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At the end of the year, music lovers get their Spotify Wrapped reports, summarizing all the tunes they listened to in 2025.

What if you analyzed your money goals in the same way?

In other words, as 2026 begins, it is a great time to review the financial milestones you were striving for this year — and to use those results to chart a better path this year.

As it happens, Current, a consumer fintech banking platform, knows exactly what money goals people were aiming for in 2025, thanks to a survey from financial information site Bankrate. The top one, by a significant margin: Paying down debt, identified by 21% of people. Other top responses included saving more money for emergencies and getting a higher-paying job.

Of course, life requires people to juggle many different financial aims at once. The real challenge is finding the right balance, so you can make progress on multiple goals in 2026.

“The number one task is to identify your top priorities,” says Mark Hamrick, Bankrate’s senior economic analyst. “It’s not unlike putting together a puzzle. Once you get an idea of what your puzzle pieces are and how they fit together, that’s part of the process of doing the work and attaining your financial goals over a lifetime.”

So looking back, how did Americans fare in 2025? Here’s a roundup of people’s top money goals.

Paying down debt. It’s not surprising that this was number one on everybody’s collective wishlist, considering Americans are struggling with it so mightily.

Look at the latest numbers from the New York Fed: Total household debt stood at a record $18.59 trillion in this year’s third quarter, comprising everything from mortgages to credit cards to auto loans to student debt. Anything households can do to reduce that burden — and the interest being paid on it — is a sound strategy for the future.

Saving for emergencies. If your budget has little margin for error, and you are hit with sudden expenses, “that’s when things start to get dicey,” says Hamrick. It forces you into a debt spiral that could potentially end in bankruptcy.

That’s why a pot of emergency savings is so critical — between three and six months’ worth of expenses, suggests Hamrick, to help you get through any rough patches like layoffs or medical crises. “More is always better.”

Rather than having that cash sit and earn nothing, make sure to give it a boost in a higher-yielding account.

Getting a higher-paying job or an additional source of income. Affordability is the watchword of the day, since consumer costs have been rising for years — spiking during the COVID-19 pandemic, and still proving stickily high, thanks to factors like tariffs. (Inflation is currently around Read more

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CheapInsurance.com compiled statistics on gas prices in the U.S. using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of January 5.

U.S. by the numbers
– Gas current price: $2.81
– Week change: -$0.01 (-0.5%)
– Year change: -$0.25 (-8.1%)
– Historical expensive gas price: $5.02 (6/14/22)

– Diesel current price: $3.52
– Week change: -$0.03 (-0.9%)
– Year change: +$0.00 (+0.1%)
– Historical expensive diesel price: $5.82 (6/19/22)

Metros with the least expensive gas
#1. Des Moines, IA: $2.00
#2. Casper, WY: $2.01
#3. Columbus, NE: $2.12

Read on to see which metros have the most expensive gas prices.

Christian Mueller // Shutterstock

#5. San Luis Obispo-Atascadero-Paso Robles, CA

– Regular gas price: $4.46

jittawit21 // Shutterstock

#4. San Diego, CA

– Regular gas price: $4.46

Rangsarit Chaiyakun // Shutterstock

#3. Napa, CA

– Regular gas price: $4.46

Elen Nika // Shutterstock

#2. Hilo, HI

– Regular gas price: $4.58

Istvan Csak // Shutterstock

#1. Lihue (Kauai), HI

– Regular gas price: $4.96

This story was produced by CheapInsurance.com and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

The post How gas prices have changed in the U.S. in the last week Jan. 5, 2026 appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

Virrage Images // Shutterstock

A bathroom remodel is an excellent way to increase the value of your home and create a more enjoyable atmosphere while you live in your residence, but cost is a factor. You must budget carefully to get the results you’re looking for without breaking the bank. It’s easy to get in over your head.

However, with the right budgeting strategy, you can find the ideal balance. But how much does a bathroom remodel cost?

Bathroom remodel expenses can vary wildly depending on the extent of your renovation, the materials used, and the fixtures added. It can be difficult to assign a number to the total cost. But once you determine what you want, you can research to find out prices and create a budget suited to your needs.

World CopperSmith’s bathroom remodel cost guide will tell you everything you need to know.

