⛈️ Navigating the Tariff Storm

👋 Good morning! Tariff tensions are back, reshaping industries and affecting your wallet. Meanwhile, U.S. job growth remains steady, AI is revolutionizing trip planning, and we're exploring practical ways to ease financial anxiety. Let's dive in and stay informed together! 🚀

U.S. Job Growth is Strong, But Young Workers Still Need to Stay Sharp. The U.S. economy added 228,000 jobs in March, with unemployment holding steady at 4.2%, according to the latest BLS report. Strongest gains occurred in health care, social assistance, transportation, and warehousing—fields attracting younger workers. Yet, federal employment fell, and overall labor force participation remained unchanged, signaling a job market that’s solid but cautious. For young professionals, staying adaptable and building transferable skills remains crucial in navigating this stable yet selective employment landscape.

Trip Planning Gets an AI Assist as Google Races to Keep Up. Starting this week, Google is rolling out new AI-powered tools to simplify vacation planning. The latest features auto-generate customized itineraries, track hotel prices, and save wish-list spots directly to Google Maps, essentially offering a personalized travel assistant. Why now? PYMNTS reports young adults increasingly rely on chatbots for trip ideas, with 52% expecting AI help.

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Late March 2025 brought a jolt to global trade: The U.S. announced sweeping new tariffs—including a hefty 34% levy on Chinese goods. It’s one of the biggest trade moves in decades, with implications at home and abroad.

Supporters argue tariffs will make imports costlier, incentivizing U.S. manufacturing, boosting domestic industries, and creating jobs. For example, Nvidia’s CEO announced plans to invest billions of dollars in expanded U.S. chip production—a shift partly triggered by tariff concerns. Advocates also highlight improved national security, suggesting that reducing reliance on foreign suppliers for crucial technology strengthens America’s strategic independence.

However, tariffs effectively function as taxes on imports, meaning consumers might soon see higher prices on many goods. A Yale analysis projects that the 2025 tariffs could increase overall U.S. consumer prices by around 2.3%, costing the average household approximately $3,800. China has already vowed to retaliate, and other nations could follow, potentially hurting American exporters and disrupting supply chains. Additionally, experts have pointed out that the tariffs likely violate WTO rules, which could lead to legal challenges and strain international alliances.

For now, these tariffs seem firmly set. The White House remains steadfast, showing no immediate signs of reversal. Historically, tariffs tend to persist unless substantial economic damage occurs or another administration repeals them. Though legal challenges from corporations may arise, many businesses are preparing as if tariffs represent the new normal.

This is moving fast so we’ll have more updates next issue as well.

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Have you ever scrolled through IG or TikTok and felt a wave of anxiety about money? It’s natural to worry if you’re falling behind financially, especially when social media is a constant highlight reel of new jobs, new cars, and glamorous trips. That comparison can really hurt—one survey found 42% of young people felt anxious from comparing themselves to others online.

In reality, “on track” is different for everyone. Financial norms for young adults vary widely. For context: the median American under 35 has only about $3,240 in savings, and the typical 25–34-year-old earns around $57,000 a year. Many peers are still paying off student loans or credit cards. And you’re not alone if that’s your reality—about 34% of Gen Z even have more credit card debt than emergency savings, so most aren’t exactly buying summer homes.

To avoid the comparison trap, focus on your personal progress. Free tools like Rocket Money or You Need A Budget (YNAB) can help track spending, automate savings, and show you improvements over time. Remember, there’s no universal pace for success—your financial journey is uniquely yours.

What I’ve found matters most is being intentional—about money, spending, and honestly, most things in life. If you’re not intentional yet, start now, and watch things change for you. But compare at your own peril. I can’t find data supporting that comparing yourself to others actually helps.

Use this quick check to confidently choose opportunities that genuinely fuel your growth.

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Every time Cristiano Ronaldo posts on Instagram, it indirectly consumes about 100 MWh from his 651M followers—enough energy to power roughly 33 households for an entire year.

In 1760, John Joseph Merlin unveiled his invention—roller skates—at a London party. Lacking braking mechanisms, he crashed into a really expensive mirror, shattering it and injuring himself.