For-sale signs are posted in front of condominiums for sale in July in Los Angeles. A new analysis from the Center for Responsible Lending finds that the average renter household now needs 16 years to save for a down payment and closing costs. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption
October 22, 2026 • A new analysis finds that the average renter household now needs 16 years to save for a down payment and closing costs. Rising rents and other costs have consumed a growing share of household budgets.
A flight of wedding cake samples at a Publix supermarket in Vestavia Hills, Ala., on Sept. 23. Cake flavors from left to right are red velvet, carrot cake, chocolate and vanilla. Filling flavors from left to right are raspberry, vanilla custard, cookies-and-cream mousse and strawberry. Stephan Bisaha hide caption
October 17, 2026 • About a third of couples are willing to save money on cake and dessert, according to the wedding-planning site Zola.
In North Braintree, Mass., larger lot sizes imposed decades ago have meant fewer homes, and bigger more expensive ones. Voters will decide whether to force cities to allow smaller homes on smaller lots. Jennifer Ludden/NPR hide caption
October 13, 2026 • Voters in Massachusetts will decide whether to require cities and towns to allow smaller homes on smaller lots. A growing number of states are doing the same to help ease a housing shortage.
A "For Rent" sign displays outside an apartment building in Skokie, Ill., in 2024. Researchers from the Urban Institute found that a growing number of renters in the U.S. are struggling to pay for housing each month. Nam Y. Huh/AP hide caption
September 23, 2026 • Housing affordability challenges are spreading to higher income brackets, according to new research, which found one in five renters struggled last year to pay for their housing in full and on time.
Raelynn McMurchy (left) with her husband, Tucker, and daughter, Ella, launched an online petition over high power bills. Her last bill topped $1,370, including a $598 deposit following previous late payments. Raelynn McMurchy hide caption
August 26, 2026 • The price of electricity is soaring in the summer heat, when fans and air conditioners are working nonstop. In Tulsa, Okla., people are having their power cut when they can't pay their bills.
The Lago family (left) and Zucchero family (right) exemplify a growing phenomenon in American families: parents who help financially support their adult children, due in part to a difficult economy. Mabel Lago/David Zucchero hide caption
August 7, 2026 • Polls show most Americans think young adults today have it harder financially than past generations. A majority of parents help their grown children with expenses, even if it hurts their own finances.
A customer shops for produce in an H-E-B grocery store on May 11 in Austin, Texas. Brandon Bell/Getty Images hide caption
May 28, 2026 • A new report shows that nearly half of U.S. households did not earn enough to cover their necessities in 2024.
