Your Money: Managing energy bills, retiring and surveillance pricing
Highlights from our money coverage from the past seven days.
Your Money
May 4, 2026

Hello everyone,

Maybe you’re counting (or counted) the days until you can stop working and retire. Plenty of people can’t afford to, or they choose to keep working because they know that every extra year will put them on stronger financial footing later.

Others continue to find joy, meaning or satisfaction in their work — they may dial back their schedules, or find something entirely new to do in their 60s, 70s and beyond.

I recently heard from at least one octogenarian with an interesting work story — and I’d love to hear more about your experiences, if you’re willing.

Have you continued to work during your “retirement” years? Have you continued with the same type or work — or perhaps tried something different?

Please write to us at yourmoney_newsletter@nytimes.com. Thank you, as always, for broadening our understanding with your personal stories. Below, you’ll find some highlights from our money coverage from the past seven days. Have a great week.

Since Congress Let Obamacare Subsidies Expire, Millions Are Dropping Coverage

Americans can’t afford the higher health insurance premiums that resulted from Congress’s refusal to extend federal tax credits.

By Reed Abelson and Margot Sanger-Katz

Sarah Coomber holds a cup with both hands while talking and sitting next to James Coomber in a common room.

retiring

5 Money Lessons From Readers in the Trenches of Elder-Parent Care

Generation X-ers and others shared stories of family crises, and we asked experts how to think about living longer than you expect.

By Elizabeth Harris

Sadie Parker faces the camera while standing with her hands in the pockets of her slacks. Behind her is a wall lined at the bottom with plants.

Graduates Reset Ambitions in Pursuit of First Jobs

Young people aiming to build careers are entering fields they had not considered to find their footing.

By Sydney Ember

Stores shelves lined with canned goods, including beans, corn and sauerkraut.

Maryland Is First to Ban A.I.-Driven Price Increases in Grocery Stores

A state law that goes into effect in October prohibits grocery stores and third-party delivery services from using consumer data to boost prices.

By John S.W. MacDonald

U.S. Economy Grew 2% in Early 2026 Even as War in Iran Began to Hit Energy Prices

Gross domestic product expanded at a 2 percent annual rate in the first three months of the year, a period including first weeks of conflict in the Middle East.

By Talmon Joseph Smith

Stocks End April on a High, Even as Oil Prices Touch New Peak

Strong earnings and economic data buck fears that prolonged disruption to Middle East fuel supplies will eventually dent economic growth.

By Joe Rennison and Gregory Schmidt

Two people, one in an orange jacket and the other wearing a black sweater and white helmet, are filling up a motorcycle with gas. An Elan sign is on the wall of the nearby building.

Rising Fuel Prices Force Policymakers to Weigh Excruciating Choices

The Bank of England and European Central Bank held interest rates steady on Thursday, as officials search for signs of possible longer-term damage and warn of the impact of a prolonged energy shock.

By Eshe Nelson

A close-up, angled shot of two black vertical banners for Charles Schwab hanging on the exterior of a multi-story stone building with a modern glass storefront.

Schwab Affiliate Halts Customer Donations to Southern Poverty Law Center

Fidelity’s and Vanguard’s donor-advised fund entities have taken similar actions since a Justice Department indictment of the civil rights group.

By Ron Lieber

Fidelity and Vanguard Won’t Allow Donations to Southern Poverty Law Center

Both entities cited the Justice Department investigation into the civil rights organization in messages to its charitable account holders.

By Ron Lieber

Michael Mizrahi, left, in a dark sweater, and Michael York, the founders of the handyman service Casa.

Can This Start-Up Automate Home Maintenance?

Casa, a company founded by former Uber executives, says it uses artificial intelligence and a stable of handymen to take care of members’ homes.

By Michael J. de la Merced

A woman with a backpack walks past a line of empty small yellow check-in counters.

Spirit Airlines, a Pioneer of Low-Fare Flights, Shuts Down

Spirit once upended the industry by offering very low fares but was in its second bankruptcy in two years after years of struggle.

By Niraj Chokshi

A yellow Spirit plane parked in front of a hangar at a Miami airport. A plane owned by another airline is parked next to it.

Spirit Airlines’ Demise Could Help Other Airlines

Even in its reduced state, the company played an important role in forcing other airlines to keep fares low, some experts said.

By Niraj Chokshi

A sepia-toned photograph shows two horseless carriages on a brick street. In each carriage, a man sits on a bench with another man standing behind him for driving.

Wheels

Electric Cars Were a Big Deal at the Turn of the Century. The Last Century.

The very first E.V. was born in the 1830s. By the 1900s, electric carriages were dodging horse droppings in Manhattan streets.

By Jim Resnick

A building facade with a glowing 'PARK LANE' sign, arched windows, and an American flag. People and blurred cars are on the street.

Uber Can Already Bring You Dinner. Now, It Wants to Book Your Hotel Room.

In partnership with Expedia, the ride-booking, food-delivering, package-transporting service takes another step toward becoming a super app.

By Tariro Mzezewa

SPECIAL SECTION: LONGEVITY

A woman sits in a chair in her living room in front of a fireplace.

How to Prepare for a Longer Life

We asked Times readers to share their best advice for a safe, satisfying and financially comfortable life — no matter how old you are or how long you live.

By The New York Times

An illustration showing someone on a path made of dollar bills, stretching into a blue sky with puffy white clouds.

A Longer Life Can Lead to Financial Concerns, and More Questions

With Americans living ever longer lives, the age-old worry of outliving savings has become more pronounced.

By Tara Siegel Bernard

Four stacks of coins with a woman doctor on one, a healthy-looking plate of food on another and bottles of medication on the fourth. Two people are below looking up at them.

Can Spending More Improve Your Health and Prolong Your Life?

The desire to live longer and healthier lives has spawned a growth in services and supplements. So what works best?

By Paul Sullivan

Two men, one with gray hair and one with brown, </div><script type=