If you hate waiting in long airport security lines, you've likely found yourself considering a Clear+ membership. You may have even been tempted by one of the eager Clear employees who offer to whisk you away from those long lines and to one of the Clear kiosks to enroll and immediately skip to the front.

But the annual membership jumped from $199 in 2024 to $209 in 2025 and now, the company announced another $10 price hike taking effect this month.

At its new price of $219 per year, travelers should take a careful look at exactly what a Clear+ membership gets you and whether it's worth it for the way you travel.

How is Clear+ different from TSA PreCheck or Global Entry?

If you're trying to cut your wait time at the airport, you've likely tried to compare Clear+, TSA PreCheck and Global Entry. The differences can be confusing. But the short version is:

All three come with their own separate lines that can often be shorter than the general security line. A single traveler can pair the memberships for even faster processing through airport security.

Is Clear+ worth it?

Even before the latest price hike, Clear+ was already significantly more expensive than TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. As of this latest price hike, travelers are looking at a $219 bill every year to keep their Clear+ membership active.

Meanwhile, TSA PreCheck only costs $85 or less every five years and Global Entry costs $120 every five years. Global Entry also automatically includes TSA PreCheck so you wouldn't need to enroll in both. That works out to a maximum of $24 per year compared to Clear's $219 per year.

It's also worth noting that many travel rewards cards offer full statement credits for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry so if you have one of those, you wouldn't even need to pay the $24 per year to get access to those faster screening programs.

For less frequent travelers, the steeper price tag on a Clear+ membership is unlikely to pay off, especially as the Clear lane is not guaranteed to be the fastest lane. But for frequent flyers, pairing Clear+ with either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry can give you options at the airport so that you're always in the fastest line, no matter what the lines look like that day.

If you can get Clear+ for free through your credit card (more on that below), there's no reason not to go for it – unless you have privacy concerns around giving your data to a private company. But if you don't have a way to get it for free, you'll have to weigh the amount of time you currently spend waiting in airport security lines against that rising price tag.

How to get Clear+ for free (or cheap)

A select few travel credit cards will offer cardholders a statement credit for Clear+ just as they do for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. Some of the most well-known travel rewards cards with that perk include:

• The Platinum Card from American Express
• The Business Platinum Card from American Express
• The American Express Green Card
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

If you don't have or want any of those American Express credit cards, you can also get a partial statement credit for Clear+ with Delta-branded American Express cards and United MileagePlus Premier cards.

All Delta SkyMiles American Express cards come with a $40 discount on the Clear+ membership. Meanwhile, if you have any of the United MileagePlus Premier cards, you'll get $30 off the annual fee.

Lastly, Clear also offers special pricing for military and government employees. Currently, if you're eligible for that special pricing, you can get the membership for just $125 per year.

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To help you understand the trends surrounding business and technology and what we expect to happen in the future, our highly experienced Kiplinger Letter team will keep you abreast of the latest developments and forecasts. (Get a free issue of The Kiplinger Letter or subscribe.) You'll get all the latest news first by subscribing, but we will publish many (but not all) of the forecasts a few days afterward online. Here's the latest…

If you find a deal on a PC or tablet, you may want to act fast. Prices will only go up from here.

The memory crunch we warned about in March, which was hammering the smartphone and PC market, has only gotten worse.

Apple’s recent price hikes are the biggest shift in the consumer electronics market so far, with the massively popular brand raising prices 17% to 30% on laptops and tablets. Apple is likely to raise iPhone prices later this year, too. CEO Tim Cook blamed skyrocketing memory chip costs, saying he’s never seen anything like it in 40 years.

"Tight memory supply, due to immense AI infrastructure demand, has pushed prices 3-4 times higher than they were at the end of 2024, with further rises likely," says William Kerwin, an analyst at Morningstar, in a recent research note. “Memory has accounted for about 10% of an iPhone's cost, but inflation threatens to raise the cost of building an iPhone by 20% or more.”

AI infrastructure is hogging the manufacturing capacity of memory chip makers such as Micron, SK Hynix and Samsung. That leaves far less capacity for consumer electronics, causing vendors to scramble and swallow extremely high prices. Any new manufacturing capacity coming online in the near term will be prioritized for AI, not consumer gadgets.

New Apple pricing (Source: Associated Press ):

• MacBook Neo: Now $699, up from $599
• 512-gigabyte MacBook Air: Now $1,299, up from $1,099
• 1-terabyte MacBook Pro: Now $1,999, up from $1,699
• 128-gigabyte iPad Air: Now $749, up from $599
• 256-gigabyte iPad Pro WiFi: Now $1,299, up from $999

It’s hard to predict when the memory price hikes will cool off. "The supply-demand imbalance is expected to persist beyond 2027 in key segments," according to a recent article by Soo Kyoum Kim, an analyst at IDC. "We expect memory inflation to continue through 2028, but for prices to come back down thereafter as new supply comes online,” says Kerwin.

Sellers besides Apple had already been raising prices, and there’s more to come. "We also expect other PC and tablet brands to follow Apple’s example," said David Naranjo, an analyst at CounterPoint Research, in an online post. "They may raise prices on select products, cut discounts on entry-level models, or adjust their product lines to focus more on premium devices."

Consumers and businesses don’t have many options. One strategy is to hold on to PCs and phones longer. Many businesses will do this, extending hardware lifecycles beyond the traditional three to five years, at least for some work devices. That’s not easy to do, since newer models come with more-powerful processors and other improvements, which are often necessary to harness in-demand AI tools.

Used smartphones are another way to save. Refurbished phones are closely inspected and are a great option if you don’t mind a device that is two or three years old. When buying new, trade in your old phone to knock off at least some of the net cost.

Apple’s low-cost laptop, which uses an older iPhone chip, is still a good deal. The Neo’s new price is $700, up from $600. Premium smartphone vendors have low-cost lineups, too, such as the Apple iPhone 17e, Google Pixel 10a and Samsung Galaxy A37 5G. They cost around $450 to $600 (for now).

Shoppers should closely vet the tech specs of devices. Make sure an item that looks like a deal doesn’t come with hidden tradeoffs. A PC priced about the same as last year may come with far less storage, for example. Check new configurations of memory storage and random-access memory (RAM).

For consumers, soaring memory prices may sting the most for external hard drives, used to back up files, photos and videos. Be prepared to do a double-take at how much prices have skyrocketed compared with a year or two ago.

This forecast first appeared in The Kiplinger Letter, which has been running since 1923 and is a collection of concise weekly forecasts on business and economic trends, as well as what to expect from Washington, to help you understand what’s coming up to make the most of your investments and your money. Subscribe to The Kiplinger Letter.

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The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced a new partnership with Google Wallet on Wednesday. Travelers can now use Google Wallet to opt into TSA PreCheck Touchless ID, a program that allows you to breeze through security checkpoints without any physical government ID or paper boarding pass.

Your TSA PreCheck membership fast-tracks you through the wait line (and shortens the screening process), but you still need to stop and show ID at a security checkpoint before you can go to the screening area. Touchless ID uses facial recognition technology, not a security agent and physical ID, so you can go through a faster-moving line and get through the checkpoint more quickly.

With the new Google Wallet partnership, all of that becomes a little bit more seamless than it already is. If you're a TSA PreCheck member who's already used Touchless ID, you might be wondering how this is any different from your current experience. Here's what you need to know.

What Google Wallet changes about TSA PreCheck Touchless ID

TSA PreCheck Touchless ID is available at 65 airports nationwide. But, until now, you had to opt into the service through a participating airline.

That meant enrolling in a frequent flyer program (provided the airline you're flying with is eligible for Touchless ID), manually adding your passport details to that frequent flyer account, and then opting into TSA PreCheck Touchless ID.

That's easy enough if you've done it before with your typical airline, but what about when you're not flying with your regular airline, or if you forget to check ahead of time? Do you need to be enrolled in the frequent flyer program of every participating airline you fly with and then set up Touchless ID with each one individually? Not anymore.

The new Google Wallet integration simplifies the process. If you're flying on any of the 100 airlines participating in the program (and you have TSA PreCheck), you can opt into Touchless ID just once through Google Wallet and use it every time you fly, with any airline, without joining 100 frequent flyer programs.

How to set up TSA PreCheck Touchless ID in Google Wallet

First, you need to enroll in TSA PreCheck if you haven't already done so. Many travel rewards cards offer statement credits that effectively make the program free to you. So, if you're on the fence about whether or not enrolling is worth it and you have one of those travel credit cards, there's no question. It's free to you so any time saved at the airport is a bonus.

Next, you need to add your passport to Google Wallet.

On the day of your flight, here's what your Touchless ID process will look like:

• Check in for your flight online. After you've finished checking in, save your boarding pass to your Google Wallet.
• Opt into Touchless ID. When viewing your boarding pass in your Google Wallet, you should see a "get started" button if you're eligible for this program. Tap it and follow the prompts.
• Look for the TSA badge on your pass. After agreeing to share your digital ID and boarding pass with the TSA, you should see a little TSA PreCheck Touchless ID badge on your boarding pass. This indicates that you've finished the process and you're good to go.

That's all there is to it. You just opt into the program after checking in and you can now skip the hassle of digging around in your bag for your wallet when you reach the TSA checkpoint. Instead, you'll just scan your boarding pass, do the facial recognition process and move on to the security screening.

What else to know about Google Wallet and Touchless ID

Google Wallet is available to Android phone users. If you have an iPhone, there is no Google Wallet app available.

Understandably, some people have security concerns about the use of facial recognition technology. You do have to opt in for Touchless ID, and TSA says: "Images are not used for law enforcement, surveillance, nor shared with other entities. Your photo and personal data are deleted within 24-hours of your scheduled flight departure."

On privacy concerns, Google says your information is shared with the TSA only after you opt in and authenticate. The company adds that digital IDs in the Wallet "are always encrypted and stored directly on your phone."

The Google Wallet Touchless ID option is "rolling out over the coming weeks," according to Google.

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Amazon Prime Day is here. This is a four-day sales event running from Tuesday, June 23, through Friday, June 26.

While many of these sales don't have deep discounts, I use them as a chance to score discounts on items that improve my home's functionality and safety. On this end, Prime Day doesn't disappoint.

But first, make sure you have an Amazon Prime membership to shop the event. If you don't have one and you're new to Prime, you can sign up for a 30-day free trial. Now, here are a few items that can give you peace of mind, improve your home's functionality and potentially save you money.

This deal protects your biggest asset

I bought an older home a few years ago, and one of my main concerns was its electrical. Then, I found out about the Ting sensor. It's a smart home sensor you plug into a wall that detects electrical irregularities that could result in a house fire.

Once you install the plug, you download the free Ting app on your phone to monitor it. You'll receive real-time alerts when it detects issues. Some issues it detects include micro-arcing, caused by faulty wiring, malfunctioning devices or loose connections.

Now, I have peace of mind knowing that if any hazards arise, I can fix them before a fire occurs. During Prime Day, you'll save $20 on a Ting sensor.

This deal adds another layer of protection to your home

Smart locks are among the smartest home security upgrades you'll make. They're easy to install. And I like them for the convenience and security they offer.

These devices typically feature a keypad for PIN codes or biometric sensors, allowing you to secure your home without fumbling for physical keys. You can install them on any entry point, such as your front door, and even assign temporary codes for guests or service providers.

Worried you didn't lock your front door when you left home? Access the app and lock it remotely, instead of driving back home. You should also look for ones, like the one I recommend here, that offer weatherproofing and battery backup, so you still have access during a power outage.

And during Prime Day, you can save up to $65 on this option:

Lower your home's energy costs with this deal

Electric bills continue to surge. With the summer months driving up demand, the average household will spend 10.5% more, per the National Energy Assistance Directors Association.

The main culprit behind your energy costs? Your air conditioner. This is where a smart thermostat helps you control costs. If you plan to be away from home for days or weeks at a time, you can set your thermostat at a higher temperature. This reduces the demand placed on your AC unit and the energy it uses.

Over time, setting your thermostat by 7 to 10 degrees warmer when you're away from home lowers your energy costs by around 10%. This could equate to hundreds of dollars per year. On top of that, you can save $50 on a new unit during Prime Day.

Ultimately, while Prime Day isn't overflowing with deep discounts, it doesn't mean you can't find good deals. Being strategic when shopping can help you find deals that add value to your home, both now and into the future. These three deals represent ways you can improve your home's functionality, ensure it remains safe and save money on energy costs.

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The term "ticker-tape parade" originated from stock trading. In New York City, parades would be held to celebrate something, and people would throw the closest thing they had to confetti: the tape used to communicate stock prices.

On Thursday, the city of New York once again celebrated with a ticker-tape parade through the Financial District, this time in honor of the Knicks winning the NBA title for the first time in 53 years. The Knicks brought the city alive over the last two months as they worked their way through the playoffs with the steady determination of Jalen Brunson and the smart management of coach Mike Brown. Now, they're getting their flowers – or, more accurately, their piles of shredded paper.

In honor of the Knicks and the history of the ticker-tape parade, here are five lessons in investing gleaned from their championship run.

1. A hot IPO doesn't mean an immediate win

The San Antonio Spurs selected Victor Wembanyama as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft. The Knicks' Brunson, meanwhile, was undrafted after the first round in 2018 and didn't end up making a team's cut until pick No. 33.

Compare this to a hot IPO. When a company first goes public, it can be a hotly anticipated and celebrated event. But the reality is that many, many IPOs do not result in quick returns for investors, particularly in the first few years. Data show IPOs on average underperform the market in their first three years (1980-2023), and a little more than half end up losing money in the first five years (1975-2021).

In many cases, it's a better idea to give a company some time to settle before deciding if you want to invest. You don't want to go all-in or set high expectations for an IPO.

Now, this doesn't mean Wembanyama (or the next IPO) won't be a winner in the future. Sometimes you need time and character growth. Just look at 2015's first overall draft pick, Karl-Anthony Towns, who lifted the trophy with the Knicks this week.

2. Be mindful of your portfolio allocation

The Knicks' championship didn't come out of nowhere; it came from years of careful roster building by team president Leon Rose. Rose signed Brunson in 2022. In 2024, Brunson signed an extension – and willingly left a reported $113 million on the table. Why did he do that? So that Rose would have money available under the NBA's salary cap to build out the roster.

The Knicks were then able to allocate funds towards signing Towns and Mikal Bridges, both of whom were instrumental to the championship run.

In investing terms, this is the equivalent of portfolio management. You want to make sure that any one factor of your portfolio doesn't become so outsized it's the sole portion you're relying on. This can even happen to ETF investors, who may not realize their portfolios are becoming overweighted in a given stock as its weighting in that fund grows.

And don't feel too bad for Brunson. Sure, he left $113 million on the table, but his deal was $156.5 million over four years, which many would consider enough to live comfortably on, right? Now, take that and add the endorsement deals he's going to get as an NBA champion. And the value of being named "King of New York?" Priceless.

Asked if the $113 million sacrifice was worth it after winning the championship, he told ESPN's Malika Andrews, "100%."

Read more: Is Your Portfolio Overweight? How to Rebalance and Diversify

3. Play the whole game

Say you're 50 years old, your investments are up 300% and your 401(k) reached $500,000 – more than double the average 401(k) balance among Gen X. You're planning to retire at 65 and feel on top of the world.

Sure, that's great, but you've still got 15 years left to take care of your investment portfolio. You can be happy and feel secure, but that doesn't mean you can now take your hands off the wheel and expect that the stocks you have will continue going up.

Just ask Wembanyama. The Spurs were ahead for about 72% of the NBA Finals, per Texas Public Radio, but they only managed to win one game. The Knicks came alive in the back half of nearly every game, overcoming deficits to secure the wins. An early lead doesn't mean you'll necessarily meet your goals. You need to play the whole game.

What else does that mean? That just because you feel like you fell behind doesn't mean you can't catch up. As long as there's time left on the board, you have the opportunity to develop a lead.

4. You don't have to fit a stereotype to succeed

"Coming out of Villanova, where Brunson won a pair of national titles, he was considered too small. Too slow. Not athletic enough. A defensive liability. He didn't get drafted until No. 33 overall, which makes him the second-lowest draft pick to ever win Finals MVP," wrote Brad Botkin at CBS Sports.

There is still an embedded belief that in order to invest in the stock market, you need to already be rich. While you do need to have enough money to be able to dedicate a portion to the stock market, that doesn't mean you need a million – or even a hundred thousand. You can begin investing with as little as a few dollars, if that's what you have available.

5. Have patience

What do each of these lessons have in common? Patience. The Knicks took time to build out their ideal roster; Brunson was steady in his professional growth after winning two college championships; the Knicks' comebacks came with an almost shocking calm in the players' demeanor – patient commitment, not panic.

Then of course, there's the city of New York. New York has waited 53 years to win an NBA championship. Tell that to anyone looking to get-rich-quick on the stock market. For a vast majority of people, it doesn't happen overnight. It takes decades of compounding and portfolio management.

But when it does happen, my goodness, celebrate it. Knicks in five!

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The soaring cost of jet fuel has caused many airlines to raise prices, making the cost of your summer trip more expensive than ever.

At a time when all your other costs are going up, you might be straining to make your usual travel plans fit your budget.

Instead of canceling their summer vacation plans altogether, travelers are trying everything to offset or avoid fuel surcharges. That includes such things as swapping destinations for one of the cheapest countries to visit, opting for a slight downgrade in your hotel to save money or even shortening the overall length of their trip.

If you're a traveler who's accustomed to traveling in luxury, some sacrifices might feel like a bridge too far. But downgrading from business to economy or taking advantage of a better point-redemption rate by grabbing that awards deal for basic economy tickets is an easy way to lower the cost of your trip without giving up your vacation.

Whether you've never flown economy or it's your go-to but you're just tired of the little annoyances that come with it, here are a few things you can do to make the experience feel a little more luxurious.

1. Pack TSA-friendly snacks and hydration boosters

Not only are you unlikely to have many complimentary food or drink choices available in economy, even the options available for purchase might seem limited compared with business class. There is a workaround.

The TSA allows travelers to bring solid food items such as candy, sandwiches and snacks through security. Pack a few Ziploc bags of your favorite things to munch on instead of limiting yourself to the peanuts or pretzels available for free on board.

You can also bring an empty reusable water bottle through security and fill it at a water station before boarding. To make the experience feel a little more elevated, pack a few electrolyte packets, drink enhancers or flavored hydration mixes to add to your water. Not only can this help you stay hydrated in the dry cabin air, but it also gives you a refreshing beverage without paying airport prices.

Pair your favorite snacks with a customized drink, and you'll have a more enjoyable in-flight experience that feels a little more luxurious, even if you're flying economy. You'll hardly miss business class (except, perhaps, for the lie-flat seats).

Check the full TSA guidelines on food and alcohol on the agency's website.

2. Make your own amenities kit

One of the little details that makes flying business class that much more luxurious is the amenities kit that's often waiting for you on board. Typically filled with lip balm, moisturizer and other skincare and wellness products from high-end brands, these kits add a little bit of self-care to your long haul flight.

You won't find an amenities kit waiting for you in economy. But you can easily pack your own — and even customize it to your own preferences.

What exactly should you pack? It's all up to you, but here are a few ideas:

• Cushy socks for a shorter flight or compression socks for a longer flight.
• Hydrating sheet masks or eye patches to give yourself a minispa day on board.
• Your favorite moisturizing lip balm.
• A travel-size bottle of hand cream.
• A moisturizing face cream to protect your skin from dry air.
• A silk sleep mask to make sleeping on a plane a little easier.
• A compact pouch to hold everything.

3. Travel pillows and blankets can make for a cushier experience

There was a time in the not-so-distant past when even those of us in economy would get complimentary pillows and blankets on board. That's becoming a rarer occurrence. But that doesn't mean you have to freeze or debate between using your coat as a pillow or a blanket.

Even if you're trying to pack light for the trip, you can find some surprisingly compact options to bring a pillow and blanket on your next flight.

• For pillows, look for foldable or packable options such as a memory foam pillow from Cushion Lab. It rolls up small enough to fit in your carry-on, then unfurls into a plush, supportive pillow to use on the plane.
• For a cheaper pillow option, go for a traditional neck pillow and either wear it around your neck as you board or loop it around the handle of your carry-on.
• Complete the set with a cover such as a Brookstone travel blanket that comes in a pouch with a luggage strap so it can slide over your carry-on luggage handles without taking up space in your bag.

4. Bring noise-cancelling headphones for your own silent retreat

Whether it's the baby crying three rows down or the passenger who thinks everyone wants to hear the action movie they're watching, there are a lot of noises to contend with on a plane. But you can retreat to your own happy place by slipping on a good pair of noise-canceling headphones to shut out the sounds around you.

Unlike standard ear plugs, these not only muffle the sound but use technology to actively cancel out noise in your environment. Connect the headphones to your phone and listen to your favorite relaxation playlist to complete the experience.

5. Get an airline card that comes with priority boarding

One of the most annoying parts of flying basic economy is that you'll usually end up having to check your bag at the gate. The service is often free if you do, but for those of us who've had our baggage lost three times too many (me) or just don't like the extra hassle of waiting at baggage claim, it's not ideal.

One of my favorite workarounds for this is having an airline credit card. Simply by having one of the Delta Skymiles American Express cards, I automatically get zone 5 boarding on Delta flights, even when I'm flying on a basic economy ticket. Since this is the first main economy zone to board the aircraft, there's always bin space available when I board.

6. Book the exit row or upgrade to premium economy

Many airlines charge a bit extra for exit row seats, but not so much that it'll blow your budget. If legroom is a priority for you, consider paying a few extra bucks for one of these seats, as it will typically come with a little extra legroom.

If exit row seats aren't available, check out the price for an upgrade to premium economy. Most airlines have begun adding this class to their aircraft. Along with a little extra legroom, the perks also often include an expanded menu of complimentary food and beverages. You might be able to skip the DIY cocktails and snacks.

Premium economy tickets are, of course, more expensive than basic economy, but they're still a lot cheaper than business class. It's a more reasonable splurge to squeeze into your summer travel budget.

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Whether you spend your time in front of the TV watching sports, the news, the latest buzzy shows or reruns of your favorite sitcoms, you've probably noticed that you're shelling out more for your entertainment in recent years. Between March 2024 and March 2026, prices for subscription and rental of video and video games, which includes subscription streaming services, surged roughly 25%, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Costs are rising so much that the phenomenon even has a new nickname: “streamflation.” Netflix, the largest and most popular streaming service, hiked prices for all three of its subscription tiers in March for the second time in less than two years. In April, prices for Amazon Prime Video's ad-free tier increased by $2 per month. Many of the other major players, including Paramount+ and HBO Max, have also raised their prices within the past year.

A few more dollars here or there each month may not seem significant enough to take a large bite out of your budget, but it adds up. The average U.S. household spends $69 monthly on video-on-demand service subscriptions, according to data from Deloitte. That's $828 annually. Deloitte also found that almost three-fourths of consumers are frustrated that companies keep raising their prices.

Unfortunately for viewers, the costs are likely to keep climbing. “We'll continue to see pricing going up for all streaming services, live and on demand,” says Dan Rayburn, an analyst in the streaming video industry. “Some don't do it yearly, but most do it like clockwork.”

The reason, he says, is that the cost to produce and license content continues to rise every year. Deep-pocketed companies such as Amazon and Disney are competing to snag hit shows, and the cost of that competition is trickling down to customers. In particular, the cost of licensing sports programming — an offering streaming services are increasingly looking to add — is “astronomical,” Rayburn says.

Last year, L.E.K. Consulting, a global strategy consulting firm, found that streaming platforms were expected to spend roughly $33 billion on obtaining rights to show national sports. In March, for instance, CNBC reported that the National Football League was asking Paramount+'s parent company for 50% more than the $2.1 billion it was already paying to show games.

These companies also pay attention to what their competitors are doing with their prices. “One increases the price, and that opens the door for everyone to increase the price,” says Christopher Hamilton, industry insights manager at Parrot Analytics. “The whole industry is shifting up.”

Although prices keep going up, you can make moves to fine-tune the selection of services you use and offset the hit to your wallet.

1. Consider your preferences.

Determine what you actually want to watch and whether you're getting it. Think about whether you prefer to see your favorite content the moment it comes out, too. Some families want to see sporting events live, which means they may want to opt for a sports-oriented streamer such as Peacock or a live-TV service such as YouTube TV or Fubo.

Other households may prioritize brand-new shows, which could make services that focus on original content, such as Apple TV, a good fit. If you're looking for children's programming, Disney+ or Netflix may be the way to go.

There are also specialized streamers that home in on specific corners of the market. For example, Crunchyroll's collection is made up of anime, and Shudder is for horror fans. BritBox exclusively offers British content, and Curiosity Stream focuses on documentaries.

2. Assess your budget.

Next, take a look at your budget, and add up the cost of streaming services you're paying for now. The amount of money you should allocate to entertainment will depend on your personal goals and financial situation, including your income and whether you have any debt.

If you need help, consider a popular budgeting strategy such as the 50/30/20 rule, which entails allocating 50% of your income to needs, 30% to wants (including entertainment) and 20% to savings. If streaming makes up a disproportionate amount of your budget, you can use some of the strategies here to trim your spending.

3. See what's available at no extra cost.

Your paid memberships with other services may provide access to certain streamers. For example, if you're a Walmart+ member, which offers free shipping from Walmart and other perks, you get access to either Paramount+ Essential or Peacock Premium with ads. Amazon Prime includes a Prime Video membership, and you can get Apple TV free for three months when you buy a new Apple device.

Don't forget to check your credit card perks. Those who have the Chase Sapphire Reserve card ($795 annual fee) can get Apple TV for free through June 2027, and the American Express Platinum card ($895) offers a monthly credit of up to $25 that you can use on a slew of streaming services, including Disney+, ESPN, Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock and YouTube TV.

And some streamers won't cost you anything at all. Tubi, The Roku Channel and Pluto TV offer large collections of free TV shows and movies (though you'll have to contend with ads). Through your local library, you may be able to borrow TV shows and movies to stream to your devices for free via Hoopla.

4. Take advantage of free trials.

When you're starting a new service, see whether it offers a free trial. This can be especially beneficial if you want to watch a specific show, because you may be able to finish it before the trial is over. Though Netflix, Disney+ and HBO Max don't offer free trials, many of the other services do, including Discovery+ and Mubi, which deems itself a place to find “ambitious films and series by visionary filmmakers.”

You don't always have to be new to using a service to get a free trial. Hulu, for example, doles out free trials to members who haven't subscribed in a year.

5. Bundle.

You can often snag cheaper prices via bundles, which combine several services, such as internet, phone, cable and streaming. For instance, T-Mobile customers who use qualifying phone plans can get Netflix and Hulu's standard tiers with ads for free, as well as a $3-per-month discount on Apple TV. Verizon offers discounted prices on Netflix and HBO Max with ads alongside select mobile and home internet plans.

Spectrum TV's cable-TV service offers local networks and sports, depending on the plan, plus a wide range of streaming services, including HBO Max, Peacock, Hulu and ESPN. When you use certain plans from Xfinity, you'll also get Disney+ and Hulu. Plus, Peacock Premium is included for three years.

Some streaming services themselves also bundle. By getting Disney+ and Hulu with no ads together, for instance, you can save 47% compared with what you'd pay by purchasing the two services separately.

6. Pause services when you're not using them.

Your preferences may change from month to month. If everyone is talking about a new television show you want to watch, or your favorite reality series is airing just for a few months, you can temporarily sign up for the streamer that carries it. (Several years ago, Disney+ saw a surge in subscriptions when The Mandalorian aired, then those figures plateaued, Rayburn says.) If you're not getting exactly what you want, when you want it, cancel or pause your service.

“It's very easy to cancel these services,” Rayburn says, adding that it may take a little more effort to cancel live-TV services than on-demand ones. (You often need to talk to a representative on the phone to discontinue a live-TV plan rather than go online.) “We see this all the time where consumers sign up for it, they watch what they want to for a couple of months, and then they leave it.”

When you subscribe to a new service, set a calendar reminder for a date just before it automatically renews. (Double-check the terms of each service so you don't cancel too late. Amazon, for example, says that if you get Prime Video as an add-on subscription through Apple, you need to cancel 24 hours before your subscription renews to ensure you won't be charged.) Once that reminder goes off, cancel your service if you no longer plan to use it, or pause it if you may want to return to it within a few months.

Just remember that if you pause, you could be automatically charged once the break from service ends. The rules around pausing also vary. For example, Netflix lets you pause for one month at a time, for up to three months, as long as you're not on the basic plan, while Hulu lets you pause up to three months in one go. You can typically do this easily online from your account-management page.

7. Downgrade your services.

Most platforms have tiered offerings, so you may be paying more than you need to watch the shows and movies you love.

Take Netflix. The streamer's Premium tier costs $26.99, but you can save $7 monthly, or $84 annually, by downgrading to the Standard tier while still getting all the same content with no ads in exchange for slightly lower video quality (Rayburn says only “video-quality nerds” would notice the difference) and fewer downloads and supported devices; the number of extra members you can add to the account is also smaller. Jumping from the Premium tier to Standard With Ads will save you $18 each month, or $216 for the year.

Sometimes, you can also save by buying an annual membership instead of a monthly one. With HBO Max, for instance, doing so can save you 16% on all tiers. Note, however, that this strategy prevents you from using the cancel-or-pause method mentioned above.

8. Share memberships.

Streaming services have cracked down on sharing passwords with people outside your household, but you can often add extra members to your account at a discounted rate. This means you can split the bill with a family member or friend, even if they're across the country.

With the ad-supported version of Disney+, for example, you can add an extra member to your account for just $6.99 monthly, or $9.99 monthly if you subscribe to Disney+ Premium, with no ads. If you and the extra member sign up for your own accounts separately, you'd each pay $11.99 monthly for the tier with ads and $18.99 for the one with no ads. By adding an extra member to one account and splitting the cost, you could each pay just $9.49 or $14.49, respectively.

Should you switch back to cable?

As TV-streaming services gained popularity, many people dropped their cable subscription. Among U.S. adults, 83% say they use streaming services, while just 36% have cable or satellite TV, according to a report published last year by Pew Research Center. But as streamers steadily raise their prices, and as consumers subscribe to several separate platforms to get all the content they want, these services are becoming more akin to cable, with some of the same frustrations that customers were trying to avoid when they cut the cord in the first place.

“History repeats itself,” says Christopher Hamilton, industry insights manager at Parrot Analytics. “This accumulation of individual fees results in a total bill that is high, causing ‘subscription fatigue' and effectively re-creating a high monthly outlay similar to cable.”

But he wouldn't necessarily recommend that most viewers switch back to cable. Despite rising prices, most people can ultimately structure a better deal with live-TV streaming services, mainly because they have the flexibility to tailor plans to their specific needs.

“The massive advantage is the ability to easily drop and resubscribe for a period without penalty,” Hamilton says, adding that cable often has extra complications and costs — such as contracts, equipment rentals and cancellation fees — that make it difficult to stop and restart service to save money.

“With streaming, a customer can subscribe for a three-month sports season and then cancel immediately, which is a powerful cost-cutting tool.” Streaming services also often allow greater customization, providing smaller channel packages or add-ons, whereas cable often forces broad, predetermined tiers.

That said, cable still makes sense for some people. For instance, you may not be able to watch certain local sports on live-TV streaming platforms, depending on where you live. Juggling multiple streaming apps and interfaces, each with different navigation and billing, can also be complicated, especially compared with the simplicity of a single cable box and bill.

Compare your streaming options

Choosing which streaming services suit your needs at the best price requires a little homework. Here's a breakdown of some of the most popular choices.

Netflix

Price: $8.99 monthly for Standard With Ads; $19.99 monthly for Standard; $26.99 monthly for Premium Netflix is considered the king of streaming thanks to its large video library, including original hits such as Stranger Things and Squid Game, and even some live programming, such as certain Major League Baseball games. Hamilton, of Parrot Analytics, assesses streamers' content offerings and customer demand to understand which services offer the best deals, and he says Netflix is one of the greatest values on the market, just behind the Disney+/Hulu bundle.

HBO Max

Price: $10.99 monthly for Basic With Ads; $18.49 monthly for Standard; $22.99 monthly for Premium HBO Max has all of HBO's content, plus DC Universe films, Warner Bros. films and a slew of prestige original content. It's also home to old favorites, recently including Friends.

Hulu

Price: $11.99 monthly for Hulu (with ads); $18.99 monthly for Hulu Premium Hulu's on-demand subscription service has popular original content, including The Handmaid's Tale, but you can also catch various shows from major networks such as ABC, Fox and FX just after they air.

Disney+

Price: $11.99 monthly for Disney+ (with ads); $18.99 monthly for Disney+ Premium Are you a fan of the Star Wars franchise or Marvel, Disney and Pixar movies? Then Disney+ is the service for you. If you're going to go with this family-friendly streaming option, consider its bundle with Hulu.

Prime Video

Price: Included in an Amazon Prime membership, which is $14.99 monthly or $139 yearly; additional $4.99 monthly with no ads Amazon's streaming service has a large catalog of TV shows and movies, as well as original shows. Plus, during the NFL season, it airs Thursday night football games.

Apple TV

Price: $12.99 monthly with no ads Apple TV is all about exclusive content, including hits such as Severance and Ted Lasso. But it also streams live Major League Baseball games on Friday nights, and you can catch Major League Soccer matches and Formula 1 racing live, too. It's one of the few streamers that doesn't have a lower-cost tier with ads, though you can bundle it with Peacock for just $2 extra.

Paramount+

Price: $8.99 monthly for Paramount+ Essential (with ads); $13.99 monthly for Paramount+ Premium Paramount+ is home to more than 40,000 TV episodes and movies from CBS, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and more. It also hosts all of Showtime's movies and series, and you can catch live NFL games and UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) fights, too.

Peacock

Price: $7.99 monthly for Select (with ads); $10.99 monthly for Premium (with ads and more content than Select); $16.99 monthly for Premium Plus Peacock is NBCUniversal's streaming service, with hits from NBC and Bravo, such as The Real Housewives franchise, as well as original content. With the Premium and Premium Plus tiers, you can also see live sports.

Live TV

DirecTV

Price: Genre packs start at $19.99 monthly; streaming packages start at $89.99 monthly DirecTV still offers satellite TV, with packages ranging from $77.99 to $169.99 per month. But separately, it also offers live-TV streaming and five “genre packs”: kids' television, sports, Spanish channels, news and entertainment. The streaming packages offer a broad mix of channels, including local stations, depending on which one you choose.

Hulu + Live TV

Price: $89.99 monthly for live TV, Hulu's on-demand content, Disney+ and ESPN Select with ads; $99.99 monthly with no ads Hulu's live-TV service offers more than 95 channels, from news to sports to comedy to local networks. And you get access to a host of on-demand content, too.

