💰 Ready, set, refund
Ready, set, refund? Taxpayers may have an incentive to file early this year with refunds projected to jump 15% to 20% due to several law changes impacting 2025 taxes. Three things to know ahead of filing:
✅ Following a tax preparation checklist could help you file faster.
🖥️ The IRS phased out paper checks; expect a refund (if applicable) via direct deposit or other electronic options.
💸 Refunds may arrive in three weeks or less with e-file and direct deposit.
— The Editors
🏠 Home sales accelerate: Existing home sales jumped 5.1%,* in December — double economists’ expectations. Easing mortgage rates, slower price growth, and more inventory are giving buyers a tailwind.* This step-by-step homebuying guide can help prospective homebuyers map their next move and shop with confidence.
📦 Set for liftoff: Walmart is taking delivery to the next level by expanding its partnership with the drone company Wing. Shoppers in 270* locations — including Cincinnati, Miami, and St. Louis — will be eligible for air drops by 2027. E-commerce sales rose to $310.3 billion* in Q3 2025, making up 16.4% of retail sales.
💲 Guardrails ahead: New limits on federal student loans will roll out in July.* Total graduate school borrowing will be capped at $100,000, and professional degrees will see a $200,000 limit. An Empower study found monthly student loan payments average $284 — with 15% of borrowers paying over $500 a month.
🏃➡️ Go time gains: A strong holiday season has Lululemon Athletica bumping* its Q4 revenue outlooks to the top of the $3.5 billion to $3.59 billion range. Empower Personal DashboardTM data reveals that Gen X spent $218 on average at the retailer in December, topping all generations.
Super savers
Millennials are leaning into the full potential of health savings accounts (HSAs). They now hold 32% of all HSA accounts and are blazing a new trail in how they use them: saving and investing instead of spending down balances.
See how “front-loading” contributions — adding money earlier in the year to workplace offerings like HSAs and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) — can shape taxes, long-term growth, and employer contributions.
Making room
Multigenerational living is growing as housing costs remain high and caregiving demands rise, especially among sandwich households supporting children and aging parents. In 2025, 21% of Gen X buyers and 12% of older millennials bought multigenerational homes.
Cost savings are driving the trend, from splitting mortgage payments to saving on childcare expenses and long-term care costs for older relatives.
Ready, set, redeem
With some companies seeing as much as $7 billion* from loyalty rewards programs, many airlines, banks, and credit card companies are transforming their programs into “lifestyle enablers,” offering new VIP perks to woo customers.
Members can now tap into unique opportunities that go beyond hotel or flight upgrades — think Michelin-starred dining, back-stage Broadway tours, and tickets to Coachella and Formula 1 Grand Prix.
Get financially happy
Put your money to work for life and play
*Third-party data is obtained from sources believed to be reliable; however, Empower cannot guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, completeness, or fitness of this data for any particular purpose. Third-party links are provided solely as a convenience and do not imply an affiliation, endorsement, responsibility, or approval by Empower of the contents on such third-party websites.
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The Currency editors
Staff contributors
The CurrencyTM writers and editors cover the latest financial news and insights shaping how we live, work, and play. The team provides accurate, data-driven, and timely content aimed at empowering financial freedom for all.
The content contained in this blog post is intended for general informational purposes only and is not meant to constitute legal, tax, accounting or investment advice. You should consult a qualified legal or tax professional regarding your specific situation. No part of this blog, nor the links contained therein is a solicitation or offer to sell securities. Compensation for freelance contributions not to exceed $1,250. Third-party data is obtained from sources believed to be reliable; however, Empower cannot guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, completeness or fitness of this data for any particular purpose. Third-party links are provided solely as a convenience and do not imply an affiliation, endorsement or approval by Empower of the contents on such third-party websites. This article is based on current events, research, and developments at the time of publication, which may change over time.
Certain sections of this blog may contain forward-looking statements that are based on our reasonable expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions. Past performance is not a guarantee of future return, nor is it indicative of future performance. Investing involves risk. The value of your investment will fluctuate and you may lose money.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design), and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.