You've likely been planning your upcoming trip for a while, whether you're preparing to connect with loved ones over the holidays or getting ready for an extended vacation far from anyone you know. To give you peace of mind while you're away, you'll also need to make sure the home you're leaving behind is safe and secure.

The chances of a ...Read more

Gift-giving is a cornerstone of relationships. People express gifting in myriad ways, from spontaneous, smaller-scaled acts like baking treats to more elaborate signs of affection like planning a trip.

Presents can be physical manifestations of social relationships, which remain significant even in a digital age. But amid growing concerns ...Read more

Car buyers weary of electric vehicles often share the same concern: "What if I run out of juice and there's nowhere to charge my car?"

That was a fair question in 2007. At the time, there were only 139 public EV charging stations. But in the years since, public and private entities have invested billions into building out charging ...Read more

Inflation has strained consumers' finances in recent years. It is also having an impact on the charities that depend on donations to do their mission-driven work.

Even as charities feel the economic squeeze, however, those in the grant-giving, civil rights, social causes, and educational sectors have seen substantial growth in donations over...Read more

The holiday shopping season can be the most wonderful time of year for consumers—but it's the most important time of year for small business owners. Yet many small business owners find themselves in a tight spot, as the growth of online shopping transforms major retailers into the go-to for shoppers seeking both convenience and good deals. ...Read more

The holiday season feels a little less jolly considering the amount of waste generated by gift-giving. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates the amount of household garbage in the U.S. increases by 25% between Thanksgiving and New Year's.

After the decorations come down, all that waste heads to landfills, producing a significant ...Read more

People from all over the world have long come to the United States in search of opportunities. That includes immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers, and temporary workers and students who come to the U.S. on specialty visas.

Among the latter are skilled foreign workers, a select group granted special access by the H-1B visa program, ...Read more

Americans are heading into the first holiday season in years where buying less may be the first thing on their minds. And this year, gift lists may exclude one important person: you.

Stacker dug into Deloitte's 2024 holiday retail survey to explore the psychology behind Americans' reluctance to self-gift this year.

In the modern era, ...Read more

We're all going to die someday. Still, how it happens—and when—can point to a historical moment defined by the scientific advancements and public health programs available at the time to contain disease and prevent accidents.

In the early 1900s, America's efforts to improve sanitation, hygiene, and routine vaccinations were still in ...Read more

Life-sized cardboard cutouts, lightsaber chopsticks (that actually light up!), bacon-themed bandages—these days, anything the mind can dream up can be sold and purchased online.

According to the Census quarterly retail e-commerce sales report, e-commerce accounted for roughly 16% of total retail sales in the U.S. during the second quarter ...Read more

Artificial intelligence is everywhere. Recent cover songs, résumés, web design, animation, and even voiceovers all have generative AI fingerprints. Creative industries are witnessing a rapid shift in process and production, while artists and creators have pushed beyond what was possible just a year ago.

And change shows no sign of slowing ...Read more

Side dishes have become a vital part of our collective tables and culinary culture, playing an essential role in how meals are enjoyed around the world. The tradition of complementing main courses with additional, smaller plates can be traced back centuries, with historical records indicating that even in ancient times, lavish banquets featured...Read more

Between a growing housing deficit and historic federal funding for infrastructure improvements, construction projects are arising across the nation. At the same time, there may not be enough qualified workers to move these projects forward.

There were 370,000 construction job openings in August, up 138,000 from the month prior, according to ...Read more

With the end of the year approaching, it's time for parents and caregivers to begin planning what's in store for winter break while children are out of school. Whether traveling to see family or staying close to home, there are plenty of museums and family-friendly events around the U.S. to help young children engage in both educational and fun...Read more

Universal pre-K has been shown to prepare children for school, narrow the achievement gap, and help reduce child care costs.

Still, just as state-funded pre-K programs have taken off nationwide, with enrollment increasing during the 2022-23 school year, a shortage of early childhood educators has thwarted progress toward providing a high-...Read more

Hurricane Helene wrought devastation across the Southeast. The storm's high winds and flooding killed more than 230 people, and the damage to property, infrastructure, and other economic impacts is estimated to be worth tens of billions of dollars.

But heavy rains and destructive winds weren't the only natural disasters out in force: The ...Read more

Over the past decade, researchers have made strides in understanding the link between two seemingly unrelated organs: the gut and the brain. Findings from microbiologists, neurologists, and nutritionists who study the gut-brain axis, or the interaction between these two essential organs, all point to the profound influence the gut has on the ...Read more

After decades of decline, syphilis cases are on the rise again, hitting their highest levels since the early 1960s. Though the vast majority of syphilis cases are preventable, rates surged nearly 80% between 2018 and 2022, rising among all age groups and including a spike in transmission at childbirth, according to data from the Centers for ...Read more

Americans pride themselves in living in the "land of opportunity." Rags-to-riches stories continue to appeal because they embody the idea that people can be free from social constraints and class systems. People hope that anyone—no matter where they're from—can achieve the American Dream through initiative and hard work.

However, great ...Read more

Navigating eco-friendly products isn't easy for the ethically minded consumer. Despite the best intentions, sustainable shopping often requires extra time, discretion, and research—and with the holidays around the corner, the pressure to buy is intense.

Shopping sustainability involves considering a product's entire life cycle. That ...Read more