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A new report shows a widening financial gap, despite widespread confidence in money management

• Findings from a recent report found that women save 45% less than men, reporting higher financial anxiety and lower satisfaction with their money situation.

• Social pressures, caregiving roles, and financial FOMO are major drivers behind the savings gap.

• AI tools may help bridge the gap, offering personalized guidance, habit-building tools, and greater confidence for users who struggle with saving.

Though many young adults say they feel pretty confident managing their money, a new report suggests that confidence isnt translating into financial stability especially for women.

According to new research from Cleo, women are saving 45% less than men each month, putting away about $166 compared to mens $319.

That gap doesnt just show up in bank accounts; it shows up in stress levels, too. Women reported feeling significantly more anxious and less satisfied with their financial situation, highlighting just how uneven the path to financial wellness has become.

To break down these findings, and offer concrete solutions for consumers, ConsumerAffairs interviewed Rob Torres, Lead Financial Expert at Cleo.

Why are women saving less than men?

Torres broke down why this large disparity exists between mens and womens savings accounts.

Several factors are driving the savings gap between men and women, including higher emotional and financial caregiving pressures, Torres explained. Women often face increased anxiety around money and carry greater responsibility for supporting others, which can make it harder to build consistent savings.

Social media is also a factor. Curated online lifestyles may pressure women, who already report lower financial satisfaction, to spend rather than save, undermining long-term money goals.

Bridging the financial health gap

Based on these findings, Torres shared some of the tangible ways that consumers can strengthen their financial health.

We need money tools that actually help women and consumers understand and plan for cost volatility not just statically track spending habits, he said. In order for real change to happen, there has to be an increased focus on behavioral finance. This teaches consumers how to manage impulses, avoid financial FOMO and stay consistent with savings goals.

As a society, we also need greater transparency and normalized conversations about money including debt, struggles, and tradeoffs which are often considered taboo and leave women without relatable benchmarks. Everyones financial situation is different and unique which is why personalized frameworks that align financial behaviors with individual values and goals are more effective than social comparisons seen on social media.

Utilizing AI tools

The Cleo report found that nearly one in four respondents are open to using AI for financial support, signaling a growing trust in digital coaching. Torres explained that these tools can help consumers feel more confident in managing their money.

AI can break cycles of overspending and undersaving by offering personalized insights, helping users understand what they can afford, what can wait, and what aligns with their actual money goals, he said.

Predictive features can warn users about upcoming expenses, reducing the unpredictability that drives anxiety. Habit-building tools and gentle nudges support consistent savingparticularly valuable for users who struggle with self-discipline. AI also provides judgment-free emotional reinforcement, validating decisions and building confidence over time.

A biotech company launches the first study of a weight-loss implant designed specifically for pets

• A pharmaceutical company has begun testing the first GLP-1 weight-loss therapy designed specifically for cats.

• The implant, called OKV-119, slowly releases medication that may curb appetite and support safe weight loss.

• The first cat has officially been dosed in the MEOW-1 study, kicking off clinical trials in real household pets.

For years, pet parents have struggled with the same frustrating cycle: their cat gains weight, they try to cut back on food, the cat protests loudly, and the whole plan falls apart. Anyone with a chubby cat knows how hard it can be to manage feline obesity and how quickly those extra pounds can lead to diabetes, joint stress, and shorter lifespans.

Now, a biotech company called OKAVA is hoping to offer a new option to pet parents.

The company has officially dosed the first cat in a brand-new clinical trial testing OKV-119, the worlds first GLP-1based weight-loss therapy developed for pets. The study, MEOW-1, brings a type of medication that transformed human weight-loss trends into the veterinary world but in a form that fits cats lifestyles much better.

Instead of a pill or injection, OKV-119 is a tiny implant placed under a cats skin by a veterinarian. Once inserted, it slowly releases medication over several months. If it works the way researchers hope, it could gently reduce appetite and help overweight cats lose weight without major daily effort from owners.