Understanding Bathroom Remodeling Costs

Your bathroom remodel cost will vary depending on what’s involved. Here are some factors to consider.

What Does a Bathroom Remodel Entail?

A bathroom remodel can entail anything from a simple paint job to breaking down the walls and building a larger bathroom. Here are some common bathroom remodeling endeavors.

• New fixtures such as the sink, toilet, and cabinets: Many households replace existing fixtures when they are no longer functional or stylish. They may also update to more energy-efficient fixtures.
• New plumbing and electrical systems: Plumbing and electrical systems wear out eventually. You may also choose to update systems for a more convenient layout.
• Replacing the sink countertops: New sink countertops can significantly enhance your bathroom aesthetics.
• Adding shelves: Shelving creates more space in small bathrooms.
• Installing safety features such as grab rails: This is a common remodeling endeavor for senior family members.
• Updated lighting: Lighting is a major factor in bathrooms. You may update your lighting for better mirror views and improved navigation.
• Breaking down walls: In extreme instances, you may even break down your bathroom walls to make a smaller or larger bathroom.
• Paint job: Painting can change the entire look of your bathroom. Consider the latest colors and styles to create an updated look.
• Shower and shower doors: Stylish shower doors can improve your bathroom aesthetics. You may also consider switching out an old showerhead or renovating the tub.
• Tiles: You may choose to replace your bathroom wall tile or floor tile to update your bathroom aesthetics. Tiles often get cracked and chipped, and grout can dull and darken. Switch them out to create a clean, modern interior design.
• New windows: Bathrooms don’t typically have many windows, but you may need to replace yours if they interfere with remodeling needs.
• Permits: Your bathroom remodel may require a permit. This will likely be the case if you update the plumbing or

OSCAR GONZALEZ FUENTES // Shutterstoc

Who hasn’t heard the iconic phrase, “The world is your runway”? Its widespread popularity is no accident. It perfectly embodies the daring and expressive essence of the fashion industry. But beyond the glitz and glamour, have you ever considered how fashion affects the global economy?

In this article, Plus500 examines Fashion Week, one of the most prestigious and influential events in the fashion industry. This story will focus on the upcoming 2026 Fashion Week and explore how this iconic event shapes trends and impacts the economy.

TL;DR

• Fashion Week refers to an event where designers unveil their latest seasonal designs to the public and industry professionals.
• These events generate billions in global sales and boost local economies.
• The 2026 Fashion Weeks are expected to drive major growth in tourism, retail, and jobs.

What Is Fashion Week?

Fashion Week is a major event in the fashion industry, typically lasting several days. During this time, designers, brands, and fashion houses present their latest collections. These showcases, usually catwalk shows, are aimed at buyers, members of the press, and other industry professionals. They are crucial in influencing fashion trends for the current and upcoming seasons.

The most prestigious Fashion Weeks are in the world’s leading style capitals: New York, London, Milan, and Paris, collectively known as the “Big Four.” Each city hosts two main Fashion Weeks annually: one in February or March to unveil Autumn/Winter collections, and another in September or October for Spring/Summer lines. Paris also holds Haute Couture Week twice yearly, featuring exclusive, made-to-measure creations.

These events attract a diverse crowd, including buyers, editors, journalists, photographers, stylists, models, make-up artists, hairdressers, investors, celebrities, and influencers. While traditionally by invitation only and reserved for industry insiders, some designers now offer limited tickets to the public, and many shows are livestreamed on social media platforms to reach a wider audience.

The History of Fashion Week

Fashion Week originated in mid-19th-century Paris, where Charles Frederick Worth began inviting clients to private salon shows to preview his latest designs, marking the early roots of organised fashion presentations. By the early 1900s, American department stores hosted their own shows, but it wasn’t until 1943 that Fashion Week took its modern form. With Paris inaccessible during World War II, publicist Eleanor Lambert launched “Press Week” in New York to promote American designers, gaining the attention of major fashion publications.

Though New York hosted the first official Fashion Week, Paris’s long-standing couture traditions remained central, especially after the iconic 1973 “Battle of Versailles” show. Today, Fashion Weeks in New York, London, Milan, and Paris, held twice yearly, set global fashion trends and attract designers, media, celebrities, and industry insiders alike.

How Fashion Week Affects the Economy

• Economic Output
  Read more