inflation

Higher-Tech Cars Drive Up Repair Costs for Mechanics and Consumers

Higher-Tech Cars Drive Up Repair Costs for Mechanics and Consumers
Higher-Tech Cars Drive Up Repair Costs for Mechanics and Consumers
October 04, 2026  |  Technology

As automotive technology evolves, cars are getting more and more expensive to repair. That’s because repair shops are being forced to spend more on software...

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Consumers Tap Reserves and Charity to Manage Inflation
Consumers Tap Reserves and Charity to Manage Inflation
October 04, 2026  |  Consumer Insights

American consumer spending remains undaunted by inflation, though it is requiring people to grow more resourceful. That’s according to a report Saturday (Oct. 3) by...

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Stronger GDP Raises the Stakes for Winning Consumer Dollars
Stronger GDP Raises the Stakes for Winning Consumer Dollars
September 30, 2026  |  Economy

Go figure. Inflation picked up in August. Real disposable income didn’t move much. Consumers responded by spending substantially more. The trends are more revealing about...

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University of Michigan Says Trade Disputes and High Prices Squeeze Consumer Sentiment
University of Michigan Says Trade Disputes and High Prices Squeeze Consumer Sentiment
September 28, 2026  |  Economy

Consumer sentiment slipped in September amid concerns about high prices and rekindled trade disputes, according to the University of Michigan’s Surveys of Consumers. The survey’s...

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Fed Data Shows Consumers Shift Spending Toward Homes and Vacations
Fed Data Shows Consumers Shift Spending Toward Homes and Vacations
September 21, 2026  |  Economy

Households continued to spend more in August, although at a slower rate than earlier in the year. The median reported year-over-year increase in monthly household...

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Big-Ticket Buyers Keep Retail’s Holiday Hopes Alive
Big-Ticket Buyers Keep Retail’s Holiday Hopes Alive
September 16, 2026  |  Economy

Consumers didn’t wait to shell out funds for cars, furniture and electronics in August. Retail sales rose 1.2% from July to $773.9 billion, reversing July’s...

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Consumers Feel Strained as Inflation Surpasses Wage Growth
Consumers Feel Strained as Inflation Surpasses Wage Growth
September 13, 2026  |  Economy

American consumers are facing added strain as inflation continues to outpace wage growth. “A substantial number of Americans are worse off, their incomes are not...

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Smallest Businesses Fall Behind as Main Street Goes Digital
Smallest Businesses Fall Behind as Main Street Goes Digital
September 07, 2026  |  SMBs

Labor Day finds Main Street approaching the fourth quarter with more ways to sell, get paid and source goods than it had four years ago....

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