One in two Americans (51%) have spent money or made an investment due to financial FOMO — the fear of missing out on an opportunity or experience — often while scrolling social media.

Hailey Bieber scaled her virally successful skincare company to capture this phenomenon. In a can’t-miss beauty deal, e.l.f. Beauty acquired the brand, rhode, for a cool $1 billion.

Boomers say they’re not as susceptible to FOMO as younger generations: Just 28% report it has led to a purchase compared to 69% of Gen Z and 57% of Millennials, according to Empower research. 

— The Editors 

👔 Dad’s day, don’t delay: Father’s Day spending is expected to hit $24 billion* this year — topping the 2023 record of $22.9 billion. Still, it trails the estimated $34.1 billion* spent on Mother’s Day this year. More than half of dads (56%*) say the gift they want most is to spend the day with their children or grandchildren.

⛙ Merger momentum: Mergers and acquisitions are on the rise as companies race to lock in growth. Dick’s Sporting Goods is picking up Foot Locker for $2.4 billion, and Sanofi is buying Blueprint Medicines for up to $9.5 billion.

💸 Fearless neighbors: Pew Research finds that 44%* of Americans trust their neighbors, and 50% would lend them money for an emergency. That could take a load off the minds of the 21% of Americans who don’t have money set aside to cover unexpected expenses.

⛽ Fueling frenzy: Big box stores are racing for consumer loyalty. Costco, with about $14.7 billion in annual gas sales, is extending most station hours to 10 p.m., while Walmart plans 45* new pump locations this year. Meanwhile, gas prices are down more than 11% year-over-year, hovering around $3.14* per gallon on average. Read more about gas prices on The Currency^TM.

Wedding wins, tariff spins

Wedding season is in full bloom, and some couples are hoping proposed tariffs don’t drive up the tab. With imports of staples like gowns, flowers, beverages, and specialty food, couples could see 10% to 15% price increases. About 90% of wedding gowns and 80% of flowers are sourced from outside the U.S. Dressing the part currently runs $2,100 for brides on average, and blossoms for those bouquets and centerpieces hover around $2,700.

Meanwhile, some guests don’t mind missing the spotlight: An Empower study shows 48% hope they’re not asked to be in a wedding because of the associated expenses.

Updating the perks playbook

Gen Z will make up 27% of the global labor force by year's end, and they're bringing fresh expectations to the workplace. More than just salary, many workers value benefits that support both financial resilience and lifestyle flexibility.

What’s topping the wish list for benefits? Unlimited paid time off or open leave policies (45%), financial assistance for major life events (33%), flexible wage arrangements (32%), and paid sabbaticals (21%), according to an Empower report.

Can’t miss memories

For many families, summer camp is more than a tradition — it’s a memory maker, a childcare lifeline, and sometimes, a serious budget line item. Youth camps alone add an estimated $70 billion* to the U.S. economy, with day camps averaging $73-$87* daily and sleep-away camps reaching $150-$173 a day per kid.

Beyond the campfire, about 178.5 million Americans ages six or older take part in outdoor activities. While interest in climbing and camping is up 13.9%, boating and fishing take the lead in contributing $36.8 billion to the $640 billion outdoor economy.

Brick by brick, the latest Nike x LEGO collab* is building buzz. The limited-edition 1,180-piece LEGO Nike Dunk set drops July 1, followed by a sneaker-styled line of apparel and accessories — complete with an Air Max remix — on August 1.

No small feat: Adult fans now account for 17.3% of toy sales, adding up to $6.7 billion.