#cost-of-living

#cost-of-living

While we respect the ASA's decision, we fundamentally disagree with the characterisation of a campaign that critically reflects widely reported economic conditions as socially irresponsible,

Democratic Representatives Mike Thompson (CA-04) and Richard E. Neal (MA-01) even introduced a bill called the American Affordability Act, which promises to reduce housing, educational, and childcare costs with a variety of tax credits. Congressional campaign professionals have been urging candidates from coast to coast to adopt an "affordability agenda." And-for good reason-recent polling shows that the cost of living tops the list of voters' concerns.

The UK's poorest families are getting poorer, with record numbers of people classed as in very deep poverty meaning their annual household incomes fail to cover the cost of food, energy bills and clothing, according to analysis. Although overall relative poverty levels have flatlined in recent years at about 21% of the population, life for those below the breadline has got materially worse as they try to subsist on incomes many thousands of pounds beneath the poverty threshold.

Nationwide, wages have barely crept up over the last decade - rising by 21.24% between 2014 and 2024, according to the Federal Reserve. Over the same period, rent and home sale prices more than doubled, and healthcare and grocery costs rose 71.5% and 37.35%, respectively, according to the Fed. National home price-to-income ratios are at an all-time high, and coastal states like California and Hawaii are the most extreme examples.

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.

There are cheaper rents to be found in Roscommon, Monaghan, Donegal, Leitrim and Cavan. But what about day-to-day costs? It's no secret that Dublin is an expensive place to live. In fact, a 2025 report by Tradingpedia found that it's the fifth most expensive capital city in Europe. But what about the other towns across Ireland? Where can you eke out a cheaper way of life, spending less on everything from your morning coffee to your yoga class?

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."

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.

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.