U.S. consumer confidence edged higher in June, ending a recent slide as lower gasoline prices eased inflation concerns.
Americans felt slightly better about current business conditions but grew more pessimistic about the job market.
Despite the modest improvement, confidence remains below historical norms, suggesting households are still wary about the economy.
U.S. consumer confidence improved modestly in June, offering a tentative sign that Americans are feeling slightly better about the economy after weeks of easing gasoline prices, though concerns about jobs and the broader outlook continue to weigh on households.
The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index rose to 91.2 in June, up from a revised 90.6 in May. While the increase was modestand below economists' expectationsit marked a reversal after recent declines.
Dana Peterson, chief economist at The Conference Board, said lower oil prices helped reduce consumers' fears about inflation.
Consumers reported a slightly more favorable view of current business conditions, but confidence in the labor market weakened. The Present Situation Index, which measures perceptions of current economic and employment conditions, fell to 116.4, while the Expectations Index, which gauges consumers' outlook for the next six months, climbed to 74.4.
Recession risk?
Although the Expectations Index improved, it remains below the threshold of 80 that has historically been associated with recession risks.
The survey found growing concern about employment. The share of respondents who said jobs are "hard to get" rose to 22.5%, the highest level in more than five years, while the labor market differentiala closely watched measure comparing those who say jobs are plentiful with those who say they are hard to findcontinued to narrow.
The report comes as other economic indicators paint a mixed picture. Separate government data released Tuesday showed job openings remained steady in May, suggesting employers are still hiring despite signs of a slowing labor market. Investors are now awaiting the Labor Department's June employment report later this week for a clearer reading on hiring trends.
Lower fuel costs appear to have played an important role in improving consumers' mood. After surging during the Iran conflict earlier this year, gasoline prices have retreated, easing pressure on household budgets and helping temper inflation worries.
However, consumer confidence remains below pre-pandemic levels and below where it stood a year ago, reflecting continued unease over the economy, inflation and employment prospects. Economists note that while consumers often express pessimism in surveys, their actual spending has remained relatively resilient, helping support economic growth.
BJ's is built for couponers: Unlike Costco and Sam's Club, BJ's lets shoppers stack manufacturer coupons with BJ's digital coupons for even bigger savings.
The app is your best savings tool: Clip digital coupons, browse the Smart Saver coupon book, and take advantage of Instant Savings before every shopping trip.
Shop smarter, not just bigger: Buy store brands, compare unit prices, plan around major sales, and avoid impulse purchases to maximize your warehouse savings.
Warehouse clubs already offer lower prices than many grocery stores, but if you're shopping at BJ's Wholesale Club without using coupons, you're probably leaving money on the table.
Unlike some competitors, BJ's actually encourages couponing. The retailer lets shoppers combine manufacturer coupons with its own digital offers, creating opportunities for significant savings on everything from groceries and household essentials to electronics and seasonal merchandise.
Whether you're a longtime member or just signed up, here's how savvy shoppers maximize every trip to BJ's.
Start with the BJ's app
Before you even walk into the warehouse, be sure to download the free BJ's app.
It's the easiest place to find digital coupons, weekly promotions, personalized offers, and your membership card. Instead of clipping paper coupons, simply tap the offers you want, and they'll automatically apply when you scan your membership at checkout.
The app also lets you:
Clip digital coupons
Browse the weekly ad
Search warehouse inventory
Build shopping lists
Check gas prices
Order online for pickup or delivery
Many members never realize how many coupons are available each week until they install the app and start using it.
Stack digital and manufacturer coupons
This is where BJ's separates itself from other warehouse clubs as Costco and Sams Club do not accept manufacturer coupons of any kind.
BJ's absolutely accepts paper manufacturer coupons (even on many bulk items) and allows shoppers to combine them with BJ's own digital coupons on eligible products.
For example, say a bulk package of paper towels has a $4 BJ's digital coupon attached in the app. If you also have a $2 manufacturer coupon for that same item, you can stack both discounts at checkout.
