As search engines give way to chatbots and real-time answers, businesses are shifting from SEO to AEO* — answer engine optimization — to stay visible in a changing digital landscape.

For people who want answers about their financial lives, the road ahead is full of opportunity. AI-driven personalization — tailoring financial services and products based on people’s preferences and behaviors — holds immense potential.

More than a quarter of Americans (26%) recognize and acknowledge the value of hyper-personalization in improving financial decision-making, according to Empower research.

— The Editors 

⚙️ Downshifting: Inflation hit a four-year low at 2.3% in April, with egg prices dropping 12.7% and airfare down 2.8% compared to March, according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

💳 Course correction: Household credit card balances fell by $29 billion* in Q1, while auto loan balances dropped $13 billion compared to the previous quarter. It’s only the second time since 2011 that balances have fallen from the previous quarter.

🛵 Fast lane: DoorDash is expanding into more than 40 countries by acquiring* U.K.-based food delivery service Deliveroo for about $3.9 billion. It also inked an approximately $1.2 billion deal for hospitality tech firm SevenRooms, signaling a convergence of dining, travel, and convenience. Food delivery is a top non-essential splurge for 27% of Americans, according to Empower research.

🩺 Savings route: Next year’s limits raise the bar for those mapping out healthcare savings, as health savings account contribution limits rise to $4,400* for individuals and $8,750 for families. With triple tax advantages, HSAs are a savvy route for long-term savings.

Path to perks

Ikea just launched its first-ever rewards program,* offering points redeemable for product discounts — or free food (yes, even meatballs). With some furniture prices up 2.4%* in April from the prior month, according to the CPI, the savings could help take the edge off outfitting a room.

Digital surge

The digital economy has reached $4.9 trillion* and now accounts for 18% of U.S. GDP and supports 28.4 million jobs. And it’s not just coders. Workers for service platforms like Uber and Airbnb account for 8% of jobs, and digital content creator jobs surged from 200,000 in 2020 to 1.5 million in 2024.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts robust opportunities for computer and information technology jobs* with a median annual wage of $105,990. AI is also transforming the nature of work, with more employers upskilling or reskilling employees on new tools.

Now playing

AMC Theaters is offering 50%* off adult movie tickets every Wednesday starting July 9 for members of its free-to-join loyalty program. The goal is to boost theater attendance, which remains below* pre-pandemic levels. In April, Americans spent an average of $261 on entertainment, according to the Empower Personal Dashboard^TM.

Low-rate loans aren’t just a thing of the past. Assumable mortgages — where buyers take over a seller’s existing loan — are gaining traction on the road ahead, especially if that loan dates to the early 2020s, when rates hovered below 4%.

Not all mortgages qualify — they must be backed by the Federal Housing Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or the U.S. Department of Agriculture — but for eligible buyers, it could be a financial shortcut worth exploring. Read more about mortgage options on The Currency^TM.