Hi there! This is Betty Lin-Fisher bringing you today’s edition of The Daily Money.

The newest data on consumer spending indicates robust spending in the U.S., even amid rising inflation and interest rates.

However, as my colleague Bailey Schulz reports, some shoppers are facing challenges based on their financial status.

While pay increases have enhanced the buying capacity for many Americans, experts point out that certain groups, particularly lower-income renters, continue to struggle.

Dollar stores and other budget retailers are experiencing the effects of this economic divide.

Ho Ho Ho?

As we try to hold on to the tail end of summer, retailers are already shifting their focus and displays towards the holiday season.

They’re onto something, as a recent survey by Bankrate reveals that almost half (48%) of holiday shoppers plan to kick off their shopping by Halloween.

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Are you a Pumpkin Spice aficionado? Would you be willing to taste test 20 pumpkin spice products for a chance to earn $1,000? (Sounds like a sweet deal!)

The personal finance website FinanceBuzz is seeking one individual to sample all the pumpkin-spiced offerings at Trader Joe’s.

About The Daily Money

The Daily Money provides you with essential consumer and financial news every weekday, making complex issues easier to grasp and explaining how factors like changes in interest rates and bankruptcies affect you.