Sling

Price: $19.99 monthly to $60.99 monthly, depending on the package With Sling, you get live TV and sports in addition to movies on-demand. The Sling Select package includes about 10 channels, including NFL Network, National Geographic and FS1. Other packages include more channels at higher monthly prices.

YouTube TV

Price: $82.99 monthly for YouTube TV; $64.99 monthly for Sports Plan YouTube TV calls itself “cable reimagined,” and it offers access to more than 100 live and on-demand channels, including ABC, CBS and FX. You can also get add-ons such as MGM+, Shudder and HBO Max. The Sports Plan offers viewers access to a more limited selection of major broadcast networks, such as Fox and NBC, as well as sports-focused channels, including ESPN and FS1.

Note: This item first appeared in Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine, a monthly, trustworthy source of advice and guidance. Subscribe to help you make more money and keep more of the money you make here.

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At some point in the future, somebody is going to go through all your stuff and throw out most of it. If you don't do it while you're still in good health, someone else will, after you suffer a medical emergency or you pass away. Do your heirs a favor and reduce your own stress by culling your possessions now.

It isn't easy. Discarding things that remind us of loved ones often brings up grief and guilt. And it's maddening to realize that the nice couch or rug we splurged on has no monetary value. Sociologist David J. Ekerdt at the University of Kansas, whose team interviewed more than 100 Americans over the age of 60 for his book Downsizing: Confronting Our Possessions in Later Life, says his research showed “it is an act of courage and of prudence” to confront the thousands of possessions we've accumulated over decades.

With that, here are 10 tips to get started.

1. Set your goal. Matt Paxton, author of Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff, has his decluttering clients write their goal on a card, which he tapes on a wall. And he sets a deadline. When one client said she wanted her home tidy enough to have friends visit, he had her invite friends for dinner three weeks from that date. “Decluttering is like dieting or fitness. It's very easy to quit,” he says.

2. Don't buy those cute storage bins yet. Aspiring declutterers can be led astray by social media pictures of beautifully lit homes in which all the toys, towels or cleaning supplies are artfully stored in handsome baskets, says Jill Quigley, a professional organizer in Omaha. Some start decluttering by buying bins, which just creates more clutter. Instead, begin by organizing and reducing your stuff. Then, shop for storage solutions that fit your smaller stockpile.

3. Get help. Ekerdt says downsizing works better when you have help. If you're looking for more than just an extra pair of hands, expect to pay between $60 to $200 an hour for an organizing professional. Not only will they keep you motivated and focused, but many specialize in disposal — knowing which items to sell and where to sell them, and which organizations will take donations of non-sellable stuff.

Try searching for locals through professional organizations such as the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (NAPO) or the National Association of Senior & Specialty Move Managers. Erin Hayes, a professional organizer in New York City, says finding someone who is emotionally attuned to you is crucial, because deciding to toss beloved items can lead to anger and tears.

4. Categorize. Before you start tossing things, put them into categories. "I put like with like so you can see that you have three can openers or nine white tank tops," says Quigley. That makes it easy for clients to get rid of duplicates.

Categorization gets more challenging when it comes to knickknacks, but Kelly Brask, a professional organizer in Chicago and president of the Board of Certification for Professional Organizers, a division of NAPO, tries separating items according to the memories they inspire. That way, people can see how many things they are keeping to, say, remember a grandmother, and consider whether only one or two items are enough for that purpose.

5. Start small. Professional organizers suggest beginning with small, easy tasks. Hayes starts her clients with areas unlikely to spark memories or emotions, such as junk drawers or tool closets. Once they see those cleaned up and organized, they have more confidence to tackle bigger projects, she says. To prevent burnout, she limits decluttering to six hours a day.

6. Beware the "purger's high." Liberating yourself from clutter can feel so good that some people get into a tossing frenzy, says Cristiane Sgrott, an organizer in the Washington, D.C., area. Professional declutterers like herself shake every book, check every pocket and open every teapot. Sgrott has stopped clients on what she calls a "purger's high" from tossing out oven mitts and old shirt boxes where someone had hidden cash.

She also discourages clients from throwing potentially sensitive paperwork or electronics into trash bins. Instead, many businesses and community services offer shredding and secure recycling, she says. "You should be ruthless but not reckless."

7. Don't expect a windfall. One barrier to downsizing: Accepting the reality that you won't recoup much for things you paid a lot for. As baby boomers age and downsize, they're creating a flood of furniture and collectibles, says Julie Hall, director of the American Society of Estate Liquidators.

For realistic value estimates, view prices on sold items on eBay, or try pricing services such as WorthPoint, author Paxton suggests. Selling items yourself through a garage sale or online postings takes a great deal of time and effort, and typically yields comparatively little. Paxton prefers auction houses that handle all the work and offer both in-person and online bidding, such as Everything But The House, MaxSold and Bid-Rush. Such platforms typically take 30% to 40% of your earnings. “The 60% you will receive from the auction house is larger than the 100% you would get on your own,” says Paxton.

Don't expect much of a tax write-off for donating your stuff, either. Charities have become pickier about what they'll accept, and recent changes to tax law limit noncash contribution write-offs.

8. Leave a legacy of love. “You don't want to leave your friends and family with a house full of crap and a bunch of work. You want to leave a legacy of love,” says Brask. “Make sure they know what was important to you and why.” So pare your legacy down to a few meaningful items, and explain the stories behind those things, she says.

Take pictures of items to be discarded, and display those on an electronic frame or in a scrapbook. Paxton recommends an app such as Artifcts, which allows you to make and share videos about items. For a more formal memory handoff, consider setting up a show-and-tell video call or an in-person gathering of loved ones, he suggests.

9. No "maybe" pile, no storage. Declutterers typically sort their things into "keep," "sell," "give" and "trash" categories. Don't add a "maybe" pile, says Mary Kay Buysse, co-executive director of the National Association of Senior & Specialty Move Managers. "The 'maybe pile' is going to do you in, because that is what goes in storage units," she says. By renting a storage unit, you can end up paying thousands of dollars to store things you aren't even sure you want.

10. Avoid re-cluttering. Set up ongoing systems. Sgrott helps clients create labeled baskets, bins or shelves so everyone in the house knows where, say, shoes, batteries or charging wires go.

While many declutterers try to maintain practices such as "one in, one out" for any new possessions, T.K. Coleman, cohost of the Minimalist podcast, suggests a psychological approach. "I want to understand why I am in this position," says Coleman.

He asks, for example, "Am I using impulse purchases to compensate for loneliness?" Coleman tries to remind himself that "saying 'yes' to something you don't want is saying 'no' to something else," such as a clean table and a calm mind.

Note: This item first appeared in Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine, a monthly, trustworthy source of advice and guidance. Subscribe to help you make more money and keep more of the money you make here.

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For about 25 years, the valet tip ran on a simple social contract.

• $1 was acceptable
• $2 was considerate
• $5 meant you were really feeling generous

No one debated it. You handed over your keys, got your car back, passed along a crumpled $1 bill and walked away feeling like a decent human being.

Then inflation came for the valet stand.

Now the moment feels strangely stressful. The valet brings your car. You reach into your wallet. There is a lonely $1 bill sitting there, looking like it belongs in a museum exhibit titled "Life Before Inflation." You know $1 used to be fine. But now it feels small. Maybe too small. Maybe a little insulting.

Then you see the $5 bill.

Five dollars feels generous — maybe too generous — but asking for change feels worse. Who wants to say, "Can you break this five?" to the person holding your car keys? You hand over the $5, smile awkwardly and drive away feeling both generous and slightly manipulated.

That tiny moment captures something much bigger: Inflation is not just a rise in prices. It's a reset of expectations.

The price list in your head is out of date.

Economists track inflation through indexes and charts. You and I track it through tiny shocks.

• The grocery bill that used to be $120 and now hovers near $200
• The family restaurant check that quietly crept from $80 to $150
• The home or car insurance renewal that jumps 15% a year
• The tip screen that starts at 18% and only goes higher
• The valet tip that jumped from $1 to $5 in a single awkward decision

Over time, we build a mental price list. A cup of coffee "should" cost a certain amount. A sandwich "should" cost X dollars. A full tank of gas is normally Y dollars. Those numbers become emotional anchors. They tell us what normal looks like.

Inflation breaks those anchors. The numbers in your head fall out of sync with the numbers on the receipt.

That's why inflation doesn't just feel expensive — it feels destabilizing.

When expectations start driving behavior

The Federal Reserve cares deeply about inflation expectations because expectations can become self-fulfilling. When people believe prices will keep rising, they behave differently.

• Workers demand higher wages
• Businesses raise prices earlier and cut discounts
• Consumers buy sooner to "get ahead" of the next increase
• Investors demand higher yields because they don't trust the future buying power of dollars

Inflation stops being just a statistic. It becomes a story people tell themselves about the future.

Once that story takes hold, it doesn't just change how we spend. It changes how we feel about every decision — including something as small as a tip.

Welcome to the guilt economy

Tipping is where inflation collides with social pressure.

Nobody wants to look cheap. Nobody wants to punish a service worker because the price level changed. Nobody wants to be the person who hands over $1 and imagines the valet thinking, "Sir, this is not 2000."

We overcorrect.

We tap the higher tip option because the tablet is staring at us. We give $5 because anything less feels like a moral failure in a $20 world. We call it generosity, but sometimes it's really guilt plus inflation plus a lack of small bills.

This is not an argument against tipping. Service workers often depend on tips, and generosity is a virtue.

The real issue is unconscious generosity — spending driven by confusion, pressure or habit instead of intention.

How to stay intentional when prices jump

Inflation changes prices. Wisdom changes how we respond.

Here are four ways to stay in control when the world feels more expensive than the numbers in your head:

Update your internal price list and budget. Take 15 minutes to list your big recurring costs — groceries, insurance, childcare, dining out — and compare what you think they cost to what they cost now.

Make your budget reflect today, not 2019.

Create "rules" for tipping and small spending. Decide ahead of time: What's your standard tip for valet, coffee shops or delivery? What earns a higher tip?

A simple rule — say, $2 to $3 for basic valet, $5 for great service or bad weather — removes guilt from the moment.

Separate generosity from pressure. Be generous on purpose, not by default. If you tip more, do it because the service was good and it aligns with your values — not because a screen or a line behind you pushed you into it.

Align your saving and investing with inflation reality. Moderate inflation can erode the value of cash sitting on the sidelines. Periods of rising inflation and interest rates can bring volatility to the financial markets.

The stock market can experience more ups and downs, and bonds could offer higher yields. Every market environment creates a set of risks and opportunities.

Take this as a cue to review your asset allocation and rebalance according to your risk profile and time horizon, rather than reacting to headlines.

The goal isn't to fight every price increase. It's to avoid reacting to fear or pressure.

Back at the valet stand

Is $1 still enough for the valet? In many places, probably not. Is $5 too much? Not always.

The better question is: Who is making the decision — you, social pressure or inflation?

The next time the valet brings your car, and you reach into your wallet, pause for a second. If you give $5, do it because it reflects your values and the service provided — not because inflation guilt took the wheel.

Maybe keep a few singles in the car.

Not because the old world is coming back, but because the new one still requires change.

To learn more about making better life and financial choices, you can order Feroz Ansari's upcoming book, The Wisdom and Wealth Solution, at Amazon.

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This article was written by and presents the views of our contributing adviser, not the Kiplinger editorial staff. You can check adviser records with the SEC or with FINRA.

This summer, travelers are bracing for more than just the usual heat waves and hurricanes wreaking havoc with their vacation plans. The conflict between the U.S. and Iran has rippled through airline operations across the Middle East and significantly disrupted the global oil market, with scarcer and more expensive jet fuel prompting airlines to charge more and slash schedules at a time of peak demand. A recent survey from Global Rescue, which sells travel insurance and emergency-evacuation services, found that 85% of Americans are now worried that global conflicts may delay or disrupt their travels.

Those concerns come amid a packed U.S. events calendar this summer, including FIFA World Cup games in 11 cities this June and July, and America250 celebrations across the country — events expected to draw millions of tourists. "Lots of moving parts is an understatement," says aviation consultant Robert Mann.

Planning to fly this summer? To protect your wallet, your trip and your sanity, travel pros suggest these steps.

Keep an eye out for deals.

Domestic airfares are about 18% higher than a year ago, and international flights are up 7.5%, says Katy Nastro, a travel expert at the flight-deals platform Going. On top of that, some airlines — primarily overseas carriers — have imposed or hiked fuel surcharges that can add more than $200 to an economy-class ticket, and most U.S.-based airlines have increased checked-bag fees.

The best way to keep those costs down? Stay loose about when and where you fly, if possible. “Flexibility is going to be your superpower,” Nastro says. As a rule of thumb, the cheapest days to fly are Tuesdays and Wednesdays, while Sundays and Mondays are most expensive, Nastro says.

Also sign up for deal alerts from price-tracking apps such as Skyscanner, Hopper, Kayak and Google Flights. Nastro says it's possible to find prices as low as half off typical fares — though the deepest discounts tend to be in the Southeast or Caribbean, where hurricanes can throw a wrench into summer travel plans.

Shorten your wait time.

Even without a repeat of this spring's nightmare scenario of four- and five-hour wait times, airport security may be a bottleneck this summer. “TSA is a fixed-capacity system, and when you have peak demand, you're going to have delays,” Mann says.

To avoid them, sign up for a service such as TSA PreCheck or CLEAR+, which let vetted travelers go through an expedited security protocol. Crowdsourced reports from travelers this spring indicate that PreCheck's dedicated security lanes did often move faster when TSA agents were not being paid.

CLEAR+, run by a private service that verifies travelers' identities using a fingerprint or a facial scan, lets travelers skip to the front of the regular or PreCheck security line. It costs $209 a year, which includes PreCheck, while PreCheck alone typically costs $76.75 for five years.

PreCheck can also be combined with Global Entry, which gives international travelers expedited passage through U.S. Customs for $120. Some travel loyalty programs and credit card issuers offer discounts or reimbursements for membership.

Book direct.

To save money on spiraling jet-fuel costs, some airlines have begun canceling flights. Your best bet? “Try to book directly with the airline,” Nastro says, because rebooking after a delay or cancellation is easier without a middleman involved.

Also download your airline's app and enable notifications for flight updates. “Right now, travelers have to be their own best advocate, and that starts with staying on top of their reservation,” says Henry Harteveldt, president of Atmosphere Research Group.

If you're flying overseas, Harteveldt also recommends upgrading your mobile phone plan to cover your destination; an hours-long hold time to rebook a flight will be even more painful if you incur long-distance charges.

Be the early bird.

To avoid flight delays and related expenses, be first out of the gate. “Target an early morning flight, and fly nonstop when possible” to avoid the chance of missing a connection, Nastro says. Delays tend to pile up throughout the day, and afternoon thunderstorms — even hundreds of miles away — can snarl schedules.

“Just because it doesn't happen on your route doesn't mean it can't impact your route,” says Scott Fleming, president of Aon Affinity's Travel Practice, a travel insurance provider.

Early flights are also less likely to be full, which can be helpful if you're jockeying for overhead bin space, trying to avoid higher checked-bag fees.

Consider travel insurance.

Travel insurance can be a good investment, especially for long or multifaceted itineraries such as overseas trips, Fleming says. But these policies don't cover every contingency. Common reasons to cancel a trip that typically do qualify include a serious illness or injury befalling you, a traveling companion or a family member; severe weather or natural disasters; and terrorist attacks that occur within a certain time and distance of your trip.

Delays or disruptions due to the conflict in Iran, however, might not make the cut. “For the most part, acts of war are excluded,” Fleming says. Preexisting conditions, medical or geopolitical, typically aren't covered either.

Cancel-for-any-reason policies offer more flexibility — you can just change your mind about the trip, for instance — but there are caveats. You typically have to purchase coverage shortly after booking your travel; payouts can be capped at 50% or 75% of your cost; and reimbursement may come as a credit toward a future trip rather than cash back.

These policies also cost more — typically 9% to 15% of the trip expense, compared with 6% to 10% for standard coverage, Fleming says. But given the higher-than-average possibility of some development disrupting your travel this summer, the extra protection may be worth it.

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You won't find them at grocery checkouts, but the U.S. penny is back. To celebrate America's 250th birthday in 2026, the U.S. Mint has introduced one-year-only design overhauls to almost all circulating coins, which are out now.

The rollout includes quarters, nickels, dimes, half-dollars…and yes, the penny.

Though President Donald Trump ordered the end of circulating penny production late last year to save taxpayers an estimated $56 million annually, a special "dual-date" penny has returned exclusively for the semiquincentennial. Think of its comeback like Pluto's status as a "dwarf planet": Not quite a "regular" planet, yet it makes us feel good.

The federal government didn't strike these 2026 pennies for general circulation, so you won't find them in everyday cash transactions. You'll have to embark on what the Mint Director calls a "treasure hunt," and you could actually be taxed on that treasure if the collection is eventually sold for a profit.

Happy Birthday, America — let's talk about what's in your pocket.

New pennies in 2026?

The Mint is celebrating the nation's 250th anniversary with one-year-only design upgrades.

The only other time the U.S. has done this on such a widespread scale was during the 1976 bicentennial. After the celebration concludes, however, the coins are scheduled to revert to their standard looks, like Cinderella's dress at midnight.

The Mint's new redesigns feature a 1776 to 2026 "dual date," and many of the coins are already in circulation, including:

Who's missing from the cash register? The penny. Since the penny's retirement last year, it is the only coin in the lineup that won't be distributed to local banks. Instead, the 2026 dual-date penny is being issued strictly as a collector's item available through official Mint sets.

(Though the Mint is keeping the penny's classic Union Shield look for the 250 celebration, perhaps because the Feds were feeling just as nostalgic about the copper-colored coin as we are.)

*Note: The remaining quarters for the U.S. Constitution and Gettysburg Address will roll out later in the year, alongside various commemorative sets that have already come out or are scheduled to debut through late 2026.

A nationwide 'treasure hunt'

While you have to buy the new pennies directly from the government, the rest of the 2026 circulation coins are headed straight to your wallet.

The Mint, alongside the American Numismatic Association (ANA), has launched the #CoinHunt250 campaign to encourage Americans to look for the new designs in their daily change.

U.S. Mint Director Paul Hollis noted in a recent interview with CBS News, "Certain banks are giving them out, but I would encourage people to request them from your bank."

That's because it can take four to six weeks for new coins to begin to appear in circulation, according to the Mint. Banks typically get them first, and finding them in your everyday change can take longer, depending on your area.

However, serious collectors looking for flawless, scratch-free versions of the coins — or the elusive dual-date penny — might still want to buy pristine uncirculated or proof sets directly from the Mint website rather than relying on treasure hunts.

Are these coins actually worth anything?

With hundreds of millions being minted, the new 250th-anniversary coins probably won't ever exceed their face value. A 2026 quarter found in your car's cupholder will likely only be worth 25 cents for decades to come — regardless of the image stamped on it (unless it's a rare exception).

Even so, value may be built if your coins have flawless preservation, mint errors, or extreme scarcity.

• For instance, if you submit a coin to a professional grading service and it scores a "Perfect Proof 70" (PR70), collectors might pay more for it.
• This is because finding a coin completely free of microscopic scrapes, bumps, and bruises is nearly impossible (just think about the coins rattling around your glove compartment).

Even more lucrative are mint errors, which are flawed pieces that accidentally slip past the Mint's quality control.

Discoveries like a genuine "doubled die" (where the design looks doubled with a rounded, distinct separation) can turn ordinary pocket change into an asset worth hundreds or thousands of dollars. Yet finding true error coins is rare nowadays due to modern minting technology combined with sheer production volume.

Trump's hunt for gold

The collectible coin market is often flooded with standard modern base-metal commemorative sets, uncirculated coin rolls, and third-party legal tender. Although sometimes appreciable, many of these sets fall flat on the resale side.

However, if a set is struck in certified precious metals, it could retain its melt value, and in some cases, retail as well.

• For instance, the Mint is currently navigating a legal battle for an ultra-exclusive, 24-karat gold coin featuring President Trump's profile to mark the semiquincentennial.
• According to Mint and legal filings, only 47 of these coins would be released, each containing 19.7 troy ounces, retailing at $90,000 (pending approval). But legal issues and production delays mean these specific gold pieces wouldn't drop until after July 4, 2026 (more on that below).
• The built-in scarcity and historical track record of precious metals could make these gold coins a popular alternative asset, though gold investment returns can fluctuate significantly depending on inflation and the broader economy.

How the IRS taxes coin collections

If you do decide to jump into the hobby of coin collecting with the hope of selling for a profit later, keep in mind that the IRS treats collectibles very differently from stocks or cash (even for America's Birthday party).

• The holding period is capital. If you buy a collectible coin and sell it in under a year, any profit is taxed as ordinary income (up to 37% federal marginal rate). If you hold it longer than a year, the profit is subject to a specific collectibles capital gains tax rate, capped at 28%.
• Watch the net investment income tax (NIIT). Depending on your income, high earners may face an additional 3.8% NIIT surcharge. How much tax applies is equal to the lesser of your net investment income or the amount by which your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeds the following thresholds: single filers with MAGI over $200k, or married couples filing jointly over $250k.
• Don't forget your cost basis. The good news is that everything you pay to get the coin — including shipping fees, sales tax, and any "buyer's premiums" above face value — counts toward your cost basis. You can subtract these expenses from your final sale price to lower your taxable gains.

Note: State income taxes on collectibles may also be applicable depending on where you live.

Ultimately, whether you're trying to build an alternative investment or just want to sort through your change with your kids or grandkids, the 2026 coin rollout is a historic milestone. Keep your eyes on your pocket change — you just might find a piece of history staring back at you.

Read More

• How Benjamin Franklin's Simple Money Rules Could Help Lower Your Taxes
• Is the Nickel Next? The New Math Behind Your Checkout Total
• Hobby Taxes: What They Are and How They Affect You
• How Collectibles Are Taxed: A Closer Look at Capital Gains Rules

Thinking about buying an RV, a new boat, or taking on a major home renovation in retirement? Or maybe you want to drop thousands on a bucket-list trip or finally treat yourself to the high-end pampering you never had time for when you were working.

Who could blame you? You’ve spent decades saving for your golden years and shouldn’t feel guilty about spending the wealth you worked so hard to accumulate.

Yet, far too many retirees choose not to splurge, paralyzed by the fear of outliving their money. They see inflation ticking up or gas prices soaring and immediately pull back. It doesn't matter if they have a solid financial plan to weather economic shifts; fear sinks in, and the spending stops.

Instead of upgrading their homes or traveling the country, they push back their dreams, only to end up with a massive bank account and a whole lot of regret. By the time they finally feel safe spending money, they are often too old, sick or tired to enjoy it.

That was the case for one of financial adviser Eric Ludwig's past clients. The couple always wanted to go on a Viking cruise, but when they finally decided to do it in their early 80s, they had to cancel due to health issues. "Nobody wants to be the richest person in the cemetery," says Ludwig, who is also director of the American College of Financial Services Center for Retirement Income.

Granted, splurging in retirement isn't without risk. Pulling funds from the wrong retirement account can trigger a hefty, unexpected tax bill or derail your portfolio's compounding power. Miscalculate your math, and you could face a genuine shortfall down the road.

But you shouldn't let what-ifs keep you from enjoying your life. If you can confidently answer the following three questions, nothing is stopping you from splurging on the retirement you've earned.

If you can answer yes to the following three questions, go ahead and splurge!

1. What is motivating the splurge?

You may think the first question would be: Can I really afford it? But Ludwig says even before that, you have to understand what is driving the need to spend the money.

"A splurge is an emotional decision that is wearing a financial costume. Your job is to separate the two before you spend a lot," said Ludwig. Ask yourself: "What is this really for? What will you get out of this?"

Ludwig posed that question to a couple he advised who were looking to sell their house and build a new one, versus buying a less expensive already-constructed home. The couple insisted that the move was motivated by wanting to be closer to family. With plenty of homes available to purchase, Ludwig pressed them on why they preferred new construction, which costs a lot more.

It eventually came out that the real motivation was to impress a family member in the area. Once the couple realized that, they changed course. "They ended up buying a house that was $100,000 less than the one they were selling," said Ludwig.

2. What am I sacrificing for the splurge?

Assuming you can afford your splurge, the next question you need to ask yourself is: What are you sacrificing for it? If you plan to spend a large sum of money, will it mean something else has to be put on hold? If so, does it matter?

The couple who decided to buy instead of build a new home realized that all their money would be tied up in impressing a family member, leaving limited funds to travel and pursue their other retirement activities. That was the deal breaker for them.

"That's something I want my clients to think of when considering a large splurge," said Hillary Stalker, a financial advisor at CapWealth. "Are they sacrificing something else they want in order to do that?" If they aren't willing to sacrifice, then the splurge item isn't as important as they may think, she says.

3. How will I fund the splurge?

Once you know why you’re splurging and that it's worth it, the final question you need to ask yourself is: Where will the money come from? If you aren’t careful, a major withdrawal can trigger an expensive domino effect of taxes and clawed-back benefits.

That's because when you pull funds to pay for a splurge, the tax hit depends on the type of account you use. If you withdraw from a traditional IRA or 401(k), it will be treated as ordinary taxable income. A big splurge can easily push you into a higher tax bracket.

Plus, if that withdrawal spikes your income high enough, some of your Social Security benefits may be taxed, and you could face expensive surcharges on your Medicare premiums.

Don't be afraid to spend

Watching your regular paycheck disappear is a psychological hurdle that takes time to overcome, especially when a thirty-year retirement lies ahead.

But if you can afford it, have a solid plan to navigate inflation and market volatility and can confidently answer the three questions above, you can splurge guilt-free.

Editor's note: This article is part of an ongoing series looking at three questions to ask yourself before making a major financial or lifestyle decision. The other stories in the series are: 3 Questions to Ask Before Deciding if a Roth Conversion Is Right for You, 3 Questions That Reveal If You're Actually Ready to Age in Place, 3 Questions That Determine If You're Actually Ready to Retire Early, 3 Questions to Ensure Your Retirement Nest Egg Is Inflation-Proof, 3 Questions to Ask Before Unretiring and 3 Questions That Help You Find Your Perfect Social Security Claiming Age.

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Airport lounges are the best places to spend your layover or kill that extra time you have after breezing through airport security with TSA PreCheck and Clear. While the cushy seating, complimentary food and open bars are all designed to help guests relax before their flights, there is such a thing as being a little too comfortable in an airport lounge.

Some of the unspoken rules of an airport lounge are common sense, but others might not be so obvious to everyone. There are certain mistakes you might make that are a dead giveaway that this is your first visit. If you're planning to kick back in an airport lounge ahead of your next trip, take this short quiz to find out if you know how to behave inside one.

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Everyone knows the best way to be treated right when you fly is to have status with an airline's loyalty program. With that distinction alone, the clouds clear: You get access to a dedicated customer service phone line, free seat upgrades and checked bags, and sometimes even access to airport lounges and other perks.

There are many ways to attain status. First and foremost, you can get an airline-branded credit card that automatically gets you in the club. The other option is simply to fly and spend enough with an airline that you qualify for status. If you're someone who travels regularly for work, that's a fairly easy step to take, but for people who only fly a handful of times a year, it might be harder to reach that.

If you are someone who travels "sparingly" (compared to a business traveler, that is) and you want to attain airline status, you need to make sure you're getting credit for as many miles as possible. And that's where my little "trick" comes in handy.

How to get credit for every flight you take

In truth, it's not really a trick as much as it is being informed and taking action when you fly. Basically, most airlines are part of "alliances" with each other, and those alliances allow you to share miles between them. But in order to make use of that, you have to pick your flights carefully — and make sure you get credit afterwards.

First, you'll want to decide which major airline is the one you are targeting to get status on. This airline is usually the one that flies the most out of the airport near you, or flies to the destination you travel to the most, if you have multiple airport options. Let's call it your "home base airline."

Whenever you book a big trip, you should aim to book it on that home base airline. But let's say you're traveling a route that airline doesn't have. That's when you check the alliance.

See which alliance your home base airline is part of. Then, see which other airlines are in that alliance. Now, you can see if one of those airlines flies the route you need.

If it does, you're in luck. When you book that flight, there is sometimes an option to add your loyalty number. If there is, type in your loyalty number from your home base airline, and you'll earn points from this flight, even though it was a different airline.

But let's say that option doesn't exist or you forget to fill it in. Don't worry, there's still hope, and this is the little "trick" to help you out. After you take the flight, check your home base airline profile and see if you got credit for it. If you didn't, you can request they find your "missing miles."

File for United missing miles here; American Airlines here; for Delta, go here, and click on "Request Mileage Credit."

You'll need to log in to your account and then fill in the required information. Usually, that's information like your ticket number, so try to remember to hold onto your boarding pass or confirmation somewhere.

Each airline works a little differently in terms of when credit arrives and what information they need, so follow the directions on the site. Provided your request is approved, you'll get credit for that flight, which can help you get closer to attaining status with your home base airline.

How this worked for me

So, what does this look like in practice?

United is my home base airline as I prefer to fly out of Newark, which is a United hub. United is a member of the Star Alliance, which I like because it has a lot of regional airlines.

Typically when I take an international trip, I'll fly out of Newark with United, and then use regional airlines on the Star Alliance to get around if I'm location-hopping. And that's how I managed to earn Premier Silver status in 2024.

In January, I flew on a United ticket to New Zealand for my honeymoon. Air New Zealand is in the Star Alliance, so I flew with them when I traveled within New Zealand and between Australia. I was able to include my United mileage number on my Air New Zealand bookings and, after I got home, checked that I was credited on the path toward status with those flights.

In May, I had another international trip with a few destinations. I flew out to Greece on a United flight, then flew from Athens to an island on Aegean — a member of the Star Alliance. I used Aegean again to get to Dublin for a wedding, before flying on Swiss, another Star Alliance member, to get to Paris to celebrate my mother-in-law's birthday, before flying home. (And yes, I needed a vacation from that vacation after all those flights.)

I logged every single one of those shorter flights and requested the missing miles when some of them didn't show up in my United account. This required a lot of concentration. To request the miles, I sometimes needed minute details down to my seat number and fare class, but ultimately I did get credit for each leg.

Between those big trips and a couple other domestic ones, I rightfully earned my Silver status that year — but it would not have happened without making use of the alliance flights and my vigilance to ensure those flights were counted.

Know your airline alliances

My key message here is to be aware of airline alliances and make use of them. With that, here are the major airline alliances, as of May 2026.

I am breaking them down by region, as that can be helpful to decide which alliance is most useful to you. If you're planning a big trip to Asia, for example, you may want to know which alliance has the most Asian airlines to accrue more points for your trip, and maybe that determines your home base target airline for the year. For me, that's another reason why United is my home base — the Star Alliance includes Aegean and ITA Airways, and as my big trips typically involve visiting family in Italy and Greece, this works out for me.

Star Alliance:

• North American airlines: United, Air Canada
• European airlines: Aegean, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, Croatia Airlines, ITA Airways, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines
• Asian airlines: Air China, Air India, ANA, Asiana Airlines, EVA Air, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways
• Central and South American airlines: Avianca, Copa Airlines
• African airlines: EgyptAir, Ethiopian, South African Airways
• Oceania airlines: Air New Zealand

SkyTeam:

• North American airlines: Delta, Aeromexico
• European airlines: AirEuropa, Air France, KLM, SAS, TAROM, Virgin Atlantic
• Asian airlines: China Airlines, China Eastern, Garuda Indonesia, Korean Air, Vietnam Airlines, Xiamen Air
• Central and South American airlines: Aerolineas Argentinas
• African airlines: Kenya Airways
• Middle Eastern airlines: Middle East Airlines (MEA), Saudia

OneWorld:

• North American airlines: Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines, American
• European airlines: British Airways, Finnair, Iberia
• Asian airlines: Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Sri Lankan Airlines
• African airlines: Royal Air Maroc
• Oceania airlines: Fiji Airways, Qantas
• Middle Eastern airlines: Oman Air, Qatar, Royal Jordanian

Accruing air miles is a strategic game that takes a sometimes ridiculous amount of effort, but it's all worth it for a year of free extra legroom.

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By the time May ends, many parents feel completely drained. Between school concerts, field trips, sports banquets, graduation celebrations, spirit weeks and summer planning, late spring can feel just as hectic and expensive as the holiday season.

That's why the term Maycember has struck a chord with so many parents online. Much like December, May often brings a nonstop stream of obligations, emotional labor and unexpected expenses that leave families exhausted before summer even begins.

After months of managing schedules, coordinating activities and taking care of everyone else, many parents enter summer running on empty. But the season can also offer an opportunity to shift some of that focus inward and make time for their own well-being.

Why parents feel financially and emotionally depleted by late May

For many families, May brings a steady stream of expenses that seem to arrive all at once. Teacher appreciation gifts, yearbook orders, team banquets, graduation celebrations, camp deposits, summer wardrobes and vacation planning can quickly strain the budget.

At the same time, parents often carry an invisible mental load behind the scenes. They're coordinating schedules, tracking deadlines, arranging childcare and helping their children navigate the emotions that come with the end of the school year and the start of summer.

By the time the final school bell rings, many parents aren't heading into summer feeling refreshed. They're heading into it already exhausted.

There's also an emotional contradiction that comes with this season. Summer is supposed to feel relaxing and carefree, yet many parents immediately shift into planning activities, creating memorable experiences and keeping kids engaged. Rather than slowing down, the work often takes on a different form.

Splurging doesn't have to mean irresponsible spending

Treating yourself after Maycember doesn't have to mean blowing your budget or abandoning your financial goals.

Thoughtful splurges can sometimes improve your quality of life, reduce stress and help you reclaim some of the time and energy you've spent caring for everyone else during a demanding season.

The most worthwhile purchases aren't always luxury items. Often, they're the conveniences, experiences and small upgrades that make daily life easier, more enjoyable or a little less overwhelming.

Here are a few ways parents can treat themselves this summer after making it through Maycember.

1. Outsource your stress

One of the biggest sources of burnout for parents is the endless stream of small tasks that seem to multiply during busy seasons.

Summer can be a good time to give yourself a little breathing room by outsourcing some of those responsibilities. For some families, that might mean paying for grocery delivery once a week, scheduling a regular takeout night or signing up for a car wash membership so cleaning the car doesn't become another weekend obligation.

Even hiring someone to mow the lawn once or twice during a particularly hectic stretch can provide a sense of relief.

"One of the best investments we've made during the summer is hiring a landscaper to handle mowing and weed control," says Carla Ayers, Personal Finance Editor at Kiplinger.com. "Outsourcing that task gives us one less thing to worry about and helps us avoid the stress of coming home to an overgrown yard."

