We’ve curated some of the topics trending on the web regarding independent contractors over the last month
Student Loan Forgiveness
If you have one of the roughly 16 million approved applications awaiting forgiveness, you’ve probably noticed that things have stalled out. The latest delay happened when a federal judge in Texas ruled the debt forgiveness unlawful. It is expected to go to the Supreme Court in February 2023. But, as borrowers already know, the moratorium on payments has been extended until sixty days after June 30, 2023, or sixty days after the litigation is fully resolved, whichever comes first.
Tripledemic
A portmanteau is a word made from combining two other words, like “squishmallow” and “listicle” you encountered in the gift-giving section. Sometimes a portmanteau buzzword is fun, like “bromance,” “chillax,” or “athleisure.” Other times, we get something like “tripledemic,” which is unfortunately exactly what it sounds like. Right now, the flu, RSV, and COVID are all surging, mostly among children.
If you go to the drug store for children’s aspirin or decongestants, you may find yourself staring at empty shelves. It’s not the supply chain issue, though. Johnson & Johnson says there is no nationwide shortage of their medicines, but the drop in supply is simply due to high demand. The Consumer Healthcare Products Association reports that sales of these products were up more than 26% in October 2022 compared to October 2021. While RSV is most dangerous for young children, adults can still get it. If you’re concerned about what to do to avoid the tripledemic (or what to do if you catch one or more of these illnesses) check out this article from Yale Medicine.
Gift Giving
‘Tis the season for giving, and if you didn’t get your shopping completed over Black Friday and Cyber Monday, no need to worry––it’s also the season for highly curated gift-giving guides! Here are some good ones:
Buying for kids can be tricky. Toys fade in and out of popularity every year, and what was age-appropriate last year could seem downright insulting to a newly self-proclaimed big kid. The good news is that there are a lot of choices. The even better news is that someone made a list that breaks down into different age categories. This comprehensive guide from USA Today has sections for babies and toddlers, ages 5+, 8+, and 10+. (Pro tip: it seems that people of all ages love a Squishmallow ($15.47), so you can’t go wrong.)
Gifts for a techie can get expensive pretty fast. This list of 62 tech gift ideas comes with price ranges, so you can search for gifts under $50, under $100, under $200, and over $200. Even if your techie friend always seems to have the latest gadget, there is usually something thoughtful and useful that they’ll love, such as this adorable charging station ($36.99).
Check out this list for gift ideas for the animal lover in your life. Ideas range from Fat Cat Candles ($11) to the chance to actually meet an elephant in person ($125). This list includes all the fun animal-themed gifts you could think of… and then some!
It can be hard to pick out the perfect book for a bookworm. Books are so personal! But there are many thoughtful, creative book-related gifts that aren’t books at all, such as unique bookmarks ($4.85), plush stands for e-book readers ($28.99), and literary-themed candles ($32.00)! Here’s the complete list of bookish gifts. And never underestimate a gift card to your local indie bookstore. Not only will you be supporting a local business, but you’re letting your book nerd buy whatever they want. And rest assured, a bookstore gift card is never impersonal!
Leave it to Buzzfeed to come up with the most random listicles––but if you’re struggling to come up with an idea for someone who has very niche tastes, this list is a great place to get inspired! It includes a Jeopardy daily calendar ($15.29) for the trivia nerd, a geode-smashing kit ($29.99) for the budding naturalist, and a book of adventurous date ideas ($49.99) for your significant other who would like to spend more quality time with you, and a whole lot more!.
On a budget this year? No problem––this list has 83 gifts for under $25. You’re sure to find a thoughtful, personal gift that doesn’t break the bank. Jigsaw puzzles ($16.99), fireplace fragrances ($12.00), and a turkey tail mushroom cultivation kit ($21.00) round out this fun, random list.