The first day of the workweek is sunny side up, with Monday morning breakfast orders rising 7%* year-over-year. That omelet? The median price now sits at $14.71 across the U.S. — up 5.4% since last spring, due in part to a 41.5% jump in egg costs.

For those looking to save, monthly spending at dollar stores rose from $25 in January to $30 in May, according to Empower Personal Dashboard^TM data. More than three in five Millennials and Gen Zers shop at dollar stores for groceries and household goods.

— The Editors

🍞 Freshly baked: The One Big Beautiful Bill Act act was signed into law on July 4, bringing with it fresh deductions for tip workers, overtime earners, and retirees — plus some updates to child tax credits, car loan interest, HSA rules, and SALT deductions. Sprinkled on top is a pilot savings program for babies born between Jan. 1, 2025 and Dec. 31, 2028 to give them a $1,000 nest egg in an index fund. It also increases the withdrawal limit for 529 plans to $20,000 for allowable K-12 expenses.

🍳 On the back burner: 45% of student loan borrowers have put big life moves on hold to focus on repayment, according to Empower research. Those who are delinquent or in default may see wage garnishments come into effect this summer. With the average student loan payment between $200 to $299 a month, staying on top of payments goes a long way.

☕ Grounds for optimism: Coffee prices have climbed nearly 12% during the past year, but there’s a silver lining in that latte foam. Global coffee bean futures are falling fast, and analysts say relief could be brewing. The price of a cup of joe in major U.S. cities ranges from $4.75 in Boston to $5.22 in New York. Americans spent an average of $44.50 on coffee in May, according to Empower Personal Dashboard data.

💸 Stacking up: More than two-thirds (71%*) of U.S. parents are giving kids an allowance, with teens ages 15 to 17 receiving the most — an average of $44.88 a week. And 29% of parents gave their kids a raise this year to keep up with inflation.

Second serving

Gen Z is having a BlackBerry moment. Teens are rediscovering the phones their parents once swore by. This is part of a broader “nostalgia tech” wave:* Old-school devices are now part fashion statement, part digital detox.

Most BlackBerrys no longer work as phones — the company stopped supporting their operating systems in 2022. These discontinued devices are still being used for journaling, playing music, or for the sheer “retro” factor they embody.

Prices on smartphones are down 14% in the past year, but the 91% of U.S. adults who own one are holding off on a new model, bringing the average upgrade cycle to three and a half years.

Bright start

Microsoft’s latest Work Trend index reveals that nearly 40% of employees check email before 6 a.m. to plan their priorities for the day. For some, the workday is growing longer with 117 emails daily, and meetings after 8 p.m. are up 16%. Remote workers in particular say they appreciate the opportunity to work during quiet evening hours and catch up.

Workplace happiness is increasingly linked to how well work aligns with life, both financially and emotionally, according to Empower research. For 65% of workers, financial joy starts with having a job they love. 

A bigger boat

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s classic Jaws. Martha's Vineyard, the setting for the film’s fictional Amity Island, is hosting anniversary events* with cast members and unique screenings. Home rentals* can cost any between $500 to more than $1,000 per night during busy summer weeks. Travelers might need a bigger budget. 

Small luxuries are back in style with beauty spending soaring 33% from January to April this year, after slumping in late 2024, according to Empower Personal Dashboard data. This is often called the “lipstick effect” as consumers opt for more affordable splurges during times of economic volatility. Similarly, gym spending increased 2.5% during the same period to $74.10 per month, a sign that in-person wellness is on an upward trajectory.