Larger splurges might include a monthly house cleaner, a laundry service or a mother's helper or babysitter for a few hours each week so you can work, rest or enjoy some uninterrupted quiet time.

The value of these purchases goes beyond convenience. They can help reduce mental load and free up time for the things that matter most. For many parents, buying back a few hours of their week feels far more rewarding than buying more stuff.

2. Upgrade your summer mornings

Summer mornings often feel different. There’s usually a little more daylight, a slightly slower pace and more opportunities to enjoy quiet moments before the day gets busy. Instead of rushing through mornings, some parents might want to create a small ritual they look forward to.

That could be as simple as trying a fancy cold brew setup at home, buying better coffee creamer, picking up pastries from a local bakery once a week or replacing the chipped coffee mug you’ve been using for years. Others might enjoy sitting outside for 15 minutes with a journal, book or playlist before everyone else wakes up.

For bigger upgrades, parents might consider investing in an espresso machine, upgrading patio furniture or creating a small outdoor retreat space in the backyard with comfortable seating and lighting.

Sometimes a small change to the start of your day can improve your mood far more than a major purchase.

3. Take the solo afternoon you keep postponing

Many parents struggle to justify spending time or money on themselves. But after a demanding school year, a few uninterrupted hours can feel refreshing.

That might mean browsing a bookstore at your own pace, lingering in a coffee shop without interruptions, catching a matinee movie or enjoying lunch at a favorite restaurant. The activity itself matters less than having the freedom to spend a few hours doing something you enjoy.

Others might opt for a more intentional form of self-care, such as a massage, spa treatment or wellness day. Some even book a solo hotel stay nearby to enjoy uninterrupted sleep, quiet and a chance to recharge.

4. Spend money on convenience this summer

Summer schedules can become surprisingly chaotic with camps, sports, vacations and constantly shifting routines. During especially busy seasons, convenience can be a worthwhile investment rather than an unnecessary luxury.

Small upgrades such as buying precut produce, keeping extra freezer meals on hand, using grocery pickup or occasionally ordering delivery can make daily life run more smoothly.

Families with packed calendars may also benefit from meal kit subscriptions such as Marley Spoon, HelloFresh or Home Chef, which can simplify dinner planning and reduce the number of last-minute trips to the grocery store. Others might find value in prepared meal services or temporary cleaning help during the busiest weeks of summer.

Convenience spending is often criticized in budgeting conversations, but there's a difference between mindless spending and intentionally paying for support during demanding seasons of life. If a purchase helps reduce stress, prevent family conflicts or ease exhaustion, it might deliver more value than its price tag suggests.

5. Buy something that makes summer easier

Sometimes the best splurges are the practical purchases that make everyday life more comfortable all season long. That might mean investing in supportive walking shoes, upgrading your water bottle, buying a beach tote that fits everything or picking up a portable fan for long afternoons at outdoor sports events.

For parents spending hours on their feet at tournaments, amusement parks, festivals and family outings, comfortable footwear can be a worthwhile investment. Tom's Guide highlighted several popular options, including Hoka Skyward Laceless, OOFOS OOmg+ recovery shoes and Skechers Slip-ins Max Cushioning, all designed to provide comfort and support during long days of walking.

Other quality-of-life upgrades might include a pool membership, patio furniture, an outdoor speaker system or a high-end cooler for road trips, picnics and park days. Some parents are also investing in fitness trackers or e-bikes to make movement more enjoyable and encourage healthy habits throughout the summer.

The best summer splurges aren't always the most exciting purchases. Often, they're the ones that make everyday activities easier, more comfortable and a little more enjoyable.

6. Book the small trip instead of waiting for the perfect vacation

Not every family can afford an elaborate summer vacation, especially after the financial demands of spring activities and rising travel costs.

That doesn't mean summer has to feel disappointing. Instead of waiting for the "perfect" trip, many families choose smaller, lower-pressure getaways. A weekend at a nearby lake, a scenic road trip, a one-night hotel stay or a day trip to a neighboring town can create meaningful memories without requiring months of planning or a hefty price tag.

Families looking to splurge a bit more might consider renting a cabin at a state park, booking a nearby resort stay or planning a short regional getaway that doesn't require expensive flights. Shorter trips can often be less stressful, more affordable and easier to enjoy than highly planned vacations packed with activities and rigid itineraries.

"Patience and flexibility are your best friends when traveling with children," says Sean Jackson, personal finance writer for Kiplinger.com.

"Keep your schedule open enough to account for naps, unexpected delays and the occasional mishap. Pack plenty of snacks and cleaning wipes, and if you have younger children, it can help to have someone sit in the back seat with them during longer drives. We've taken multiple trips with our daughter and found that the more flexible you are, the smoother the experience tends to be and the more likely everyone is to enjoy the trip."

7. Create one adults-only summer ritual

Summer often revolves around children's schedules and activities, but parents benefit from having traditions of their own as well. That could be something as simple as a Friday takeout night after the kids go to bed, backyard gatherings with neighbors or evening walks accompanied by a favorite podcast or playlist.

Others might choose bigger splurges, such as creating a backyard firepit area, purchasing tickets to an outdoor concert series or investing in a date-night membership that encourages regular time together.

Having a recurring adults-only ritual can provide a welcome break from the logistics of family life and create something to look forward to throughout the summer.

8. Give yourself permission to stop optimizing everything

Many parents spend the summer trying to make every moment count by planning educational outings, organizing activities, scheduling camps and creating the "perfect" summer experience.

But constantly optimizing family life can be exhausting. Sometimes the most valuable summer splurge isn't something you buy. It's giving yourself permission to do less.

That might mean picking up a store-bought dessert instead of baking from scratch, skipping an event that feels more stressful than enjoyable, letting the kids entertain themselves for an afternoon or relying on simple meals more often.

After the chaos of Maycember, many parents head into summer already feeling stretched thin financially, mentally and emotionally. While it’s easy to focus every dollar and every ounce of energy on everyone else, summer can also be an opportunity to make life a little easier and more enjoyable for yourself, too.

Whether it’s paying for convenience, simplifying your schedule or finally taking a break you’ve been postponing, intentional splurges don’t have to derail your finances. Sometimes, the right purchase is the one that gives you more rest, more time or a little more peace during a busy season of life.

Related Content:

• 7 Ways to Splurge on Yourself, Because Your Kids Will Inherit Enough
• Small Splurges That Won't Derail Your Retirement
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Finding the sweet spot between a high-end travel experience and a smart budget is all about knowing how the travel industry prices its products. Do you know which days to fly, or how to leverage your background as a homeowner for free global lodging?

Take our quick travel quiz below to test your booking IQ and pick up a few expert strategies for your next adventure.

Don't worry if you miss an answer; you can follow the links below the quiz to brush up on your knowledge.

More on travel from the Kiplinger team:

• 9 Ways To Save on Your Next Luxury Trip
• The 12 Travel Tips Every Retiree Needs to Know
• The 10 Best Splurge Destinations for Retirees in 2026
• 5 Side Gigs That Let You Travel the World in Retirement
• The 10 Most Valuable Vacation Destinations for Retirees in 2026
• Flying After 65? These Are the 11 Best Travel Hacks for Active Retirees

Locations in five countries in Europe are offering financial incentives to new residents meeting specific qualifications, according to a report from InternationalLiving.com. The countries — including Italy, Spain, Greece, Ireland and Portugal — have available grants, subsidized housing or long-term tax incentives that can meaningfully reduce the cost of relocating abroad when paired with the right visa.

“For retirees, these incentives can meaningfully reduce the upfront cost of starting a new life overseas,” says Jennifer Stevens, executive editor of International Living. “Whether it's a tax break in Italy or Greece, a housing refurbishment grant in Ireland, or relocation support in Portugal, these programs can help stretch retirement savings further.”

But, as the report makes clear: Make sure you understand the details before moving. Because there's always a catch.

Report author Ted Baumann says, “One of the most important details to consider is that in many cases, it's not actually the country offering an incentive — it's a small town or a region of a country. And while the incentive may suit you well, keep in mind you'd still need to qualify for residency with that country's federal government.”

1. Italy

Italy is known for €1 home schemes. Usually located in rural or shrinking towns, these schemes typically offer dilapidated houses for as low as €1 if the buyer fixes them up within a fixed timeframe and puts down a deposit to guarantee the work is completed. Some towns also offer rent or energy subsidies to newcomers. “If you can combine this with a pathway to residency and you don't mind living in a rural area, this can be a great option,” Baumann says.

Some regions offer larger incentives: Trentino has granted up to €100,000 toward the purchase and renovation of a home, provided the recipient lives in it. The town of Radicondoli, south of Florence, offers grants and subsidies with a requirement that new residents live there for at least 10 years.

Italy's most significant nationwide incentive is tax-based. “If you settle in specific southern municipalities and regions, Italy will give you a 7% flat tax concession that lasts 10 years,” Baumann says. With top marginal tax rates exceeding 40%, he notes, “this is a hefty incentive.”

Read more: Retire in Italy for Culture and Beauty & Want to Move to Italy? What to Consider Financially

2. Spain

Spain offers financial incentives through rural municipalities. These can include cash grants, free or discounted land, and other benefits — but they come with strings attached.

“You need to be listed on the municipal register as a resident and taxpayer and promise to make it your main home for a minimum period,” Baumann explains.

Examples include the town of Ponga in Asturias in Spain's northwest, which offers about €3,000 to new residents, and the Extremadura region in the central-west, next to Portugal, which provides relocating digital nomads with grants of up to €15,000.

Spain's most powerful incentive is also tax-related. Baumann points to “Beckham's Law,” a special expat tax strategy that offers a flat rate on certain employment income, along with exemptions on some foreign-source income.

Read more: Retire in Spain for Rich Culture, Cuisine and Coastal Bliss

3. Ireland

Ireland's incentive programs are tied to housing restoration rather than relocation cash. The national government offers grants of up to €70,000 to refurbish vacant or derelict houses. On offshore islands, that amount can rise to €84,000.

“The catch is that you must refurbish it to live in as your principal residence or make it available to rent,” Baumann says. “And you must own it in your own name.”

As with similar programs elsewhere, he adds, “This isn't cash for your own pocket; it's money that must be used to restore property.”

Read more: Retire in Ireland for Lush, Green Landscapes and Bustling Cities

4. Greece

Some small islands have offered housing, land and monthly stipends to attract residents and essential workers. “The most famous is Antikythera, which will give you a house and a plot of land as well as €500 per month for up to five years,” Baumann says.

Greece also offers a significant tax incentive: “a 7% flat tax rate for up to 15 years for new residents,” Baumann says, calling it a major draw given Greece's high marginal tax rates.

Read more: Retire in Greece for Relaxed Living With a Cinematic Backdrop & Can You Afford Retirement in Greece? 3 Tax Benefits Make It Possible

5. Portugal

Under the government-backed Emprego Interior Mais program, eligible applicants can receive a grant of up to €6,000 to help cover moving and other costs associated with relocating to the countryside. Households may also qualify for an additional 20% per dependent who joins the move.

“If you're a foreigner, you first need to have residency, which in this case would mean the D8 digital nomad visa — having a job is a prerequisite for the relocation grant,” says Baumann. “The D8 requires an income of around €3,500 a month.”

Read more: Where to Retire: Living in Portugal as a US Retiree & Want to Move to Portugal? What to Consider Financially

Note: This item first appeared in Kiplinger Retirement Report, our popular monthly periodical that covers key concerns of affluent older Americans who are retired or preparing for retirement. Subscribe for retirement advice that's right on the money.

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Say you've lived in a lovely community for decades. You own your home, you have a great circle of friends and family not too far away. Then you retire — and blow it all up.

You sell and give away everything. The house, the cars, the furniture, most of your clothes and the items collected over a lifetime. And hit the road in Peru. South Korea. Romania.

That's what Judy Hoctor, 61, and her husband, Kevin, 64, did in November 2022. They retired from their jobs in San Francisco. Kevin worked for Apple and Judy for a cybersecurity start-up. At first they thought they might work remotely, but that wasn't viable. Retiring in San Francisco and also traveling was just too expensive.

“Pretty quickly we realized that it would be easier to just leave everything behind, not have responsibilities, like a house and a mortgage,” Judy Hoctor says. And rather than decide what to sell and what to keep, “we just said it will be easier to leave everything behind and live out of a suitcase and a backpack. We were looking for a different way of living.”

Retirees choosing to live their retirement traveling in an RV or camper is not a new phenomenon. Full-time retirement on cruise ships has also become a popular option for some. And to be sure, for some older folks, like those portrayed in the 2020 movie Nomadland, living on the road, moving from RV site to RV site, searching for temporary jobs, is a life necessity, not a lifestyle choice.

It is difficult to find statistics on this group, but, anecdotally at least, more retirees like the Hoctors are opting for a DIY global nomadic life. That usually consists of moving every few weeks or months with no established home base.

These nomads learn from each other and from social media groups of like-minded souls about health plans, virtual mailboxes, choosing a hairdresser and joining meet-ups.

It's not for everybody. But those who have lasted on the road for years often embrace the lifestyle with evangelical zeal.

Choosing to go

For Debbie Campbell, 70, and her husband, Michael, 80, it was their daughter who initially came up with the idea of spending their retirement moving from Airbnb to Airbnb and country to country.

She lived in France. They had lived in Seattle for decades.

“We thought that was crazy. Had she looked in our checkbook?” Debbie Campbell says. But “the idea kind of just stuck. We were looking for another adventure, and Michael started doing some budgets and spreadsheets, and we thought, ‘We can't do this. We can't do this. And then wait a minute, yes, we can.'”

So they sold or gave away everything except for some items stashed in a storage space and took off in July 2013.

“We were boatless, carless, homeless and we just went,” Campbell says. “We returned every year for the holidays, just after Thanksgiving through the New Year, and then we took off again.” They ended their 12-year travel marathon in 2025 after visiting 95 countries and now rent a place in Seattle.

“When we left, we were not aware of others who were doing what we intended to do — no websites or books that laid out what being a ‘senior nomad' in 2013 looked like,” she says. “During the decade, as the media coverage increased, we were contacted at first by people with lots of ‘how to' questions. Then we started hearing from people who told us, ‘We did what you did.'”

The Campbells themselves are partially responsible for that media coverage. Debbie ran an advertising agency and Michael was a sports promoter, so both were savvy about the media. Debbie began a blog about their travels when they first started. When The New York Times wrote about the couple and their travels, they received more than 250 inquiries through that blog.

Now they have a website, SeniorNomads.com; their public Facebook page, Senior Nomads, has more than 10,000 followers and they have a private page with about 20,000 followers. At one point, they reached out to Airbnb about their travels and became informal ambassadors, even interning at their San Francisco headquarters for three months in exchange for housing. In 2016 they published a book, Your Keys, Our Home, about their experience staying in Airbnbs worldwide.

Most who choose the nomadic life have always loved traveling, but there's a point that tips them from part-time to full-time travelers. For Heidi Sickles, 65, it was after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in her last year working as a human resource manager.

The illness “opened my eyes — time is short,” Sickles says. “And then the kids were out, and it just seemed like the right time to sell the house and start traveling.”

She and her husband Kevin, 65, sold their home in Mamaroneck, N.Y. in 2024 and began their travels.

It was the pandemic that spurred the Hoctors to rethink their priorities. “It was a feeling this is not how we want to spend our life,” Judy says. “The more we worked, the more our jobs wanted us to work.”

Is a nomadic retirement for you?

It takes a certain type of person to be on the move, constantly dealing with new cultures and languages, with the inevitable mishaps — because there will be missed trains, visa mix-ups and the occasional dud Airbnb where nothing works.

There was the time Michael Campbell was pickpocketed in Saigon. And the next day the couple accidentally left their backpacks — including Debbie's phone — in a cab. They managed to track it using the Find my Phone app and happily recovered the items.

And when traveling on a tight budget, every mistake can feel costly. The Hoctors accidentally double-booked flights from Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro. They caught the problem within 24 hours, but the carrier refused to refund the $522.

The ideal nomad retiree is someone who is both able to plan and be flexible, who is eager for new experiences and meeting different people, but can also enjoy their own company for stretches of time.

“You need to take an introspective look to see who you are and what will work for you and what will not work for you,” says Manisha Santosh Parulekar, a doctor of geriatric medicine. “You are exposed to various languages. You’re exposed to new people, cultures. So that is stimulating for your brain and mind. And you are active when you’re traveling, so it is good for your physical health as well. But if you have not planned well, and if you don’t travel in a coordinated format, things can get complicated, and it can actually add more stress.”

One thing it doesn’t take, experienced nomads say, is a lot of money.

The Hoctors, for example, set a budget of $5,000 a month; on one video on their YouTube channel, they break down their 2024 costs and estimate they spent about $63,000. Like the Campbells, they have monetized their travels to some degree; besides the YouTube channel, they have a website, FindingGinaMarie.com.

The income from their video views, affiliate links and membership fees came to around $36,000 last year, Hoctor says.

The Campbells don’t make their spending public but say their goal was to average about $90 a night for lodging. Travel days are expensive, Campbell says. Like many others, they settle down in one place for several months each year — for them, it’s winter in Mexico.

One way to cut out the cost of accommodation: house-sit or pet-sit. Trusted Housesitters is one popular global site where people exchange pet-sitting for housing. Annual membership for pet-sitters starts at $129.

For many, the joy of traveling is not to replicate the lifestyle they had at home but rather to shed it.

That was the case for Sandra Rosenau, 53, and her husband Paul Ryken, 60, of Sydney, Australia. Tired of their corporate lives and looking for a change, they winnowed down all their possessions to a safety deposit box and left Sydney in 2016 with one backpack each. They spend about $40,000 annually and write about living a simple lifestyle on the road on their website MinimalistJourneys.com.

Healthcare when you global nomad

Healthcare is one overarching concern for those traveling in their later years. Regular Medicare can’t be used overseas; some Medicare Advantage plans will cover treatment — typically only emergencies — in foreign countries.

One option is to purchase global health insurance, which is different from travel insurance. The best known companies for such insurance include Allianz, AXA, Cigna and IMG; some plans also cover pre-existing and chronic illness.

The Hoctors chose a Cigna Global Health mid-level plan. It cost $5,781 annually for both of them for $1 million coverage outside the U.S. and includes a $3,000 deductible.

They most likely will also sign up for Medicare when they reach 65, to avoid late penalties if they don’t — even though they don’t plan to settle back in the U.S.

Planning ahead is key to a healthy experience, Parulekar, the doctor, says: “Are you on top of your prevention and screening? Are you up to date with all your vaccinations?” she says. Plan in a systematic and timely manner, so that when you do get [to your destination], you are able to enjoy the true potential of that place, rather than then getting sick.”

That said, many nomads rave about the healthcare they receive locally.

“Good healthcare exists everywhere, not just in the U.S., and it’s cheaper,” Hoctor says. “Kevin had a hernia repair surgery when we were in Serbia, and we’ve also had medical health checkups in Thailand, glasses in Japan, dental appointments everywhere. We’ve felt very comfortable and gotten excellent care at meaningfully cheaper prices than the U.S.”

Sickles says she schedules her doctors’ appointments in New York in one-or-two-day blocks when returning to the area but has found medical care over seas for relatively minor problems to be exemplary. And since Medicare doesn’t cover dental care, the Sickles now have all their dental work done in Mexico, where they go annually for some longer-term stays.

“We’ve found the dentists in Mexico to be first rate, using modern techniques and equipment and the cost is about one-fourth to one-fifth of what we typically paid in the States,” she says.

Taxes and other logistics

Nomads are still required to pay federal taxes on Social Security, investments and other income and state taxes depending on the state they live in.

Some, like the Sickles, who don’t own property and aren’t working, chose to “move” to a state that doesn’t charge income tax and declare that as their tax domicile — in their case South Dakota. They were required to show proof that they spent one night in the state before they could apply for their drivers’ licenses and register their cars.

And how about the rare but important pieces of real mail? One way is through a virtual mailbox, which is a digital mail service with a real street address. Numerous companies offer services such as forwarding or storing hard copies of mail, shredding, digitally scanning the outside of all mail for the traveler to see it online and then the contents if requested. The cost is typically $120-$200 annually, sometimes with additional fees.

The downsides of a nomad retirement

While the Instagram photos and travelogues make the nomad life look like non-stop fun — and even the hiccups become humorous anecdotes — the lifestyle requires trade-offs. For Sickles it’s missing everything from a monthly book group to weekend getaways with the tight group of friends she developed over 31 years in Mamaroneck.

“That’s probably the hardest,” she says. One way they’ve addressed that is to stay for six weeks every year in the same area of Mexico and invite friends to cycle in and out. Her mother-in-law also joins them there.

One potential nomad asked in a Reddit forum about the difficulties of everyday life, especially if traveling solo.

“I think the main challenge aside from logistics is going to be boredom,” says one respondent, who also runs a website, bonusnachos.com, on the topic. “Hanging out in foreign cities where you don’t speak the language makes it hard to make friends. You really need to figure out how you’re going to entertain yourself.”

For some, the people they meet on the road — other nomads or locals — become a community of its own. And technology makes it fairly easy to stay in touch with family and friends. But the pull remains.

For the Campbells, one of the tradeoffs of living a 12-year-long adventure was being away from their six grandchildren for long periods of time — although the three that live in France they saw more frequently than they would have had they stayed in Seattle.

“That was really hard, because we were gone during a chunk of their growing up,” Campbell says. One of the reasons they decided to end their wandering life— besides the feeling that they had essentially done all they wanted to do—was to be close to their four-year-old grandson, the youngest.

“He’s kind of the pin in the map for me right now,” she says. But the couple has no regrets. “We knew that by traveling, we were giving up some time with grandchildren while they were growing up, but we felt like we were role models for our adult children and for our grandchildren,” Michael Campbell says. “That in retirement, one doesn’t just have to sit in a rocking chair on their porch.”

Note: This item first appeared in Kiplinger Retirement Report, our popular monthly periodical that covers key concerns of affluent older Americans who are retired or preparing for retirement. Subscribe for retirement advice that's right on the money.

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The flames of a crackling fire pit cast a warm glow on your family's faces. Your newest grandchild drifts off to sleep, snuggled in his aunt's arms while his parents begin to doze beside them.

Nearby, your oldest grandchild roasts marshmallows to a perfect golden brown — just as you taught her to minutes ago — and she gleefully runs up to you to offer a taste. You recline into your seat next to your spouse, who is gazing up at the clear night sky.

The moon is full, the stars are bright, and everything is just right. You're on the perfect trip.

Meaningful shared experiences with adult children and their families are valuable to many grandparents. In fact, 49% of baby boomers and 40% of those older than 80 would rather spend money on the family trip of a lifetime than leave an inheritance to their children, according to 2025 data from Booking.com. And when it comes to funding these trips, about 80% of boomers are happy to pay for their kids and grandkids in order to travel together.

"The opportunity to spend time together in this busy phase of life for our adult children and their families is well worth the money," says Ramin Hashemi, a Kiplinger reader in Sarasota, Fla., whose vacations have included a visit to Puerto Rico as well as a cruise to celebrate a family member's milestone birthday.

Parents in the thick of their childrearing years are also eager to go on trips that bring together generations. Nearly 60% of parents want to start new family traditions centered around vacations with grandparents, and about 75% of parents are excited by the idea of multigenerational vacations, according to a 2024 study of North American families by Beaches Resorts.

While multigenerational trips present the potential for family members of all ages to spend quality time together, they come with some special considerations. For example, to accommodate young children, older adults or those with disabilities, activities and lodging may need to be stroller- and wheelchair-accessible, or you may need to limit activities to meet the energy levels of everyone in the group.

Lodging may need to have certain amenities, such as accessible entrances, a kitchen, a bathtub, an elevator, or beds of a certain size and height. Air conditioning may be nonnegotiable in hot destinations. Easy access to medical care and pharmacies may be crucial when traveling with infants, young children and some adults.

Additionally, the bigger your group, the more preferences and needs you'll have to bear in mind. The core challenge of multigenerational family travel is managing opinions, "because everybody has one," says Kirsten Maxwell, founder of Kids Are A Trip, a travel website inspiring families to explore the world.

We've gathered advice on how to plan a trip that suits the tastes and needs of each traveler and fosters more bonding and joy than tension and exhaustion.

Strategies for success.

Communication is key as you organize your vacation. To get started, gather the family you'd like to travel with for a joint video call, allowing everyone the chance to offer their ideas and suggestions.

"You have to get everybody on the same page," Maxwell says. That initial conversation should include establishing who pays for what and, if costs will be shared, how much everyone is willing to pay.

This call is also prime time to discuss ideal travel dates, collecting preferences for the start date and how long the trip will last, as well as to create a short list of destinations that interest the group. Gather expectations for lodging as well as the amenities family members may need, and discuss preferences for activities: Is the group seeking a slew of options for active adventures and sports, a focus on relaxing and unwinding together, or something in between?

And before hanging up, consider assigning responsibilities and setting deadlines to establish a clear path forward, Maxwell says. You might decide to settle on a destination by a certain date and lodging by another date not long afterward, for example.

As you're choosing activities and excursions, having honest conversations about each traveler's abilities will go a long way, says Jennifer Pharr Davis, adventurer, speaker and author of Families on Foot. Families should discuss "what the maximum output for the least fit or able member of the family looks like," she says.

On a hiking trip, for example, if one person can manage no more than two miles a day, the entire schedule should reflect that. For a cruise, the itinerary matters as much as the ship's amenities.

At some European ports, for instance, cobblestone streets can be challenging for travelers using walkers or wheelchairs, even if the ship itself is fully accessible, says Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief of cruise-review site Cruise Critic.

To avoid overtiring the group, a good rule of thumb is to limit planned activities to one per day. You might arrange an optional event, such as a boat ride or a cooking class. Or try scheduling a daily "choose your own adventure" time. At a national park, some family members can rest while others hike.

Later, everyone regroups for an evening ranger program, suggests Pharr Davis. When you book tours, opting for private excursions may be most comfortable if, say, you want to make sure that young children in your group don't disrupt others or that the length of the tour is appropriate for everyone.

Splitting the costs.

If you intend to pay for most or all of each family member's expenses, be clear about which ones you plan to cover and which, if any, you won't. For example, if you want to pay for lodging, activities and meals but let your adult children and their families cover their own transportation, communicate this early.

If family members will share the costs, discuss not only how you'd like to divide them up but also how you will keep track of those expenses. You can use an app such as Splitwise, which helps groups record and split shared costs, or document expenses in a shared spreadsheet. Peer-to-peer payment apps, such as Zelle or Venmo, are useful for sending money to one another.

With some types of trips, divvying up the costs is simple. While smaller families usually book cruise cabins individually, larger groups (typically using eight or more cabins) can connect with the cruise line's group-services department for discounts and coordination, says McDaniel.

Road Scholar, a nonprofit organization that provides educational travel and learning adventures, offers three-generation trips for grandparents, their children and their grandchildren in which each traveler can enroll and pay individually, says Kelsey Knoedler Perri, director of public relations for Road Scholar.

Trips that stand out.

Although many types of vacations can be a good fit for multiple generations, some are especially well suited to groups of varying ages, abilities and budgets. "The easiest options are going to be cruises and all-inclusive resorts," says Maxwell.

These vacations allow you to pay a fixed price up front for your accommodations and most meals, and they usually provide a broad range of amenities and activities. If an outdoor adventure is more to your family's liking, consider visiting national parks, which are affordable and family-friendly, too. Below, you'll find ideas for journeys in all of those categories.

Cruises

Besides ease of budgeting and planning, cruises can also be attractive to families for their flexibility with lodging. "There are a lot of cabin types," says McDaniel. "Grandparents might invest in a suite, and parents might choose something more cost-effective."

Kids' clubs (onboard child-care and activity areas) are standard on major cruise lines. Luxury cruise lines are less likely to host kids' clubs, but they can offer a more refined, inclusive experience. The staff-to-passenger ratio is often higher, providing passengers closer attention and better service, and spacious suites allow families to relax together without feeling cramped.

Sometimes luxury lines offer seasonal programs with kid-friendly itineraries and personal babysitting services, rather than a crowded playroom. These typically take place in the summer for families with school-age children.

Disney Fantasy

The itinerary for a five-night Bahamian cruise aboard the Disney Fantasy features stops at Nassau and both of Disney's private island destinations, Castaway Cay and the new Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. The “Pixar Day at Sea” includes character encounters, deck parties and a Toy Story–themed "Hey Howdy Breakfast."

Kids can enjoy immersive youth clubs while adults have access to exclusive retreats, such as the Quiet Cove Pool and fine dining at onboard restaurants Palo or Remy. Recently, for a February 12, 2027, departure from Florida's Port Canaveral, prices started at about $3,927 per two people.

Regent Seven Seas Grandeur

On this luxury ship, you can expect opulent surroundings, highly attentive service and excellent dining. A 12-night, round-trip cruise from London, scheduled for a June 6, 2026, departure, features stops through northern France and Spain. Starting at $13,749 per person, the all-inclusive fare covers shore excursions, specialty dining, beverages and gratuities.

Because this is a summer sailing, the Club Mariner Youth Program is available, offering supervised, age-appropriate activities for guests ages 5 to 17.

Resorts

Booking a stay at an all-inclusive property can keep your planning to a minimum and eliminate decision fatigue about where to eat. Often-times, these resorts provide activities and excursions for families in some of their packages — and like cruises, they may have kids' clubs that offer child care. Many resorts have villas or other multi-bedroom lodging options available.

When you think of an all-inclusive resort, a beachfront property in the Caribbean probably comes to mind. But such resorts come in other flavors, too — including the ones that follow.

Mohonk Mountain House

This Hudson Valley retreat, situated near New York's Catskill Mountains, offers a wide variety of activities, including hiking, boating, golf and yoga, and gourmet meals are included in its all-inclusive rates.

The award-winning spa provides adults the opportunity to relax and unwind, and for entertainment, the resort hosts live music and other performances. Nightly rates for two adults start at about $1,050, covering three daily meals, gratuities and most recreational activities.

Call and ask about the Kids Stay & Eat Free promotion, which lets one child between ages 4 and 12 stay free per paying adult.

This deal is typically available during Presidents Day weekend, spring break and some midweek summer dates. Children age 3 and younger stay free year-round.

Brush Creek Ranch

Brush Creek, in southern Wyoming, incorporates comfort and ease into an authentic dude-ranch experience. Children ages 4 to 9 can participate in the "Li'l Wranglers" program, which offers daily activities such as horseback riding, fishing, archery, hiking, arts and crafts, and baking classes.

Adults can try goat yoga, fly-fishing and shooting sports. The ranch also offers culinary experiences such as cheese- and pasta-making classes. Skiing and snowmobiling are available during winter months.

Families can stay in expansive cabin residences that accommodate large groups, with summer rates typically starting at about $1,500 to $2,100 per adult and $750 to $1,000 per child, per night (kids younger than 3 stay free).

All stays include gourmet meals, premium spirits and two guided activities daily.

National parks

Visiting a U.S. national park requires some strategic planning, but you don't have to be an elite athlete to see the best sights at major parks. Many popular parks have easily accessible scenic overlooks — often reachable even by car — with stunning views, and some parks provide flat wooden boardwalks that are great for both strollers and wheelchairs.

Adults 62 and older qualify to buy the Senior Annual Pass, which provides access to all national parks for $20 per year, or the Senior Lifetime Pass, which requires a one-time fee of $80 and covers entrance fees for the rest of their lives. Otherwise, the entrance fee for popular national parks is as much as $35 per private vehicle for seven days of access.

With an America the Beautiful Pass, you can enter all national parks for one year for $80. Those who are not U.S. residents must now pay a surcharge of $100 per person at 11 of the most popular parks, including Yellowstone, Grand Canyon and Zion, unless they purchase the new Non-Resident Annual Pass for $250.

For park lodging and camping, book as soon as reservation windows open, and have a Plan B and Plan C ready, says Pharr Davis. Most campground reservations open about six months in advance, though some high-demand parks release sites up to a year ahead.

Bryce Canyon National Park

During a visit to Bryce Canyon, you might start your day with an early-morning hike, before the crowds show up, followed by a group lunch and a scenic afternoon drive.

Consider visiting overlooks that require only a short walk, such as Inspiration Point and Rainbow Point, or take this time for afternoon rest. In the evening, try out a ranger program — an educational activity led by park staff — or enjoy entertainment such as the nearby Bryce Canyon Country Rodeo at Ruby's Inn.

Campsites are typically about $30 per night for RVs or tents. Pricing for the Lodge at Bryce Canyon, the only in-park lodging, varies depending on the season, with rates starting at about $300 per night for a room with two queen beds or one king bed, or $370 per night for guest suites with one king bed and a sleeper sofa.

Yellowstone National Park

Family-friendly hikes and scenic drives are plentiful at Yellowstone. Drive through Lamar Valley to spot bison and wolves in the springtime. Shorter walking paths include the Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail, which offers a panoramic view of Yellowstone's largest hot spring, and the Artist Paintpots Trail, featuring colorful mudpots.

Campsites typically cost between $20 and $45 per night for standard sites, while the nightly rate for Fishing Bridge RV Park, including full hookups for electricity, water and sewer, is approximately $94.

In-park lodge rooms generally range from $200 to $500 per night, although basic cabins start at about $135, and premium suites at the Lake Yellowstone Hotel may reach more than $700.

Note: This item first appeared in Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine, a monthly, trustworthy source of advice and guidance. Subscribe to help you make more money and keep more of the money you make here.

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Youth sports used to be a relatively simple line item in the family budget. Parents might pay a registration fee, buy a pair of cleats and celebrate the end of the season with pizza. That’s no longer the case.

Today, youth sports have evolved into a sprawling, multibillion-dollar industry fueled by travel leagues, private coaching, tournament circuits and a growing ecosystem of apps and specialized services.

According to recent data from Project Play, family spending on a child’s primary sport has surged by roughly 46% in the past five years, reflecting a broader shift toward year-round, highly structured competition.

For many families, the rising cost of youth sports is straining household budgets and raising questions about whether the price tag is still worth it. Understanding what's driving these higher costs, and where families can realistically cut back, can make it easier to find a balance that works.

Youth sports have become big business

For many families, youth sports used to be relatively simple and affordable. Parents would pay a reasonable, one-time fee to sign their child up for a six- to eight-week league through a local park district or the YMCA.

That fee typically covered the basics: a jersey, shared equipment and a set schedule of games, plus one or two practices a week. Teams were formed, kids played, and the season wrapped up without much fanfare or financial strain.

Those options still exist, and for many families, they remain an affordable way for kids to stay active and involved.

But alongside that traditional model, a more complex and expensive version of youth sports has emerged. Retailers such as Dick's Sporting Goods are investing in youth sports platforms and experiences, while private-equity firms are backing large-scale tournament operators, training facilities and multisport complexes.

