#cost-of-living

#cost-of-living

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

The news took us by surprise and, like many families, caused us concern, says Perez, a 37-year-old from Cuba. It might seem like a small amount to some, but when we're talking about families living paycheck to paycheck or entrepreneurs, as is my case, every new expense has an impact. It's not just the amount; it's the buildup of responsibilities that often go unseen. However, more than frustration, what I felt was the need to understand why and to approach it consciously.

"Mommy, thank you for moving us to Thailand. I'm just so grateful for this experience."

I asked him and some of his advisers if there were cities that had pulled this off that New York could emulate, places that had managed to meaningfully lower the cost of living. None sprang to mind," the article stated.

The cost of living in the United States is dramatically different across the many states. While some states are home to affordable housing, lower taxes, and modest everyday expenses, others demand a far higher price for shelter, access to jobs, amenities, and lifestyle factors. In these high-cost states, residents often struggle in the face of rising housing prices, high utility bills, and even extravagant costs for essentials like food, transportation, and healthcare.

Your dollar can stretch three to four times farther in Asia than in the U.S. In India, you can live comfortably on about $270 a month, excluding rent. In Thailand, about $600 a month gets you beach access, excellent street food, and world-class health care. And in Vietnam, $350 covers your monthly expenses in a country where a full meal costs less than a Starbucks latte.

Many Asian countries offer beautiful landscapes, delicious food, rich history and culture, and a friendly atmosphere for retirees seeking destinations abroad. Monthly living costs in these countries range from under $300 to $600 (excluding rent)-up to four times cheaper than in the U.S. Your dollar can stretch three to four times farther in Asia than in the U.S. In India, you can live comfortably on about $270 a month, excluding rent.

The plan was to go to dinner, then go to a place that had a cover charge of $35. After looking at the menu, Lans decided to skip the dinner portion of the evening; he said the cheapest entree, a burger, was $41. Fries could be added to the meal for an exorbitant $11. (Lans said he assumed that at a fine dining restaurant, "the burger is just going to be three bites.")

'We want money from hard work going to families, not to the taxman,' says Tánaiste

Spain has been a top expat magnet- sunny climate, laid-back lifestyle, relatively low costs (compared to Western Europe). But by 2026, rising rents in major Spanish cities, tightened visa rules, and a surge in English-speaking enclaves have nudged some expats to lesser-known nations. If you crave a European adventure without Barcelona's inflated housing or Madrid's spiked living costs, these 7 countries might be your ticket to a comfy life on a smaller budget.

Boxing Day sales are expected to deliver a £3.6 billion boost to UK retailers this year, around £1 billion less than in 2024, as cost-of-living pressures continue to weigh on household spending. The forecast comes from Barclays, which tracks nearly half of all credit and debit card transactions across the UK. The anticipated decline represents a blow to retailers during their all-important "golden quarter", traditionally the most lucrative period of the year.

I crossed the street near where I was living in Milan on the verge of tears. I had had enough of feeling sad, lonely, and hopeless. That surely wasn't how I expected to feel in my first year of university. The previous spring, I had thought about which undergraduate degree I wanted to pursue for months, reading about courses, tuition, and life in a new place. Since I loved writing and dreamed of becoming a journalist, studying communication seemed like the best bet.

Some truly special people will be pulling on their uniforms and heading out to work, he said. Many volunteers will be out there as well. Serving food. Reaching out to help those lonely or in need. As a nation, we should raise a glass to you this Christmas. But more than that, we should each do our bit as well.

Dressed in red suits and backed by masked elves, a group of Santas marched into a Montreal supermarket, loaded their bags with thousands of dollars worth of groceries and disappeared into the night. The bandit Santas later released a statement saying the food would be distributed to the needy, and saying the Robin Hood-style stunt was intended to highlight the spiralling cost of living crisis that has pushed basic necessities increasingly out of reach for ordinary Canadians.

She had worked 22 days straight in her job as a technician at an engine plant to save up, and now Daijah Bryant could finally do what she was putting off: Christmas shopping. Bryant pushed her cart out of a Walmart in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, and loaded her sedan's backseat with bags of gifts. While they would soon bring joy to her friends and family, it was difficult for the 26-year-old to feel good about the purchases.

If starting a family, buying a house, or just thinking about purchasing a car feels impossible-you're definitely not alone. What used to define "middle class" feels further out of reach for Millennials and Gen Z than ever before. Rising costs, stagnant wages, and where you live all play huge roles in whether big life milestones feel doable-or merely like dreams. So has the middle class actually disappeared, or is it just morphing into something new?

"Bali continues to be a popular destination for retirees seeking a rich cultural experience paired with stunning natural beauty," The report said. "Known for its lush landscapes and affordable cost of living, Bali offers a balance of relaxation and exploration. The island provides a range of health care options, from local clinics to international hospitals, ensuring retirees have access to quality medical care."

We're talking about 2 million people who will be paying less each month to get to work, to get home or to do their day-to-day stuff, he said. That's what governing is about: making the important things easier for ordinary people.

Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

It's safe to say that everyone hopes to have a nice savings and retirement account by the time they turn 45. The dream should always be to retire early enough to still enjoy one's golden years. If you can set aside $1 million by this age, it begs the question of whether you should and can retire early. If you are part of the FIRE movement, which focuses on financial independence and early retirement, any question about early retirement will focus on several factors.

Tadgh O'Donovan, science teacher in Carrigaline Community School and content creator @teachwithtadgh, took a chance during the pandemic, and he hasn't looked back since

Tadgh O'Donovan, science teacher in Carrigaline Community School and content creator @teachwithtadgh, took a chance during the pandemic, and he hasn't looked back since

KAITLAN COLLINS: Tonight, President Trump is on the road, in Pennsylvania, trying to alleviate anxious Americans' concerns that the economic state of what's happening here in the United States that they feel is overblown, and that because of his policies, as the President put it tonight, the economy is roaring. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: We're bringing those prices down rapidly. Lower prices, bigger paychecks. You're getting lower prices, bigger paychecks.