu prices, but many small restaurants are also trying to absorb food, labor, rent, utilities and other operating costs.

A shopper carries a small basket of basic household items in a discount store aisle.
Companies·Jun 23, 2026

Dollar General’s $1 Push Shows How Hard Shoppers Are Hunting for Value

Dollar General is emphasizing more low-price items as shoppers keep looking for ways to manage tight grocery, household and end-of-month budgets.

Envelopes, stamps and household paperwork sit on a kitchen table.
Companies·Jun 20, 2026

Stamp Prices Are Going Up Again, and Small Mail Costs Still Add Up

USPS price changes will raise the cost of a Forever stamp, a small increase that can still matter for households and small businesses that rely on mail.

A person works on small business paperwork at a kitchen table with boxes and a calculator nearby.
Companies·Jun 18, 2026

Small Business Applications Show People Are Still Trying to Build Their Own Income

New business applications do not prove every idea will become a lasting company, but they show people are still trying to create income on their own terms.

Jobs / Labor

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A worker reviews job listings and household bills at a kitchen table.
Jobs / Labor·Jun 22, 2026

A Slower Job-Switching Market Can Leave Workers Feeling Stuck

The next JOLTS report will offer a fresh look at openings, quits and hiring, but the bigger question for many workers is whether changing jobs still feels safe.

A small business owner reviews payroll paperwork near an employee schedule.
Jobs / Labor·Jun 22, 2026

July Wage Hikes Put Workers and Small Employers on the Same Deadline

Minimum wage increases taking effect July 1 in several places will affect paychecks, payroll systems and small-business planning, but not every worker or employer is covered.

A worker reviews job listings and household bills at a kitchen table.
Jobs / Labor·Jun 19, 2026

What Fewer Job Quits Can Say About Worker Confidence

The number of people quitting jobs can offer a useful, limited signal about how confident workers feel about finding something better.

A teenager fills out a job application while a parent reviews household paperwork.
Jobs / Labor·Jun 19, 2026

Why Summer Jobs Are Harder to Find for Many Teens

A tougher summer job search is hitting teens, parents and the local employers that usually rely on seasonal entry-level workers.

Markets / Inflation / Rates

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A thermostat, utility bill and calculator sit on a kitchen counter.
Markets / Inflation / Rates·Jun 20, 2026

Natural Gas Prices Are Shifting as Summer Power Demand Builds

Natural gas is often treated as a winter heating issue, but summer cooling demand can also affect power costs, households and small businesses.

A parent pumps gas into a family vehicle at a generic gas station.
Markets / Inflation / Rates·Jun 19, 2026

Gas Prices Are Easing, but Driving Still Strains Family Budgets

AAA says the national average for regular gas has fallen, but fuel remains a recurring cost for families, commuters and small businesses.

A small business desk with invoices, receipts and a calculator.
Markets / Inflation / Rates·Jun 13, 2026

Wholesale Price Jump Shows How Energy Costs Are Pressuring Businesses and Consumers

New federal data shows rising wholesale and consumer prices, offering a clearer look at why costs may still feel stubbornly high for businesses and households.

Household bills, a receipt and a calculator on a kitchen table.
Markets / Inflation / Rates·Jun 5, 2026

Why Bills Can Still Feel High Even When Inflation Slows

The latest inflation report shows prices are still rising, which helps explain why many households have not felt much relief in rent, food, insurance and other recurring costs.