Add streaming services for games, recruiting platforms and scheduling apps, and it’s clear that youth sports now extend far beyond the field.

The shift toward year-round play has also created recurring revenue streams. Instead of participating for a few months, many young athletes now compete, train and travel nearly year-round. What was once a seasonal expense has increasingly become an ongoing financial commitment for families.

Travel teams and specialization are driving costs higher

One of the biggest cost drivers of youth sports today is the rise of travel teams and early specialization.

Families are increasingly expected to commit to one sport and commit fully. That often includes:

• Club or travel team fees that can run into the thousands
• Tournament entry fees and long-distance travel
• Hotel stays and rising transportation costs
• Frequent equipment upgrades
• Private coaching, strength training or clinics

Even sports once considered affordable, such as soccer or basketball, can quickly become expensive at competitive levels. Baseball, hockey and gymnastics often come with even higher price tags due to gear and facility costs.

While specialization can help athletes develop skills, it also increases financial pressure. Opting out or even scaling back can feel like putting your child at a disadvantage.

Technology is adding convenience — and more fees

Technology has made youth sports more organized and accessible. It’s also quietly adding to the bill.

Families now encounter a growing list of subscriptions and add-ons, including:

• Registration and team management platforms
• Video analysis and performance tracking apps
• Recruiting highlight services
• Livestream access for out-of-town relatives

Individually, these costs might seem manageable. Together, they create "subscription creep" that's a steady accumulation of monthly and annual fees that can rival the cost of participation itself.

What families are spending on youth sports

The rising cost of youth sports is no longer limited to elite travel teams or specialty programs. According to the Aspen Institute’s (PDF) latest parent survey conducted with Utah State University and Louisiana Tech University, the average U.S. family spent $1,016 on one child’s primary sport in 2024, a 46% increase from 2019.

Parents also reported spending another $475 on additional sports and activities for the same child. Altogether, families spent nearly $1,500 annually per child on sports participation in 2024.

Those figures can climb quickly for households with multiple children participating in sports, especially as athletes get older. The survey found spending increased significantly by age, with families spending nearly $2,000 annually on teens ages 15 to 18.

Certain sports have also become notably more expensive. Since 2019, average annual family spending on baseball climbed from $660 to $1,113, while soccer rose from $537 to $910, and basketball increased from $427 to $876.

Why do parents keep paying despite rising costs?

Even as costs climb, many families continue investing heavily in youth sports, and not just because of the possibility of a college scholarship.

For parents and grandparents, sports can provide structure and routine in a child’s schedule, along with physical and mental health benefits. There’s nothing inherently wrong with wanting children to stay active, spend time with other kids, learn teamwork and develop new skills. Youth sports can also create a strong sense of community and shared purpose.

There’s also a psychological factor at play. As youth sports become increasingly competitive, some families worry that opting out, scaling back or choosing a lower-cost path could leave their child behind. While the financial pressure might strain household budgets, parents might still hesitate to take a season off or encourage their child to rotate sports out of concern they could miss valuable opportunities to develop skills or gain exposure.

But the reality is that only a small percentage of youth athletes go on to receive athletic scholarships, and even fewer become professional athletes. That makes it even more important for families to weigh the financial trade-offs and decide what level of investment makes sense for their budget and goals.

How families can keep youth sports spending under control

The rising cost of youth sports doesn’t mean families must opt out altogether. In many cases, there’s a practical middle ground that allows kids to enjoy the benefits of sports without stretching the family budget too thin.

It starts with being intentional about what you sign up for. Before committing to a new season or travel team, step back and create a realistic annual budget for sports-related expenses. That includes not just registration fees, but also travel, equipment, training costs and the smaller add-on expenses that can quietly pile up over time.

Consider local or recreational leagues

Not every child needs a travel schedule to enjoy sports or develop skills. Community leagues can offer strong coaching and competition at a fraction of the cost. Some families also choose a hybrid approach, mixing one competitive season with lower-cost options during the off-season.

Buy secondhand whenever possible

From cleats to bats to uniforms, gently used equipment can significantly reduce expenses, especially for fast-growing kids.

Limit year-round specialization

Encouraging kids to play multiple sports can reduce burnout and lower costs tied to constant training and travel in a single sport. When it comes to extras such as private coaching or additional tournaments, it’s worth asking whether those investments are truly adding value or just adding pressure.

Revisit why you initially got involved (and let that guide future decisions)

Keep the focus on what matters most: your child’s enjoyment and development. Not every athlete needs a year-round schedule or elite-level training to benefit from sports. Giving kids space to explore different activities or have an off-season, can be just as valuable.

Finding the right balance for your family

Youth sports can still be one of the most rewarding investments a family makes, but they've also become one of the most expensive.

For parents and grandparents supporting young athletes, it’s important to create an experience that fits both your child’s interests and your financial reality. At the end of the day, the value of youth sports isn’t measured by how much you spend, but by what your child gains from the experience.

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There is more great music being made today than ever before. Yes, we said it. Whatever you may consider the “golden age” — the '60s, the '70s, the '80s, the Jazz Age, the Baroque period, you name it — there is simply a greater quantity of top-flight creativity coming from every continent, every culture, every style, every genre today.

Sorting through it? Well, that's the problem. You can ask your kids, or ask your grandkids, or let the algorithms do their stuff. But let us give you a hand with our annual “Grandparents' Guide,” here with three tips on rising stars from across genres to keep you ahead of the curve and in the conversation, not to mention immersed in some great music.

If you liked Amy Winehouse… try Raye

Looking for new music that you didn't know you needed? Here's This Music May Contain Hope, the new album by London-born singer Rachel Agatha Keen, known professionally as Raye. It's right there in the title.

It's the message carried in Raye's recent rocket to international stardom, fueled by her heady mix of big-band extravaganzas (“Where Is My Husband”) and clubby pop (“Escapism”), all wrapped in a personal story that's wholesome and bold.

Think Amy Winehouse (without the self-destructive darkness) or Lady Gaga (without the meat suit), though there's a lineage stretching back to, oh, Julie London, showcased in a dazzling “Cry Me a River” that Raye performed at the British Fashion Awards show in December at Royal Albert Hall.

Coming from a musical family, Raye started releasing her own recordings in her teens, even collaborating with Charli XCX and other current “name” artists. But it was her 2023 debut album, My 21st Century Blues, when she was 24, that launched her rise to the top, winning British Album of the Year in the 2024 Brit Awards and gaining a Mercury Prize nomination.

Just this year, the album's song, “Ice Cream Man,” addressing the issues of sexual violence, was named the Recording Academy's Harry Belafonte Best Song for Social Change. That focus on matters of import and substance continues on the new album (again, see title), with ambitiously varied music to match.

She also shows off her Broadway-ready theatrical flair and personality. Starting with a short, dramatically spoken prelude, “Girl Under a Gray Cloud,” the album finds her running through life's storms with determination (“I Will Overcome”) and wit (the snarky “Beware… The South London Lover Boy,” the bopping “I Hate the Way I Look Today”), some cool guests (Al Green, yes that Al Green, on “Goodbye Henry,” film composer Hans Zimmer on “Click Clack Symphony”).

In the end she finds “Joy” (featuring two of her sisters) and sets out for “Happier Times Ahead,” where Hope, indeed, blooms. See? Just what you needed.

If you liked Radiohead… try Geese

The quintet's appearance in January on Saturday Night Live stirred a good deal of debate. Is this the new great hope for creative art-rock? Or too pretentious and precious? Formed in high school in Brooklyn, Geese centers on singer Cameron Winters' detached cool/utter anguish dichotomy and guitarist Emily Green's brittle sting in songs of shifting textures and tones, though discomforting is pretty much the default setting.

“Trinidad,” the opening song on last year's Getting Killed album (and one of the two played on SNL), flips from stark dread to sheer terror in an instant — “There's a bomb in my car,” Winter screams.

The churning “100 Horses” (“all people must go dancing, there is only dance music in the time of war”) has Jim Morrison/Patti Smith echoes in the imagery and in Winter's tone. “Half Real” has some U2 in its recipe, though it's hard to imagine Bono wishing for a lobotomy and declaring “I have no more thinking to do.” And then in “Au Pays du Cocaine,” Winter pleads, “You can change … you can be free … just come home, please!”

Radiohead, which also blends coolness and mania, is perhaps the most ready comparison, though through them we can look back to some classic progressive rock a la King Crimson, some Genesis/Peter Gabriel, even Led Zeppelin (though something of a stretch to say they “sound” like those). In concert they've shown their reach with covers of everything from the Beatles to Talking Heads to Television to Leonard Cohen.

And an explosive, triumphant Coachella appearance in April demonstrated that Geese will certainly be among the most talked-about rock bands of the coming years. (But nota bene: If you want to seem up with things, don't commit the fowl of confusing Geese with the jam band Goose.)

If you liked Miles Davis… try Dave Adewumi

The Flame Beneath the Silence, the New York-based trumpeter Dave Adewumi's debut album, took a while coming, with the pandemic stalling a lot of his plans. But it's a stunner, bristling with talent and imagination, and benefiting from the growth and experience he's had playing with some of jazz's top creative figures.

Three of them accompany him here on this vibrant in-concert recording: vibraphonist Joel Ross, bassist Linda May Han Oh and drummer Marcus Gilmore, an all-star ensemble of spectacular musicians complementing and enhancing Adewumi's sparkling playing.

Straddling post-bebop exploration and lyrical classicism, this album announces Adewumi as one to watch in the very rich generation of newer jazz artists — sax players Immanuel Wilkins, Melissa Aldana, Lakecia Benjamin and vocalist Samara Joy among them — showing the form to be vibrant and thriving. He's also in demand as a sideman himself, including a spot in guitarist Mary Halvorson's bracing quartet Canis Major.

The title piece of Adewumi's album introduces his mastery of tone, sometimes pure and resonant, sometimes crisp, sometimes a guttural growl, giving a conversational sense to his lines as he banters with the other musicians. “Is” builds on a Morse-like pulse from Ross' before taking on an Iberian mode, evoking Miles Davis' “Flamenco Sketches,” though overall this ensemble calls to mind Davis' classic '60s groups, which transformed the language of jazz with such forward-looking works as “Seven Steps to Heaven” and “Filles de Kilimanjaro.” And in some places Adewumi luxuriates in long, drawn-out notes, a Davis trademark.

But he's no Miles clone. There's a distinctiveness to his approach and composition, sometimes taking on a chamber-music structure, as in “Abandon” and the brief, impressionistic “Pensive,” which with Ross' presence might bring some to think of the Modern Jazz Quartet or vibes great Bobby Hutcherson.

It's hardly all serious, though. You can hear how much fun he and his mates are having. And there's the longest piece on the album, a 10-minute climb from primordial improvisation to galactic frenzy in which everyone shines, everyone grabs the moment. The title? “If I Need to Do This Again I'm Going to Throw a Fit.” Kinda want to take him up on that dare.

You can find a playlist based on this article here.

Note: This item first appeared in Kiplinger Retirement Report, our popular monthly periodical that covers key concerns of affluent older Americans who are retired or preparing for retirement. Subscribe for retirement advice that's right on the money.

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When you grow up in northern New Jersey as I did, you get used to the frivolous frustration of the "New York" sports teams that actually play in New Jersey. Now, that confusing twist of geography is going global, as the World Cup comes to the Meadowlands.

FIFA announced that eight matches for the 2026 World Cup, including the final, will be taking place at the "New York/New Jersey Stadium." To be clear, they're referring to MetLife Stadium, which is solidly in New Jersey.

MetLife Stadium sits in the middle of a complex braid of highways in East Rutherford. The best way to get there is via public transportation, and no, you cannot walk to the stadium. Understandably, many people going to the World Cup in New Jersey have concluded that they should stay in New York City, as you can take the train or an official shuttle to MetLife.

I'm not opposed to the idea of staying in New York City, but if you'd rather spend your time between matches relaxing with your family or "working-from-home," there are plenty of good locales in New Jersey. You also have more options than in New York City: New Jersey relaxed restrictions on short-term rentals, while New York City has not, so you can safely find an Airbnb or VRBO in the Garden State for the whole family or friend group.

With that in mind, here are several options for places to stay in New Jersey for the World Cup. I've selected these based on ease of travel to MetLife, but more so for your comfort and entertainment when you step away from the loud and massive crowds. These aren't the closest options to the Meadowlands.

I've split my selections into two categories: The Shore and The Suburbs. If you're looking for the beach, check out my picks for The Shore, but if you want a homier time, see The Suburbs.

How to get to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey

First, a quick rundown of how to get to MetLife. The New York New Jersey World Cup 2026 website explains that there will be no parking on match days, so you can't drive to the stadium. You can't walk, either.

Instead, you have the options of NJ Transit (train), rideshare and private transportation drop-offs, or the Official New York New Jersey Stadium Shuttle, which is doing pick-ups at three locations in Manhattan and one in New Jersey.

You need to pre-book tickets for the shuttle, and you have to buy NJ Transit tickets in advance. There has been controversy about the cost of NJ Transit tickets for the World Cup: Round-trip tickets from any rail station to the stadium for match day travel cost $98 per person.

On NJ Transit, you'll need to take the train to Secaucus (New Jersey's major train hub) or Hoboken, then transfer to get directly to the stadium. It will likely be a bit of a hassle, but follow the crowds and lean into the spirit of it all. You should also download the NJ Transit app; be aware it sometimes doesn't let you sign in if you're not currently in the geographic region.

Official travel guidance is still somewhat in flux (the NJ Transit price just changed last week, for example), so pay close attention to your own logistics.

The locations I'm selecting are near an NJ Transit station or the shuttle pick-up at the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine in Nutley, or are closer to the stadium itself. Let's look at places to stay.

The Shore

1. Long Branch

There's lots to love in Long Branch, including the clean beach, wide boardwalk and — an important point — many places to stay and a New Jersey Transit station half a mile from the ocean. Because of the convenience of that train station, Long Branch is a top destination for both New Jerseyans and New Yorkers looking for a day at the beach, and that makes it a great place for the World Cup.

If you don't want to find an Airbnb, the massive Ocean Place Resort & Spa is a 20-minute walk from the Long Branch train station.

• Train time to Secaucus: one hour, 15 to 30 minutes
• Driving time to MetLife (with no traffic): one hour, 30 minutes

2. Asbury Park

Go ahead, live out your Bruce Springsteen, rockstar dreams and stay in Asbury Park. Like Long Branch, there's an accessible train station here, and in Asbury, you can look more for bed and breakfasts and inns, including in nearby Ocean Grove.

Asbury Park is further south down the shore than Long Branch, but it comes with more entertainment, including, of course, the famous Stone Pony, which hosts Summer Stage, a series of concerts outside. Be aware, though: It's only standing-room, general admission tickets for Summer Stage.

• Train time to Secaucus: one hour, 45 minutes
• Driving time to MetLife (with no traffic): one hour, 20 minutes

3. Belmar

Two stops further on the train line to Belmar. Belmar is where you want to go to enjoy a more glamorous, comfortable and relaxing time on the shore. This is a place to look for historic inns and vacation home rentals.

While you'll be competing with New Jersey families for rentals, the school year in the state wraps up closer to the end of June, so you'll have less competition for the early rounds of the World Cup.

• Train time to Secaucus: Just under two hours
• Driving time to MetLife (with no traffic): one hour, 20 minutes

The Suburbs

1. Edgewater

As the name suggests, Edgewater is on the Hudson River, south of the George Washington Bridge and directly across the river from Harlem in Manhattan. Why Edgewater?

First, it's (usually) a quick drive to MetLife, so you could arrange for a drop-off. That proximity is why one New York City Council member proposed adding a ferry line from Harlem to Edgewater for the World Cup. Although that idea hasn't materialized into reality, ferry service will be boosted for the World Cup, which brings me to my second reason to stay in Edgewater:

You can take the ferry from Edgewater to Manhattan, so if you want to see New York City without paying New York hotel prices, this is an option, but you can also drive north and enjoy the parks and overlooks in Fort Lee and Englewood Cliffs. Third, there are waterfront apartments in Edgewater, some of which have access to a pool.

Staying in Hoboken or Jersey City would make getting to MetLife easier via public transportation, but Edgewater, West New York and North Bergen will likely get you slightly further from the crowds, with options to travel elsewhere on non-gamedays.

• Train time to Secaucus: n/a; you could drive about 20 minutes to the Teterboro station, then take a 15-minute train to Secaucus
• Driving time to MetLife (with no traffic): 20 minutes

2. Montclair

Montclair has a reputation as the place to go for young families and retirees alike, and for good reason: It's a charming, walkable town with plenty of public transportation. There are multiple NJ Transit stops in the area, which get you to Secaucus quickly, and it's also (usually) a quick drive to MetLife.

Montclair has some great World Cup counterprogramming for non-gamedays, including the Montclair Art Museum and the Van Vleck House & Gardens. The town also has a nice food and music scene.

If you're coming to the World Cup with your family, including young kids, this is a good place to look for lodging. Montclair is also something of a college town, so beyond Airbnb and VRBOs, there are hotel options, including The George, which was founded by makeup icon Bobbi Brown and her husband.

• Train time to Secaucus: 30 to 45 minutes
• Driving time to MetLife (with no traffic): 25 minutes
• Additional option: From Montclair, you could take the Official Stadium Shuttle from Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine in nearby Nutley

3. Alpine

Pop quiz: When Novak Djokovic comes to compete at the U.S. Open in New York, where does he stay? If you guessed a fancy Midtown hotel, you're wrong.

The 24-time Grand Slam winner reportedly stays out in Alpine, the riverfront New Jersey town north of the George Washington Bridge. Why? Alpine homes have certain amenities, such as, for example, multiple tennis courts with different surfaces in the backyard. Alpine regularly makes the lists of most expensive ZIP codes, with homes spread out across large, private lots.

If you want to stay in a luxurious home for the World Cup, look at Alpine. Don't expect it to come cheap: One five-bedroom home is listed on Airbnb at about $35,000 for seven nights.

If you were to stay in Alpine, your closest NJ Transit station is Oradell, which is 15 to 20 minutes away by car.

• Train time to Secaucus: 30 minutes from Oradell station
• Driving time to MetLife (with no traffic): 30 minutes

World Cup dates

Here are the dates of the matches taking place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey:

• June 13: Brazil vs Morocco
• June 16: France vs Senegal
• June 22: Norway vs Senegal
• June 25: Ecuador vs Germany
• June 27: Panama vs England
• June 30: Round of 32
• July 5: Round of 16
• July 19: Final

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Oh, Italy. I miss you! It's been almost three years since our family vacation there. Like many people, I was awed by the beauty and simple details that make life there so remarkable: the culture, food, music and style. I would love to return soon, but with airfare so expensive and inflation in Italy spiking, it's just not happening. I may even have to wait a few years until I'm retired to go back for the long soak in Italian culture I crave.

Honestly, I'd like to be fluent in Italian for my next trip, dressed as stylishly as any Milanese woman as I sample tiramisu in a piazza. While that may be a high bar, I have found very affordable — even free — ways to enjoy Italian food and culture, as well as tricks for practicing the language, all without leaving home. These tips will also make my next venture there more fun.

Whether you've already been to Italy or are just dreaming about it, here are my tricks for feeling like you're living la bella vita at home.

Start the day with cappuccino

Yes, you could go out and spend a fortune on a fancy espresso machine, with all of its breakable parts and hulking mass on your counter. Or, you could brew good, strong espresso using your current method and top it with foamy milk. I've had the Aerolatte Handheld Milk Frother ($29.95 at Williams Sonoma) for years. It's simple, battery-operated and works like a charm.

Treat yourself to some real Italian ingredients

Most European goods have been subject to a 10% or 15% tariff during President Donald Trump's second term, which has, in turn, increased prices for some Italian imports. Still, you can find good shelf-stable products online and likely many at your local grocery store. If you have access to a farmer's market, buying fresh produce in season is the best first step to cooking Italian.

The basis for most Italian cooking is cold-pressed, extra-virgin olive oil (often called EVOO). You may have heard about rampant olive oil fraud a few years ago, when manufacturers blended old oil with fresh, or lied about its origin. Some of these issues have improved, but you can avoid this trap by buying oil certified in North America or the EU under PDO/PGI designations. In general, look for oil sold in a dark glass bottle, with a harvest date no more than two years old and a single country of origin.

Wirecutter's taste test of different olive oils can help you learn how to sample oil (spoiler alert: The test found Whole Foods 365 California Small Batch olive oil to be the tastiest). Costco also has a good selection of affordable Italian EVOOs.

If you're serious about olive oil, try getting to know the different kinds of olives, just as you would pay attention to the variety of grapes that make up fine wine.

For a deep dive into the culinary traditions of different regions, I highly recommend the TV series, Tucci in Italy. The veteran actor and gourmand devotes each episode to a different ingredient, dish or food tradition.

For a deep dive into Italian wines and food zones, you can plan to visit farms via agriturismo on your next trip.

Don't forget the gelato!

Adherents to the Mediterranean Diet will be delighted to know that gelato can be an occasional treat. The true Italian version is healthier than ice cream, with less fat and fewer calories, and is often made with local fruit and nuts for flavor. Just don't top it with candy bars.

I'm lucky enough to live in a town with multiple gelato shops. If your area is sadly without them, you could try all-natural versions from the grocery store. A good option is Gelato Boy, with its emphasis on fresh ingredients and wide availability.

Listen to some Italian opera

I prefer little bites of opera as opposed to an almost four-hour-long production of The Marriage of Figaro. Italy understands this sentiment and has organized frequent hour-long "greatest hits" performances in historic churches and other venues throughout the country. Even my uninitiated husband and kids loved these performances, and I highly recommend them for your next trip.

Your kitchen may not be a 16th-century church, but you can still enjoy listening to opera while cooking a fabulous Italian dinner. Put on an apron, uncork some wine and experiment with Spotify or YouTube playlists for Italian opera classics, and you'll enjoy some of the greats: Luciano Pavarotti, Maria Callas, Andrea Bocelli, Jessye Norman and more.

Brush up on your Italian — or start learning from scratch

There are so many fun ways to start learning or improving your Italian. As someone who taught college-level Spanish, I have a leg up in terms of vocabulary and comprehension, but Italian is different enough that I knew I needed to start as a complete newbie.

If learning a foreign language just isn't your thing, some generations of Apple AirPods offer a translation feature. That means you can ask your iPhone to "listen" to an Italian speaker and hear spontaneous translation in English.

Apps

For beginners, there are gamified apps that ask you to speak, type and listen in a foreign language. I can attest to how addictive Duolingo can be; I have a 1,200+ day "streak," meaning I have played the app pretty faithfully every day for the past three years. Duolingo offers a free Italian course and more elaborate paid courses, called Super (about $13/month) and Max (about $30/month). I have tried both and recommend the Super level. The AI functions in Max are clunky and not worth the price, in my opinion. The free version is a great way to sample the app, but frustrating if you intend to stick with it.

Podcasts

I also think that listening to podcasts while you're taking a walk, cooking or doing chores is a fabulous way to get a language in your head. Postcards from Italy is a charming conversational podcast that breaks down vocabulary, phrases and Italian traditions. It is a free podcast, but you can elect to pay for additional access.

TV and Film

Who says learning a language has to be dry? Check out Italian shows on Netflix, like the dramedy "My Family," which is likened to "This Is Us." Set the language to Italian and add English subtitles if needed. Or on Amazon Prime, watch "My Brilliant Friend." Most streaming services will carry classic Italian films such as La Dolce Vita. And if you need a reason to rewatch Life is Beautiful, remember the delight of Roberto Benigni accepting the Best Foreign Language Film award from Sophia Loren at the 1999 Oscars. Other titles to explore: Il Postino, Cinema Paradiso (in Italian and Sicilian) and of course, almost anything by Fellini.

Embrace Italian style

You don't have to go to Milan Fashion Week to look fabulous. One of the best ways to embrace the style is to wear vintage scarves and take time to learn how to tie them. In general, Italian style for both men and women centers on classic neutrals, smart layering and accessories galore.

Oh, the tiramisu ... and Airbnb Experiences

If you have Italian relatives who will open their home and give you a sense of how regular folks live, consider yourself lucky. The rest of us have to make do with friends of friends or even Airbnb. Yes, we all have a bit of a love-hate relationship with vacation home rental companies like Vrbo and Airbnb; they drive up real estate prices for locals, but they also provide (often) more affordable accommodations for families.

One way to support the local economy and get a more authentic meal is to book an Airbnb Experience. Some friends of ours had raved about the funky tours or excellent meals they had abroad, so we decided to give it a try. We booked a lunch with a charming Italian couple in Rome. Over a five-course meal in their apartment, we learned that they enjoyed playing music — as do we. Before we knew it, they brought out two guitars, a mandolin, and a violin, and we had a lovely time eating tiramisu and playing music together. Priceless.

While it's far better to be in Italy for this kind of experience, Airbnb does offer pasta-making or similar experiences in the U.S. In some cases, a chef will come to your home to prepare an Italian meal.

If you can't hire a "nonna" (Italian grandmother) to come cook for you, try venturing to a "Little Italy" if there's one near you. While many are on the East Coast, you'll still find great Italian (or Italian-American) food in places like Cleveland, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, and of course, Chicago.

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Airport security in the U.S. might be heading toward a noticeable shift that could change how travelers move through checkpoints in the years ahead.

The Transportation Security Administration’s new “TSA Gold+” initiative is expanding the government’s existing use of private contractors at airport security checkpoints, reviving a long-running debate about whether airport screening should remain primarily a federal function or operate more like a public-private partnership.

For travelers, the biggest question is simple: Will this make flying easier or more confusing? The answer might be a little of both. Here’s what you need to know about TSA Gold+ and how it could impact your airport experience and air travel in the U.S. as a whole.

What is TSA Gold+? Why is it different?

TSA Gold+ is an expansion of the existing Screening Partnership Program (SPP), which already allows some airports to use private security contractors instead of federal TSA employees while still operating under TSA oversight.

Today, roughly 20 U.S. airports participate in the program, including major airports such as San Francisco International Airport and Kansas City International Airport. Under the current structure, private contractors handle passenger screening while following TSA rules, procedures and federal security standards.

But Gold+ goes further. According to TSA materials and industry reports, the initiative would allow private operators to play a larger role, not just in staffing checkpoints, but also in deploying screening technology, maintaining equipment and managing parts of checkpoint operations. TSA would still regulate security standards and oversee compliance.

Supporters say the goal is to modernize airport screening faster than the federal budget process typically allows.

The program is being framed as a way to accelerate technology upgrades, improve traveler throughput and reduce the operational disruptions airports experienced during recent government funding crises and staffing shortages.

Why TSA is pushing the program now

The timing is not accidental. Air travel demand continues to climb, and airports are preparing for major global events and heavier passenger volumes in the next several years, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.

At the same time, the TSA has faced repeated staffing pressures during federal funding disputes and shutdown threats. Recent disruptions left some airports dealing with multi-hour security waits and significant pressure on employees after TSA officers worked without pay. The Trump administration’s proposed budget also includes broader efforts to expand privatized screening at certain airports while cutting thousands of TSA positions.

From the TSA’s perspective, Gold+ is partly about resiliency. By shifting more operational responsibility to private contractors, airports might be able to continue functioning more smoothly during future government shutdowns or staffing disruptions. Some supporters also argue that private operators could move faster when introducing new screening systems or checkpoint layouts.

Could travelers notice changes this summer?

Probably, though not everywhere. There has not yet been a nationwide rollout of TSA Gold+, but airports across the country have reportedly been briefed on the initiative, and some are exploring participation.

If additional airports adopt the program, travelers could begin seeing differences in how checkpoints operate from one airport to another.

Some airports might introduce faster-moving screening lanes, updated scanners or redesigned checkpoint layouts. Boston Logan International Airport, for example, is already testing a remote screening system that allows some passengers to clear security before arriving at the airport terminal.

But the tradeoff could be a less standardized experience. One of the defining features of the TSA since its creation after September 11 attacks has been consistency. Travelers generally know what to expect at checkpoints nationwide, even if the experience is not always pleasant.

A broader privatized model could create more airport-specific systems, staffing approaches and traveler experiences. Some airports might feel more efficient and modern, while others could feel disjointed or inconsistent, especially during the transition period.

Why critics are concerned about privatization

The strongest criticism centers on one issue: profit motives. Some critics worry that introducing more private-sector incentives into airport security could create pressure to reduce labor costs or prioritize efficiency metrics over security quality. Labor groups and some aviation experts have also raised concerns about workforce turnover, training consistency and accountability.

On Reddit and aviation forums, some travelers have questioned whether airport security could eventually become more tiered, with wealthier airports receiving better staffing and technology while smaller airports lag behind. Others worry that security could become less uniform nationwide. Even some airlines have expressed caution about making privatized screening mandatory at smaller airports.

Still, supporters point to countries in Europe that already use private airport screening contractors successfully, along with U.S. airports that have participated in the SPP for years without major disruptions. Ultimately, the debate is less about whether privatized airport screening can work and more about how broadly it should expand in the U.S.

What travelers should pay attention to

For now, most travelers are unlikely to notice immediate dramatic changes.

TSA Gold+ doesn’t replace TSA PreCheck, CLEAR or standard TSA screening rules. Travelers would still go through federally regulated security procedures even if private contractors are handling operations locally.

What might change over time is the overall airport experience. Some airports could see shorter lines, newer scanners and more customized checkpoint operations. Others could experience a period of adjustment as airports and contractors implement different systems and staffing models.

The biggest thing travelers should watch is consistency. If TSA Gold+ rolls out more widely, travelers might start noticing that the airport security experience varies more from one airport to the next instead of feeling primarily the same everywhere.

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For years, scoring concert tickets felt like the hard part. Fans battled online queues, paid premium prices and built entire vacations around seeing their favorite artist live. Now, a growing number of tours are facing a different problem: empty seats.

Industry insiders have started calling it "Blue Dot Fever", a term tied to the unsold seats lingering on ticket maps for some major tours and residencies. As ticket demand softens and household budgets tighten, more artists are scaling back shows, postponing dates or canceling tours altogether.

For fans, the financial risk can stretch far beyond the ticket itself. A canceled concert can leave travelers dealing with nonrefundable airfare, hotel costs, parking fees, childcare arrangements and lost paid time off (PTO) days. That means concert travel increasingly requires the same kind of planning and flexibility people might use for a vacation.

What is Blue Dot Fever?

Blue Dot Fever is entertainment industry slang for large blocks of unsold seats showing up on venue ticket maps. Ticketing platforms typically display available seats as blue dots, and when too many remain unsold close to showtime, it can signal weaker-than-expected demand.

The phrase has gained traction as several artists and tours have struggled to fill arenas and stadiums in recent years. The Black Keys and the Jonas Brothers downsized to smaller venues after softer-than-expected ticket sales, while artists including Post Malone, Jelly Roll and Neil Young have also faced tour adjustments or cancellations.

There is no single reason behind the trend, but industry observers point to a combination of factors:

• Higher ticket prices
• Dynamic pricing models that frustrate fans
• Oversize venues
• Economic pressure on consumers
• Increased competition for entertainment spending

Even fans willing to splurge on live music are becoming more selective about where their money goes.

Why some tours are struggling to sell

Concert demand surged after the pandemic, with headlining tours creating a sense that live entertainment was recession-proof. But many consumers are now hitting a limit.

Ticket prices for major artists can easily reach several hundred dollars before fees, especially for desirable seats. Add in airfare, hotels, food and transportation, and a single concert weekend can rival the cost of a short vacation.

Dynamic pricing has also become a major pain point. Under these pricing models, ticket prices rise automatically when demand spikes, leaving many fans frustrated by rapidly changing costs during checkout.

At the same time, households are facing higher costs for essentials such as groceries, insurance and housing. Discretionary spending is often one of the first areas people cut back when budgets tighten. Streaming entertainment, sporting events and travel experiences are also competing for those same dollars.

For some artists, the result is slower ticket sales and visible pockets of unsold seats (the dreaded blue dots).

The true cost of a canceled concert

When a concert is canceled, fans often assume the ticket refund solves the problem. But the ticket itself might be only one part of the total expense. Travel-related expenses can easily cost far more than admission, and unlike concert tickets, many of those costs might not be refundable.

Consider this sample scenario for two people traveling to another city for a stadium concert:

• Concert tickets: $650
• Service fees and taxes: $140
• Round-trip airfare: $520
• Two hotel nights: $480
• Parking, rideshares and local transportation: $120
• Food and drinks: $200
• Childcare for the weekend: $180
• Merchandise and other purchases: $150

Total trip cost: $2,440

If the concert is canceled, fans might eventually recover the ticket cost. But airfare booked on a basic economy fare, prepaid hotels or childcare arrangements may not be reimbursed.

Even postponed concerts can create financial headaches. A new date might conflict with work schedules, family obligations or already-booked travel plans. This forces fans to either absorb the loss or spend even more money rearranging the trip.

What refunds are fans entitled to?

In most cases, canceled concerts trigger refunds for the ticket purchase itself. But the timing and method can vary.

• Ticket refund policies. Fans who bought tickets directly through authorized sellers are generally in the strongest position. Refunds are often processed automatically for canceled events, though it can still take several weeks for funds to appear.
• Postponed concerts are different. Many ticket sellers treat postponed shows as still valid, meaning tickets remain usable for the new date instead of being refunded automatically. Refund windows might be limited.
• Resale tickets (may come with fewer protections). Refund eligibility depends on the resale platform's policy and whether the original event is canceled or postponed.
• Flights may not be refundable. Basic economy fares often come with strict cancellation rules, though some airlines might offer credits instead of cash refunds.
• Hotel refunds depend on the booking type. Flexible hotel rates are easier to cancel, while prepaid or third-party discount bookings might be partially refundable, or nonrefundable altogether.
• Travel credit cards may offer some protection. Certain cards include trip cancellation or interruption coverage if travel was purchased with the card, but benefits vary and exclusions apply.
• Event cancellation insurance can help (in some situations). Policies purchased during checkout might reimburse certain losses, but be sure to read the fine print carefully since coverage can be limited.

How to protect yourself before booking a concert trip

While fans can't control whether a tour gets canceled or postponed, there are still ways to reduce the financial fallout.

Book refundable travel whenever possible

Refundable airfare and hotel rates usually cost more upfront, but flexibility can be worth it for expensive concert trips. If refundable bookings are too expensive, consider options that at least provide travel credits instead of complete forfeiture.

Use a credit card with travel protection

Some travel rewards credit cards offer trip cancellation and interruption coverage when purchases are charged to the card. Coverage details vary, so it's important to review the policy before relying on it.

