Need inspo to ask for that raise? After a long battle with the US Soccer Federation, the US Women’s National Soccer Team won a game-changing contract to close the pay gap between them and the men’s team. Score.
Headlines, Skimm'd
Human resources. Some companies are stepping up their efforts to support employees who may be impacted by the Supreme Court’s looming decision on abortion rights. Amazon and Apple are among the employers committing to covering expenses for employees who need to cross state lines for abortions. Starbucks has made a similar pledge and is extending travel benefits to workers seeking gender-affirming procedures.
Out of stock. Thanks to supply chain issues, including a key plant’s closure, there’s a dire baby formula shortage. And the crisis is disproportionately impacting low-income families. In some good news, the closed plant is reopening.And the Biden admin is invoking the Defense Production Act to boost baby formula manufacturing. It’s also expediting the process of importing formula from other countries. Plus, two bills are in the works to help low-income families and speed up FDA inspections.
Cooling off. The housing market is finally slowing down. The number of homes for sale went up at the end of April, according to Zillow. And the Biden admin released a plan to build more housing — especially more affordable options — over the next five years. But rising interest rates and home prices are still making home buying a challenge. The demand for mortgages is 15% lower this week compared with last year.
Let’s Talk About…
Revenge Travel
Aka the vacation you’ve been dreaming of. The problem: affording it. While many travelers are intentionally splurging — think: far-flung destinations or luxury accommodations — even basic summer vacays are more expensive. Airfares spiked almost 19% in April alone, gas is still priced at a premium, and food and dining costs are also flying high.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t afford to go OOO. Here are a few tips to help you get your revenge (travel):
Plan ahead. It almost goes without saying, but you should budget and save for a trip before you book it. Start a sinking fund and contribute a bit of every paycheck until you have enough for your dream trip.
Pick your destination wisely. Get more bang for your buck with a favorable exchange rate. The strong US dollar (thanks, global inflation) means you have a lot of options right now.Psst…here’s where Americans can travel atm.
Consider using a travel rewards credit card. Because perks like airline miles and fee-free checked bags can make your trip (and paying for it) smoother. You just have to find the right travel rewards card for you.
Make Good (Money) Choices
If you want to protect your home…
Know the risks. New data from the nonprofit First Street Foundation shows that 71.8 million homes in the US are currently at some level of wildfire risk. And that number will jump to 79.8 million by 2050. While data can’t stop a wildfire, it can help you see what preventative measures you need to take — and which homeowner’s insurance policy will be there for you — in the event of a disaster. Learn how homeowner’s insurance works before you need it.
Crypto, Decoded
Cryptocurrencies shouldn’t be written off as digital fool’s gold — just ask our experts. Recap Future-Proofed: Closing the Crypto Gender Gap, led by crypto experts Laura Shin, Maggie Love, and Mags Kala. We Skimm’d everything from how women can get more involved in crypto investments to the risks, rewards, and opportunities of blockchain technology. It’s a rich woman’s world. Check it out.
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Inheriting a vase from a relative might not sound like a big deal…until it turns out to be worth $1.8 million.
Profits are up for the Baby-Sitters Club (probably) as teen sitters are asking for more $$$ (and anything from the fridge) amid the childcare shortage.
Robot on aisle five? Albertsons grocery stores are deploying smart shopping carts developed by ex-Amazon engineers.
Wells Fargo claims it increased interviews of diverse job candidates. Some employees say the jobs were already filled, the New York Times reports.
For three hours, GrubHub offered a “free lunch” deal in NYC. Chaos ensued.
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