Pro tip: Before heading to BJs, check coupon websites like Coupons.com, LOZO.com, or even the manufacturer's website to see whether additional printable or digital coupons are available for products already discounted at BJ's.
Don't ignore the monthly coupon book
Every month, BJ's releases a new collection of warehouse-wide coupons and instant savings called the Smart Saver.
Unlike old-fashioned coupon books, you usually don't need to bring anything with you. Most offers can simply be clipped digitally through the app.
Some of the biggest discounts often include products like:
Laundry detergent
Paper towels
Coffee
Pet food
Frozen foods
Cleaning supplies
And the coupon savings are pretty darn significant , oo. For example, right now they have a $7 coupon for All laundry detergent, and $4 off a 40 oz. jar of Nature Nates raw honey. We're not talking 50 cents off here and there; we're talking real savings.
Pro tip: Shop early in the coupon cycle. Newly released monthly coupons often coincide with fully stocked shelves. Waiting until the final week of a promotion increases the chances that popular sale items will be sold out.
Watch for Instant Savings
Not every deal requires a coupon. Specifically, BJ's frequently offers "Instant Savings," which are automatic discounts taken at checkout.
You'll usually see a shelf tag showing the savings amount, and no clipping is necessary. You buy the item and automatically collect the savings.
These instant promotions are most often seen with seasonal products, snacks, beverages, and household essentials.
Pro tip: Save your receipts for price adjustments at BJs. If an item goes on sale shortly after you purchase it, ask customer service whether it qualifies for a price adjustment. Policies can vary, but many locations will give you a price adjustment for seven days after you buy an item. Its definitely worth asking before assuming you've missed out on the lower price.
Buy BJ's Wellsley Farms and Berkley Jensen brands
Warehouse brands like Kirkland at Costco usually deliver the biggest savings, and the same can be said for the store brands at BJs.
BJ's private labels Wellsley Farms and Berkley Jensen are typically priced well below national brands while maintaining strong quality.
Many shoppers discover they can cut their grocery spending simply by substituting these store brands whenever possible.
Pro tip: Always compare the unit price instead of focusing only on the package price. A national brand on sale may occasionally beat the warehouse brand.
Don't automatically buy everything in bulk
Buying bigger doesnt always translate into buying cheaper. Specifically, some fresh produce, dairy products, and baked goods can spoil before a smaller household uses them.
Before grabbing the largest package available, ask yourself if youll actually finish this before it spoils. Or maybe you can freeze it?
Throwing away food is never a bargain, even when you used a coupon to get it for less.
Pro tip: Add your membership renewal date in your calendar. BJ's frequently offers discounted membership renewals before your current membership expires. By making a reminder, it gives you time to watch for promotions instead of paying full price.
Compare prices before assuming it's the best deal
Warehouse pricing has a reputation for being unbeatable, but that's not always true.
Drugstores, grocery stores, Target, Walmart, and Amazon occasionally run promotions that beat warehouse pricing, particularly when coupons, loyalty rewards, or clearance markdowns are involved.
Use a price comparison app or quickly check online before making expensive purchases. The few extra seconds can save you far more than the membership fee.
Pro tip: Scan every clearance shelf at BJs. While they are not known for huge clearance sections, discontinued flavors, seasonal products, and overstocked merchandise can be deeply discounted and are often overlooked by shoppers heading for the center aisles.
A new JAMA review concludes that excess body weight contributes to about 10% of new cancer diagnoses in the U.S. each year by triggering biological changes that promote tumor growth.
Researchers say chronic inflammation, hormone changes, immune system suppression and alterations in the gut microbiome are among the key mechanisms linking obesity to cancer.
The review suggests losing more than 10% of body weight may help reduce obesity-related cancer risk, although preventing obesity remains the most effective strategy.
A new scientific review published in JAMA is shedding new light on why obesity substantially increases cancer risk, detailing the complex biological processes that allow excess body fat to create an environment where cancer can develop and thrive.
The review, authored by researchers from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the University of Kansas Cancer Center and Emory University's Winship Cancer Institute, concludes that overweight and obesity account for roughly 10% of all new cancer diagnoses in the United States each year. The findings synthesize evidence from laboratory research, clinical trials and large population studies.
