News You Can Use • August 2026 • Everyday Cheapskate

Hello, August! The sun’s blazing, the snacks are melting, and some of us are wondering if back-to-school aisles always show up this early. While summer clings on, the headlines are heating up too. Whether you’re soaking in the last rays or just looking for a break from the news cycle, here’s your monthly dose of smart, useful, and occasionally surprising updates.

Why Your Dog Steals Your Seat

Your dog isn’t necessarily trying to take over the couch when they hop into your spot the moment you stand up. Your seat is warm, comfortable and, best of all, smells like you, making it an especially appealing place to curl up. Usually, it’s simply a dog’s way of staying close to their favorite person. There is one behavior, however, that’s worth watching for.
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Winter 2026–27: What’s Coming Your Way?

Winter may be milder than usual across much of the country, but don’t put the snow shovel away just yet. The Old Farmer’s Almanac is calling for pockets of colder, snowier weather, particularly across parts of the Northeast, Appalachians, Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West. The forecast also points to several periods when storms, snow or bitter cold could make an appearance.
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Waiting to Book Holiday Flights Could Cost You

If you’ve been telling yourself you’ll wait until fall to book Thanksgiving or Christmas flights, this may be the year to rethink that strategy. Holiday airfares are already running higher than last year, and recent pricing patterns suggest another jump could come as September approaches. The good news? Booking now doesn’t necessarily mean you’re stuck with today’s price if fares drop later.
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When You Can’t Trust the Cute Animal Video

Remember when an adorable animal video was an easy little dose of happiness? AI-generated images and videos are changing that and creating a real problem for pet owners, animal rescues and wildlife organizations. Fake animal photos are now being used in scams, while legitimate rescue and conservation work is sometimes dismissed as AI-generated. The result? We’re losing something surprisingly valuable: trust in the animals we see online.
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He Turned a Smart Car Into a Pizzeria

How small can a restaurant get? In New York City, Bradley Alvelo has squeezed a working pizzeria into a bright green Smart car, complete with two pizza ovens and everything needed to make fresh 12-inch pies. But the tiny car is only part of the appeal. By keeping his business small, Alvelo has rediscovered the personal connection with customers that he missed in corporate dining and built a business around doing what he loves.
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What Dolly Parton Never Left Behind

Dolly Parton grew up in a tiny East Tennessee cabin with 11 siblings, without electricity or running water and eventually became extraordinarily wealthy. But she never treated that humble beginning as something to hide or escape. She carried the lessons, memories and values of home into her music, philanthropy and life. Maybe “making it” isn’t about leaving your past behind after all. Maybe the best parts of where we came from are worth bringing along.
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Tariff Refunds Are Coming. Who Actually Gets the Money?

Billions of dollars in tariff refunds are now flowing back to U.S. businesses after the Supreme Court ruled certain tariffs illegal. But here’s the surprising part: the people who ultimately paid those higher prices may not automatically get their money back. Shipping companies that charged customers a separate tariff fee are expected to pass refunds along, but retailers that simply built tariff costs into their prices face a much murkier situation.
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Why Are People Choosing the Slowest Way to Text?

What if your next text took 20 minutes, an hour, or even longer to arrive? Two new apps are making that happen by sending messages at the approximate speed of a bird flying between you and your recipient. The quirky idea has already attracted hundreds of thousands of users, suggesting something surprisingly practical: people may be craving technology that gives them less immediacy, fewer interruptions and a reason to put the phone down.
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The Tiny Tasks Quietly Draining Your Energy

Ever wonder why a few unfinished tasks can make you feel so tired? Every ignored text, repair, appointment or difficult conversation can become an open loop, taking up mental space even when you’re not actively thinking about it. The good news: you don’t have to tackle the whole list at once. Pick one nagging task and take the smallest possible step toward finishing it. That little win can make the rest feel lighter.
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The $150 Million Experiment That Couldn’t Replace Nature

What happens when you put a tiny version of Earth under glass and cut it off from the real world? Biosphere 2 found that cockroaches, ants and fast-growing weeds thrived while birds and pollinators disappeared. Even the oxygen supply became a problem. The biggest lesson wasn’t about living on Mars. It was about how much invisible work nature does for us every single day, completely free.
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Stuck on a Big Decision? Ask Yourself This One Question

When a decision feels impossible, we tend to ask what’s safest, easiest or least uncomfortable right now. But there’s another way to look at it: Imagine yourself at 90, looking back at the choice you’re about to make. Which option would that older you be proud of? It’s a simple shift that can turn a confusing decision into a much clearer one.
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Shadow the Bald Eagle May Have Found a New Mate

After losing his longtime mate, Jackie, Big Bear’s famous bald eagle Shadow has been spending time with a younger female named Kaydee. A raptor biologist says their behavior strongly suggests they’re forming a pair bond, and if things continue, they could begin nesting together later this year. It’s a bittersweet reminder that in the wild, life keeps moving forward, even after loss.
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A 250-Year-Old Secret Was Hiding in a Town Record Book

A routine search through old town records in Wells, Maine, uncovered something extraordinary: a handwritten copy of the Declaration of Independence recorded in July 1776. It was written by the town clerk after Massachusetts officials ordered local clerks to preserve the historic document in their records. Nearly 250 years later, that handwritten page offers a remarkable glimpse into how news of American independence actually reached ordinary communities.
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Would You Trust a Chatbot With Your Money?

