Best and Worst States for Saving Money

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How are firms responding to higher tariffs? link

• Most companies plan to pass tariff-related cost increases directly to consumers. This move is expected to push inflation up over the next six months.

• The Fed survey cited shows firms are facing growing input cost pressures, and those costs are not being absorbed internally. Instead, businesses are protecting margins by increasing prices on end products.

• The report highlights a likely rise in PCE (Personal Consumption Expenditures) inflation driven by tariff impacts. Firms across multiple regions, including those tracked by Dallas, Kansas City, and New York Fed branches, are contributing to this trend.

White House proposes elimination of Section 8 housing vouchers link

• The White House wants to replace Section 8 with state-managed block grants and cap rental aid for able-bodied adults at two years. Housing advocates warn this could cause a sharp spike in homelessness, especially since only 1 in 4 eligible households currently get aid.

• The plan also includes about a 40% cut to rental assistance and removes local control over homelessness programs. Cities like Los Angeles have already stopped taking new Section 8 applications due to budget uncertainty.

• The federal budget would cut programs for affordable housing, community improvements, and fair housing enforcement. Rising rents are depleting COVID-era emergency vouchers faster than expected, which may fully expire next year.

U.S. apartment market sees strong leasing momentum link

• New lease trade-outs hovered around 1.4% growth in January, February, and March 2025. That marks the strongest Q1 momentum in at least three years, despite March ending flat at 0% year-over-year rent change.

• Back in November 2024, new leases were pricing 4% below previous rates, highlighting a sharp turnaround by early 2025. While pricing hasn't fully rebounded, the market's shift suggests improving renter confidence and tighter conditions.

• Effective asking rents rose 34 basis points in Q1 2025 compared to Q4 2024. Although still under the 2010s average of 60 bps growth, it's a notable improvement from the losses seen in 2023 and 2024.

Almost one-third of senior living staff turnover stems from low pay, report finds link

• Low pay was the top reason 29% of licensed caregivers planned to leave the industry, while burnout was cited by 16%. Another 10% planned to exit caregiving to return to school, highlighting the pressure on younger professionals.

• An overwhelming 98% of respondents said flexible scheduling would keep them in their roles. Nearly 74% said they’d even take a $1.50 hourly pay cut for better culture and management.

• Despite challenges, 86% of caregivers still want to stay in the industry, driven by emotional ties and purpose. In cities where operators adapt work culture and offer development paths, retention rates are expected to improve.

Trump wants to cut rental assistance. His first-term budget requests show he’s serious link

• The 2026 budget proposal includes $32.9 billion in cuts to HUD, with $26.7 billion slashed from rental assistance, Section 8, and housing for the elderly and disabled. Programs like CDBG and HOME are also on the chopping block, which could hit cities nationwide that rely on flexible federal grants.

• Experts say these cuts would trigger a homelessness surge and drive property owners reliant on vouchers into bankruptcy. The National Housing Conference CEO expects Congress to reject the proposal as it did in Trump’s first term.

• While the budget lacks detailed line items, it pushes to shift federal housing aid to state-managed block grants. Only $25 million is earmarked for youth aging out of foster care, showing limited reinvestment elsewhere.

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Mapped: Best and Worst U.S. States for Saving Money in 2025 link

• Tennessee ranks #1 for saving money, helped by no income tax and a low cost of living. Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma, and Florida also perform well thanks to stable economies and low state taxes.

• Hawaii is the worst state for savers due to extremely high living costs and weak job growth. Coastal states generally ranked lower, while Southern states scored better overall.

• South Dakota had the strongest local economy but low deposit interest rates held it back to 7th place. Louisiana ranked 8th overall despite a weak economy, thanks to top-5 deposit rates and moderate taxes.

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