Avoid booking too early for uncertain tours

For newer tours with slower ticket sales or large numbers of unsold seats, waiting before booking airfare and hotels might reduce risk. Fans can also monitor venue seating maps. Large sections of unsold seats close to showtime might indicate weaker demand.

Be cautious with resale tickets

Unofficial resale marketplaces might have different refund rules than primary ticket sellers. If a show is postponed instead of canceled, resale buyers could face additional hurdles when recovering their money.

Consider event ticket insurance carefully

Some ticket sellers offer event insurance during checkout. These policies might help in certain situations, but coverage can be narrow and exclusions are common. Reading the fine print matters a lot here.

Why concert travel now requires a backup plan

Concerts are still worth splurging on for many fans. But with ticket prices, travel costs and tour cancellations all rising, it’s smart to plan a little more carefully before booking a big concert trip.

That could mean choosing refundable hotel rates, waiting a bit before booking flights, or simply avoiding spending more than you’re comfortable losing.

While you can't control whether a tour gets canceled or postponed because of Blue Dot Fever, you can make choices that help protect your wallet if plans suddenly change.

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• 7 Ways to Splurge on Yourself, Because Your Kids Will Inherit Enough
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If booking a flight lately feels more expensive and more confusing, that’s because it is.

Airfare prices are rising again, driven largely by higher jet fuel costs tied to geopolitical tensions, including the war in Iran. At the same time, airlines are leaning more heavily on dynamic pricing systems that adjust fares in real time based on demand, competition and even browsing behavior.

As a result, there are fewer predictable "sweet spots" for booking and more sudden price swings that can leave travelers second guessing whether to buy now or wait.

If you're planning summer or fall trips, the key question isn't just where to go. You'll also want to get strategic about when to book and how to avoid overpaying. Here are some tips to help.

How much more travelers are paying for flights

Airfare hasn't increased evenly across the board, but the trend is clear: Prices are trending higher, especially for peak travel periods and international routes.

Jet fuel prices surged from about $85 to $90 per barrel to as high as $150 to $200 per barrel in recent weeks, creating significant financial pressure across the airline industry, according to Reuters.

Domestic fares have seen moderate increases in many markets, while international flights, particularly long-haul routes, are seeing sharper spikes due to higher fuel consumption and constrained capacity. Flights to Europe and parts of Asia have been especially volatile, with prices fluctuating week to week.

Some routes are being hit harder than others. Flights from major hub cities might remain relatively competitive due to airline competition, while smaller regional airports often see steeper increases due to limited flight options and reduced seat inventory.

Another factor is that airlines have become more strategic about limiting discounted seats. That means travelers are less likely to stumble on the ultra-low fares that were more common even a year or two ago.

Why airfare prices are increasing

Several forces are converging to push ticket prices higher and keep them unpredictable.

Rising fuel costs are feeding directly into fares

Jet fuel is one of the largest operating expenses for airlines, often accounting for 20% to 30% of total costs. When oil prices climb, especially amid geopolitical tensions involving Iran and other key energy-producing regions, airlines typically pass at least some of those costs on to consumers.

What makes this cycle different is the speed. Fuel prices have been fluctuating quickly, and airlines are responding faster than they used to, adjusting fares in near real time rather than waiting weeks or months.

Dynamic pricing

Airlines have long used demand-based pricing, but newer algorithms are far more aggressive and responsive. Prices can now shift multiple times per day based on booking patterns, seat availability, competitor pricing, even seasonal demand signals.

This means travelers are less likely to see stable pricing trends. A flight that looks reasonably priced in the morning could jump significantly by evening if demand ticks up.

Strong demand (despite higher prices)

Even with inflation affecting household budgets, travel demand hasn't slowed as much as expected. Many people are still prioritizing vacations, experiences and visiting family, particularly during peak seasons such as summer and holidays. This sustained demand gives airlines less incentive to discount fares, especially when flights are already filling up.

Tighter seat inventory

Airlines are still operating with tighter capacity in some markets compared with prepandemic levels. That includes fewer routes, reduced flight frequency and, in some cases, staffing or aircraft limitations. Fewer available seats naturally push prices higher, particularly on popular routes or during high-demand windows.

Airlines are managing inventory more strategically

Another subtle shift is that airlines are holding back the lowest fare classes for a shorter period or releasing fewer discounted seats altogether. In other words, the "cheap seats" sell out faster, leaving more travelers choosing from higher-priced options.

7 best ways to save money on airfare right now

Even in a rising price environment, there are still ways to keep costs under control, but it requires a more proactive and flexible approach than in the past. Here are some things smart travelers are doing in an attempt to cut costs.

1. Book earlier, but still monitor prices

The traditional advice to book flights six to eight weeks in advance doesn't always hold up in today's market. For many routes, especially international trips, booking several months ahead can help you avoid last-minute price spikes tied to demand and fuel costs.

That said, it's still worth tracking prices after you book. Some airlines now offer fare credits if prices drop, and third-party tools can alert you to potential rebooking opportunities.

2. Be flexible with timing (even by a day or two)

Small adjustments to your itinerary can lead to meaningful savings. Flying midweek, particularly Tuesday or Wednesday, is often cheaper than weekend travel. Early morning or late-night flights can also come with lower fares.

If your schedule allows, shifting your trip by even one day in either direction can sometimes reduce costs significantly.

3. Use fare alerts and price-tracking tools consistently

Platforms such as Google Flights, Hopper and Skyscanner allow you to monitor routes and receive notifications when prices change. These tools are especially useful in an unpredictable market for travel, since it helps you spot dips rather than guessing when to book.

4. Check multiple airports and routing options

Flying out of or into a nearby airport can sometimes lead to lower fares. For example, choosing a secondary airport within driving distance might open cheaper routes or better airline competition.

Consider flights with layovers instead of nonstop service; it can reduce costs, particularly on long-haul trips.

5. Leverage points, miles and credit card perks

With cash prices rising, travel rewards can stretch further. If you've accumulated points through a travel credit card or loyalty program, this might be an ideal time to redeem them, especially for expensive routes where cash fares are inflated.

Some cards also offer travel credits, companion fares or built-in trip protections that can offset overall costs.

6. Watch for bundled fees and compare total cost

Base fares don't always tell the full story. Budget airlines may appear cheaper upfront but charge for carry-on bags, seat selection and other add-ons. Before booking, compare the total cost across airlines, including fees, to avoid surprises.

7. Consider shoulder seasons and off-peak travel

If your plans are flexible, traveling just before or after peak season can deliver better value. Early fall and late spring often offer a balance of good weather and lower demand, which can translate into lower airfare.

Should travelers book now or wait?

This is where many travelers are getting stuck, and there's no one-size-fits-all answer. If fuel prices continue rising or geopolitical tensions escalate, airfare could increase further. In that case, waiting could mean paying more later.

On the other hand, prices can still fluctuate, and occasional dips do happen.

As a general guideline, for:

• Domestic flights. Aim to book one to three months in advance
• International flights. Aim for two to six months ahead

If you find a fare that fits your budget and travel plans, it might be worth locking it in, especially if the airline offers free changes or credits.

A good rule of thumb is that if a fare is within your historical expectations (or slightly above), it’s often safer to book than gamble on future drops.

Are budget airlines still the cheapest option?

Budget airlines can still offer lower base fares, but the gap isn't always as wide as it seems. Many discount carriers charge additional fees for carry-on bags, seat selection and even printing boarding passes. Once those costs are added in, the total price can rival or even exceed traditional airlines.

Some budget airlines have reduced routes or frequency as well, which limits availability and flexibility. That said, they can still be a good option for short trips or travelers who can pack light and avoid add-ons.

How travelers can stay ahead of rising airfare prices

Airfare pricing is likely to remain unpredictable in the near term. Between fuel costs, global uncertainty and evolving airline strategies, travelers should expect continued fluctuating prices and options.

The good news is that you don't need perfect timing to save money. If you plan ahead, stay flexible and use the right tools, you can still find reasonable fares even in a rising market. Because in today’s environment, waiting for the "perfect deal" might be the most expensive move of all.

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The PGA Championship returns May 14 through May 17 at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, highlighting a busy stretch of the PGA Tour schedule.

Scottie Scheffler enters the tournament after winning the 2025 PGA Championship and remains one of the sport’s dominant players. He narrowly missed adding another major earlier this season, finishing one stroke behind Rory McIlroy at the Masters.

McIlroy heads into the PGA Championship with momentum following his Masters victory, while many of golf’s top-ranked players are expected to compete in the season’s second major.

2026 PGA Championship TV schedule

Golf fans can watch the 2026 PGA Championship across ESPN, CBS and several streaming platforms throughout the four-day tournament.

Coverage begins Thursday, May 14 and continues through the final round on Sunday, May 17.

CBS coverage times

CBS Sports will air the main weekend coverage during the final two rounds:

● Saturday, May 16: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET

● Sunday, May 17: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET

ESPN will carry early coverage on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET before CBS takes over. Fans can stream the CBS broadcast live through Paramount+ with the Paramount+ Premium plan.

Where to stream the PGA Championship

If you plan to stream the tournament instead of watching on cable, several services will carry live PGA Championship coverage throughout the week, including early-round feeds and weekend broadcasts.

ESPN+

ESPN+ offers the most comprehensive coverage of the tournament, including:

• Early-round coverage on Thursday and Friday
• Featured groups
• Featured holes
• Additional live feeds throughout the tournament

Paramount+

Paramount+ will stream the live CBS weekend broadcast during the third and final rounds.

Cord-cutters can also watch through live TV streaming platforms that carry ESPN and CBS, including:

Prices listed reflect standard monthly price ranges and may not include limited-time offers or new customer promotions. Check each streaming provider for current free trials, discounts and bundle deals.

How to watch the PGA Championship while traveling

If you're traveling during the PGA Championship, you may still be able to stream coverage through your existing subscriptions. However, some streaming services may limit access based on your location, meaning your usual coverage could look different while you're away from home.

In those situations, some viewers use a virtual private network (VPN) to access their streaming accounts while traveling. A VPN encrypts your internet connection and routes it through a server in another location, which may help you securely sign in to your streaming services while on the go.

New to VPNs? Getting started is relatively simple:

• Choose a VPN service, such as NordVPN, and follow the setup instructions
• Select a server location that matches your home country
• Open your streaming app and log in as usual

Don't miss the PGA Championship this weekend

Whether you're watching on ESPN, CBS, Paramount+ or streaming on the go, there are several ways to follow the 2026 PGA Championship live from Aronimink Golf Club.

With top players like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy in the field, golf fans will have plenty of storylines to follow throughout the tournament weekend.

Related content

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• This T-Mobile Streaming Bundle Gets You Netflix, Hulu and Apple TV Plus for Free

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Ever arrive at a beach town only to realize you forgot your prescription sunglasses or high-SPF sunblock? It can be frustrating and expensive.

According to packing data from Radical Storage, the average traveler forgets two essential items per trip, resulting in about $53 in immediate replacement costs.*

Some replacements are a total loss, but did you know that you can turn others into a tax advantage?

By leveraging your health savings account (HSA), you can repurchase forgotten essentials using pre-tax dollars — effectively giving yourself a 25-30% "tax discount" on vacation necessities (when combined with FICA savings).

Here are the most commonly forgotten travel items that are HSA-eligible and the strict IRS rules you need to know to possibly claim them.

*Radical Storage is a global luggage storage service that surveyed 1,511 Americans regarding their packing habits and the items they most commonly forget.

IRS Rules for HSA purchases in 2026

Before we dive into our list, let's cover the 2026 IRS rules for a purchase to be considered "HSA-qualified."

The expense must be primarily for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of a specific health condition for you, your spouse, or your tax dependents. Otherwise, you may owe penalties and taxes on non-qualified purchases.

Here's a handy guide to help you figure out if your purchase could be HSA-eligible:

• Check the "HSA store." Before you head to the register, use your HSA provider's mobile app. Many now let you scan a product's barcode to confirm eligibility. You can also browse pre-vetted items at the HSA Store or Amazon's HSA/FSA shop.
• Identify items requiring an LMN. Some travel aids, like high-grade compression socks or specialized orthopedic pillows, may require a letter of medical necessity (LMN) from your doctor to qualify. This letter details why the purchase is medically necessary for your or your spouse's/dependent's condition.
• Keep digital backups. Although your HSA debit card may be accepted at major pharmacies, the IRS requires proof of the item purchased, not just the total spent. Snap a photo of your receipt immediately and save it in your digital files.

Travel Essentials

1. Broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 15+)

Sun protection is one of the most frequent casualties of rushed packing, with 18.3% of travelers leaving it behind. But if you have to buy a replacement bottle at a pricey resort gift shop, your HSA has you covered.

• The IRS rule: The sunscreen must offer broad-spectrum protection and have an SPF rating of 15 or higher.

What about bug spray? Standard insect repellent is a "general health" item and is not HSA-eligible. However, if you buy a sunscreen that includes built-in bug spray, the entire purchase may become eligible, provided the primary purpose is qualified sun protection.

2. Prescription shades

According to the Radical Storage data, 17.6% of travelers forget their sunglasses when packing for a trip. And when you're planning outdoor fun, your eyes may need more than a $5 pair of gas station shades. Fortunately, replacing your prescription sunglasses might qualify for HSA eligibility.

• The IRS rule: Fashion shades and traditional, "beach shop" sunglasses don't qualify. You need prescription sunglasses designed to correct vision and protect against UV rays.

Beyond the frames, contact lens supplies and lubricating eye drops typically qualify for HSA eligibility. This includes travel-sized solutions, replacement cases, extra lenses, and over-the-counter (OTC) drops for dry "airplane eyes."

3. OTC medications

It may not come as a surprise that people often forget painkillers while traveling, with 13.7% of travelers reporting leaving home without their trusted bottle of OTC meds; many more medicinal remedies qualify for HSA spending, though.

• The IRS rule: No prescription is needed. You can purchase Advil, acetaminophen, and other pre-packaged OTC remedies to treat pain relief. Cold/flu medications are also generally included, as are motion sickness pills and antacids.

Not explicitly listed in the survey are personal care products, like tampons, pads, and acne treatments, which are HSA-eligible. This is thanks to the CARES Act, which permanently expanded the list of "qualified medical expenses" to include menstrual care and OTC medications without a doctor's prescription.

4. First aid kits

Unfortunately, 12.8% of travelers report leaving behind a first aid kit, which can be a crucial travel essential in case of emergency. Fortunately, these kits are often eligible for HSA spending.

• The IRS rule: Everything from premade first-aid kits and individual components (like bandages, gauze, and antibiotic creams) is eligible. Still, special non-medical carrying cases for the kit may not be covered.

5. Medicated moisturizers and aloe vera

The data shows that 10.9% of travelers forget to pack their daily moisturizer. If your skin takes a beating from the sun, wind, or airplane air, your replacement lotion might qualify for tax-free HSA funds, provided it meets IRS regulations.

• The IRS rule: Standard cosmetics and regular beauty lotions do not qualify. To use your HSA, the moisturizer must contain a specific medicated ingredient designed to treat a medical condition, such as severe sunburn, eczema, or dermatitis.

6. SPF Cosmetics and lip balms

Vanity kits are easily left behind, with 10.3% of travelers forgetting their makeup. Even though standard foundation or lip gloss is considered a personal care expense, your sun protective makeup may be HSA-eligible.

• The IRS rule: Lip balms, foundations, and skin tints qualify for HSA reimbursement only if they are explicitly labeled SPF 15 or higher, offer broad-spectrum protection, and primarily serve to prevent sunburn.

The survey did not mention allergy medications, yet the local environment on vacation can trigger new reactions. Thus, if you find yourself sniffling and suffering, know that most OTC antihistamines and nasal sprays are generally fully eligible.

7. Prescription meds

About 9.8% of travelers have been there: they got to their destination only to realize they forgot their meds. When you need to make a surprise run to a foreign pharmacy, here are the HSA eligibility rules governing prescription meds.

• The IRS rule: Always eligible, including "rush" refills. However, nutritional supplements, vitamins, and toiletries are merely for maintaining general health and are not considered qualified.

8. Underwear (that's medically necessary)

Only 9.6% of travelers forget their underwear while traveling, according to data from Radical Storage. Certain repurchases might be eligible for your HSA funds. (So no, your standard boxers don't count!).

• The IRS rule: Specialized "adaptive clothing" can be HSA-approved if it serves a medically necessary purpose, like a pumping bra, certain postpartum care products, etc. But general hygiene items are not eligible.

9. Specialized swimwear

Swimwear is often left in the dresser drawer, with 9.3% of travelers reporting forgetting bathing suits or similar wear at home. Though swim trunks might not qualify for HSA eligibility, you may be able to use tax-free funds on prescription swimwear.

• The IRS rule: Items for specialized wear, like prescription goggles or masks with corrective lenses, may qualify if they are used to treat a condition. Otherwise, an LMN may be necessary for other types of bathing suits.

11. Sneakers and sandals to treat a condition

Footwear like flip-flops and tennis shoes is often forgotten at home, with travelers reporting forgetting to pack these essentials 7.4% to 8% of the time. Though if you meet specific requirements, you might be able to repurchase them with HSA funds.

• The IRS rule: Shoes must directly help manage or improve a medical issue. Common examples include orthotic inserts, gel pads, and orthopedic footwear, though they may require an LMN.

What about accessories? Long flights can take a toll on the body, leading many travelers to invest in biometric trackers. In 2026, popular medical devices like the Oura Ring and certain smart watches may be HSA-eligible if they have an LMN from your doctor stating the specific condition the device monitors and/or treats.

Yet if you're using your HSA for a high-end medical device, many experts recommend paying out of pocket, then obtaining your LMN and submitting the receipt for reimbursement. This may help ensure your purchase meets IRS rules before linking the item to your HSA account.

Don't forget your passport

Approximately 6.3% of travelers report forgetting their passport, which is a major headache — but no, the replacement fees are not HSA-eligible (despite the blow to your mental health). However, your medical care in a foreign country is often covered by your HSA funds.

• The IRS rule: Passports aren't eligible for HSA spending. Instead, hospital and urgent care for legal, non-elective procedures and standard dental work abroad are often qualified tax-free expenses.

Prescription drugs may also qualify if they are consumed abroad (importing them back to the U.S. generally makes them ineligible). The drug must also be legal in both the country you bought it and back home in the U.S.

Also, many U.S.-based HSA debit cards won't work at international locations. Thus, you might want to pay with a travel credit card, keep the itemized receipt, and then reimburse yourself through your HSA portal once you're back on American soil.

Bottom line: Pack ahead

Although no one likes to realize they left their travel essentials behind, a forgotten bag doesn't have to mean a total financial drain.

By utilizing your HSA for these 2026 often-forgotten items, you can potentially get a discount on repurchased items. So pack carefully, keep a record, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a tax-advantaged suitcase, no matter what you forget.

Happy trails!

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional tax or financial advice. Tax laws are subject to change and vary by individual circumstances. Consult with a qualified tax professional regarding your specific situation.

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Your short-haul flights with Delta Air Lines are about to change. The airline recently announced it would discontinue complimentary drinks and snacks on 450 short-haul flights, starting May 19.

What constitutes a short-haul flight? According to Delta, it's any route less than 349 miles. This affects some of the country's busiest routes, such as New York to Boston, Charlotte to Atlanta and Los Angeles to San Francisco. The change applies to all Delta Main and Delta Comfort+ passengers. First-class passengers won't be affected.

This comes at a time when air travel is facing challenges due to rising jet fuel costs, which are forcing airlines to cut back on freebies. Delta announced they're making the change to streamline in-flight operations, where crew members have a narrow window to complete the snack and beverage service before descent.

How does this policy compare to other airlines?

This isn't the first airline to restrict services for shorter flights. American and Southwest Airlines start beverage and snack service for flights 251 miles or more. United Airlines offers snacks and drinks on flights over 300 miles, making Delta's new policy among the strictest of the major airlines for snack offerings.

This is on the cusp of Delta raising checked bag prices to help offset higher fuel costs due to the war in Iran. For domestic and short-haul international flights moving forward, here's the new fee structure:

• First bag: $45, was $35
• Second bag: $55, was $45
• Third bag: $200, was $150

It isn't all doom and gloom. While Delta won't offer snacks and drinks on shorter flights, it's expanding its snack and beverage service to over 600 more flights.

Delta announced it would upgrade service on these flights from its limited beverage service, which included water, coffee or tea, to full beverage service with complimentary snacks. This is good news at a time when the airline is facing its share of reliability issues.

Delta facing staffing shortages

The beginning of May has not been a friendly time for Delta. The airline has had to cancel around 500 flights, significantly more than its competitors.

The reason? In a memo obtained by Business Insider from Ryan Gumm, Delta's senior vice president of flight operations, he noted that pilots were not taking extra flights aside from their regular schedules. The memo also noted that acceptance rates have dropped from 37% to 2%.

This trend won't go away overnight either. In a recent earnings call, Chief Executive Officer Ed Bastian said the airline's recovery and reliability are not up to par. And that these challenges could stay throughout the summer months, even with a focus on hiring more pilots.

With all this in mind, if you plan to fly with Delta this summer, here are a few things that can make your trip run more smoothly:

• Monitor your flights: Download the Delta app and enable app notifications; use third-party trackers like Flighty or Flight Aware, as they can provide quicker flight notifications than airlines
• Pack for delays: Keep essentials like chargers and prescription meds in your carry-on
• Be prepared to rebook: If your flight is cancelled, use Delta's app to rebook, as it's usually much quicker than waiting in long customer service lines
• In-flight comfort: Pack essentials to make your air travel more comfortable, and don't forget snacks and drinks on shorter flights

Overall, Delta's decision not to provide snacks and drinks on short-haul flights is bound to ruffle some feathers. But at the same time, I take shorter flights pretty regularly, and attending to everyone's needs while serving a full flight in a 30 to 40-minute window can be daunting for flight attendants. It can also make cleaning in between flights more time-consuming, which can impact future flights.

The best piece of advice is to plan for all contingencies. That way, if the worst-case scenario happens, you have back up plans to turn to.

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When Spirit Airlines declared bankruptcy in August of last year, travelers already began to suspect that the budget carrier might not be long for this world. After a prolonged restructuring process and a failed attempt at securing a $500 million government bailout, Spirit Airlines officially announced that it would cease operations altogether on May 2.

The news has been met with conflicting reactions among flyers. The airline didn't exactly have a stellar reputation for customer service. The unbundled fares often left passengers feeling like the low prices were a bait and switch as they ended up paying more by the time they add in seat fees, carry-on luggage fees, booking fees, boarding pass fees and the list keeps going.

But even if you avoided flying Spirit like the plague, the disappearance of a major budget carrier could still impact your wallet. Here's a look at the ripple effect the Spirit Airlines shutdown is likely to have on air travel and how your flight booking strategy needs to change in a world with one less budget carrier.

The ripple effect of the Spirit Airlines shutdown

Even if you've never stepped foot on a Spirit airplane, the airline's existence has probably benefited you indirectly. Before the carrier ceased operations, budget airlines accounted for 14.5% of the U.S. market, according to the Association of Value Airlines (AVA). The group representing budget carriers says that this growing market share has helped put downward pressure on ticket prices over the past decade, falling from an average of $124 for a one-way ticket in 2000 to $54 for a one-way ticket in 2024 (for the lowest cost ticket options).

While the actual price ends up being higher when you factor in all the add-on fees, those dirt cheap prices forced major players like Delta and American Airlines to create basic economy fares to compete with these discount airlines in the mid-2010s.

Those basic economy fares are pretty bare bones, but they're useful for travelers who want to customize their experience. You can pick and choose your add-ons and upgrades while still flying the airline you prefer.

With the loss of Spirit airlines, that's one less competitor pushing the price of basic economy fares down. While airlines might not abandon the ticket class altogether, the deals you find there might not be as good as what you're used to if they're not competing with a strong discount airline market.

Travelers are already seeing higher flight costs due to rising jet fuel prices

While Spirit Airlines had long been struggling and was already bankrupt before the Iran conflict began, the airline cited the sudden rise in fuel prices in response to rising oil prices as a major reason that it couldn't move forward with its original restructuring plans.

In its statement announcing the wind-down of operations, the company said, "the recent material increase in oil prices and other pressures on the business have significantly impacted Spirit’s financial outlook."

The cost of jet fuel has doubled since the war began, jumping from around $100 per barrel in February to over $200 by the end of March, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Though costs were starting to fall in April, they're ticking back up in May.

For most carriers, the cost of jet fuel alone accounts for up to 30% of the company's operating costs. So, when fuel prices double, margins get thinner. To compensate, airlines can raise prices or cut capacity (such as dropping less profitable routes or grounding less fuel efficient aircraft).

Delta, for example, said in a recent earnings call that it would cut capacity by 3.5%, primarily by postponing the capacity growth it had planned for the quarter. Delta, United and other major carriers have also hiked baggage fees in an effort to offset rising jet fuel costs. On an earnings call in April, United CEO Scott Kirby said the airline might also hike ticket prices as much as 20%.

With news like that, travelers of all airlines are likely looking at higher travel costs. And one less budget carrier in the mix means there will be less downward pressure to bring these prices back down even after jet fuel costs start falling.

Can other budget carriers keep the price pressure on airfare?

The end of Spirit isn't the end of affordable airlines just yet. Other budget carriers like Frontier and Allegiant are still flying. But with rising jet fuel costs, how long can they keep prices down?

Last month, the AVA asked for a $2.5 billion relief package to offset the sudden spike in fuel costs. But Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said he didn't think it was necessary at a press conference at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey on Saturday.

Without federal relief, budget carriers will likely be forced to either take on debt or turn to the same capacity cuts and price hikes that major carriers are already using. Allegiant, for example, expects to cut capacity by 6.5% to compensate for higher fuel prices.

As of December 2025, Frontier still hadn't returned to profitability. Passengers may learn more about how the Spirit rival plans to deal with rising costs when it releases its first-quarter financial results tomorrow.

While there aren't any rumors of other budget carriers closing, travelers should probably brace for higher ticket prices even among the most affordable airlines as we head into a summer of soaring jet fuel prices.

How your travel booking strategy needs to change in 2026

This summer, air travel is going to get more expensive as airlines fly fewer routes and raise prices to offset jet fuel costs. So, if you've got any trips planned in the coming months, here are a few ways you can adapt your strategy to keep costs as low as possible:

• Book changeable fares and keep tabs on prices. Aside from basic economy tickets, most fares allow you to make changes for free. So, even if you don't like the price you see right now, go ahead and book it anyway (while doublechecking that the ticket allows for free changes). This ensures that today's price is the highest you'll ever pay, but allows you to keep checking in on prices in the lead up to your actual departure date. When you find a better deal, change your flight and you can pocket the difference.
• Avoid add-on fees. With most airlines raising their baggage fees, now is the time to hone your packing strategy to avoid needing to check a bag. Triple-check the baggage restrictions on your preferred airline to make sure your carry-on and personal item comply. Check for airline credit cards or loyalty programs that come with free checked bags as a perk. Consolidate your belongings into one checked bag if you're flying with your partner. If you can't avoid a checked bag fee, look for other fees (like premium seat selection or economy upgrades) that you can skip instead.
• Find your savings elsewhere. If you can't find airfare prices you like for your next trip, make up the cost difference by saving elsewhere. That might mean smaller tweaks like downgrading the hotel room you planned to book or bigger changes like choosing to visit a cheaper country this summer or shortening the length of your trip.
• Push your trip to the off-season. If you haven't booked yet, consider postponing your trip until fall or early winter. Off-season pricing tends to be lower for both airfare and hotels so if you have flexibility here, the savings could be huge. If you're still craving a summer getaway, opt for a domestic destination during the peak season.

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If you've ever found yourself Googling "What time is the race?" at 6 a.m. with coffee in hand, welcome back. It is Formula 1 season.

Racing season is a chance to follow some of the fastest drivers in the world as they compete across a global stage. The 2026 calendar is packed with high-speed weekends and is shaping up to be one of the longest seasons yet, with stops from Miami to Monaco to Las Vegas.

But this year, there is a major shift off the track: how you watch. Gone are the days of flipping between cable channels. In the U.S., Formula 1 now lives in one place. Here is what to know about when and how to watch, and what it could cost you.

How to watch F1 racing in the U.S.

For the 2026 season, Formula 1 coverage in the U.S. is exclusively available through Apple TV.

That means every session, practice, qualifying, sprint races, and the Grand Prix streams live in one place. This is a major shift from previous years, when races aired across ESPN and ABC. Now, the entire race weekend is centralized, with fewer logins and less channel-hopping.

You can also still use the F1 TV app, but it now works as a companion, with premium live features bundled into your Apple TV subscription.

Apple TV+ is available on its own or included in the Apple One bundle. Subscribing to Apple One gives you Apple TV+ along with other services like Apple Music and iCloud.

Compared to the previous standalone F1 TV price (around $129 annually), the new setup comes in cheaper and includes access to Apple's broader library of shows, movies and live sports.

2026 Formula 1 racing schedule

Here's a simplified look at key race weekends for the 2026 season:

The full calendar features 24 race weekends, making it one of the longest seasons in F1 history.

Thinking about catching a race in person? You can explore official ticket packages through Grand Prix Events. For additional options, check availability on resale marketplaces like SeatGeek or StubHub.

How to watch Formula 1 while traveling

If you're traveling during the Formula 1 season, you may still be able to stream races through your existing subscription. Streaming services sometimes limit content based on your location, which means your usual access may not work the same way when you're not at home.

In those situations, some viewers use a virtual private network (VPN) to access their streaming services while connected to the internet away from home.

A VPN works by encrypting your internet connection and routing it through a server in another location. This can help protect your online activity and may allow you to sign in to your streaming accounts as you normally would.

New to VPNs? Getting started is relatively simple:

• Choose a VPN service, such as NordVPN, and follow the setup instructions
• Select a server location that matches your home country
• Open your streaming app and log in as usual

This can be a helpful option for frequent travelers who want to keep up with race weekends while away.

How to watch F1 this season without missing a race

Formula 1's move to streaming marks a turning point for how fans watch the sport. With all races centralized on Apple TV, a lower annual cost than previous setups and added flexibility for watching on the go, the experience is more streamlined, even if it takes some getting used to.

If you're planning to follow the 2026 season, getting set up now means you won't miss a lap.

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We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Discover these 9 historic places with your grandkids this year to celebrate America's 250th birthday. Whether you visit on July 4, 2026, or explore in the months before or after the 'Semiquincentennial," the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence offers a rare opportunity to build lasting memories at the places where our country's history began.

These trips can also help turn old, dusty history lessons into hands-on adventures. Best of all, many of these iconic sites (and we’ve only listed a few) are rolling out world-class experiences.

Here are 9 standout destinations that make history fun, accessible and — best of all — unforgettable.

Why America’s 250th is more than just fireworks

America’s 250th birthday isn’t just about dates on a calendar or old documents. It’s about people, places and the millions of stories that make up our nation. It’s about how a group of colonies came together in 1776 to declare their independence, and how that single courageous moment in time set the course for the country we know and love today.

The celebration also offers a chance to learn more about how the United States began, how it grew, and how it has changed over time.

1. Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota

Carved into the granite face of Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills near Keystone, South Dakota, the 60-foot faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln tell the story of the birth, growth, development and preservation of this country.

For the 250th celebration: This year, Mount Rushmore will host special events on July 2 and 4 to commemorate Independence Day and the 250th anniversary of the United States, including military concerts with no reservations or tickets required. On July 3, tickets are required for the day’s festivities, which include a fireworks display.

However, because they anticipate large crowds, access for the event on July 3 is entirely dependent on a federal lottery system, which closed on April 12 and was managed through Recreation.gov. That means unless you reserved a ticket before the deadline, you can no longer attend the July 3rd festivities. The park will open for ticket holders at 1 pm. That said, you can still enjoy the park before or after the 250th celebration on July 3.

For the best value: Visit in May or September, when hotel rates can drop by 20% to 30%. There are typically fewer crowds, and temperatures stay in the 60s and 70s. The site is free to enter (you’ll pay a small fee to park), and no long hikes are required. Combine it with a drive through Custer State Park for wildlife spotting that the grandkids will love.

2. Gettysburg National Military Park, Pennsylvania

Gettysburg marks the Civil War’s turning point and is the site of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Be sure to visit the Museum and Visitor Center, where you'll find resources and information to help you and your grandkids learn about the battlefield.

For the 250th celebration: Gettysburg will feature major battle reenactments (July 3–5) and special Independence Day events. Parking is on-site and dining is available in the visitor center. Tour costs vary.

For the best value: Visit in April–May or September–October for lower hotel rates and fewer crowds. Roaming the battlefield is free. But a self-guided auto tour costs about $43 for adults (with senior discounts). The Visitor Center also offers senior pricing. Grandkids will enjoy the interactive exhibits at “Children of Gettysburg 1863.”

3. Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia

America’s birthplace, Independence Hall, is where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were debated and signed. It’s the central point for understanding America’s roots and offers a great opportunity for conversations about the beginnings of our country with your grandkids.

For the 250th celebration: Philadelphia’s “52 Weeks of Firsts” and year-long celebrations in 2026 include parades, block parties, and special exhibits. Most sites, like Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, are free or low-cost for seniors and children. From 9:00 am to 9:50 am, no tickets are required. However, from 10:40 am to 4:20 pm, March–December and holiday weekends, timed-entry tickets are required for ranger-guided tours. A $1 per ticket processing fee applies, according to Recreation.gov. Tickets are not required on July 1st, July 2nd, July 3rd, July 4th, or July 14th. But expect large crowds.

For the best value: Visit in the spring or fall for comfortable temperatures and better pricing on nearby hotels and dining. The area is walkable with plenty of benches, and costumed interpreters make history interactive and fun with hands-on stations for the grandkids. Independence Hall opens at 9:00 am.

4. The Freedom Trail, Boston, Massachusetts

The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile red-brick path that connects 16 Revolutionary sites — from the USS Constitution tall ship to Bunker Hill — bringing the fight for independence to life through stories of historic heroes like Paul Revere.

For the 250th celebration: Boston’s 2026 festivities include reenactments, tall ships, and special guided tours. The Trail itself is mostly free to walk. Costumed-guide walking tours run about $17 for each adult (with a $2 senior discount and $8 for children ages 6–12; free for kids under 6). Other tour tickets vary.

For the best value: Visit in late spring or early fall for savings on lodging and shorter lines. Don’t miss the Paul Revere House or the Bunker Hill Monument for lasting memories and good discussion.

5. Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C., the U.S. capital city, will be a centerpiece of America 250, with the National Mall serving as the hub of the 250th.

For the 250th celebration: Expect patriotic concerts and large-scale anniversary celebrations throughout 2026, including a special Independence Day fireworks display along with performances and ceremonies at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and Smithsonian museums.