AI has moved from answering trivia questions to helping people decide what to do with their money. It can be surprisingly useful for basic budgeting, saving and investing questions, but it can also sound completely confident while giving advice that changes when you add one important detail. The smartest approach? Use AI as a financial thinking partner, not the final authority…
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Cholesterol Guidelines Just Changed: What You Need to Know

Think cholesterol is something to worry about later in life? New U.S. guidelines are taking the opposite approach. Doctors are being encouraged to look at cholesterol and other blood fats earlier, assess long-term heart risk more closely, and consider treatment sooner when lifestyle changes aren’t enough. The big takeaway: how long your LDL stays elevated may matter just as much as how high it gets.
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Check Your Eggs: FDA Raises Recall to Highest Risk Level

A massive egg recall has just been upgraded to the FDA’s most serious recall classification because of potential salmonella contamination. More than 1.6 million cartons were affected, with recalled eggs sold under multiple brand names across several states. If you have eggs in the refrigerator, this is one of those times when checking the carton before cracking another egg is five minutes well spent.
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Keebler’s New Cookie Has a Very Sweet Secret

Keebler is teaming up with a beloved chocolate candy to create a brand-new cookie, bringing together two familiar treats in one crunchy bite. It’s the kind of grocery-store mashup that makes you wonder why nobody thought of it sooner. The big question is: Which iconic candy is getting the Keebler treatment?
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The Economy Is Sending 5 Signals You’ll Feel at Home

Inflation may be cooling, but that doesn’t necessarily mean life is getting cheaper. Grocery prices dipped, gas remains painfully high, wages are losing some ground, and shoppers are showing some surprising spending habits, especially among lower-income households. Meanwhile, rising government debt could keep pressure on borrowing costs. In other words, the economy may be changing direction, but your household budget is still feeling the bumps.
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Food Recalls Are Piling Up: What Should You Still Eat?

With recalls and outbreaks involving lettuce, jalapeños, berries and eggs, grocery shopping can suddenly feel like a game of “Is this safe?” The good news is you don’t need to avoid fresh food altogether. A gastroenterologist shares a few simple precautions, including what to watch for when buying produce and the safest way to handle lettuce at home.
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A Solar Eclipse Is Coming: Will You Be Able to See It?

A solar eclipse is headed our way Wednesday, and parts of the U.S. will get a front-row glimpse, even though only a small portion of the Sun will be covered. Meanwhile, skywatchers in parts of Europe will experience something much more dramatic: total darkness during the day. If you’re planning to look up, there’s one important safety rule you absolutely shouldn’t skip.
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Moneymaxxing? We’ve Been Doing That for Years

“Moneymaxxing” may sound like the latest social-media trend, but there’s really nothing new about it. Cutting unnecessary expenses, stretching every dollar, paying down debt, automating savings and getting the most from what you already have are the same practical money habits that have helped families build financial breathing room for decades. The new part is simply giving an old-fashioned idea a trendy name.
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Three Midlife Habits That Could Buy You 13 More Years of Brain Health

Your brain may have a longer memory than you think. A 26-year study found that avoiding just three common health risks in midlife was linked to about 13 extra years without dementia. The encouraging part? Experts say it’s never too late to start making changes that benefit both your heart and your brain.
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The Moon Has a Brand-New Crater and a Satellite Caught It Happening

The Moon has a fresh scar after a stray SpaceX rocket stage slammed into its surface at nearly 5,400 mph. A South Korean lunar orbiter captured rare before-and-after images showing the new impact crater and the darker debris left behind. Even more detailed photos are expected soon, offering a fascinating look at an accidental cosmic collision.
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Ford’s New Electric Truck Has a Surprising Price Tag

Ford has finally revealed the name of its upcoming affordable electric pickup and the biggest surprise may be the price. Starting just under $30,000, the new truck is designed to make EV ownership more accessible while packing in features like hands-free driving, a front trunk, and room for five. If you’ve been waiting for an electric truck that won’t break the budget, this one is worth watching.
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Prime Members Have Free Books Waiting This Month

If you’re an Amazon Prime member, don’t overlook one of the quieter perks of your membership. This month, you can claim two free Kindle e-books through Amazon First Reads, including an early-release title and a bonus short read. It only takes a minute to add them to your library and they’re yours to keep.
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Fitbit Users Just Got a Feature They’ve Wanted for Years

If you use a Fitbit and an iPhone, managing your health data just got a lot easier. A new update finally lets Fitbit information like steps, sleep, workouts, and heart rate sync directly with Apple Health. No third-party apps or complicated workarounds required.
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The Hidden Retirement Cost of Helping Grown Kids

More adult children are moving back home, but the financial impact doesn’t stop with higher grocery bills. Financial planners say many parents are delaying retirement or saving less because supporting grown kids can cost thousands each year. Here’s why more families are rethinking the “empty nest” years and what to consider before saying yes.
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