Discretionary spending

FILE - In this Monday, June 14, 2021 file photo, people sit at outdoor tables at a restaurant in Soho, in London. Retail sales in Britain slipped back in May as people ventured out to spend money at restaurants and pubs following the easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions, official figures showed Friday, June 18. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

UK retail sales dip as lockdown easing allows socializing

By Urooba Jamal Jun. 18, 2021 10:14 AM EDT

FILE- In this May 10, 2021 file photo, Tom Li, second from right, and his fiancé, Leah Li, right, pose for photos taken by Ella Chang, left, at Gas Works Park in Seattle. The couple, who live in Seattle, are originally from China and have a wedding planned later in the year for September. As COVID-19 cases drop and restrictions ease, many couples are eagerly moving forward with paused wedding plans — or altering existing ones to accommodate more guests. But figuring out where to start and what costs you’ll face can still be tricky during this time. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

Is your wedding budget ready for the reception resurgence?

By Lauren Schwahn Of Nerdwallet Jun. 09, 2021 07:00 AM EDT

FILE - In this Thursday, June 3, 2021, file photo, an elderly patient receives a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at a clinic at Orange Farm, near Johannesburg. Mastercard Foundation, one of the largest foundations in the world, announced Tuesday, June 8, 2021, it will spend $1.3 billion over the next three years to acquire and deliver COVID-19 vaccines for more than 50 million people in Africa. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell, File)

Foundation to spend $1.3B to vaccinate Africans for COVID

By Haleluya Hadero And Gerald Imray Jun. 08, 2021 08:18 AM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 5, 2021, file photo, an empty Swanston Street is seen at night in the Central Business District as lockdown due to the continuing spread of COVID-19 prepares to start in Melbourne. Melbourne, the city that was once Australia’s worst COVID-19 hot spot has announced a seven-day lockdown, its fourth since the pandemic began. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, File)

The Latest: W Virginia steps up prizes for vaccination

By The Associated Press May. 27, 2021 01:43 AM EDT

Biz group floats work grant; federal aid higher than thought

By David Eggert May. 10, 2021 04:51 PM EDT
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan's biggest local chamber of commerce floated a plan Monday in which $400 million in federal COVID-19 relief money would be spent...

President Joe Biden speaks during a rally at Infinite Energy Center, to mark his 100th day in office, Thursday, April 29, 2021, in Duluth, Ga. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Biden sells economic plan in GA, calls for rich to pay more

By Zeke Miller And Aamer Madhani Apr. 29, 2021 12:57 AM EDT

Member of Congress applaud as President Joe Biden speaks to a joint session of Congress Wednesday, April 28, 2021, in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool)

The Latest: In GOP response, Scott says US isn't racist

Apr. 28, 2021 05:23 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 14, 2020 file photo, travelers walk through Terminal 1 at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago. As vaccinations roll out, questions remain about how and where people can travel safely and on a budget this summer. Experts recommend first and foremost to get vaccinated before traveling and continue to follow CDC guidance for COVID-19 safety even after being inoculated. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

How to travel safely and cheaply this summer

By Sam Kemmis Of Nerdwallet Apr. 28, 2021 07:00 AM EDT

Seeing a slowdown in vaccinations, state to expand outreach

By Susan Haigh And Pat Eaton-Robb Apr. 22, 2021 02:05 PM EDT
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said Thursday the state is beginning to see a slowdown in demand for vaccinations, prompting his administration to look for new...

Millennial Money: How my travel credit card saved me $1,388

By Melissa Lambarena Of Nerdwallet Apr. 13, 2021 06:46 AM EDT

Man arrested after refusing temp check on $15K Disney trip

Apr. 05, 2021 07:15 AM EDT
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A Louisiana man who said he spent $15,000 on a Disney World vacation learned to his misfortune that the “the most magical place on Earth”...

Cape Cod sees virus surge; Gov urges patience with website

Mar. 28, 2021 09:30 AM EDT
A look at coronavirus developments around New England: MASSACHUSETTS Officials on Cape Cod are pleading with the state...

FILE - In this Sept. 25, 2020 file photo, a woman shops at a discount clothing store, in New York. While the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a lot of financial stress, it has also led many Americans to adopt new financial habits, many of which are worth keeping as life begins to return to normal. A NerdWallet survey found that most people who formed new financial habits say they plan to continue them. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

5 pandemic-driven financial habits worth keeping

By Kimberly Palmer Of Nerdwallet Mar. 24, 2021 07:00 AM EDT

FILE - This Nov. 23, 2020 file photo shows the New York Stock Exchange, right, in New York. Stocks were mixed in early trading Tuesday, March 16, 2021, as Wall Street looked to match its longest winning streak of the year. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

US stocks step back from all-time highs in choppy trading

By Damian J. Troise And Alex Veiga Mar. 16, 2021 03:08 AM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 18, 2020 file photo, a Walmart store sign is visible from Route 28 in Derry, N.H. Walmart Inc., reported on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, that it swung to a loss in the fiscal fourth quarter as the sale of its Japan and United Kingdom divisions weighed on results. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

Walmart sales still surging, but a chill may be on the way

By Anne D'innocenzio Feb. 18, 2021 07:33 AM EST

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro speaks to one of his ministers during a ceremony commemorating the 160th anniversary of the state bank Caixa Economica Federal at Planalto presidential palace in Brasilia, Brazil, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

Brazil's Bolsonaro cries foul over reports on condensed milk

By Mauricio Savarese Jan. 27, 2021 07:02 PM EST

A sale sign is displayed near the entrance of a Hallmark store Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. Retail sales fell for a third straight month, as a surge in virus cases kept people away from stores and restaurants during the holiday shopping season. The report released Friday is yet another sign that the pandemic is slowing the U.S. economy. Last month, the country lost jobs for the first time since the spring.(AP Photo/John Raoux)

U.S. retail sales fell in December for 3rd straight month

By Joseph Pisani Jan. 15, 2021 08:45 AM EST

FILE - This Nov. 12, 2018 file photo hows a store sign at a Petco store in Chicago. Petco, the San Diego-based pet store chain, went public again Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021 hoping to bank on people’s obsession with their furry friends. Petco’s stock, which opened at $18 Thursday, rose 66% to $29.89 in afternoon trading, valuing the company at more than $6 billion. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File)

Petco goes public again as spending on dogs and cats soars

By Joseph Pisani Jan. 14, 2021 01:51 PM EST

FILE - In this Aug. 4, 2020 file photo, shoppers take purchases to their vehicle in the parking lot of a Target store in Marlborough, Mass. Target’s strong sales streak extended through the holiday season, as shoppers snapped up everything from clothing to home goods during the pandemic. The Minneapolis company reported Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021, that its online sales surged 102% for the November and December period. (AP Photo/Bill Sikes)

Target continues to thrive in whirlwind retail environment

By Anne D'innocenzio Jan. 13, 2021 06:33 AM EST

Holiday sales tick up as shoppers invest in their homes

By Alexandra Olson Dec. 26, 2020 04:56 PM EST
NEW YORK (AP) — Retail sales increased a modest 3% during a longer holiday season this year, as homebound shoppers spent more on furnishing and food but less...