The Great American State Fair, a 16-day national exposition, will be held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and run from June 25 to July 10, 2026. The fair is free and open to the public (advance registration encouraged), with a kickoff celebration on June 24 headlined by President Trump.

On July 4th, a special fireworks display called Salute to America will take place on the National Mall. The event is free and open to the public. Advance tickets are strongly encouraged and parking will be limited.

The original Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights remain on permanent display in the National Archives Rotunda in D.C. with free daily admission, 10 am to 5:30 pm. Visitors are strongly encouraged to reserve a free general admission or timed-entry ticket in advance online.

Also, the Smithsonian Institution is marking America’s 250th anniversary with its “Our Shared Future: 250” initiative. Most Smithsonian museums are free, but some popular ones or special exhibits use timed-entry passes (free or low-cost) to manage crowds, especially during the 250th celebration. Visit: https://www.si.edu/visit for info.

For the best value: The best times to visit are April–May and September–October. These months offer moderate crowds, mild weather, and often the best prices on hotels and airfare. Andrew Latham, Certified Financial Planner, passes on this idea: “Going to D.C. is the obvious choice for a reason. The Smithsonian allows you to take all the grandchildren to 21 museums without paying a dime, which means you can put your cash toward food and hotels without blowing your budget on tourist traps.”

6. San Antonio, Texas

Other than just a great place to visit, at the heart of San Antonio stands The Alamo, a long-standing symbol of the Texas Revolution and a vital part of America's history.

For the 250th celebration: Visitors can explore the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, with special events including living history demonstrations, guided tours, and programs that connect Texas history to the story of the nation’s 250th anniversary.

For the best value: The best time to visit the Alamo is in the off-season (late fall and winter), when there are fewer crowds and discounted tickets (reservations for Alamo tours are required). Parking is off-site, but buses run throughout the day.

7. Statue of Liberty, New York, New York

Sitting proudly on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, within New York City, the Statue of Liberty is the iconic symbol of freedom, democracy, and hope.

For the 250th celebration: The Statue of Liberty will host several commemorative events, including lighting displays, guided tours, and educational programs for adults and children. The National Park Service strongly encourages you to purchase ferry tickets in advance of the day you plan to visit. Tickets should be purchased through Statue City Cruises, the only ferry service that brings visitors to Liberty and Ellis Islands.

For the best value: Visit during late fall and winter. Although the weather can be cooler during these months, you will run into fewer visitors and shorter lines. Hotels and dining are also often less expensive.

8. Yorktown and Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

These historic sites transform the Revolutionary era into a living classroom so that you and your grandkids can walk where Washington, Jefferson and Lafayette once did. During the 250th celebration, you'll witness reenactments and artillery demonstrations, explore tall ships, and participate in hands-on activities that bring the fight for independence to life.

Yorktown celebrates the Revolution on July 4th with a parade, concert, Declaration of Independence reading, and river fireworks. The American Revolution Museum hosts the Give Me Liberty exhibition, Liberty Celebration with artillery demos and October Victory programs with living history.

Colonial Williamsburg offers immersive events, including the July 4 PBS-broadcast America Made in Virginia: 250 Years Together, along with music, performances, a drone show and fireworks.

Yorktown events, including Sail Yorktown on July 4, are mostly free. Museum programs require standard admission ($15 – 18 adults; discounts for children and seniors). You can buy tickets at jyfmuseums.org or on-site.

Colonial Williamsburg’s 250th events and daily activities need Historic Area passes (about $40 for adults). Multi-day passes are your best value; discounts for kids. July 4 event is free. Book Williamsburg tickets ahead at colonialwilliamsburg.org.

For the best value: Visit Yorktown or Colonial Williamsburg in late spring or early fall to enjoy fewer crowds, shorter lines at attractions and museums, and significantly lower hotel and food prices compared to peak summer and the July 4th week. These shoulder seasons still offer exciting 250th exhibits, while making the trip more affordable and relaxed.

9. Charleston, South Carolina

The city of Charleston, a major Southern port and battleground, played a pivotal role in the American Revolution.

Key 250th highlights include events at Fort Moultrie, site of the 1776 Patriot victory, with living history, reenactments and interpretive programs. The city offers a relaxed pace with beautiful waterfront walks along the historic Battery, horse-drawn carriage tours that are easy for grandparents and engaging for the grandkids, and great southern dining.

Expect special exhibits, parades, and patriotic programming throughout 2026, especially around June – July. Many events are free or low-cost; check charleston-sc.gov or sc250.com for details.

For the best value: Visit in late spring or early fall to avoid peak summer crowds and the July 4th heat. You'll also enjoy shorter lines at Fort Moultrie and the Battery, and find better rates on hotels, carriage tours and dining out. These shoulder seasons still offer a lineup of special events, exhibits, reenactments, tours and activities specifically planned for America’s 250th, while offering a more relaxed, affordable experience for you and the grandkids.

Other major national highlights for 2026

Expect a mix of big spectacles and local celebrations:

• July 3–5, 2026 “Moments That Unite a Nation”: Celebrations include the first-ever Times Square Ball Drop on July 3 to kick off the Fourth, massive block parties, concerts, and synchronized events across all 50 states, D.C., and territories.
• Disneyland is celebrating America’s 250th with “Disney Celebrates America.” Kicking off on Veterans Day 2025 and continuing through the July 4, 2026 weekend.
• America’s Block Party: Nationwide neighborhood gatherings, potlucks, and viewing parties so you can watch celebrations happening.
• The Great American Road Trip: This partnership with the Department of Transportation encourages people to drive across the country and visit famous sites in honor of the 100th anniversary of historic Route 66.
• A time capsule: A capsule containing items from all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and five territories is scheduled to be buried in Philadelphia on July 4, 2026. It won't be dug up until the country’s 500th anniversary.

Quick tips for these (and all) trips

• Check America250.org and individual national park sites for exact 2026 event calendars.
• Plan ahead. Why? Because America 250 will mark one of the most significant travel years in U.S. history. Planning ahead helps secure accommodations, tours, and tickets to the most anticipated events and celebrations.
• Grab an America the Beautiful Senior Pass ($20 annual or $80 lifetime) for free or discounted access to many national parks.
• Pack layers, comfortable walking shoes, water, and snacks — plus a journal or digital way for grandkids to record their own “trail” memories.

Celebrate with the grandkids

Although there were only 13 original states, all 50 states are planning 250th celebrations and offering both you and your grandkids a chance to experience the places and stories that shaped our nation. These places can turn those long drives into adventures, with plenty of ice cream stops and “wow” moments. Your grandkids will remember the history and the time they spend with you, long after the 250th celebrations are over. For updates, visit https://freedom250.org/celebration often.

More on America's 250th Birthday

• America is Turning 250 — But We Didn't Get Serious About Saving for Retirement Until 50 Years Ago
• America's Cost of Living at 200 vs 250: How Affordable is American Life Now?
• America at 250: The 3 Economic Headaches That Haven't Changed Since 1976
• How Has Retirement Changed in the Last 50 Years? Take Our Quiz
• Financial Advice From America's Founding Fathers
• Which Presidents Are on the Social Security Payroll?

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Question: My daughter is fresh out of college and is struggling to find full-time work. We want to help her out with some bills, but are also concerned that prolonged underemployment could sap our savings. How do we help without sacrificing our nest egg?

Answer: Getting jobs out of college can be difficult at any time, but right now, it's extremely hard to do thanks to a weaker job market. To demonstrate, the federal government has lost 355,000 jobs since October of 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (PDF).

If your child works but doesn't have a full-time job, then it's likely they're turning to you to help cover some of their living expenses, even if they are home.

As this is a stressful time for both you and them, the important thing is to establish clear communication and boundaries while providing ample emotional support.

We'll also cover how to help your kids financially while maintaining a healthy savings balance.

The Gen Z underemployment crisis and why it might not go away

Getting your foot in the door of your career used to be about who you knew. While that's still the case, the job market is much different thanks to artificial intelligence automation. MIT's Project Iceberg, a labor-simulation tool measuring AI's impact on the labor market, found that AI can replace up to 11.7% of the U.S. workforce.

The good news is that, in many cases, companies will use AI to complement their operations rather than replace entire workforces, according to Goldman Sachs Research. But it also creates a scenario in which, if companies can do more with less, this will be a continual problem for younger workers.

How bad is it? The Federal Reserve Bank of New York found that 42.5% of recent graduates are unemployed, with unemployment at 5.6% — the highest since 2020. If your child is struggling to find full-time work, they're far from alone, as many households are facing the same issues. Here's how you can help.

Start by talking about money

"I see this all the time. Parents want to help, but get stuck helping too much." Christopher Briscoe, director of financial planning at Girard Advisory Services, told Kiplinger. While you don't want to get in the trap of helping too much, how do you balance financially supporting your child without sacrificing savings?

This is where having money talks come into play. Start by listening to them, understanding their job frustrations and providing emotional support, as this can be a very stressful time for them. By that same token, "you can financially support them and put guardrails up to protect your nest egg," added Briscoe. To demonstrate, you could help them with their car payment, provided they apply to a set number of jobs per week.

The key is to set the table of expectations as early as you can. Help your child understand how much money you can help them with, any expectations you have in return and when that aid will run out.

"Think of it like college, I'll continue to pay for your tuition to a higher cost school if the grades are good," Chris Maudlin, Senior Wealth Advisor at AlphaCore Wealth Advisory, said to Kiplinger. "But if grades slip, then I'll pay, but the school might need to change."

Setting your child up for financial success

If you want to help your children financially, you should review the financial impacts before offering any promises.

Maudlin recommended, "Update financial planning by running scenario analysis to see how much and how long you can help. This can help you see whether you'll remain on course or need to take on more employment to handle the added costs, or whether the added costs are not budget-feasible."

The goal through this stressful process is to build financial transparency and trust with your child. By being honest about your financial situation, where you can help and for how long, you're showing them you care about their situation, so it keeps resentment at bay.

Briscoe also recommends using this time to help your child develop sound financial behaviors through proper planning.

"Having a third party (adviser) who helps them with budgeting, planning, saving money and more, can help them hit the ground running when they secure full-time employment."

The checklist for staying on the right track

Here's a checklist to help your child without growing broke:

• Start by listening to their situation and offering emotional support.
• Get a clear picture of their financial needs and shortfalls.
• Meet with your financial adviser to run scenarios to see how much you can help.
• Set clear expectations around how much support you’ll provide and how long it will last.
• Establish accountability, such as applying to a set number of jobs each week or attending networking events.
• Encourage them to build strong financial habits, whether through budgeting tools or guidance from a financial adviser.
• Have regular talks, where they can come to you and rant about the job market, struggles with savings or other issues — this not only gives them the emotional support they need, it strengthens your relationship.

Ultimately, almost half of new graduates are underemployed, placing some of that financial pressure on parents. By using this checklist and establishing ongoing communication with your child, you can set the stage for how much you can help them, for how long and what you expect in return.

By properly planning, you can bring peace to an otherwise stressful situation. You build a stronger bond, in which you can impart more financial wisdom onto your child, and vice versa, as they develop their career.

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1. Explore Charleston, South Carolina

The first time I visited Charleston, almost 20 years ago, I was struck by a feeling of ease. I strolled along the Battery, past magnificent old mansions along the water, and down drowsy King Street. I popped into a restaurant for oysters and crab bisque.

When I returned this year, the southern city had transformed into something even lovelier than before, owing in large part to the influx of cash as one of the U.S.'s 15 fastest-growing cities, according to Rocket Mortgage. Today, there are gleaming Gucci and Louis Vuitton boutiques on King Street, but the city's essence of elegance and warmth remains.

In recent years, Charleston has also become one of the country's leading travel destinations, with a record $14 billion in tourist revenues in 2024, up 7.1% from the previous year. There is no better time to visit this sun-drenched, sophisticated city than springtime.

"Azaleas and wisteria are out in full force by the middle of the month, magnolias have begun their blooming season, and lush private gardens are peeking out behind walls and fences in the historic district and other leafy neighborhoods," says part-time Charleston resident Nancy Novogrod, former editor of Travel + Leisure magazine, who now runs a luxury travel consultancy, Culturati Travel Design.

She adds that spring is the time to relax on benches and chairs in the American Garden on lower King Street, a gift to the city from Ben Navarro, developer of the new five-star Cooper Hotel. Charleston's spring festival season includes the Spoleto Festival USA, which this year runs from May 23 to June 8.

By summer, temperatures and humidity spike, and the hurricane season arrives in August. The last catastrophic one was Hugo in 1989, but the city is prone to flooding from heavy rains and storm surges.

Among the crop of new hotels, two properties stand out. The Pinch and sister property the Nickel are both owned by Method Co., a design-forward hotel and development company with properties in Philadelphia, Tampa, Austin and elsewhere.

Each hotel embodies different aspects of the swiftly changing — but never changing — Charleston. The Pinch is tucked away on a side street downtown, right off of King Street, and the hidden cobblestone arrival area epitomizes discretion. With gaslights and palm trees, it gives a moody 19th-century ambience, but inside it is another story. The airy lobby contains furniture made of travertine, leather, Mongolian lamb and rattan, in warm, contemporary harmony.

Immediately, I felt I had found my Charleston home. My suite exuded a lived-in glamour, with pretty wallpaper, herringbone wood floors and a gorgeous full-size kitchen with a farmhouse sink. Adjacent to the hotel is the Michelin-recommended Lowland, offering southern-influenced fine dining like steak with grits, fresh oysters and a signature celery salad. It's quintessentially Charleston — arty, authentic, stylish and delicious. King rooms start at $519/day, with a reduced rate option for stays of a week or more. Prices go down in June.

The Nickel is located on King Street and exemplifies a Europe-meets-Charleston aesthetic and ambiance. The balcony of my room overlooked a central courtyard with a fountain and wrought iron railings. I felt like I was in Barcelona or Bari. Inside, I sensed a meticulously curated design and décor, from the potted palm in the lobby to the marble drinks tables in Bar Daniel, to the Moroccan zellige tiles on the bathroom floors.

Best of all is a rooftop restaurant, Rosemary Rose, with stellar views of what is sometimes referred to as the Holy City. Check the website to sign up for Insider Perks, which include credits, upgraded rooms, and special rates. Rooms start at $460 per night, with a better deal for stays of a week or more.

2. Walk the wilds in Scotland

Of all the trips I have taken in the last years, the most poetically beautiful and emotionally restorative was a walking trip around the Orkney Islands, a windswept archipelago off the northeastern tip of Scotland, for my husband's 65th birthday.

The near-perfect tour was organized by Wilderness Scotland. Springtime is the beginning of walking season in rocky, cinematic Orkney, and the air and extraordinary northern light have an almost clinical healing power. So, it must be said, does the local whisky. The islands have several distilleries, notably Highland Park in Kirkwall, near my sweet hotel, the Lynnfield, on Orkney's main and largest island

It would be difficult to imagine a more seamless trip: Wilderness Scotland took care of every day's itinerary, all ferry and museum tickets, all logistics and every meal, with plenty of downtime. And newsflash: Orkney has a thriving food scene, and the fresh fish and tasty local lamb were superb. In short, I did not have to lift a finger, only to dress in layers, show up at breakfast, and climb into the van with my guide and my hiking partners to drive (or take a small ferry) to that day's trailhead. My preferred bag lunch was a classically British cheese and pickle sandwich with chips, and I devoured it with well-earned hunger.

Each day brought a new wonder in one of the islands: The Standing Stones of Stenness, Skara Brae and geological marvels such as the Old Man of Hoy and the Yesnaby cliffs. We hiked two to eight miles a day, exploring Orkney's impressive archaeological landscape, running from the Neolithic era through the Bronze Age, the Iron Age through Norse through medieval ages — all compressed into these islands. We returned to the hotel blissfully tired and fulfilled.

We were lucky with cool, clear weather, with an occasional spritz of rain and one brief drenching. Orkney can be fickle, even in early summer, so layers and rain gear, including waterproof trousers, are crucial to keep in your backpack.

Wilderness Scotland leads trips throughout the country, with varying degrees of difficulty. Orkney prices start at $4,128 per person, and I am already saving for the 70th birthday walk.

3. Experience the multifaceted beauty of Jaipur, India

I adore India, and my favorite place in this vast, richly layered country is the pink city of Jaipur in Rajasthan. Last spring, my trip there was organized by Scott Dunn, which specializes in luxury personalized travel. After a night in Delhi, I headed south by car, along the sleek new Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. After about five hours, I arrived in Jaipur, where I rode past vendors selling marigolds and mangoes, and around a bottleneck of elephants — some daubed in bright paint — making their way back from ferrying tourists around Amber Fort, a palace and citadel, and one of Jaipur's most iconic landmarks. There are others that are instantly recognizable, such as the honeycombfaçaded, pale-pink Wind Palace.

Jaipur had its share of scientific triumphs to visit, too: The astronomical observatory Jantar Mantar, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and an ahead-of-its-time water catchment system at Nahargarh Fort. The city also has a living legacy rooted in the vision of its founder, Maharajah Sawai Jai Singh II, who established 36 artisan guilds. Today, Jaipur remains India's capital of fine jewelry, textiles, carpets and other crafts, and therefore its shopping capital, too. Jaipur is surprisingly accessible for those with mobility issues, but driving through the city center from one site to another can be slow. Congestion is dense; traffic can feel treacherous.

Among the most remarkable hotels is Raffles Jaipur, one of the city's newest luxury properties and a worthy descendant of the Singapore original, defined by its signature service. It was conceived as a zenana — a queen's palace — with intimate and intricate interior spaces. Raffles felt like a private residence, although a spectacularly appointed one.

Every surface bore the hand of a Rajasthani artisan, all in an atmosphere of rich blues, butter yellows and dusty pinks. There were hand-carved ceilings, shimmering mirrored mosaics, delicate jaali lattice windows, and inlay floors fashioned with local marble. Its heart is a soaring three-story atrium, flanked with palm trees, and topped with a glass roof. At the hotel's restaurant, Arkaa, I feasted on lamb curry, garlic naan and the Rajasthani dish Dal Baati Churma — lentils, wheat rolls and cracked grains sweetened with jaggery, a natural sweetener concentrated from sugarcane juice.

Rooms this spring start at $550/night, with special rates for longer stays, as well as discounted second rooms for families.

Note: This item first appeared in Kiplinger Retirement Report, our popular monthly periodical that covers key concerns of affluent older Americans who are retired or preparing for retirement. Subscribe for retirement advice that's right on the money.

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• 15 Money-Saving Travel Tips for Retirees

Question: We're 57 years old with $7 million saved. We want to take a two-year career break and spend $800k traveling the world until we're 59, then return to work and retire at 65. We each had a parent die in their 60s, so this period in our lives feels like it may be our best chance for such an adventure. Are we crazy?

Answer: Once you've accumulated a certain amount of wealth, you may be inclined to start spending some of that money on lifelong goals, like travel. And it's easy to argue that with $7 million in savings, you've more than earned the right to an extended trip spanning two years.

But what if you're only 57 years old? You may not be ready to end your career. Moreover, you may want to take your dream trip soon, especially if you've seen a parent pass away in their 60s.

In that scenario, an extended sabbatical could be a potential solution. And if you've run the numbers, you may be looking at spending $800,000 over two years before returning to the labor force for roughly another half-decade to close out your career.

It's a move that carries some risk. But if you plan accordingly, you may be able to pull it off.

It's not just a pipe dream, but you need a plan

For many people, taking a two-year career break with an $800,000 price tag may not be possible. With $7 million saved, it could be your reality.

While $800,000 is a lot of money, you're keeping close to 90% of your portfolio untouched. And you're also leaving yourself with a substantial sum of money left over.

Steven Schiff, CFP and Managing Director at Fortuna Wealth, says, "Honestly, you’re not crazy at all. With $7 million saved, you’ve built a substantial nest egg that can support a once-in-a-lifetime experience like this."

That said, you do need to plan carefully. Cynthia Pruemm, founder and CEO of SIS Financial Group, says it's important to understand where the money will come from to fund your sabbatical, given your age.

"Since you are 57 years young, you will not be able to take a distribution out of your IRA or 401(k) accounts without paying the 10% penalty," Pruemm explains. "With a Roth IRA, you can withdraw contributions at any time. However, you can't withdraw capital gains before age 59.5 and until the account has been opened for at least five years."

Pruemm says that if you're planning to fund your experience from a taxable account, you'll need to be prepared for short- or long-term capital gain taxes on withdrawals.

The best option in her book? Pay the $800,000 out of a cash account.

Schiff also says that if you're going to move forward with your plans, preparation is key.

"Ensure that your investments are positioned properly, your estate plan is up to date, and you have the right insurance coverage in place," he says.

Make sure you've mapped out your post-sabbatical steps

The risk in taking an extended $800,000 sabbatical isn't necessarily the large withdrawal and two years of forgone earnings. Rather, it's what happens when your travels are over.

Getting back into the workforce isn't a given, Pruemm cautions. And while $6.2 million is a lot of money to retire on if necessary, you'll need to factor in early retirement costs like health insurance. You'll also need a backup plan in case the market crashes during your sabbatical or shortly after, since you may not be able to go back to work right away or at all.

"It would be wise for them to sit down with a financial adviser to put together a retirement plan and have different scenarios figured out before their sabbatical," Pruemm says. "Yes, they will have a lot of money left if they do not join the workforce again. But what happens if there's another dot.com bubble or financial crisis? What happens if their health takes a turn for the worse?"

Of course, you may find after a two-year sabbatical that you don't have the desire to go back to work. And Schiff says with the amount of wealth you've accumulated, you may not have to.

"But prior to making that decision, please consult a financial adviser about your individual situation," he suggests.

Protect your assets during your travels

Setting yourself up with the right investments could make a two-year, $800,000 sabbatical a less risky endeavor. Pruemm recommends hiring a financial adviser to manage the portfolio while on sabbatical to add some security and peace of mind.

If you'd rather manage your assets yourself, Pruemm says, "I would recommend putting all investable assets in high-yield principal-protected investments if they’re not able to keep an eye on them while on sabbatical."

But all told, your plan to escape the grind for two years and see the places you've always dreamed of is doable, provided you understand the risks and set up your retire-at-65 retirement plan in advance. And if so, Schiff recommends using the wealth you've built to meet a lifelong goal.

He also has one piece of non-financial advice.

"Take plenty of photos and make the most of your journey around the world," he says.

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Retirement brings the gift of time and freedom. If you're planning a getaway, 2026 is a great time to swap large, crowded cruise ships for intimate, boutique yacht cruises. These small vessels typically carry fewer than 300 guests. For context, a mega-ship carries 3,000 to 6,800 passengers. Boutique yachts also deliver big luxury with spacious suites, exceptional service, gourmet dining and the freedom to slip into secluded harbors and coves that larger ships can't reach.

For retirees, the advantages are clear: Shorter distances to walk while on board, disembarking in minutes rather than hours, minimal crowds, and a sophisticated, adults-oriented atmosphere make these voyages ideal. You won't find casinos, loud nightclubs, arcades, or massive buffets; instead, you'll find calm and quiet relaxation and the chance to unwind in style.

As the Founder & CEO at PrettyFluent, Erik Chan explains that seasoned travelers are starting to trade the endless lines and crowded ports of mega-cruises for the quiet elegance of boutique yachts. And it makes perfect sense. But why the shift? He points out three reasons.

Personalized luxury: A higher crew-to-guest ratio means personal, tailored service.

Unique access: Smaller yachts can dock in secluded coves and historic city centers that massive ships can't reach.

True value: The all-inclusive options eliminate hidden fees and constant upselling, offering financial peace of mind.

"Retirement travel should be an investment in quality and authentic connection," Chan said. "After all, time is a retiree's most valuable asset. How they spend it matters."

Here are some of the top boutique yacht and small-ship luxury cruises worth considering for 2026.

1. SeaDream Yacht Club

SeaDream Yacht Club has twin yachts, SeaDream I and SeaDream II. Each carries just 112 guests and both have earned high marks as being among the world's best small cruise ships. The ships offer retirees open-seating dining, fine wines, beach club setups in hidden coves and a casual yet luxurious vibe. There is no dress code, and no formal nights required.

Why retirees love it: The personalized service, laid-back atmosphere and the ability to anchor in tiny Caribbean or Mediterranean bays. These Caribbean voyages emphasize relaxed island-hopping, water sports and a wellness focus.

Standout 2026 options: Caribbean itineraries from San Juan and similar gateways, plus Mediterranean and transatlantic crossings. Fares often include most beverages, gratuities and water toys for the adventurous retiree. Fares start at $5,359 USD.

2. Windstar Cruises

Windstar's fleet of luxury yachts and tall ships accommodates between 150 and 350 guests, offering an intimate experience for retirees. New ships, the Star Seeker and Star Explorer, expand options with modern amenities while keeping the community-oriented charm.

Why retirees love it: These yachts offer access to small ports like the Caribbean's Windward Islands and Europe's hidden harbors, which larger ships cannot reach. They also offer excellent dining and a mature crowd. By limiting children under eight on several of its itineraries, the cruise line maintains a peaceful environment tailored for adult relaxation.

Standout 2026 options: Caribbean "Surf & Sunsets" routes from San Juan, new European itineraries and Greek Isles voyages. Look for three- to seven-night "Quick Getaways" if you prefer a shorter cruise. Journey from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Seward, Alaska, on the Star Seeker for as little as $8,337 USD.

3. Seabourn

Seabourn's all-inclusive, ultra-luxury ships accommodate around 450–600 guests. The ships are meant to feel like private clubs, with all-suite accommodations, Michelin-inspired dining and complimentary premium spirits and fine wines. You'll also find curated voyages to all seven continents.

Why retirees love it: Spacious decks for intimate gatherings, wellness programs, enrichment lectures and great service. Many of Seabourn's itineraries also include overnight stays in secluded ports for deeper cultural immersion.

Standout 2026 options: Caribbean voyages that explore less-visited islands, plus Mediterranean and Northern Europe routes. Seabourn frequently ranks high on "splurge" lists for retirees seeking pampering. Take a 15-Day Bay of Biscay: Spain & France Explorer cruise for as little as $7,000 USD.

4. Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

The Ritz-Carlton collection of yachts brings its service to the seas with super-yacht-style vessels. These boutique ships offer 150 to 225 residential-style suites, multiple fine-dining venues and exclusive experiences.

Why retirees love it: This line of boutique yachts combines the luxury of a hotel with the comfort of a yacht, perfect for those who appreciate high-end amenities without the enormous size of traditional cruise lines. As a bonus, guests can also earn and redeem points, receive Elite Night Credit and more with Marriott Bonvoy.

Standout 2026 options: Mediterranean, Caribbean, and other warm-water itineraries. Ritz-Carlton yachts are frequently listed among the top splurge cruises for seniors. Set sail for 15 nights from Tokyo to Whittier on the Gulf of Alaska for as little as $9,700 USD.

5. Emerald Cruises

Emerald's yachts, like the Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara, cater to around 100–128 guests and feature innovative suite designs, including marina platforms for direct sea access and sky bars. Emerald specializes in destinations such as the Adriatic, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.

Why retirees love it: Smaller yachts mean more personal attention and fewer crowds. The fleet of river-cruising Star-Ships and ocean-going luxury yachts provides great experiences for adventurous retirees. Emerald Cruises' Loyalty Club members gain access to exclusive offers and savings.

Standout 2026 options: Cruise the Caribbean or venture to the breathtaking Seychelles and Indian Ocean. Explore the coasts of the Mediterranean and Adriatic. Check out the beaches of the Virgin Islands for as little as $4,500.

Other note-worthy boutique yacht cruises include:

• Ponant: French-inspired explorer yachts visit places like Greenland, Antarctica and the Caribbean.
• Silversea: All-inclusive suites and butler service on intimate ships to Asia, Australia, Europe and more.
• Scenic or UnCruise: Yachts built for nature lovers seeking Alaska, the Galápagos and other faraway destinations.
• Sail Croatia: A small-ship cruising and private yacht charter company that offers adventurers the chance to explore Croatia’s breathtaking coastline.

What makes boutique yachts so inviting?

There are dozens of reasons why retirees may prefer boutique yachts over large cruise lines. Here are just a few.

• Accessibility: Smaller ships can usually dock closer to town centers. While on board, retirees have shorter distances to walk, which can make getting around easier.
• Personalized experiences: Higher staff-to-traveler ratios mean tailored experiences, from dietary needs to excursion times.
• Exclusivity: Fewer passengers create a club-like atmosphere, which can be ideal for making close connections with fellow travelers.
• Value for luxury: Many yachts are all-inclusive or near-all-inclusive, meaning drinks, meals, excursions and gratuities are included in one price, making it easier to budget for your trip.
• Health and wellness focus: Spas, light activities and enrichment programs support an active, yet relaxed retirement lifestyle.

Even paradise has trade-offs: what to know before booking a boutique yacht cruise

"Although boutique yacht cruises have fewer guests and more personalized service, one thing to note is that the itineraries for these sailings are often remote and exotic," says Jason R. Margulies, Partner & Maritime Attorney at Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman P.A.

"That may be a draw, but for many people in this age bracket, being in faraway, hard-to-access locations can also be a concern," he says.

That's because retirees may be more likely than their younger counterparts to need medical care. "On a smaller yacht, the medical facilities and medical personnel are scaled to fit the ship size, making them far more limited than those found on larger ships," Marguilies adds. In fact, most health insurance, including Medicare, doesn't cover medical costs while at sea. That's why it is advisable to get travel insurance, just in case.

Marguilies also points out that cruise ticket contracts are packed with clauses that heavily favor the cruise line and can significantly limit your legal rights in case of injury or death while at sea. "While you can't change the contract, reading it carefully and consulting an experienced maritime attorney beforehand can help you know your options and be better prepared."

Tips for retirees booking a yacht cruise in 2026

• Book early if possible. You’ll get first pick of the best cabins and suites, and you might even save some money. Many lines offer early-bird deals or special senior discounts.
• Think about traveling in the shoulder seasons. During these times, there are usually fewer crowds and better prices.
• Look for all-inclusive packages. Most include flights, transfers, and travel insurance. These options make planning much simpler.
• Check out themed sailings. Whether it’s a wellness cruise, a wine-focused trip, or one with cultural enrichment, these can make your vacation feel even more special and personal.

Small ships, big luxury

Whether you're celebrating retirement, craving a stress-free break from your day-to-day routine or simply seeking a romantic getaway, boutique yacht cruises offer small ships and big luxury. Sip champagne on a private deck in the Caribbean or wander the ancient ruins in the Mediterranean with just a handful of companions. It's easy to see why the experiences aboard one of these small ships are redefining luxury travel for so many retirees.

Ready to set sail?

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Summer road trip season is picking up — and so are fuel prices. Ongoing global supply concerns, including tensions around key routes like the Strait of Hormuz, are starting to push gas prices higher in many parts of the U.S., just as travel demand ramps up.

At the same time, rental companies are expanding their electric vehicle (EV) fleets, often pricing them competitively with traditional gas cars. That’s prompting a simple question for travelers: Could renting an EV actually save you money this summer?

The answer depends on more than just gas prices.

The simple cost comparison: EV vs. gas rental

When comparing an EV rental to a traditional gas-powered car, it helps to break costs into three main buckets:

1. Rental price per day

Daily rental rates for EVs can range widely depending on the market, but it’s not uncommon to see compact or midsize EVs priced between $40 and $90 per day. In some cases, EVs are discounted to encourage adoption, making them comparable to or slightly cheaper than standard gas vehicles in the same class.

2. Fuel vs. electricity

• Gas car: The average U.S. gas price has hovered between roughly $3.25 and $4.00 per gallon in recent years, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. For a vehicle getting 25 to 30 MPG, that translates to about $0.11 to $0.16 per mile in fuel costs.

• EV: Charging costs vary much more depending on where you plug in.
  • Home or hotel charging: around $0.10 to $0.20 per kWh
  • Public Level 2 chargers: about $0.20 to $0.30 per kWh
  • DC fast chargers: often $0.30 to $0.60 per kWh or more, according to EVChargingStations.com

For many EVs that average 3 to 4 miles per kWh, that works out to roughly $0.08 to $0.20 per mile. This means EV charging can be cheaper than gas, but fast charging can narrow or eliminate that advantage.

3. Fees and extras

This is where costs can surprise travelers. For gas vehicles, refueling service fees can range from $5 to $10 plus the cost of fuel, or significantly higher per-gallon rates if you prepay or return the tank empty, according to Avis.

With EVs, some rental companies charge a low battery fee of $20 to $35 if the vehicle is returned below a required charge level. Idle fees at public chargers (if you leave the car plugged in after charging completes) can run $0.40 to $1.00 per minute, depending on the network.

Fast charging session minimums or connection fees can add a few extra dollars per stop. These additional costs can add $10 to $50+ to a trip if you’re not planning carefully.

So while EVs often have lower "fuel" costs on paper, fees and charging choices can significantly affect the total.

When an EV rental may be cheaper

There are a few scenarios where EV rentals can clearly come out ahead:

Short-to-medium trips

If you're driving predictable distances like airport runs, local sightseeing or a weekend trip under 300 miles, you can often minimize charging stops and avoid higher fast-charging costs altogether.

Urban or well-equipped areas

Cities with several charging networks make it easier to find lower-cost charging options and avoid premium-priced stations.

Free or included charging

Some hotels, vacation rentals and even parking garages offer complimentary Level 2 charging. That can reduce your "fuel" cost to nearly zero for overnight stays, which is one of the biggest advantages EV renters can take advantage of.

Higher gas price environments

In areas where gas prices spike during peak travel season, EVs can offer more predictable and sometimes even lower energy costs.

Lower daily rental promotions

Rental companies are still working to move EV inventory, which means you may find promotional pricing that undercuts comparable gas vehicles. This is especially true for weekday or off-peak bookings.

Less stop-and-go cost penalty

EVs are particularly efficient in city driving, where regenerative braking helps recapture energy. That means frequent stops and slower speeds (which are common in vacation destinations) can actually improve efficiency rather than reduce it.

When a gas car may still cost less

While EVs can offer real savings in the right situation, they’re not always the most cost-effective or practical choice for every trip. In fact, for many traditional summer road trips, a gas-powered rental can still come out ahead once you factor in time, infrastructure and charging costs.

The key difference is predictability. With a gas car, most travelers already know what to expect: quick fill-ups, widely available stations and relatively consistent pricing along major routes. With an EV, costs and convenience can vary much more depending on where you are and how you travel.

Here are a few scenarios where a gas car may still be more affordable.

Long-distance highway driving

EVs tend to be less efficient at sustained highway speeds, which means you may burn through battery range faster than expected. That can lead to more frequent charging stops, and if those stops rely on higher-cost fast chargers, your per-mile cost can climb closer to (or even match) gas.

