Good morning and happy Friday! This is Betty Lin-Fisher with Friday’s consumer-focused edition of The Daily Money.
Walmart is the latest retailer to say it will use its tariff refunds to lower prices for shoppers. But will others follow?
Fans coping with Panettiere’s death
Hayden Panettiere’s death earlier this week led to women opening up about postpartum depression and also reignited calls to boycott Neutrogena, which the late actress said did not renew her contract after she spoke up about her post-pregnancy mental health struggles.
Neutrogena issued a statement Thursday, saying the company understood it made Panettiere “feel unsupported during a very difficult time” and said it was making a significant investment to a long-standing community health partner to help give more women access to the support they need.
Should you care about the US debt?
It’s hard to fathom a number with 13 zeros after it, but the U.S. gross federal debt this week surpassed $40 trillion for the first time in history, reports Medora Lee.
Besides knowing the answer for a trivia question, what does the federal debt have to do with you?
The debt effects Americans every day, economists say, from inflation and interest rates to reduced wages.
Consumer stories you shouldn’t miss
Betty Lin-Fisher is a consumer reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at blinfisher@USATODAY.com or follow her on X, Facebook or Instagram @blinfisher and @blinfisher.bsky.social on Bluesky. Sign up for our free The Daily Money n