"Caloric restriction, or fasting, is one of the most well-established interventions for extending lifespan and improving metabolic health in cats," Michael Klotsman, PhD, MBA, CEO of OKAVA, said in a news release

"But its also one of the hardest to maintain. OKV-119 is designed to mimic many of the physiological effects of fasting improved insulin sensitivity, reduced fat mass, and more efficient energy metabolism without requiring significant changes in feeding routines or disrupting the humananimal bond that often centers around food."

How the implant works and what the trial will test

GLP-1 medications have become famous for helping people lose weight by reducing hunger and affecting how the body handles energy.

OKAVAs idea is similar, but tailored to pets: a long-acting implant that quietly does the work in the background.

The MEOW-1 study will follow real household cats who are overweight or obese. Researchers will track how the implant behaves in everyday life how well cats tolerate it, whether it affects appetite, and most importantly, whether it helps them shed weight safely over time. Because the medication releases gradually, the goal is slow, steady progress rather than dramatic or rapid changes.

The hope is that this approach could make weight management far more practical for pet parents who struggle with portion control, multi-cat households, or demanding feline personalities. If successful, OKV-119 could one day give veterinarians a brand-new tool for tackling one of the most common and preventable pet health issues.

The index marks a decade of progress in measuring age-friendly, livable communities

AARP has released its latest "Livability Index," scoring every community in the country for the services and amenities that improve quality of life.

Why this matters for your wallet

• 7-Eleven paid a record $4.5 million fine for secretly acquiring a gas station without FTC approval

• The company violated a 2018 consent order designed to prevent fuel price manipulation in local markets

• This enforcement action signals stronger merger oversight that could protect consumers from higher gas prices

If you've noticed gas prices varying wildly between stations in your neighborhood, corporate consolidation might be to blame. When big chains gobble up independent stations without proper oversight, it can reduce competition and drive up prices at the pump.

What happened with 7-Eleven

On December 8, 2025, the Federal Trade Commission announced that 7-Eleven will pay a record-breaking $4.5 million penalty for violating antitrust rules. This marks the largest civil penalty ever collected for a prior-notice violation in FTC history.

The violation stems from 7-Eleven's secret acquisition of a fuel outlet in St. Petersburg, Florida, in December 2018. The company was required under a 2018 consent order to notify the FTC before acquiring competing gas stations in 76 specific markets.

Instead, 7-Eleven bought the station without telling anyone. The company didn't inform the FTC about the acquisition until March 2022 more than three years later.

The bigger picture on gas station consolidation

This case originated from 7-Eleven's massive $3.3 billion acquisition of 1,100 Sunoco fuel outlets in 2018. The FTC found this mega-merger would harm competition and raise fuel prices for consumers in 76 local markets.

The consent order was designed to prevent exactly what happened in St. Petersburg stealth acquisitions that reduce competition without regulatory review.

How to protect yourself from gas price manipulation

1. Use gas price apps like GasBuddy or Waze to find the cheapest stations in your area and avoid price-gouging locations

2. Report suspected price fixing to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov if you notice identical pricing across competing stations

3. Support independent gas stations when possible, as they often offer more competitive pricing than large chains

4. Consider fuel rewards programs that aren't tied to a single chain to maintain flexibility in where you shop

5. Monitor local news for proposed gas station mergers in your area and submit comments to the FTC if you're concerned about reduced competition

What this enforcement means going forward

The FTC is signaling a tougher stance on merger violations under new leadership. Daniel Guarnera, Director of the FTC's Bureau of Competition, stated that "merger remedies that protect competition are once again on the table."

This aggressive enforcement could prevent future stealth acquisitions that harm consumers. 7-Eleven was also required to sell the St. Petersburg station and commit to additional approval requirements for future purchases.

The bottom line: This record penalty shows regulators are serious about preventing gas station consolidation that drives up prices. While you can't control corporate mergers, you can vote with your wallet by choosing competitive stations and staying informed about proposed acquisitions in your area. The FTC's renewed enforcement efforts could mean more stable gas prices and better competition at the pump.