The researchers say obesity is far more than an issue of excess weight. It represents a widespread disruption of normal metabolism that affects nearly every system in the body.
"When we think about obesity, we need to think beyond body size," said Dr. Kristy Brown, co-leader of the Obesity, Metabolic Health and Cancer research program at the University of Kansas Cancer Center and a co-author of the review. "We have the epidemiological data, we have the mechanistic data and we have the clinical data that show the impact of obesity on outcomes for patients."
How obesity promotes cancer
According to the review, obesity alters the body's fat tissue, causing it to become chronically inflamed. That inflammation produces chemical signals that can stimulate tumor growth while weakening the immune system's ability to detect and destroy emerging cancer cells.
The researchers identified several key mechanisms behind the increased risk:
Persistent, low-grade inflammation that promotes tumor development.
Increased production of estrogen and other hormones that can fuel hormone-sensitive cancers.
Elevated insulin and altered metabolism that encourage cancer cell growth.
Oxidative stress that damages DNA.
Changes in the gut microbiome that may further promote inflammation and cancer development.
Suppression of immune cells that normally eliminate abnormal cells before they become cancerous.
These biological changes have been linked to at least 13 cancers, including colorectal, pancreatic, liver, kidney, ovarian, thyroid, postmenopausal breast and endometrial cancers. The strongest associations are seen with endometrial and certain liver and biliary tract cancers.
Weight loss may reduce risk
The review also examined evidence on whether losing weight lowers cancer risk.
Observational studies involving patients who underwent bariatric surgery or used GLP-1 receptor agonist medications found modest reductions in obesity-related cancer incidence among people who lost more than 10% of their body weight. The authors caution that additional research is needed, but the findings suggest meaningful weight loss may help reverse some of the biological changes associated with obesity.
Researchers noted that preventing obesity in the first place is likely to provide the greatest benefit because some obesity-related biological changes become more difficult to reverse after years of excess weight.
A growing public health concern
The findings come as obesity rates continue to climb in the United States and worldwide. The review notes that nearly half of U.S. adults are projected to have obesity by 2030, while global obesity rates are also expected to rise sharply over the next decade. At the same time, cancer diagnoses are increasing worldwide, making obesity prevention an increasingly important component of cancer prevention efforts.
The authors conclude that addressing obesity should be viewed not only as a strategy for improving cardiovascular and metabolic health, but also as an important opportunity to reduce future cancer risk.
More kids are eyeing the trades: Seven in 10 Gen Alpha children familiar with skilled trades say they'd consider a blue-collar career.
Demand remains strong: Electricians, plumbers, welders, and HVAC technicians can earn solid pay without taking on major student debt.
Explore careers early: Summer camps, apprenticeships, trade schools, and job-shadowing can help students find the right path.
For decades, many parents viewed a four-year college degree as the default path to success. But a new survey suggests today's kids may have different ideas.
The survey, commissioned by Red Wing Shoes, found that 70% of Gen Alpha children who are familiar with blue-collar careers say they would like to work in the trades when they grow up. The research also found that 85% of kids are interested in hands-on work, while 70% of parents would support a child pursuing a trade career.
Popular career choices included construction worker, electrician, welder, carpenter, and firefighter.
The findings arrive as many employers struggle to find enough skilled workers. Electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, welders, and other tradespeople remain in high demand across the country, often earning competitive wages without taking on significant student loan debt.
To help turn that interest into action, Red Wing launched its new "Big Boots to Fill" campaign and partnered with the Heavy Metal Summer Experience, which offers free hands-on camps that introduce high school students to careers in the skilled trades.
Why parents should pay attention
Trade careers aren't just alternatives to college anymore. Many offer paid apprenticeships, steady demand, opportunities to start a business, and salaries that can rival or exceed those of some degree-required professions.
Here are some actionable ways to explore the trades:
Visit a local trade school: Many vocational schools host open houses where students can tour workshops, try equipment, and talk with instructors.
