Living costs stories
Higher energy costs are squeezing household budgets, but digital commerce and brisk business investment are helping keep growth steady at 2.4% in 2026.
Australian consumers unsure about sharing bank data now have a plain-language guide as PocketSmith expands its use of consented open banking feeds.
Falling confidence is pushing households to trim discretionary purchases, with 65% cutting non-essential spending as essentials stay dear.
Pay-later use for essentials is rising as Canadians face higher grocery bills and turn to discount chains to stretch budgets.
Rising living costs are pushing New Zealand shoppers to compare prices, reviews and product details across AI, social media and search.
Rising living costs are pushing 71% of online shoppers to compare more options and cross-check purchases across more channels before buying.
The record haul will fund bursaries and grants for young Canadians hit by affordability, mental health and education barriers.
Lower weekly payments could widen access to BYD electric cars as Karmo's novated subscription starts at AUD $126.16 in Australia.
Australian businesses face tighter cash flow as overdue invoices jump to a six-year high, reinforcing expectations the RBA will hold rates at 4.35%.
Severe financial stress is changing household payment hierarchies, with mortgages now as likely as credit cards to fall behind first in some cases.
Cost-of-living pressure is pushing New Zealand households to protect power and water bills first, while telco debts are among the first to slip.
Shoppers feeling the squeeze are driving demand for discounted home, garden and tech items as 86% worry about living costs, AliExpress said.
Rising margins pressure and a Middle East supply shock are testing lenders, even as provisions and capital buffers are lifted.
UK merchants could see fewer abandoned baskets as emerchantpay adds card-linked instalments at checkout for eligible Visa shoppers.
Fuel now tops cost pressures for Australian SMEs, but most are still swallowing the rise rather than passing it on to customers.
Cashback spending on Chexy is rising fastest among Canadians under 40, highlighting a shift towards immediate rewards on bills, rent and taxes.
Britons are far more likely to reject changing grocery prices than embrace them, with fairness and clear pricing still driving loyalty.
Household budgets remain under strain as many cut essentials, dip into savings and miss payments, with £23 billion in support unclaimed yearly.
Middle-income households in Singapore are increasingly using cryptocurrency to diversify portfolios and buffer rising costs, a new survey shows.
Lower costs and lighter tax burdens have pushed Bucharest to the top of Europe’s startup rankings, while London fell to 69th globally.
