The impact of inflation continues to burden families on a wide range of issues, such as childcare.
A report by the online caregiver listing service Urban Sitter found that babysitting costs are outpacing the current inflation rate, weighing upon families across the country, with a 9.7 percent jump in rates for sitters in 2022.
The average cost per hour for a sitter was $22.68 for one child and $27.70 for two. The increase is being linked to a number of factors, including the need for longer care times as many Americans return to the office full time and a shortage of available workers, allowing the available ones to charge higher rates.
While the federal government deems 7 percent or less of a family's income spent on childcare as being affordable, a Care.com survey found that more than half of Americans were spending upwards of 20 percent of their earnings.
As surging costs continue to take their toll on families, more states are beginning to provide childcare aid, according to Axios. Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island are among those to offer programs, and even many businesses are stepping up to help their employees in an effort to ease the burden.
The number of Americans filing for jobless benefits fell last week as the labor market continues to thrive despite high interest rates and elevated costs.
The earliest version of Disney's Mickey Mouse will become public domain on Jan. 1, 2024.
The toy magic oven called the Cookeez Makery is one of the hottest toys for kids this holiday season.
In the UK, IKEA is looking to give away some meatballs, and not just regular-size meatballs.
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson is set to star in a movie playing MMA and UFC legend, Mark Care, while Kevin Hart will headline a boxing project over on Peacock.
Coca-Cola is recalling drinks sold in three southern states due to possible "foreign materials" inside cans.
Stocks jumped after the Dow Jones closed at a record high while fresh retail sales data showed positive consumer spending ahead of the holidays.
The Food and Drug Administration is asking Congress for new powers, including the ability to mandate drug recalls and require eyedrop makers to undergo inspections before shipping products to the U.S.
The Federal Reserve kept its key interest rate unchanged Wednesday for a third straight time, and its officials signaled that they expect to make three quarter-point cuts to their benchmark rate next year.
StellerFi debt forgiveness.