Areas with limited or unreliable charging infrastructure

If you're traveling through rural areas or regions with fewer public chargers, you may need to go out of your way to find a working station. That can add both time and mileage to your trip, increasing overall costs.

Situations where fast charging is required

Fast charging is convenient, but it often comes at a premium price. Rates at some DC fast chargers can approach $0.50 per kWh or more, which can make the cost per mile comparable to driving a gas vehicle, especially if fuel prices are moderate.

Tight travel schedules where time matters

Even under ideal conditions, charging takes longer than filling up a gas tank. A fast charge can take 20 to 40 minutes, while slower chargers can take several hours. If you're on a packed schedule, those charging stops can add friction and reduce flexibility. For many travelers, time matters just as much as cost.

What it's like if you've never driven an EV

Driving an EV is often described as smooth, quiet and in many ways, simpler than a gas car. But the planning is different. Instead of quickly pulling into a gas station, you’ll likely need to map out charging stops ahead of time.

You should also download apps for different charging networks if needed. With an EV rental, it’s also important to pay attention to charger speeds and availability. Not all chargers are created equal, and availability can vary depending on location and time of day.

Example: A 300-mile weekend trip

Let’s break down a simple, real-world scenario to see how the costs compare.

In this case, the EV could be cheaper, or about the same, depending on charging costs.

How to decide before you book

Before choosing between an EV and a gas car, ask yourself:

• How far am I driving?
• Where will I charge?
• Is charging free or convenient at my hotel?
• What’s the rental price difference?

If your trip is mostly in a city or an area with easy charging, like at your hotel or nearby, an EV can often save you money, especially with shorter driving distances. If you’re planning a long road trip, traveling through areas with limited charging or on a tight schedule, a gas-powered car is usually the simpler and similarly priced option.

In general, EVs work best for shorter, well-planned trips, while gas vehicles are often better for longer, convenience-focused travel.

What matters most when choosing a rental car

EV rentals can save you money, but not automatically. Gas prices are only one part of the equation. Charging access, travel distance and your schedule all play a major role in the total cost.

For summer travelers, the smartest move isn't only choosing the cheapest daily rate. You'll also need to look at the full picture before you book to determine the most cost-effective and comfortable solution for your needs.

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Summer is just around the corner, and with it comes peak driving season as Americans plan vacations, road trips and family get-togethers. But between the impact of the Iran war on gas prices and the post-pandemic jump in car maintenance and repair costs, hitting the road will be a lot more expensive this year.

“Drivers are currently facing all-time high automotive costs,” says Duane “Doc” Watson, technical trainer at Bosch Automotive Aftermarket in Cocoa, Florida.

Since early January, when gas nationally averaged $2.81 a gallon — the lowest price since 2021 — the cost of filling up at the pump has surged more than 40%, to $4.15 on average in mid-April, for a gallon of regular, and it topped $5 a gallon in a few states, including California and Washington. “If the situation with the Strait of Hormuz continues, prices could be even more elevated by summer,” says Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.

Another headache for motorists: The bill for car repairs and maintenance has also soared, climbing 48.8% over the past five years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That makes it the second-largest jump in consumer prices of any category except car insurance, which, of course, is yet one more pain point for drivers.

Still, while planning an affordable road trip has gotten more challenging, there are strategies you can use to lessen the burden, from taking advantage of apps, programs and services that lower gas costs to employing driving techniques that improve fuel efficiency — a tactic that the Department of Energy estimates can save you more than $1.50 a gallon when you fill up.

Here’s how to put yourself back in the driver’s seat when it comes to car costs.

1. Use apps to save on fuel

With prices at the pump varying widely even within the same town, it pays to shop around. Apps such as AAA Mobile and GasBuddy allow you to compare gas prices along your route so you can fill up where fuel is cheapest. Navigation tools such as Waze or Google Maps also include gas-station price info by location and can help you avoid traffic and choose more efficient routes, which saves on time and fuel as well.

When you fill up matters too. According to a recent GasBuddy analysis, Sunday is typically the cheapest day of the week to fill your tank in most states, followed by Monday, while prices are usually highest midweek, especially on Wednesdays.

2. Make the most of loyalty and rewards programs

Popular gas station chains such as BP, Shell and Exxon offer free loyalty programs that can save you about 3 to 10 cents per gallon simply for being a member. And while paying in cash typically shaves the price of gas by 5 to 10 cents a gallon, you may be able to save even more with a credit card that offers generous rewards on gas purchases.

Rewards cards that offer a category-high 5% cash back on gas include the AAA Travel Advantage Visa Signature, which also offers 3% back on grocery store, restaurant and travel purchases and 1% on everything else; Citi Custom Cash, which offers 5% back on whichever of 10 categories — including gas stations — that you spend the most each month, 4% on hotels and other travel booked through Citi, and 1% on everything else; and Costco Anywhere Visa, which offers 5% off on gas purchased from Costco, 4% on gas bought elsewhere, 3% on restaurants and eligible travel, 2% on Costco purchases, and 1% on everything else (you must have a Costco membership, starting at $65 yearly, to use this card).

3. Improve your driving game

Avoid speeding, rapid acceleration and hard braking, which all waste fuel. While that advice might sound basic, the savings add up. The Department of Energy estimates these behaviors can improve fuel efficiency by up to 40%.

Also helpful: Plan trips to avoid rush hour traffic. Your vehicle burns extra fuel when it sits idling in congestion.

4. Declutter your car

The heavier your vehicle, the worse its fuel efficiency. The more luggage and gear you carry, the more fuel your car will use.

Bulky accessories such as roof racks or bicycle racks also reduce efficiency by adding weight and increasing air resistance. Cargo on the roof is especially costly, reducing fuel economy by the equivalent of up to 65 cents per gallon on highway driving, according to the Department of Energy.

5. Plan ahead for EV charging

Electric vehicles avoid gasoline costs, but drivers still need to plan where and when to charge. Rates can vary widely by location and time of day.

Apps such as ChargePoint or PlugShare can help drivers find nearby stations and compare prices. Try to avoid charging during peak driving hours, when electricity is more expensive. Charging during off-peak hours from late at night to early morning reduces costs.

6. Be proactive with maintenance

Investing a little time and money in routine maintenance can help you avoid unexpected and expensive hiccups, such as a breakdown or tow.

Key moves as you prepare for an upcoming road trip: Make sure to change the oil in the vehicle, if you’re coming up on the 5,000- to 10,000-mile mark; a $65 oil change can prevent thousands in engine damage later. Check the tire pressure since proper inflation improves handling, fuel efficiency and tire life. And make sure to test your battery before a long trip as well.

“Summer heat can strain batteries weakened during the winter,” says Watson, who notes that many auto shops will check battery health for free.

7. Shop around to save on repairs

If something breaks in your vehicle, first check whether the issue is covered under your initial warranty. If not, shop around local garages for quotes. Having a trusted mechanic is valuable, but it still pays to compare prices.

“It’s very useful to have an ongoing relationship with a repair shop,” says Sean Tucker, managing editor for Kelley Blue Book. “My secret is that I keep two and shop them against each other.”

Note: This item first appeared in Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine, a monthly, trustworthy source of advice and guidance. Subscribe to help you make more money and keep more of the money you make here.

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The Iran war has already triggered soaring gas prices, with drivers paying an average of over $4.14 per gallon. But gasoline isn't the only fuel that's gotten more expensive since the conflict started.

As oil prices keep climbing, so does the cost of jet fuel. Since March 6, the price of jet fuel has surged nearly 33%, hitting $209 per barrel by April 3, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). That's an even sharper spike than drivers are seeing at the pump, where the cost per gallon has risen roughly 21% in the same time period.

With United paying more to fill its tanks, it's looking for ways to offset those costs. For travelers, that means higher fees. Starting today, the cost per checked bag will go up to $45 for United passengers, a $10 increase over previous fees.

United Airlines isn't the only airline to increase fees because of fuel costs

The $10 fee hike United customers will see comes as the Iran war continues to push oil prices higher, raising the prices of jet fuel in turn. It's not the only airline to hike fees citing the higher costs of fueling planes.

Earlier this month, JetBlue announced that checked bag fees would be going up as much as $9 per bag. And Delta will tack an extra $10 onto its own checked bag fees, too.

While the idea of paying more to check a bag is unwelcome news for customers already being squeezed at the gas pump and the grocery store, this may actually be a better option. By raising fees on optional services, airlines hope to keep base fares more competitive.

How to avoid checked bag fees

Whether you're flying United, JetBlue, Delta or any other airline, honing your strategy to avoid rising baggage fees is more important than ever. Fortunately, there are a few ways you can avoid paying for a checked bag altogether. Here are a few of your best options:

• Travel with a carry-on only. The most straightforward way to avoid a checked bag fee is to avoid having to check a bag in the first place. Get refillable travel-size bottles to hold your hygiene products without having to bring full-size bottles. Coordinate your wardrobe so you can mix and match a few simple pieces for multiple outfits. Get a spacious weekender bag to serve as your "personal item" where you can pack any overflow that doesn't fit in your carry-on luggage.
• Join a mileage club. Most airlines have mileage clubs that allow you to earn points and perks for flying. While you won't instantly get free checked bag perks with any of them, joining now can open up some options for you. One is to chase airline status until you qualify for a membership tier that does come with free baggage perks. Another is to pair your membership with an airline credit card that offers free checked bags right away.
• Get an airline credit card. Many airline credit cards will offer at least one free checked bag to cardholders. Of course, many of these cards also come with annual fees. If you don't fly often, eating the cost of a baggage fee now might be cheaper than paying for a card with an annual fee. But even passengers who only fly a couple of times a year may be able to earn that fee back from saved checked bag fees after two or three flights, depending on the card you choose. If you go this route, compare the checked bag perks as well as the other perks that you would actually use between a couple of cards. Then calculate how often you would have to fly and use those perks to make the annual fee worth it.
• Book a higher class if you have a lot of bags. Upgrading from economy to business to save money might sound counterintuitive, but if you're flying with a lot of baggage, it can actually work out in your favor. Premium fares tend to come with more generous checked bag perks. So, before eating the cost of add-on fees, just peak at the cost of upgrading your fare and compare the price difference to the amount you'd be paying in baggage fees. If it's the same or less, you might as well enjoy a more luxurious flight if you're spending the money anyway.
• Factor in all fees when comparing airline fares. Spirit or Frontier often look like the cheapest option when shopping airfares online. But sometimes, when you add on the carry-on fees, seat selection fees and all the other not-so-optional add-ons, the price can end up being even higher than a major airline. Before you ditch United because of the higher checked bag fees, compare the fare price (baggage fees included) to the all-in pricing of competitors. Even if you can't avoid the fee, it might still end up being the most cost effective option.

Airfare has always been sensitive to fuel costs, and this is a reminder that those shifts can show up in ways that are less obvious than ticket prices. As airlines look for ways to manage rising expenses, fees are likely to remain in focus.

For travelers, a little planning can go a long way. Understanding how airlines price add-ons, and choosing the right strategy for how you fly, can help you keep more of your money.

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Spring is in the air, but if you aren't careful, it can drain your wallet. That's particularly true for retirees on a fixed income who haven't planned for the additional expenses that crop up as flowers bloom and the weather gets warmer.

"Spring often brings a cluster of expenses. These expenses can surprise and affect almost everyone to some degree, but retirees may feel it more because of their fixed income," says Tiana Patillo, financial advisor manager at Vanguard. "That makes planning even more important, because unanticipated seasonal costs may require drawing more heavily from savings or investment accounts."

It's not just the bags of mulch and HVAC tune-up either. Spring also ushers in a wave of social obligations that can catch a fixed budget off guard.

From home maintenance to health and wellness, here's a look at 6 unexpected seasonal expenses and how you can manage them without derailing your retirement.

6 hidden spring expenses quietly draining your retirement fund

1. Home maintenance

When it comes to unexpected spring expenses, home maintenance is a big one. From tending to the lawn to ensuring the HVAC is working, numerous things could require TLC — and thus money — after the winter.

After all, many people, especially if they live in a colder climate, tend to hunker down during the winter and then survey the damage once the weather is warmer. For retirees, it presents an additional challenge if they aren't able to do the work themselves.

"Common spring expenses often begin with home and property upkeep, such as HVAC servicing, roof or gutter repairs after winter weather, landscaping, pest control, or even preparing a vacation or second home for use," says Patillo.

The average cost to service an HVAC is around $175 to $350, while professional lawn maintenance can cost $100 to $500 per month, depending on the size of the yard and frequency of care. If you need to replace your air conditioning, fix the gutters or repair a roof, it can set you back thousands of dollars.

2. Travel

Whether you're visiting the grandkids or are setting out for a bucket-list trip, spring is a popular time for retirees to travel. But with this comes a lot of expenses that could be higher than previously thought.

That's particularly true in the current environment, when oil prices are surging and geopolitical tensions have disrupted global fuel supplies. As of early April, airfares are up 7.1% compared to last year, and the average cost for a gallon of regular gas is $4.08 nationally.

Even if you aren't flying, there could be unexpected car maintenance expenses you haven't planned for, like a post-winter alignment or new tires to handle spring rain.

"Travel and transportation costs also tend to rise as retirees resume daily travel and begin planning for vacation, leading to higher fuel spending, increased routine vehicle maintenance, and costs related to lodging, flights and travel experiences," said Patillo.

3. Taxes

One of the quintessential expenses in the spring is taxes. They are due on April 15, and if you didn’t prepare ahead of time, the amount you owe may be more than you expected. That's particularly true if you took any Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) that inflated your income and pushed you into a higher tax bracket.

"If you didn’t withhold enough taxes based on your income from RMDs, taxes could be higher than you expected," says Patrick Shope, a certified wealth strategist and founder of Shope + Associates. "It's one of those things that can catch people off guard."

Even the amount you owe in property taxes could be a surprise, given surging home valuations, the expiration of state-level tax freezes and rising local taxes that often take effect in the spring.

4. Health and wellness

Spring is a time of renewal, and for many retirees, that means getting their health in order. After all, many people put off visiting doctors, exercising and scheduling routine screenings during the colder months. But that newfound focus on wellness could mean more out-of-pocket expenses.

In 2026, those costs are hitting harder; Medicare Part B premiums rose nearly 10% this year, and the annual deductible has climbed to $283. Even with insurance, retirees often face a 20% coinsurance for specialist visits and diagnostic tests that aren't considered preventative.

"Spring often prompts retirees to address health and wellness needs that may have been postponed during colder months, like dental or vision care, physical therapy, or fitness programs," said Patillo.

5. Graduations and gifts

Spring marks the beginning of wedding season, graduations and the busiest time for homebuying, which means retirees could be on the hook for significant gifting.

Whether it’s giving your graduating grandchild cash for their next chapter or helping an adult child secure a home in a competitive market, these gestures of love can make a major dent in a retirement nest egg.

After all, the average home in America now costs approximately $360,500, according to Zillow, and if you are gifting a 20% down payment to help a family member avoid private mortgage insurance, that is a $72,100 commitment. Even a standard $500 graduation gift or a $150 to $200 wedding check can strain a fixed monthly budget if you haven't set aside the funds in advance.

6. Pet care

Even your pets require more cash outlays during the warmer months. That's particularly true if your dog or cat spends more time outdoors as the weather turns. To protect them from heartworm, fleas and ticks, a six-month supply of preventative medication can set you back anywhere from $150 to $300.

Those pharmacy costs are rising alongside professional care; the cost of veterinary services is up more than 5% compared to last year, significantly outpacing general inflation.

Let’s not forget the lifestyle costs of spring, either. Between professional grooming to shed that winter coat, the extra treats and the supplies needed for a spring road trip, your furry friend can quickly become a major unexpected expense.

How you can handle those expenses

Unexpected spring expenses can hurt your retirement nest egg, especially if you have to pull money out of a retirement investment account when stocks are volatile. The good news is that there are ways to mitigate the hit.

If you expect to get a tax refund or any other windfall, you can set aside that money in an easily accessible account, such as a high-yield savings account, to cover these expenses. In early 2026, many of these accounts are offering yields around 4%, allowing your spring fund to grow while it sits.

Shopping around and comparing prices for home repairs, maintenance services and travel can also help lower the expenditures. You could also curb some of your day-to-day expenses to raise the necessary funds.

For those future spring expenses, Shope says preparation goes a long way in preventing a big hit. Shope is a proponent of the bucket approach to spending as a way to prevent you from having to sell stocks in a down market to shore up money.

He recommends retirees have one or two years' worth of liquidity in bucket one in a checking, savings or money account for day-to-day expenses and for any spur-of-the-moment costs. The remainder of your money is held in buckets two and three: Bucket two provides your income, and bucket three is for growth.

"Bucket one for me is huge," says Shope. "It allows you to deal with the odds and ends expenses."

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The only constant in life is change, the Greek philosopher Heraclitus famously said. When it comes to prices for goods and services online, sometimes the changes happen so fast it feels as though the ground is moving beneath you, whether you need a ride home and Uber fares double in a matter of minutes or the price for an airline ticket you’ve been eyeing for a much-needed vacation skyrockets overnight.

These shifts come courtesy of a strategy known as dynamic pricing. Often shaped by algorithms that work behind the scenes, prices fluctuate to maximize the seller’s profits.

Dynamic pricing is nothing new, but the growth of online shopping and developments in artificial intelligence have made it far easier — and far more common — for companies to deploy it frequently and across a wider range of purchases, from groceries to clothing.

Demand is a common driver of dynamic price changes. Prices may, for example, rise in anticipation of increased demand at certain times of the day or week, or when an item is selling quickly. Competitor pricing can have an effect, too, with businesses tracking what rival retailers are charging and altering their prices to match or undercut them.

In some cases, in a practice known as personalized pricing, even factors such as a customer’s location or browser history may influence the prices they see.

Where dynamic pricing happens

Airlines have long employed dynamic pricing. Algorithms constantly compare real-time sales to forecasts. If some seats are selling more slowly than expected, prices may drop. Likewise, if sales are beating expectations, prices rise. And seats are commonly grouped into “fare buckets,” meaning that a certain number of tickets are allotted to be sold at a certain fare, and when the cheapest bucket sells out, the price jumps.

Airlines may sell “200 seats at 200 different prices,” depending on when and how travelers book them, says Scott Keyes, founder of Going, an app for flight deal alerts.

Hotels and ride-hailing apps, such as Uber and Lyft, use dynamic pricing, too. An event such as a local conference, concert or weather disruption can boost demand for hotel rooms and raise prices as much as 40% or 50%.

During rush hour, bad weather or major events, ride apps may double or triple fares. Ticket prices for concerts, sports matches and other events may fluctuate depending on demand, especially via third parties such as Ticketmaster.

A run of victories for Serena Williams at the U.S. Open in 2022 caused prices for her final match to surge to historic levels — by as much as 143% in just 24 hours.

For the first time, FIFA is implementing dynamic ticket pricing for the 2026 World Cup, using AI to analyze demand in real time to adjust prices.

Increasingly, food-delivery platforms are making use of dynamic or personalized pricing tactics. In December, Consumer Reports published an investigation showing that Instacart had quietly been running AI-driven price experiments that could show different Instacart users different prices for the same grocery items at the same stores at the same time, with variations as high as about 23% on some products.

After the report was released, lawmakers and consumer advocates called for investigations, and within weeks, Instacart announced it would end the AI price tests. Still, many delivery platforms continue to allow surge pricing during times of peak demand.

Major online retailers — the likes of Amazon, Target and Walmart — deploy algorithms to optimize profitability, too. “Any major national brand will likely engage in some form of dynamic pricing these days,” says money-saving expert Andrea Woroch.

Many merchants use advanced pricing technology that monitors demand, competitor price changes and other factors to automatically update prices.

How to thwart dynamic pricing

You may not always be able to beat the algorithms at their game, but you can shop smarter by making these moves.

1. Pay attention to the timing. For airline tickets, booking within “Goldilocks windows” — periods not too early and not too late relative to your travel date — can help you avoid unfavorable dynamic pricing. For domestic travel during off-peak periods, the best deals typically appear one to three months in advance, while peak-season domestic flights are more likely to be cheapest three to six months ahead.

For hotels, book one to two months before your planned check-in date to get the best prices and availability. Or, if you’re flexible, you can often find good deals by waiting until the last few days before checking in to a hotel in a larger city.

Concertgoers may benefit from buying at the last minute, too. On resale sites, they spend 33% less than average when purchasing tickets the day of a concert and 27% less than average the day before, according to a study by FinanceBuzz.com.

Similarly, try to shop online during windows when retailers may drop prices. A study from data-gathering platform Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) found that with online retailers, prices tend to be lower from 6 am to noon, and that Tuesday mornings are particularly favorable for shoppers. Shopping on weekday mornings, rather than evenings or weekends, might give you an edge.

2. Leave no trace. A common piece of advice to defeat personalized pricing is to clear your web browser’s cookies, which store data about your activity online. (Go into your browser’s settings and look for an option such as “clear browsing data” or “remove website data.”)

When you turn on incognito or private mode, your browser doesn’t save your search history and deletes cookie data when you end the session. If a merchant is using your location or browsing history to adjust prices, these tricks might be effective.

But they have limitations. When it comes to purchasing airline tickets, for instance, using them is the equivalent of “doing a rain dance” — it’s harmless, but it doesn’t cause prices to move, says Keyes. And in most retail settings, businesses are actually more likely to offer you a discount on items you’ve viewed but not purchased, he says.

You can leverage this by adding an item to an online shopping cart, then closing out of the website or app. Later, you may get an e-mail offering you 10% to 15% off on that item.

3. Shop around. Deal-finding apps and browser extensions can help you watch prices and send alerts when they drop. CamelCamelCamel for example, tracks price history on Amazon. Sites such as Google Shopping and Slickdeals will notify you when an item you’re monitoring goes on sale. You can track airfares and hotel rates using price alerts with Google’s tools, or use the price-tracking features from Hopper or Going.com.

If you’re shopping online with a retailer that has brick-and-mortar stores, compare the in-store price for an item with its price online.

For example, Target sometimes offers lower prices on its website than in-store. But it also matches prices; if you find that a product you want to buy in the store is cheaper on Target.com, you’re often able to pay that lower price at checkout, if you ask.

Note: This item first appeared in Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine, a monthly, trustworthy source of advice and guidance. Subscribe to help you make more money and keep more of the money you make here.

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Oil markets are reacting quickly to the Iran conflict, but consumers tend to feel the impact more gradually. According to the International Energy Agency, the conflict has created a significant disruption in global oil supply.

After recent remarks from President Donald Trump suggesting the disruption could extend for weeks, concerns about supply have intensified. The Strait of Hormuz — a key global shipping route for oil — has seen limited access, pushing crude prices higher and lifting costs for fuel-related goods.

Because pricing moves through multiple stages before reaching consumers, there’s often a delay before higher oil prices fully show up in your budget. That timing matters: as summer travel demand increases, those costs are likely to build rather than fade.

Why the impact hasn't fully hit your wallet yet

You may have noticed you're paying more to fill up your car or heat your home, but the full impact of rising oil prices has not reached your wallet yet.

That is because oil pricing does not move all at once. According to the American Petroleum Institute, prices flow through several stages, from crude oil to refining, then shipping and finally retail. Crude prices can change daily based on supply, demand and geopolitical events, but it takes time for those increases to filter through the system.

In other words, what you are seeing now may only be the early stages of a broader price shift.

That delay creates a small but important window to act. Knowing that higher costs tend to build over time, not hit all at once, gives you a chance to make a few strategic moves before summer demand pushes prices even higher.

Where you may see prices rise first this summer

As fuel demand rises this summer, prices are likely to follow. Seasonal shifts in travel and consumption typically push costs higher, especially for:

• Gas stations and road trips
• Airfare and travel packages
• Delivery, shipping and service fees
• Groceries and seasonal goods

You can prepare for and avoid some of the greatest impacts of these price hikes by preparing now.

1. Book summer travel before fuel costs rise further

Since airlines adjust pricing based on fuel costs, flight prices tend to rise as summer approaches. If you are planning a trip, booking early may help you avoid some of those peak increases.

When booking in advance, look for flexible fares that allow you to change or cancel your flight if needed. These options can help you avoid steep fees and often provide a credit for future travel. While flexible fares may cost more upfront, they can offer added peace of mind if your plans change.

Price tracking tools can also help you time your purchase. Platforms like Google Flights and Skyscanner make it easier to compare fares across airlines and monitor price changes, so you know when to book.

2. Compare travel options beyond flying

Before you book a flight, compare all of your travel options. Higher summer demand, combined with rising fuel costs, can put additional pressure on airfare.

Consider alternatives such as a train or road trip, and compare total costs to find the option that works best for your budget. "Instead of flying, I planned a birding trip by rail and turned the journey into part of the experience," says Carla Ayers, eCommerce and Personal Finance Editor at Kiplinger.com. "I will use rewards points for a rental car when I arrive, which helps offset costs, and I get to enjoy the scenery along the way."

Planning ahead becomes more important when prices are elevated. Map out your route and itinerary in advance, and book lodging early so you have a clear picture of your total costs. Be sure to factor in meals, snacks and other expenses, and track your spending as you go to stay on budget.

If you are driving, small efficiency adjustments can help reduce fuel costs. Removing unnecessary items from your trunk or taking off a roof rack can improve fuel efficiency and lower what you spend at the pump.

3. Plan for higher gas costs during peak driving season

Higher gas prices are inevitable during peak driving season, and they’ll impact your summer plans. As fuel prices climb, the impact extends beyond the pump. Transportation, shipping and packaging costs all tend to increase, and those changes gradually make their way into the prices you pay for everyday goods.

Because these costs filter through the system over time, the biggest increases often show up weeks later, not overnight.

Consider how frequently purchased items, such as groceries and household staples, may be affected and plan accordingly. Buying shelf-stable goods in advance or stocking up on items you regularly use can help you avoid paying higher prices later as costs continue to rise.

4. Watch for rising delivery and convenience fees

Fuel surcharges often show up indirectly through higher delivery and convenience fees. Many service-based businesses pass these costs on to customers, and they can add up quickly.

To limit the impact, look for ways to reduce how often you rely on delivery. Consolidating purchases or placing fewer, larger orders can help. You might also consider picking up food orders instead of using delivery services.

You can also offset some fuel costs at the pump by using store loyalty discounts or cash back credit cards.

5. Time large purchases before prices adjust

Furniture, appliances and other shipped goods are likely to become more expensive if oil prices continue to rise. If you are planning to make a large purchase this summer, buying sooner rather than later may help you avoid those increases.

This may also be a good time to top off your home heating oil, if your budget allows. Prices could remain elevated later in the season when many households begin preparing for fall.

Retailers often adjust prices as new inventory arrives, so purchasing seasonal items now may help you lock in lower costs. If a purchase is already on your list, timing it strategically can make a difference.

Why diesel is the signal to watch

You're probably watching gas prices at the pump, but diesel is often the more important signal. Diesel fuels trucks, rail and much of the supply chain, so changes in diesel prices tend to show up more in the cost of goods and services.

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the national average for regular gas is about $4.09 per gallon, while diesel has climbed to roughly $5.53. A year ago, those prices were closer to $3.26 for regular and $3.64 for diesel, highlighting how quickly fuel costs have escalated.

That gap matters. Diesel prices tend to rise faster during supply disruptions, and those increases are often passed through to consumers in the form of higher shipping, food and retail costs. In many cases, a sustained rise in diesel is an early signal that broader price increases are still working their way through the economy.

Rising oil prices and summer demand can amplify costs

Rising oil prices are already taking effect, but their full impact is often delayed. As summer drives higher demand for travel and energy, those costs are likely to build gradually rather than all at once. That means the price increases you are seeing now may only be the beginning.

Making small, early decisions can help offset those rising costs. Planning ahead, adjusting spending habits and timing key purchases can all make a difference as prices continue to move higher.

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For a long time, the goal of retirement planning felt pretty straightforward: Save diligently, spend carefully and leave something meaningful behind for your kids.

But that script is starting to change. More retirees are rethinking what they want their money to do for them. Instead of holding back for the sake of a larger inheritance, they're choosing to spend more on experiences now, especially travel. You might have heard the phrase "SKI," short for "Spending Kids' Inheritance," pop up in conversations or headlines.

At first glance, it can sound a little extreme. But for many, it's less about spending recklessly and more about being intentional, recognizing that health, time and energy are not guaranteed forever. The question is not just how much you'll leave anymore. It's how you want to live along the way, and how your financial plan can support both.

What is the SKI rule — and why is it gaining traction now?

At its core, SKI, or Spending Kids’ Inheritance, is about flipping the usual order of priorities. Instead of focusing first on what you'll leave, the idea is to think about how you want to use your money while you're here to enjoy it.

For many retirees, that shows up most clearly in travel: Booking the big trip, saying yes to experiences and not putting everything off for someday.

Right now, the timing makes sense. People are living longer, but not necessarily healthier for longer. There's also more uncertainty around future health care costs and long-term care. Add in the perspective shift many people had after the pandemic, and it's no surprise more retirees are asking: What am I waiting for?

That doesn't mean abandoning financial discipline. It simply means being more intentional about when your money is meant to be used.

Why retirees are choosing experiences over inheritance

For a lot of people, this shift comes down to one simple realization: Money can be saved indefinitely, but time can't. Experiences, especially travel, offer something different than material purchases. They create memories, strengthen relationships and often feel more meaningful over time.

A kitchen upgrade or a new car might bring convenience, but a family trip tends to stay with you in a different way. There is also an emotional benefit to seeing your money at work in real time. Instead of leaving a larger inheritance they'll never witness, some retirees would rather enjoy their resources now or share those experiences with their children and grandchildren.

In many cases, it is not about choosing one above the other. It's about finding a balance that aligns with your values.

How much are Americans spending on travel?

Travel is no longer just an occasional splurge; it's become a major part of how Americans choose to spend their money. On a broad level, total U.S. travel spending was projected to reach about $1.35 trillion last year, showing just how significant travel has become in the overall economy.

Zoom in to the household level, and the numbers are just as telling. One recent estimate found that Americans expect to spend around $10,600 on trips and vacations in 2025.

That marks a noticeable shift from just a few years ago and reflects changing priorities. For many households, travel is no longer an occasional expense. It's becoming a core lifestyle category, competing directly with home upgrades, cars and other big-ticket purchases.

That's what makes the SKI trend so relevant. When people are willing to allocate this much of their budget toward experiences, it signals something deeper: a growing belief that the value of money isn't just in what you keep, but in how you use it.

The financial trade-off: Travel now vs leaving wealth later

Every decision to spend more now comes with a trade-off.

Money used for travel today won't be available later, whether that's for your own needs or for your heirs. That's why it's important to zoom out and look at how these choices fit into your overall plan.

A few areas to keep in mind:

• Your long-term financial security. You'll want to make sure increased travel spending doesn't put pressure on your ability to cover essential expenses later, especially if markets are unpredictable.
• Health care and long-term care costs. These can be some of the largest and most uncertain expenses in retirement. Building in a buffer here is key.
• Your legacy goals. If leaving money is important to you, it's worth being clear about what that number looks like so you can plan around it.

How to adopt a smart SKI strategy

If you like the idea of prioritizing experiences but still want to stay financially grounded, a few simple strategies can help.

Set a baseline for what you want to keep. Think about the minimum amount you'd like to preserve, whether that's for your own peace of mind or for your heirs, and plan your spending around that.

Build travel into your budget. Rather than treating trips as occasional splurges, factor them into your retirement plan so you can spend confidently.

Focus on what matters most. Not every trip has to be over-the-top. Prioritize the ones that feel meaningful or time-sensitive.

Be mindful of timing. Early retirement is often when you have the most energy and flexibility. It can make sense to plan bigger or more active trips during this window.

Consider giving along the way. Sometimes, smaller financial gifts or shared experiences during your lifetime can have a bigger impact than a larger inheritance later.

When SKI can go too far

As with any trend, it's possible to take things too far. Spending aggressively without a clear plan can create challenges down the line, especially if unexpected expenses come up or if investment returns don't meet expectations.

Some common risks include:

• Running through savings too quickly
• Underestimating healthcare or long-term care costs
• Letting lifestyle upgrades quietly increase overall spending

A well-executed SKI approach should give you more freedom and confidence while being mindful of these risks and making sure there's financial margin to fall back on should you need it.

It’s about balance, not extremes

The SKI approach might not be a fit for everyone, but it's worth considering if you're prioritizing travel and experiences during your retirement years. A thoughtful financial plan can make room for both enjoying your life now and leaving a legacy for loved ones.

That might mean taking the trip, funding a family vacation or simply giving yourself permission to enjoy what you've worked hard to build, while still protecting your long-term needs. In the end, it's not just about what you leave behind. It's about making sure your money supports the kind of life and legacy you want.

Ready to plan your next family vacation? Use the tool below to explore and compare some of today's top savings account offers:

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For Americans considering dual citizenship, a second passport might already be within reach.

A growing number of countries, including Canada, are expanding citizenship by descent rules, opening the door for people with family ties to claim citizenship they might not have realized they had.

But qualifying is only the first step. Proving eligibility and deciding whether it is worth the time, cost and paperwork can be far more complicated than many expect.

Why more Americans are looking into citizenship by descent

Americans are exploring dual citizenship with countries such as Canada for several reasons. Interest in mobility and remote work has grown, especially since the post 2020 expansion of flexible work options.

The rise of the digital nomad lifestyle has encouraged individuals and families to seek a better work-life balance while experiencing new cultures. Dual citizenship can support that flexibility by offering potential tax advantages and greater long-term mobility.

Global uncertainty is also contributing to the growing interest in citizenship by descent. Many Americans aren't planning to leave the country right away, but securing a second citizenship can create future flexibility if their circumstances change. Economic volatility, geopolitical tensions and shifting national policies are prompting some to explore options that provide an additional layer of stability.

At the same time, policy changes are expanding who qualifies. In Canada, for example, the government introduced Bill C 3 on June 5, 2025, which updated the country’s citizenship by descent rules. Previously limited to the first generation born outside of Canada, the law now allows some second generation or later individuals to qualify, depending on their family history.

As eligibility broadens, the idea of hidden citizenship is gaining traction. More Americans are taking a closer look at their ancestry to determine whether they might already have a path to dual citizenship.

Who qualifies for citizenship by descent

Citizenship by descent allows individuals to claim citizenship based on family ties rather than where they were born. In many cases, people with a parent or grandparent who was a citizen of a country might qualify. Some countries extend that eligibility even further, allowing claims through a great-grandparent.

Rules vary by country. Canada historically limited citizenship by descent to the first generation born outside the country, but recent changes have expanded eligibility in some cases to second-generation applicants or beyond.

