If you’re split on which Girl Scout cookie to buy, the decision just got a little tougher: Exploremores is new to the lineup, a rocky road ice cream-inspired sandwich cookie with chocolate wafers, toasted almond-flavored crème, and marshmallow filling.

Cookie season is big business and a learning lab for young entrepreneurship. Scouts sell about 200 million boxes in a typical year — roughly $800 million in sales — with proceeds staying local to fund troop activities.

Nationally, the price of all cookies is up 3.5% for the 12-month period ending in August, according to the Consumer Price Index. Still, Empower research finds nearly 4 in 10 people prefer seasonal versions of their favorite products, even if it costs more (48% Gen Z, 46% Millennials).

— The Editors 

🚗 Credit countdown: The $7,500 EV tax credit set to expire Sept. 30, 2025 has sparked* a rush to buy or lease. With average new vehicle prices near $50,000, 22% of borrowers are opting for 7-year loans, up from about 17% a year ago.

🍪 Bite-sized boost: Campbell’s topped* earnings estimates as more meals and snacks are consumed at home. The Milano brand helped drive Pepperidge Farm sales, with new flavors like white chocolate adding momentum. Meanwhile, the cost for food at home is up 2.7% in the year ending in August.

⛰️ Peak price: Aspen’s Little Lake Lodge hit the market at $300 million,* the highest asking price in the U.S. The 18,500-square-foot retreat spans 74 acres with guest houses, a wellness spa, and a swan boat. For buyers doing mortgage math, Colorado doesn’t levy a mansion tax, so it's mostly sticker price, not surtax.

🏁 Racing forward: Potbelly’s shares zoomed 30% after news that the sandwich chain is being acquired by Atlanta-based convenience store operator RaceTrac for $566 million.* With 445 restaurants currently, the deal could help Potbelly reach 2,000 locations. Americans spent $45.60 per restaurant transaction in August, up 4.6% from a year ago, according to Empower Personal Dashboard™ data.   

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Hiring decision

AI is reshaping how companies hire, with recruiting software now a $3.3 billion global market growing more than 6% a year. Many employers are also adding in-person interviews to confirm skills and keep the human side of hiring in focus.

Empower research finds 1 in 3 Americans landed their current role through personal networks — a reminder that connections, as much as credentials, can open doors to higher pay and career growth. 

Campus life

Brands are stepping up efforts to reach college students as they transition to a new school year. Students spend about $410 a month on off-campus food and some of their decisions are driven by influencer marketing with luxury dorm room decor a strong trend.

Companies are getting into the college experience, too. Chipotle launched a student rewards program and teamed with Urban Outfitters on dorm pieces (think tortilla-chip lamp), Poppi* created customized cans for sororities, and Kohl’s and Sephora recently opened* beauty pop-ups at three Southeastern Conference universities.

Late-night choice

Scattered, smothered, covered — and now delivered. Waffle House* is partnering with DoorDash to roll out all-night delivery, with most locations offering it from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. and select cities offering 24/7 service for waffle or hashbrown cravings.

Food delivery ranks among the top everyday splurges, with 27% of Americans calling it their favorite luxury, according to Empower research.