RBD Wealth Management, LLC

08/24/2026

Back-to-school season is bringing higher costs for many families.

A new analysis found that a typical basket of school items, including notebooks, lunch boxes, and index cards, is up nearly 8% compared with last year.

School lunches are also more expensive, with the cost of a typical packed lunch up 11%.

The analysis estimates families may spend roughly $4,000 per student on school supplies and lunches this year, including about $175 on school items and $3,800 on packed lunches.

Some items have seen especially sharp increases. Lunch boxes are up 27%, one-subject notebooks are up 23%, and index cards are up 22%.

Higher tariffs, imported school supplies, food prices, and energy costs are all contributing to the increase.

For families, back-to-school shopping is a reminder that seasonal expenses can add up quickly, especially when everyday costs are already stretching household budgets.


Source:

U.S. households will spend roughly $4,000 per student on school supplies and lunches this year, a new analysis found.

02/14/2026

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12/31/2025

The holiday season can bring joy, but also stress, pressure, and a long list of expectations. A new report found that 60% of Americans felt stressed heading into the holidays, while nearly 70% reported feeling pressure to appear happier than they truly are.

According to workplace culture expert Jennifer Moss, small “micro-actions” may help people navigate overwhelming moments with more steadiness. Here are a few of the expert-backed ideas highlighted in the piece:

▪️Label the feeling: Naming an emotion may help reduce stress.
▪️Appreciate a person, not just a thing. Gratitude aimed at someone can
strengthen a connection.
▪️Notice something neutral or positive to interrupt negativity bias.
▪️Replay one good thing before bed to shift attention.
▪️Take a break from comparison on social media.
▪️Tune into your senses during busy or loud environments.
▪️Offer silent gratitude during tense family moments.
▪️Do one tiny act of generosity, like thanking a retail worker.
▪️Let go of one expectation to reduce pressure.
▪️Move more slowly to steady your nervous system.
▪️Try a 30-second “awe scan” outdoors: Briefly focus on something striking in
nature to interrupt stress.
▪️Celebrate small wins to build momentum.

These gentle resets aren’t about forcing joy; they’re about finding moments of calm in a very full season.


Source:

Try "practicing these micro-actions — like tiny mood resets," says Jennifer Moss, former member of the Global Happiness Council and author of "Unlocking Happiness at Work."

12/30/2025

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