The K-shaped economy of the rich doing fine and everyone else struggling is back — and it could mean a rocky 2026

Tech Insider : Economy, Economy, Business
an employee looking around a closing store
The American economy is tipping away from low-wage workers once again.

PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images

19 states just raised their minimum wage. See which states pay the most.

Tech Insider : Economy, Politics, Politics
$15 minimum wage sign outside capitol
$15 minimum wage signs outside the Capitol

Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

AI boom threatens to push smartphone, PC prices higher in 2026

Tech Insider : Business, Technology
A man holding a smartphone.
Smartphone prices are expected to increase in 2026 due to RAM shortage caused by AI boom.

PixelsEffect/Getty Images

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani is inaugurated, vowing to replace 'rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism'

Tech Insider : Economy, Politics, Economy
A photo of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and his wife Rama Duwaji at his inauguration.
Zohran Mamdani was inaugurated as the mayor of New York on Thursday. His wife, Rama Duwaji, joined him onstage at City Hall.

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

The cities where downsizing will save you the most and least

Tech Insider : Business, Style, Travel
A condo building in Houston, Texas
StorageCafe analyzed dozens of big US cities to see how much downsizing would pay off.

Getty Images

Trump's sweeping student-loan repayment overhaul goes into effect in the new year. Here's what's changing.

Tech Insider : Economy, Business
President Donald Trump
President Donald Trump's student-loan repayment overhaul is set to take effect in July 2026.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Social Security payment calendar 2026: See when beneficiaries will receive monthly checks

Tech Insider : Economy, Business, Style
An open mailbox showing a social security check
Social Security payment days vary depending on each beneficiaries' birth date.

iStock; Getty Images; Tyler Le/BI

Parents who take out student loans for their kids are set to see repayment changes in the new year. Here's what to know.

Tech Insider : Economy, Business
Walking on college campus
Parents who take out student loans for their kids could see repayment changes in the new year.

Jon Lovette/Getty Images

Backyard tiny homes are finally legal in New York City. They could be a boon for homeowners who can afford construction.

Tech Insider : Business
An ecological living module, a 22-square-meter 'tiny house,' is on display at the United Nations Plaza in New York City.
Thousands of New York City homeowners are finally eligible to build a tiny home, or accessory dwelling unit, in their backyards.

Drew Angerer/Getty Images

8 million minimum wage workers are up for a raise in January. Some will hit a historic $15 milestone.

Tech Insider : Economy, Economy, Business
a sign that says
Workers in six more states will see their minimum wages hit $15.

Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

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