#cost of living

#cost of living

I read with interest that mayor Mamdani was considering a baby basket scheme in New York and hope that, by sending a Scottish example, it will provide inspiration to help him to refine and develop his exciting policy. Scots share much in common with the people of New York; not least our history and heritage as celebrated every year during New York Tartan Week.

The idea of getting paid to move abroad sounds too good to be true, yet it's becoming a reality for many people. Around the world, countries and smaller regions are offering financial incentives to attract new residents. Whether it's to fight population decline, stimulate local economies, or revitalize rural towns, these programs are creating opportunities for adventurous individuals and families in 2026.

Located on the Samaná Peninsula, Las Terrenas first caught the attention of Christopher Columbus as he sailed past it's tropical shores in 1492. Hundreds of years later, French and Italian expats settled in the town, turning the once-rustic fishing village with little infrastructure into a popular destination for Europeans seeking Caribbean scenery without resort dominance along the coastline, according to International Living.

Revenue wrote to 34,000 family carers notifying them carer's allowance or carer's benefit have always been taxable and warning those who have not been declaring them as income they may face back-taxes. Payments to carers have always been subject to taxation but were previously self-declared. Under the new system, tax on income from the payments will be collected in real time, similar to other payments from the Department of Social Protection.

The governor has said for months that she plans to seek reelection, and her campaign kicked off this week with a revamped website and a splashy announcement video. "These are tough times, and Donald Trump is making everything worse," Healey said in the video. Healey highlighted actions she took in her first term: filing legislation meant to reduce energy costs, facilitating the construction of close to 100,000 new homes, capping health care deductibles and co-pays, investing in housing and services for veterans, protecting SNAP benefits, strengthening the MBTA system, and making community colleges free for some students.

However, if you're prioritizing affordability in this next chapter of your life, you'll need to narrow down your options even further. Recently, U.S. News & World Report compiled a ranking of the cheapest cities and towns for Americans to retire in 2025 and 2026, and a small city in Texas took the top spot. Based on annual housing costs for mortgage-paying homeowners and median gross rent, Eagle Pass is officially the No. 1 place in Texas-and the country-for retirees to live well on a budget.

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. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum.

With the cost of living soaring, Ron Robinson is determined to save wherever he can starting with his grocery bill. It's why the Montreal man shops at Liquidation Marie, an ultra discount grocery chain where prices can be as much as 50 per cent less than a regular grocery store. He recalls purchasing steaks for about six dollars each. "If you go to a big box store, you're going to pay maybe $20, $25 for a pack of three," Robinson told 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.

United States President Donald Trump has said that he will delay the implementation of tariffs on upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets and vanities for one year, amid growing concerns over cost-of-living issues. Trump signed an order on Wednesday night, during the New Year's Eve holiday, pausing a planned 50 percent tariff on cabinets and vanities and a 30 percent tariff on upholstered furniture.

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

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.

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.