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A new study breaks down what families are actually spending

• A recent estimate from LendingTree found that raising a child now costs nearly $300,000 over 18 years.

• Annual expenses related to child care have jumped significantly since 2023.

• Families are spending a larger share of their income on basic child-related costs.

If it feels like everything is getting more expensive lately, raising a child is no exception.

A new study from LendingTree takes a close look at just how much families are spending and the numbers are eye-opening. According to the report, the cost of raising a child from birth to age 18 now totals $297,674 a sharp increase from previous estimates.

On a yearly basis, that breaks down to about $29,419 per child. And its not just the total thats rising the pace of increase is notable, too. Compared to 2023, annual costs have jumped by more than a third.

The study highlights how everyday essentials from housing and food to child care and health insurance continue to put pressure on family budgets. Its a reminder that the financial side of parenting is evolving quickly, especially as inflation and other economic factors come into play.

How the study calculated the costs

To estimate the cost of raising a child, LendingTree analyzed a wide range of typical household expenses tied to parenting. These include child care, rent, transportation, food, clothing, and health insurance premiums.

The researchers pulled data from multiple sources, including federal datasets and industry benchmarks, to build a comprehensive picture of what families are spending. They also factored in tax credits and exemptions, subtracting those from the overall cost to reflect a more realistic out-of-pocket total.

Importantly, the study looks at costs over time and across different states, showing how geography can influence expenses. By combining national averages with state-level variations, the analysis aims to capture both the big picture and the local differences families may experience.

What the findings show

The biggest takeaway is simple: raising a child is getting more expensive and quickly. The total 18-year cost has risen by more than 25% since the last report, while annual expenses are up 35.7%.

Costs also vary widely depending on where you live. In some states, families can expect to spend well over $300,000 over 18 years (like Hawaii, Alaska, and Maryland), while in others, the total comes in under $200,000 (New Hampshire, the District of Columbia, and South Carolina).

Hawaii, Maryland, and Massachusetts are the three most expensive states to raise a child, with annual costs in the first five years exceeding an average of $40,000 in Hawaii. On the other end of the spectrum, Mississippi, Alabama, and South Dakota are the least expensive states to raise a child. Annual costs in Mississippi didnt reach $18,000 per year.

Another notable finding: families are dedicating a larger share of their income to raising children. On average, about 22.6% of household income goes toward basic child-related expenses, up from 19% in the previous study.

Taken together, the results paint a detailed picture of how the financial demands of parenting are shifting and how those changes may impact household budgets in the years ahead.

Its becoming widespread because it creates panic in its victims

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Scammers are sending fake Apple Pay fraud alerts to trick victims into calling criminals.

• Victims are pressured into moving money quickly often thousands of dollars under false pretenses.

• Experts say the scam relies on urgency, impersonation, and convincing personal details.

Many times, operate with a similar set of goals. Makethe victim panic and then offer a way to help. That tactic has been adopted by criminals operating the Apple Pay scam, which is spreading quickly across the U.S.

These schemes use fake alerts and high-pressure phone calls to steal money and personal information.

A series of reports highlights how convincing these schemes can be. In one case, a victim received a text warning of a suspicious Apple Pay charge and was urged to call a number for help. The call connected her directly to a scammer posing as an official investigator, who ultimately convinced her to withdraw $15,000. Fortunately, a bank teller recognized the scam and told her to hang up.

How the scam works

The scam typically begins with a message often a text claiming theres a problem with your Apple Pay account.

These messages may say:

• A purchase was attempted or declined.

• Your account is locked or under investigation.

• Immediate action is required.

The message usually includes a phone number or link. Thats the trap.

If you call or click, youre connected to scammers impersonating Apple Support, your bank, or even law enforcement.

From there, the situation escalates quickly:

• The scammer claims your money is at risk.

• They may already know personal details about you.

• Youre told to act immediately to protect your funds.

In many cases, victims are instructed to:

• Move money to a safe account.

• Withdraw cash.

• Send funds via Apple Pay, Apple Cash, or gift cards.

The goal is to get you to authorize a payment yourself because once you do, its often very difficult to recover.

Why it works

Unlike traditional hacking, these rely on social engineering manipulating people rather than breaking into systems.

Apple Pay itself is secure, but scammers exploit trust in the brand and the speed of digital payments.

They also use:

• Urgency: Act now or your account will be locked.

• Authority: Posing as Apple, banks, or federal agencies.

• Fear: Suggesting fraud, theft, or legal trouble.

Warning signs to watch for

Experts say there are clear red flags:

• Unexpected messages about Apple Pay activity.

• Requests to call a number in a text or email.

• Pressure to act immediately.

• Requests for codes, passwords, or personal information.

• Instructions to move money or lie to your bank.

One key rule: Apple does not send unsolicited texts asking you to call support or provide sensitive information.

How to protect yourself

If you receive a suspicious message:

• Do not click links or call the number provided.

• Check your Apple Pay activity directly on your device.

• Contact your bank or Apple using official channels.

And if you think youve been targeted:

• Stop any transactions immediately.

• Notify your bank or card issuer.