Italy generally allows citizenship through parents and grandparents, while Ireland extends eligibility to parents and grandparents and, in certain cases, to great-grandparents.

How to find out if you qualify for citizenship by descent

To check if you’re eligible for citizenship, start with your family tree. You need to be able to trace your tree back to a parent, grandparent or possibly a great-grandparent who was a citizen of the country in question.

You’ll also need proof of the entire lineage. Documents such as birth certificates, naturalization records and marriage records will be key in proving that you qualify for dual citizenship.

Providing citizenship by descent can be challenging, especially if you’re working with a complex family tree. In some cases, an immigration lawyer or service can help you navigate the process. These professionals can help with the preparation of a routine citizenship application, but they can also be invaluable in helping you appeal if your initial application was denied.

The biggest hurdles most people underestimate

Even if you believe you qualify for citizenship by descent, the process isn't always straightforward. There are several hurdles that people often underestimate:

• Documentation gaps. Finding the records needed to prove your lineage can be a challenge. Missing records can cause your application to be denied, so you’ll need to spend the time and money to find those documents before applying.
• Processing timelines. Citizenship processing timelines can take months or years. In Canada, for example, current timelines are around 13 months, though delays can extend that window.
• Legal nuances. Eligibility can depend on when and how your ancestors emigrated. Each country has its own rules, and factors such as an ancestor’s citizenship status or legal history might affect your application.
• Costs. Expenses can add up quickly. The Government of Canada charges a $653 citizenship application fee. You may also need to budget for legal help, document retrieval and certified translations.

What a second passport gives you

A second passport is not free, and the process can take time, but for many Americans, the added flexibility and access that come with dual citizenship can justify the cost:

• Ability to live and work abroad. Dual citizenship gives you the flexibility to live and work in another country. Many people take advantage of expanded job opportunities and the ability to experience a different culture.
• Access to health care and education systems. Citizenship can provide access to public healthcare and education systems in another country. In some cases, this can lead to meaningful savings, such as lower costs for major medical procedures or tuition.
• Travel flexibility. Dual citizens often benefit from easier entry into each country, with fewer restrictions and shorter processing times. It can also make long-term stays or retirement abroad more practical.
• Potential tax considerations. In some situations, dual citizenship can provide the option to live in a jurisdiction with a more favorable tax structure, depending on your financial situation and how you file.

The downsides to consider before applying

Before you apply, consider whether the potential downsides of dual citizenship fit your situation.

• Tax implications. Filing taxes can become more complicated as a dual citizen. Foreign tax credits and exclusions might help prevent double taxation, but mistakes or missed requirements could leave you paying more than expected.
• Residency requirements. Some countries require citizens to spend a certain amount of time in the country before they can access full rights or maintain certain benefits. That can reduce the flexibility some applicants expect.
• Ongoing obligations. Dual citizenship can come with responsibilities in both countries, such as military service, reporting requirements or other legal obligations. It's important to understand those rules before applying.
• Emotional and time investment. Claiming citizenship by descent can be a long and sometimes frustrating process. Gathering records, resolving questions and waiting on a decision can take a real toll, so it's worth considering whether the payoff justifies the effort.

Is it worth it? How to decide

Becoming a dual citizen is often most beneficial for frequent travelers and those who plan to spend extended time in another country in the coming years. Remote workers might also benefit from the added flexibility, as can individuals or couples considering retirement abroad.

For those who don't expect to relocate or actively use those benefits, dual citizenship might offer less value. It is best viewed as a strategic asset rather than a novelty, so consider how it fits into your long-term plans before deciding if it is the right choice.

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Summer vacation season is approaching, and because I'm a big believer in investing in experiences over things, I'm here to tell you to take that dream vacation — or all the dream vacations.

I see many clients struggle to enjoy their trips and be in the moment. The guilt is real, and so are the worries about paying for a beach rental, a couples' cruise or a family excursion abroad.

You don't have to feel uneasy. Here are nine tips for a guilt-free vacation.

1. Have a dedicated vacation fund

This seems super obvious but not everyone earmarks a vacation fund. In addition to being a big proponent of experiences, I'm a big fan of having individual buckets for different purposes — vacations being one example.

When you intentionally set aside money for that year's travel expenses, you know what you can afford and aren't worrying about every meal or adventure when you're supposed to be enjoying the moment.

2. Include travel in your financial plan

A vacation shouldn't feel like a rogue expense. It deserves to be a line item in your budget and financial plan.

When we build comprehensive financial plans, we don't account just for retirement, taxes and college savings. We account for life. If travel is important to you, it belongs in your annual spending plan. When it's baked in, you get joy, not guilt.

3. Define your 'dream vacation'

You might see others taking luxury cruises or all-inclusive vacations and the fear of missing out (FOMO) is real. But your dream trip doesn't have to mean first-class airfare and five-star resorts.

Consider "Comparison is the thief of joy," a quote that's often attributed to Theodore Roosevelt.

Define what "dream vacation" means to you. It could be experiencing a new country, driving out West in an RV, renting a beach house with extended family or friends from college — or whatever your dream is.

Your dream might be to hire a travel planner to do all the work, or maybe you're your own travel planner.

Clarify what matters most — adventure, rest, connection, convenience — and plan accordingly. Spend intentionally on what matters most, and trim what doesn't.

4. Use your points and perks strategically

If you're going to spend anyway, be smart about it.

Credit card points, airline miles and hotel rewards can meaningfully reduce out-of-pocket costs — if you're paying balances in full and not carrying interest. A well-managed rewards strategy can turn everyday spending into future experiences.

Not sure how your reward card stacks up? Do some online research, because there's no shortage of information and comparison tools out there, or ask your friends for recommendations. This is an area where people love to compare notes.

5. Preserve your investment

Vacations are expensive. Illness, storms or unexpected cancellations can make them even more so.

Consider travel insurance, especially for international trips or cruises.

Make sure your passport is valid well beyond your return date — and know that different countries have different requirements for this.

Check on protections your credit card companies might offer — on rental cars, for example — and notify them before you travel to avoid declined transactions.

A little preparation can prevent financial and logistical headaches.

6. Update your documents before you leave

If you don't have a will, powers of attorney or updated beneficiaries, get those in order before you travel, especially if you leave children behind (good for you — and no guilt — if you are, because not every vacation needs to be a whole family affair).

You want to make sure that whoever is taking care of your children is prepared for the unexpected, including injury or illness.

Leave your health insurance information and get a notarized document that authorizes your children's caregivers or other trusted adults to make medical decisions in your absence.

This is often called a Child Medical Consent form. Check if your bank offers free notary services.

Peace of mind is priceless. When your documents are in order and you know the kids are going to be all right, you can relax guilt-free.

7. Plan the splurge ahead of time

Part of what creates vacation guilt is surprise spending.

Before you go, decide and agree with your travel crew on what you're splurging. A special dinner? A private excursion? A spa day? A private cooking class? When you've pre-approved the splurge in your budget, you can enjoy it fully.

8. Automate your financial recovery

If you use a credit card for convenience or rewards, create a plan to pay it off quickly — immediately would be ideal.

You could set up an automatic transfer from your vacation fund to your credit card the week you return. That way, the balance ends when the trip does, with no lingering reminder on your statement.

9. Give yourself permission

You work hard. You save. You plan.

Money is a tool. If your financial house is in order — emergency fund funded, retirement contributions on track, insurance in place to protect your assets, debt under control — then travel isn't irresponsible. It's aligned with your values.

Sometimes the most important financial move isn't cutting back to avoid guilt. It's allowing yourself to enjoy — experience, even — what you've thoughtfully and diligently built.

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This article was written by and presents the views of our contributing adviser, not the Kiplinger editorial staff. You can check adviser records with the SEC or with FINRA.

Every year, whether it's March Madness, the Super Bowl or election season, prediction markets and sports betting apps light up with the same promise: Place a smart bet, make a quick return and feel like you're investing. The events change, but the pitch stays the same — and so does the confusion about what's entertainment and what's actual investing.

As prediction markets and sports gambling explode in popularity — with Americans expected to wager $3.3 billion on the NCAA Division I Women's and Men's Basketball Tournaments this year, according to the American Gaming Association, and 17% of American adults already in or considering sports betting and prediction markets, according to the Northwestern Mutual 2026 Planning & Progress Study — it's worth drawing a bright, unambiguous line between entertainment and actual wealth-building.

Investing vs speculating vs gambling

The problem with prediction markets and sports betting isn't the games themselves; it's when you confuse what you're doing with investing.

"Investing is a long-term strategy to build wealth over time, speculation is an attempt to predict the future, and gambling is a game of luck," says Kaycee LeCong, managing director of family office at Brighton Jones.

In investing, "you're putting money into something that will grow over time because it produces goods, services or income," she says. With speculation, you're making a guess about what will happen. That guess could pay off if your prediction is right, "but you could also lose money purely based on timing."

Meanwhile, gambling involves engaging in a game where the odds are already stacked against you, she says. "It's just money changing hands."

She uses the sports betting platform DraftKings (DKNG) as an example to illustrate this difference. You can own DraftKings stock or you can place bets on their platform.

"By buying DKNG, you own a piece of the company. It generates cash flow over time and you don't need to predict the outcome of any single basketball game," LeCong says. "If you're placing a bet on DraftKings, you don't own anything. You only win if your guess is right, and the odds are against you," as they are with all gambling and betting platforms. Even if you get one bet right, the only way to accumulate more money is to face off with the same losing odds and bet again.

"In short, investing builds wealth, speculation is educated guessing, and gambling is paying to play games where the house usually wins," says Nayan Lapsiwala, director in wealth management at Aspiriant.

4 reasons why prediction markets and sports gambling aren't investing

To enumerate that bright, unambiguous line between investing, prediction markets and gambling, here are the key reasons prediction markets and sports gambling aren't investing:

1. There's no ownership or value creation.

A bet doesn't produce anything. It doesn't generate earnings or dividends. It simply transfers money from one participant to another, minus the platform's cut.

"With a legitimate investment, you own something with real value" that can generate cash over time and have a positive expected return, Lapiswala says. "Prediction markets and sports bets don't check those boxes. You don't own anything ongoing; you hold a ticket that either pays once or goes to zero when the event happens." Then you're left to place a new bet and face the same losing odds.

If investing is planting seeds, gambling is just rearranging the same pile of dirt.

2. The math is not in your favor.

The stock market can be a bumpy ride. Investors have faced years of declines and drops so sudden they make you question if the earth just stopped spinning. But over time, the stock market has historically trended upwards over time. Long-term investors who stay diversified and invested through the tough times almost always come out ahead.

The same cannot be said of gambling and prediction markets. These platforms build in fees, spreads and commissions that tilt the long-term math in their favor. Even if you're skilled, you're playing a game designed for you to lose over time.

3. You can't diversify a bet.

A diversified investment portfolio can weather a bad quarter because it's built on assets that generate value over time. You spread your money across sectors, industries and asset classes so that even if one investment fails, others can continue to grow.

You can spread money across multiple bets, but each one still carries negative expected value. Instead of reducing risk, you're simply increasing the number of ways to lose.

4. Skill is real, but not enough or reliable.

Some bettors are genuinely analytical. Some prediction market participants do their homework and may come out ahead in the short term. But even the most skilled players face negative expected value over time. And the more you believe in your "skill," the more dangerous it becomes.

"Any given bet might hit, but … it's unlikely those short-term successes will be consistent enough to create sustained value," says Phillip Hamman, president and CEO of Linscomb Wealth. Once you hit a few bets and make some money, you might start to trust your gut and stop following a rational process at all.

"Overconfidence based on emotion potentially kicks in," Hamman says. "If the emotion could be stripped away, I think most would get the odds right."

Changing your perspective on betting

All that said, you're not alone if you've been made to feel like betting is an investment — and likewise, you're not alone thinking some investments feel more like a bet. Let's take a look at some factors that play into this.

Why betting feels like investing

Modern betting and prediction‑market apps borrow heavily from the look and feel of trading platforms. Odds move like stock prices. Bets sit in a "portfolio." You get instant feedback, and streaks, leaderboards and notifications mimic the dopamine loops of day-trading apps.

"They're both in the business of getting people to sign up for and stay engaged with their offering, so they have to keep your attention with quick hits," Hamman says.

These design choices create the illusion of skill and control, the same psychological hooks that make speculative trading feel like investing. Add charts, probabilities and official-looking "positions," and suddenly it feels like analysis, not entertainment, even when the behavior hasn't changed at all.

This is also why the line between gambling and certain forms of trading, like day-trading, can feel blurry.

Where day trading fits in

If prediction markets and sports gambling sit on one end of the spectrum and long-term investing sits on the other, day trading lies somewhere in the murky middle. You're technically buying real assets when you day trade, but the behavior has more in common with wagering than building wealth.

Research consistently shows that frequent traders tend to underperform the market. This is partly due to the fact that fast feedback and gamified interfaces encourage emotional decisions rather than disciplined strategy. The more an activity rewards speed, instinct and constant checking, the less it resembles long-term investing and the more it becomes a game.

Remember: Investing should be boring. If it's getting your heart rate up, you're probably playing a game or investing too aggressively.

How to have your fun and keep your house, too

Gambling and prediction markets don't need to be off-limits. If you enjoy the thrill, an occasional bet or trade is fine. Just know that you're engaging in entertainment, not investing.

Don't bet your retirement or your kid's education on a same-game parlay or a prediction market contract about the next jobs report. Only use money you can genuinely afford to lose, and put the rest into a boring but reliable long-term investment strategy.

If you are struggling with gambling, you can reach out to the National Problem Gambling Helpline online or at 1-800-522-4700 or 1-800-697-3738.

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Question: We want to treat our adult children and grandchildren to a 10-day cruise to Greece, where I'm from. Our daughter said yes, but our son’s career is at a peak and he can't escape. I want to make things fair, but I can't reschedule. Should I send him a check?

Answer: It's not a given that you'll have more wiggle room in your budget in retirement than during your working years. But if you built a large nest egg and have modest expenses, you may have the ability to cover the cost of shared family experiences, including travel with your grown kids and grandchildren.

Plus, if you have retirement accounts that are subject to required minimum distributions, there's perhaps no better way to make good use of those forced withdrawals than to treat your extended family to an amazing trip. That could mean embarking on a 10-day cruise to your home country of Greece, where you can introduce your loved one to the sites and culture you grew up with.

Multi-generational trips are becoming more popular these days, with 71% of grandparents having taken one recently and 57% of grandparents anticipating one in the future, according to a joint study published by NYU. And while they do need to be carefully planned, they can also be extremely rewarding — more so than traveling with just a spouse or partner.

But what if your generous offer to take your adult children and grandchildren on a 10-day cruise to Greece doesn't work for everyone? It may be that your daughter has a flexible schedule, but your son is too busy at work to get away for that long.

In an effort to make things fair, you may be inclined to send your son a check to make up for the fact that he can't attend. But your efforts to even things out may end up causing more problems than intended.

You're better off doing something more meaningful

As a parent, it's natural to want to treat your kids equally. Often, family conflict arises when one sibling feels the other is favored in terms of time, love, or money.

If you're treating one of your children and their kids to a 10-day cruise, there's an obvious cost involved. And you may feel that the "fair" thing to do is to send your son, who can't attend, a check roughly equivalent to what you're spending on your daughter's participation. But Eric Croak, CPF and President at Croak Capital, advises against that.

"While I completely understand the knee-jerk emotion behind wanting to send a check to even things out, I think it can create an awkward precedent going forward," he says. "If you put a price tag on an experience, every vacation, holiday, or family gathering from here on out may suddenly become something that needs to be cash-out refunded for the child or children who can’t make it. And that expectation can be hard to undo."

A better approach, says Croak, may be to decouple the experience from any kind of monetary gift. After all, you're presenting both of your children with the same opportunity. It's not your fault that your son can't attend and your daughter can.

That said, Croak thinks it's not a bad idea to try to do something nice for your son in light of his inability to go on the trip. But in that case, make it a standalone gift or gesture.

"Contributing toward something just for him — perhaps a Roth IRA contribution, a large purchase he’s talked about making, or even a smaller trip that he can take with his family whenever he’d like — could end up feeling really intentional and special," he says.

Croak says that if you go this route, the amount of the gift doesn't need to match the cost of the cruise.

"In fact, trying to exactly match that dollar amount may do more harm than good," he insists.

Focus on the relationship more than the trip

It's unfortunate that your son can't get away from work to participate in a memorable family experience. But sending him a check for the equivalent of what you would've spent may not be a well-received consolation prize, says Amy Bishop, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and owner at Springs Therapy.

"Doing so says that the value of the trip is the monetary investment, as opposed to the real gift of leisure time with family and a cultural trip to the parent’s homeland," she says.

Bishop, like Croak, recommends asking if there's something that would be equally meaningful to your son as the proposed trip. It may not be money he wants, but rather, your time. That could mean helping with child care during the year or over the summer, or simply taking a scheduled trip with you at a different time that better fits his schedule.

Your family should also think of ways to let your son know he is missed during the cruise. You (or the grandkids) could make a short video for him, call him frequently or make cards to send to him when you land. Since you are from Greece, make sure to send him stories and pictures from the trip that relate to your family history.

"I have heard despondent sentiments from clients I've worked with, such as 'my parents loved me with money, not time together or emotional support,'" Bishop explains. "Though it is kind to be intentional about balance, it's important for these parents to recognize that money by itself does not help relationships."

Croak agrees and says validating your son's feelings about having to miss out on the experience is important for your relationship.

"In the grand scheme of things, the money is the easy part," he says. "The relationship is what’s important. And as long as you both understand each other’s intentions moving forward, I doubt resentment will develop."

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"Food tourism is the act of traveling for a taste of place in order to gain a deeper sense of place," decrees the World Food Travel Association. And by all accounts, culinary vacations — aka "foodcations" — are booming in popularity. Leisure Group Traveler says that food quality is a "key factor" accounting for 60% to 80% of travel decisions — so why not go straight to the savory source for wine and food tastings, lectures, seminars, private parties, and cooking demos? Designated food weekends and tours abound around the U.S.

More than 40 years old and still going strong, the Aspen Classic has enjoyed the longest legacy among national multiday culinary events. From New York to California, many have followed in its wake. For the last 15 or so years, food photos on social media (i.e., food porn) have only fed the interest in cuisine-influenced travel.

Brett Friedman is the founder and CEO of Agency 21 Consulting (aka a21), and he’s a key player in this exalted space: A21 is the production company behind the esteemed Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival, overseeing the event’s programming, operations, partnerships and overall guest experience.

A21 also produces other major food festivals, such as the South Beach Wine & Food Festival and the New York City Wine & Food Festival, making it one of the premier producers of large-scale culinary experiences.

We spoke with Friedman and other experts and handpicked five of the tastiest and most acclaimed gastronomic experiences in the U.S.

1. Aspen Food and Wine Classic

The takeaway: "The granddaddy of all food and wine events is the Aspen Classic," Friedman says. Now in its 43rd year, the 2026 edition includes Tyler Florence and Nancy Silverton. Luxury travel advisor Becca Hensley recalls: "One year I went, and my favorite Texas chef from Houston was there: Chris Shepherd. He’s an all-star. The chefs are Michelin-starred, James Beard nominees, and rising talents." Hensley notes that Bobby Flay will return this year.

When it's happening: June 19–21, 2026

How to get there: Aspen/Pitkin County Airport is located three miles from the center of the city. Flights go to several cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago, and Denver. (Check schedules; some routes are seasonal.)

Where to stay: "Stay at The Little Nell or Hotel Jerome to see and be seen," Hensley advises. Hotel Jerome is a member of the Auberge Collection — a brand founded in the culinary capital of Napa Valley, Calif.

Beyond food and wine: Though established as a ski destination nearly 100 years ago and now one of Colorado’s toniest winter vacation retreats, Aspen offers plenty to do in summer. Activities include hiking one of the many trails around the Roaring Fork Valley, as well as rafting, kayaking, biking, mountain climbing and fly-fishing.

Want to be up in the air? Try paragliding and hot-air ballooning.

2. Sonoma Food Tour: Walking Food, Wine & History Tour

The takeaway: It’s little surprise that Sonoma came up with one of the most highly regarded culinary tours in the country. Sonoma Valley and adjacent Napa Valley are arguably among the most justifiably prestigious gastronomic and viticultural capitals in the U.S. Francis Ford Coppola Winery and Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery are standouts.

In addition to fine wines, the Sonoma food tour includes artisanal cheeses, chocolates, locally made olive oils and balsamic vinegars. The weekend three-hour-a-day tours are limited to 10 people.

When it's happening: Every Thursday through Saturday in 2026.

How to get there: The quickest route from San Francisco takes little more than an hour, but it’s more fun to drive north along the coast (explore Stinson Beach and Bolinas), even if it takes longer. Both routes are accessible via the eyepopping Golden Gate Bridge. Rent a convertible.

Where to stay: The uber-lux Montage brand, founded at the incomparable Laguna Beach, Calif., destination, enjoys a sister hotel in Healdsburg, CA, the center of Sonoma Valley. More intimate accommodations can be found at the Gaige House Inn in Glen Ellen.

Beyond food and wine: Breathtaking hiking trails can be explored at Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve. The Sonoma Coast State Park offers sunbathing, birdwatching, kayaking and horseback riding.

For the literary-minded, check out Jack London State Historic Park, which contains the White Fang author’s cottage and other historic buildings. (See the 1982 Diane Keaton film Shoot the Moon to get a sense of the site).

3. Food Network NYC Wine & Food Festival

The takeaway: Now in its 19th year, this five-day marathon of 50 events, now held at New York's Seaport, lands during one of Manhattan’s most seasonable months, making it the ultimate time to taste the best of the city. A dinner hosted by Daniel Boulud is sold out, but you can still grab a ticket for dinners hosted by Eric Ripert and José Andrés.

When it's happening: October 14–18, 2026

How to get there: In addition to JFK, you can fly into LaGuardia Airport or Newark Airport; both have experienced substantial upgrades, including enhanced and varied food offerings.

Where to stay: Iconic yet discreet, the Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park has a boutique feel even though it’s a flagship of a major global luxury brand. This reporter once walked into the lobby lounge to see Billy Joel seated at the piano, performing "New York State of Mind." You can walk a few blocks to the entrance of The Plaza, where Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford made their final teary goodbyes in The Way We Were (1973).

Beyond food and wine: Central Park is right at your doorstep: You can rent a bike, hire a horse-drawn carriage, take a run, navigate the lake in a rental boat (with oars), or cab it up to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which ranks as the most encyclopedic museum in the country.

4. Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival

The takeaway: This one-of-a-kind oceanfront gathering typically occurs in mid-winter. This is your best shot at beautiful weather in South Florida.

The 25-year-old, four-day event features appearances and cooking demos by Food Network personalities — and more than 500 renowned and rising chefs from Miami and around the world. Events are located in South Beach, the renowned Art Deco section of Miami Beach (and Greater Miami).

When it's happening: This year, it was held on February 19-22, 2026. The next edition will be held February 25-28, 2027.

How to get there: Miami International Airport is blissfully close to South Beach (as fast as 25 minutes, depending on time of day — try to avoid morning and afternoon rush hours, though). During festival weeks, the MacArthur Causeway connecting Miami proper to South Beach can be slow going.

Where to stay: South Beach’s National Hotel, even though it dates from 1939, is still something of a hidden treasure. It’s serene because it’s adults-only. The hotel’s chill pool bar and restaurant serve up high-quality healthy dishes, and the atmosphere is tropical nirvana. The National’s skinny, sui generis swimming pool is legendary for its beauty, low-key extravagance and 200-foot length. An adjacent, smaller, square pool attracts the well-behaved cocktail crowd.

Beyond food and wine: Miami Beach, located on a barrier island, is not a neighborhood of Miami, as some assume. It’s a distinct city. South Beach, a southerly area contained within Miami Beach, is one of the greatest architectural and historic districts in the world. It boasts over 800 historic buildings, most of them human-scale (one to four stories).

Once you get off the three commercial streets closest to the beach (the water and sand quality are incomparable for an urban beach), you’ll find a quiet, residential area stocked with art deco, Mediterranean Revival and Miami Modernism (MiMo) apartment and condo buildings in vibrant colors. The neighborhood is flat, so you can walk or bike ride almost anywhere.

Meridian Avenue is shaded by a canopy of oak trees and is easily one of the most enchanting streets in the state. Pedestrian Lincoln Road Mall is full of boutiques and restaurants, though save your Neapolitan pizza cravings for top-rated La Leggenda, just a few blocks away.

5. Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival

The takeaway: Boasting arguably the most breathtaking backdrop to any culinary event, the coastal location of the upcoming 15-year-old Pebble Beach Food & Wine is a premier selling point — that, and the celebrity chefs it recruits.

On tap for this year: Kaoru Chang, Michael Chang, Marcus Glocker, and Rocco DiSpirito. "The intimate moments, such as our seminars and curated dinners, are best in class," Friedman says, "and I cannot emphasize enough how dynamic and diverse the culinary talent is this year."

When it's happening: April 9–12, 2026

How to get there: After landing, it takes more than two hours to drive south from SFO to Pebble Beach Resorts, the crown jewel of the Monterey Peninsula. Monterey Regional Airport also offers flights up and down the California Coast, as well as to and from Las Vegas, Denver, Chicago, Dallas, and Phoenix.

Where to stay: The celeb-filled Lodge at Pebble Beach and Inn at Spanish Bay are two of the most revered beachfront resort hotels in the state. The boutique Casa Palmero (only 24 rooms and suites) is a good choice for privacy and discretion.

Beyond food and wine: Pebble Beach boasts some of the most prestigious and scenic golf courses in the world, including Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, and the Links at Spanish Bay. Nearby, be sure to explore the ultra-charming Carmel-by-the-Sea, with its wide, sandy cove. The self-guided 17-Mile Drive (from the lovely, often overlooked Pacific Grove to Pebble Beach) offers gorgeous views of the Lone Cypress, Spanish Bay, and stately mansions. Car enthusiasts will note the heavy presence of Lexus vehicles on the road and at the hotels. Lexus is a legacy partner of PBFW and of Pebble Beach Resorts, Friedman noted.

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If you're a serious baseball fan in 2026, watching every game is no longer as simple as turning on your TV. I learned that firsthand, trying to track down an Opening Day broadcast. What used to be automatic now takes a bit of searching.

Instead, following a team means navigating a mix of regional networks, league packages and national streaming deals. Depending on how you watch, the total cost can rival or even exceed what many households once paid for cable.

Detroit offers a clear example of how quickly this shift is happening. The Tigers' move to a team-aligned regional network reflects a broader change across Major League Baseball as teams and leagues rethink how games are distributed in a post-cable world.

What a "watch-every-game" setup looks like

I'm not a super fan, but I do consider myself a Michigan sports fan, and I like having the option to watch every Tigers game. It also makes the team a useful example of how complicated following a season has become.

Recently, the Tigers and Red Wings, both owned by Ilitch Holdings, launched their own in-market network for local broadcasts. As a result, fans trying to follow every Tigers game, including nationally exclusive matchups, now need more than one subscription.

At the center is Detroit SportsNet, which carries most local games. But to fill in the gaps, fans now need several additional streaming services.

Even if you subscribe only during the season, the total cost can reach $500 to $600. And that assumes you live in-market. Fans outside their team's home region face a different setup altogether.

Out-of-market fans still rely on MLB.TV

Let's say you live in Los Angeles but want to watch the Tigers. For fans outside their team's home market, MLB.TV remains the primary option.

At about $149.99 for the season, it streams most out-of-market games. But it still comes with blackout restrictions for local teams. That means even an "all-access" package does not always provide full access, especially if you are trying to follow a team while living in or near its home market.

Watching games while traveling

If you are traveling for work or spending time abroad, following your team can get more complicated. Some streaming services limit access based on your location, which means you may not be able to use your usual subscription while away from home.

A virtual private network, or VPN, can help you access your accounts while traveling, where terms allow.

A VPN works by encrypting your internet connection and routing it through a server in another location. This can help protect your online privacy and may allow you to sign in to your streaming accounts the same way you would at home.

Haven't used a VPN before? It's easy to set up:

• Find a VPN service you like, then follow the sign-up prompts.
• Once you have an account, choose a server location that matches your home so you can access your usual streaming subscription while traveling (where terms allow).
• Log in to your streaming service as you normally would.

Why costs are rising: The breakup of the regional sports model

For years, regional sports networks (RSNs) bundled local games into cable packages. But that model has been under pressure as more viewers cut the cord. In response, teams and leagues are experimenting with direct-to-consumer options.

The Tigers' shift to DSN reflects this move toward team-controlled distribution. Instead of relying entirely on third-party RSNs, teams are increasingly:

Launching their own streaming platforms: Teams like the San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks and Minnesota Twins now offer direct-to-consumer services like Padres.TV and Dbacks.TV, allowing fans to stream local games without cable.

Partnering directly with leagues or tech platforms: Teams, including the Los Angeles Angels, are working with companies like ESPN to expand digital access.

Offering standalone subscriptions outside cable: Teams such as the New York Yankees, New York Mets and Chicago Cubs still use regional networks like YES, SNY and Marquee, but now offer streaming options without requiring a cable package.

This gives teams more control, but it also shifts more cost and complexity to fans.

The Tigers aren't alone

Detroit isn't the only market seeing change.

Much of this change can be traced back to the collapse of the Bally Sports network model. Diamond Sports Group, which operated Bally Sports, went through bankruptcy and restructured its business, leading to uncertainty around local broadcast rights.

In some markets, Bally Sports has rebranded as FanDuel Sports Network as part of new partnership agreements. But for many teams, the disruption accelerated a move away from relying on a single regional network. Major League Baseball has also signaled interest in eventually creating a more unified local streaming experience.

But for now, the result is a patchwork.

What fans can do to manage the cost

You don't necessarily need every subscription to follow your team closely. You may miss a few games, but over a long season, that tradeoff can be worth it.

A few strategies can help reduce the total cost:

• Prioritize your viewing habits. If you mainly watch local games, a regional network subscription may be enough
• Subscribe seasonally. Many services can be turned on and off monthly, especially during peak months
• Use bundled plans. Some wireless or internet providers include streaming perks that offset costs. For example, some T-Mobile plans include MLB.TV
• Accept partial coverage. Skipping a few nationally exclusive games can significantly lower your total spend

Watching baseball in 2026 is no longer a one-subscription experience. For dedicated fans, the total cost can exceed $500 per season and, in some cases, climb higher depending on how many services you keep year-round.

As teams experiment with new distribution models and MLB expands its streaming partnerships, the way fans watch the game is still evolving. For now, the biggest change may not be on the field, but in how much it costs to follow along.

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You already know the basics: Spend less, save more. But a meaningful financial reset goes beyond just trimming the obvious expenses. It's less about cutting out the small indulgences and more about adjusting the habits and tools that shape your financial life.

Spring offers a natural opportunity to step back, reassess and reset. There are five often-overlooked ways to give your finances a more effective refresh.

Corner No. 1: Rethink your 'invisible upgrades'

Rising prices aren't the only reason your spending may be creeping upward. Lifestyle creep often takes hold through small, incremental upgrades that gradually become your default.

It might be faster shipping instead of standard delivery, selecting upgraded seats on flights, choosing a more comfortable rental car, or routinely buying premium grocery brands. Each decision feels reasonable in isolation, but over time, these choices can significantly raise your baseline spending.

Review a full month of transactions and flag purchases that represent upgrades rather than necessities. Then ask yourself: Did this meaningfully improve my experience?

The goal is to be selective without eliminating every upgrade. Keeping the ones that genuinely add value — and cutting the ones that don't — can lower your monthly spending without affecting your day-to-day life.

Corner No. 2: Hunt down 'zombie' subscriptions

Subscription spending has become a routine part of modern life, but it is also one of the easiest places for subscriptions to build up unnoticed.

Some recurring charges are obvious, such as streaming services or gym memberships. Others are easy to miss: A low-cost downloaded app for a one-time use, an annual subscription that quietly renews or a premium add-on buried within a larger service.

These "zombie subscriptions" can linger for months or even years. Because the charges are small, they rarely draw attention to themselves, but they can add up to hundreds of dollars annually. Start by reviewing your phone subscriptions, then scan recent bank and credit card transactions for recurring charges. Many budgeting tools can also flag them automatically.

As you review each charge, ask: Would I sign up for this again today?

Corner No. 3: Put your finances on autopilot with smart tools

Budgeting used to mean spreadsheets and willpower. Now, AI-powered tools such as Cleo, can do much of the work for you. Traditional budgeting relies heavily on discipline and manual tracking, which can be difficult to maintain.

AI-powered budgeting apps can categorize your spending, track patterns and send alerts when you're close to overspending.

Some can automatically transfer money into savings, adjust spending targets based on upcoming bills and help you stay on track from week to week.

Automation reduces the need to make constant financial decisions. Instead of relying on willpower, you can create a system that helps keep your spending and savings on track.

Over time, this can lead to more predictable cash flow and steadier progress toward savings goals without the need to constantly monitor every spending transaction.

Corner No. 4: Stress-test your paycheck

Financial stability depends not just on how much you earn, but on how flexible your spending is if your income changes. A way to evaluate this is by running a quick stress test. If your income dropped by 10%, what would you cut first?

Divide your expenses into three categories: Essential (housing, utilities, insurance), discretionary (dining out, entertainment) and flexible (subscriptions, services or bills you could adjust).

This exercise often reveals that some "fixed" costs, such as insurance policies or phone plans, may be negotiable or replaceable.

Identifying these adjustments in advance gives you more control and can help you respond quickly if your income shifts, rather than scrambling to make decisions under pressure.

Corner No. 5: Review your digital money trail

Your financial life extends beyond your primary bank account. Over time, it creates a digital trail that includes credit accounts, payment platforms and personal data.

Spring is a good time to make sure that information is accurate and secure.

Start with your credit reports, which you can access for free, to ensure all information is accurate and up to date. Looking for any discrepancies or unfamiliar activity that could signal errors or potential fraud.

Then, take a broader view of your financial accounts, including payment platforms, financing services and any accounts tied to outdated contact information.

Ensure all login credentials are updated, enabling added security features where available and close accounts you no longer need. Keeping your financial footprint streamlined and secure can reduce risk and make your finances easier to manage over time.

Spring cleaning your finances doesn't require major lifestyle changes. Small adjustments – cutting unused subscriptions, scaling back unnecessary upgrades, automating savings and tightening your account security can have a meaningful impact.

By focusing on these often-overlooked areas, you can lower expenses, improve cash flow and build a system that's easier to manage over time. The result is a financial setup that not only looks cleaner but also works more efficiently year-round.

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This article was written by and presents the views of our contributing adviser, not the Kiplinger editorial staff. You can check adviser records with the SEC or with FINRA.