Look for summer programs: Hands-on camps focused on welding, construction, robotics, automotive repair, and electrical work can help kids discover what they enjoy before making career decisions. Also, community colleges often offer low-cost introductory trade classes that can help students test-drive a career path.
Start with simple DIY projects: Building a bookshelf, repairing a bicycle, changing vehicle fluids, or helping with home improvement projects can expose kids to valuable skills.
Job-shadow a tradesperson: Many local contractors, electricians, plumbers, and mechanics are willing to let students observe a workday to learn what the job is really like.
Research apprenticeship programs: Unlike many college programs, apprenticeships often pay participants while they learn. Ask local unions about apprenticeship opportunities for high school juniors and seniors.
Explore earnings before choosing a path: The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows many skilled trades offer salaries well above the national median wage, especially after gaining experience or starting a business.
If this is something that interests you, don't wait until after graduation. For parents who have kids that are interested in the trades, the same advice applies: act now! Many students can begin exploring trade careers as early as middle school through clubs, shop classes, and summer programs.
Related: Home Depot's Path to Pro program is another resource worth exploring, as it offers students and job seekers free access to training, apprenticeships, and connections to employers looking for skilled workers.
People with excessive daytime sleepiness were more likely to have high blood pressure than those without daytime sleepiness.
The highest risk was seen in people who were both excessively sleepy during the day and took at least 30 minutes to fall asleep at night.
Researchers say evaluating both daytime sleepiness and nighttime sleep difficulties may help identify people at greater cardiovascular risk.
Most people expect to feel a little sluggish after a poor night's sleep. But new research suggests that daytime drowsiness especially when it's paired with difficulty falling asleep at night may also be linked to a greater likelihood of high blood pressure.
Researchers from Penn State College of Medicine found that adults who reported excessive daytime sleepiness had higher odds of both existing hypertension and developing hypertension over time. The connection became even stronger among people who also took at least 30 minutes to fall asleep during an overnight sleep study.
Adults with excessive daytime sleepiness and prolonged sleep-onset latency appeared to represent a distinct subgroup with significantly greater cardiovascular risk, lead author Dr. Alexandros Vgontzas said in a news release.
Neither excessive daytime sleepiness on its own, nor prolonged sleep latency on its own, showed the same increased risk of hypertension.
How the study was conducted
The researchers analyzed data from 1,741 adults enrolled in the Penn State Adult Cohort. Every participant completed an eight-hour overnight sleep study, known as polysomnography, which objectively measured their sleep.
Excessive daytime sleepiness was identified through self-reports of moderate to severe daytime sleepiness or irresistible sleep attacks. Researchers also measured how long it took participants to fall asleep, defining prolonged sleep-onset latency as taking 30 minutes or longer to drift off.
To examine the development of high blood pressure over time, the team followed 786 participants who did not have hypertension at the beginning of the study for an average of 7.5 years.
The analyses accounted for numerous factors that could influence blood pressure, including age, sex, body mass index, race and ethnicity, smoking, caffeine and alcohol use, diabetes, depression, sleep apnea severity, total sleep time, and time spent awake after initially falling asleep.
What the findings mean
Compared with people who did not report excessive daytime sleepiness, those who did had 52% higher odds of already having hypertension and 74% higher odds of developing it during follow-up.
However, the greatest differences appeared when daytime sleepiness occurred alongside prolonged sleep-onset latency. In that group, the odds of existing hypertension were more than twice as high, while the odds of developing hypertension over time were more than three times higher.
According to the researchers, excessive daytime sleepiness combined with difficulty falling asleep may represent a distinct pattern that deserves closer attention during sleep evaluations.
They suggest that looking beyond sleep apnea alone and considering both daytime symptoms and nighttime sleep difficulties could help identify people who may have elevated cardiovascular risk and guide more targeted treatment approaches.
These findings suggest that evaluating excessive daytime sleepiness should extend beyond screening for sleep apnea alone, Dr. Vgontzas said. Assessing nighttime sleep difficulties and objective sleep measures such as prolonged sleep-onset latency may help identify patients with elevated cardiovascular risk and support more targeted treatment approaches.
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