• Report the incident to authorities such as the FTC.

Apple Pay are spreading because theyre simple, convincing, and effective.

The most important defense is slowing down. If a message creates urgency or fear, thats often the first sign something isnt right.

What Costco shoppers are actually buying (and loving)

• Stick with proven winners: Everyday items like kitchen tools, home basics, and even Apple products (like the Mac Mini) consistently get top reviews and deliver the best value.

• Be cautious with big-ticket items: Patio and outdoor products get more mixed reviews quality can vary, so take extra time before buying.

• Shop smarter, not bigger: Prioritize high-rated categories, look for price advantages, and lean on Kirkland products to avoid wasting money.

Shoppers dont just go to Costco for the bulk deals. They go because certain products consistently deliver better value and now, weve got the data to back that up.

A new analysis from NetCredit of more than 1.4 million customer reviews across 4,700 products highlights exactly which items Costco shoppers love the most.

Heres what stood out, and how to use it to shop smarter.

What shoppers love most (and why it matters)

Some of the highest-rated products arent necessarily flashy, but theyre the items people use every day and keep coming back to.

• Electronics:Apple products dominate, especially the Mac Mini M4, with nearly 96% five-star reviews. Audio products and TVs also dowell with 80-90% of reviewers leaving five-star reviews.Shoppers consistently mention strong pricing and Costcos warranty as the reason they buy here instead of elsewhere.
• Home goods: Plush throws and faux plants are top performers, with many items hitting 94%+ five-star ratings. These are some of your low-risk, high-satisfaction buys, which is what Costco does best.
• Kitchen essentials: Baking sheet sets, storage items, gadgets, and cookware rank among the highest-rated items overall. This reinforces that simple and durable kitchen tools, sold at Costco, tend to deliver the most value over time.
• Beauty: Skincare leads the category, with products like Obagi serum earning high marks. Surprisingly, beauty tools and accessories are less popular with reviews citing durability issues.
• Clothing: Budget basics like hoodies under $20 are some of the most-loved items in the store, proving you dont have to spend a lot to get something reliable.

The pattern is clear: the best Costco buys are practical, repeat-use items and not those trendy or seasonal purchases.

Where Costco is more hit-or-miss

Not every category performs equally well.

• Patio and outdoor products had noticeably lower five-star ratings.
• This was especially true with sheds, spas, and fire pits.
• Complaints often focused on durability and long-term quality.
• That doesnt mean to avoid them entirely, but it does mean to take extra time to read reviews before making big-ticket purchases.

How to use this information to save money

Most shoppers tend to skim reviews briefly and move on. The smarter move is to use this data as a filter before you buy.

• Prioritize high-confidence categories: Kitchen items, basics, and everyday home goods tend to have the highest satisfaction and lowest regret.
• Be selective with big purchases: Furniture and outdoor items can still be good deals, but just be aware that quality can vary more.
• Look for price advantages: Certain items, especially electronics and skincare, are often cheaper at Costco compared to other retailers.
• Lean into Kirkland Signature: Costcos Kirkland private label is built around value and tends to overdeliver for the price.

Offerings include a new 'Under $3 Menu'

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• McDonalds will launch a new Under $3 Menu with at least 10 items available all day.

• A $4 breakfast meal deal bundles a sandwich, hash browns, and coffee.

• The changes expand the companys McValue platform, as it pushes affordability nationwide.

With food costs and everything else rising, expect fast food restaurants to step up the competition for the value-oriented consumer. Its already started.

McDonalds is expanding its value offerings with a new Under $3 Menu and a $4 breakfast meal deal, part of a broader effort to attract price-conscious consumers and build on its McValue platform.

The fast-food giant said the updated menu will roll out at participating U.S. locations starting April 21, trying to entice customers with more low-cost options across breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Under $3 menu

The centerpiece of the announcement is the new Under $3 Menu, which will include at least 10 items available throughout the day, allowing customers to mix and match items at a consistent low price.

Breakfast options willinclude staples such as the Sausage McMuffin, Sausage Biscuit, Sausage Burrito, hash browns, and medium McCaf coffee. Lunch and dinner items will feature the McChicken, McDouble, four-piece Chicken McNuggets, small fries, and a medium soft drink.

In addition, McDonalds plans to spotlight select items at even lower promotional prices throughout the year, starting with a Sausage McMuffin priced at $1.50 and a McDouble at $2.50, for a limited time.

$4 breakfast meal deal

Alongside the new menu, the company is introducing a $4 breakfast meal deal that includes a choice of a Sausage McMuffin or Sausage Biscuit, served with hash browns and a small McCaf coffee.

McDonalds will also continue offering other bundled meal deals later in the day, including options starting at $5 and $6 that combine an entre with McNuggets, fries,and a drink.

Company executives said the initiative is designed to give customers more flexibility and control over how they build meals, while reinforcing the brands long-standing focus on value.

The move comes as fast-food chains across the industry emphasize affordability amid consumer concerns about rising prices, with McDonalds positioning the revamped McValue menu as a long-term strategy rather than a limited-time promotion.