Written by Creditvana
With contributions from Courtney Neidel (Managing Editor) and Anna Helhoski (Senior Writer & Content Strategist)
⚠️ Labor Market Wobbles, Powerball Surges, Mortgage Rate Pressure Builds
The August jobs report showed more signs of strain in the labor market, with unemployment ticking up and hiring cooling. That puts more pressure on the Fed to cut rates — and soon — or mortgage rates could edge even higher.
Meanwhile, the Powerball jackpot has soared to $1.7 billion — one of the largest in history — ahead of Saturday’s draw.
⚽️ 2026 World Cup Ticket Sales: What You Need to Know Now
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is still months away, but the scramble for tickets has already begun. And if you want a seat in one of the 11 U.S. stadiums or venues in Mexico or Canada, now’s the time to act.
Phase One: Visa Presale Draw
FIFA has opened a lottery-style presale, available only to Visa cardholders, that lets you enter for a chance to get an appointment to buy tickets.
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Draw window: Now through Sept. 19
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Appointments issued: Starting Sept. 29
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Ticket sales begin: Oct. 1 for draw winners
🎟️ Prices start at $60 for group-stage matches and run up to $6,730 for the final, held in New Jersey in July 2026. Prices are dynamically priced, meaning they’ll likely rise with demand.
⚠️ StubHub and other resellers are already listing tickets for tens of thousands of dollars — many of which they don’t even have yet.
Future Chances to Buy
If you don’t have a Visa, don’t worry — additional draws are scheduled for:
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Oct. 27–31 (no Visa required)
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Two more rounds in December
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Last-minute sales expected in 2026
✅ Next step: Register on the FIFA World Cup ticket portal to get a FIFA ID and receive notifications.
📱 iPhone 17: Should You Upgrade?
Apple’s next big event is coming this Tuesday, and the new iPhone 17 lineup is expected to headline. But is it time to upgrade?
iPhone users now hang on to their phones for about four years — a far cry from the annual upgrade cycles of the past. We dove into user forums (and yes, asked AI too) to find out what people are really doing:
Most common upgrade strategies:
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Every 4–5 years, especially with battery replacements
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Every 2 years to maximize trade-in value
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Every year for power users or professionals
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When the phone actually fails, not when a new one drops
💡 Popular advice: “Buy a phone when you need it, not when you want it.”
Still, the iPhone 17 may include new AI features, which some analysts believe could speed up upgrade cycles again. If that’s important to you, it might be worth the splurge.
🪙 Gold Is Booming — But Should You Jump In?
Gold just hit a new high, trading at over $3,650/oz, up more than 35% this year. That dwarfs the 10% rise in the S&P 500 over the same period.
What’s driving the gold rush?
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📉 A weaker U.S. dollar = cheaper gold for international buyers
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🏦 Central banks — especially China and India — are buying aggressively
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📊 Gold-backed ETFs added 379+ tons in just the first half of 2025
J.P. Morgan projects gold could hit $4,000/oz by mid-2026. deVere Group says we could see $5,000/oz by next spring.
⚠️ Reminder: Gold is volatile, and not for every investor — even if Costco now sells gold bars. Here’s our guide to buying (and selling) gold wisely.
🎃 Pumpkin Spice Season May Get Pricier — Thanks to Tariffs
Pumpkin spice season is here — but behind the cozy fall vibes is a sticky trade story.
The classic blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice comes from tropical climates. Translation: Most of it is imported.
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🌍 India, a key source for multiple spices, now faces a 50% U.S. tariff
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Other countries face tariffs ranging from 10% to 30%
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Higher costs may soon reach grocery shelves and cafés
💰 For now, the price of Starbucks’ PSL hasn’t changed, but some products may switch to artificial flavors or lower-cost suppliers.
🧾 Tax Break: $25K in Tips May Be Tax-Free in 2025
Starting next tax year, up to $25,000 in tipped income will be tax-exempt for workers in 68 occupations.
Included:
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Restaurant servers and bartenders
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Hairstylists, delivery drivers, housekeepers
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Digital creators, plumbers, electricians, and more
Want to know if your job qualifies? Check the full list and get details here →
🏠 Pro Tip: Fall Is Prime Time to Buy a Home
If you’ve been waiting for the right time to house hunt, fall could be your sweet spot. Prices tend to dip and sellers get more flexible in Q4 — especially if mortgage rates come down.
Patience may still pay off.
🔮 Coming Next Week: All Eyes on Inflation Data
Key economic indicators are coming in next week. Here’s what we’re watching:
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Sept. 10 – Producer Price Index (PPI)
Wholesale prices surged in July. August may still be hot — but not quite as extreme. -
Sept. 11 – Consumer Price Index (CPI)
Core inflation topped 3% last month. A milder reading could strengthen the case for a Fed rate cut.
Stay tuned — this data will impact everything from credit card rates to savings yields.
🔁 In Case You Missed It:
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Crypto credit cards are making a comeback — three years later
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IHG One Rewards cards just launched new bonuses
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Another potential government shutdown looms
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Patience pays off for homebuyers — especially in fall
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Powerball jackpot hits $1.7 billion
