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New Jersey braces for record-breaking back-to-school shopping

TRENTON, NJ – It’s that time of year in New Jersey. Empty your wallets for new clothes, new school supplies and a few new tech gadgets. Only this year, it’ll cost you more than ever, and there’s no Phil Murphy school tax holiday.

Yes, the election is over and the governor doesn’t need any tricks to get to the finish line. So you’re on your own as you continue to deplete your savings.

But who is to blame? Some say it’s Bidenomics. Others say the long-ago president is still to blame.

It’s that time of year again—back-to-school season. But instead of being filled with excitement over new notebooks and fresh kicks, many parents are grappling with a different emotion: financial panic. A new WalletHub study reveals how much this year’s school supply list is weighing on wallets across the country. Spoiler alert: there’s a lot of it.

We all know back-to-school shopping can feel like a never-ending treasure hunt, but this year the list seems even longer — and more expensive. According to WalletHub, as much as 79% of parents I think schools are asking for too much. It’s like every year the school supply list somehow gets another mile longer, and your bank account shrinks just as fast.

If you’re wondering if back-to-school shopping is getting out of hand, you’re not alone. Stunning 86% of parents believe that education costs have officially spiraled out of control. From expensive tech gadgets to designer items, it’s no wonder parents are feeling the pinch. And let’s not even get started on those school fees that seem to come out of nowhere.

In another not-so-surprising twist, 52% of parents they say they expect to spend more this year than last year. So if you cringe every time you swipe your card at the checkout, know that half of parents in America probably do the same.

The study also showed that 77% of parents are willing to go into debt for their child’s education, up from 72% last year. Yes, the cost of providing everything a child needs (and maybe a few things they don’t) has gotten so high that nearly 8 in 10 parents are okay with taking on debt to cover it.

As families prepare for another school year, the financial burden is impossible to ignore. Costs are rising, and parents are feeling the pressure. So if you’re reviewing your back-to-school shopping list and considering a second mortgage to cover it, you’re not alone. This year, it seems, the back-to-school crisis is more real than ever.

When in doubt, don’t be afraid to look for deals, accept second-hand items, or even—gasp—say “no” to some of the more extravagant requests. Your wallet will thank you later.

  • They Never Had Private Jobs, Trump Attacks Opponents Driven by Socialist Agenda

    Politics can be a wild ride, especially when it comes to what gets said (and twisted). Kamala HQ recently claimed that Trump told a crowd at a rally that teachers and soldiers “don’t have real jobs.” Put on a record, because, people, that’s not what he said. Let’s dive into what really happened.

    Alleged Claim: Trump vs. Teachers and Military

    Kamala HQ made a pretty bold statement saying that Trump fired teachers and soldiers because they didn’t have “real jobs.” If that were true, that would be a big deal, right? But here’s the catch: this is completely untrue.

    Real Quote: Fact Finding

    What Trump Actually he said at this rally was completely different. Here is the full quote:

    “Neither (Kamala Harris) nor her running mate…have held private sector positions throughout their careers, so it’s no surprise that they’re both socialists.”

    So there was no mention of teachers or service members at all. Trump was taking aim at the professional backgrounds of Harris and her running mate — specifically, the fact that they didn’t work in the private sector. That’s a dig at their professional backgrounds, not at people who serve in the military or teach our children.

    Truth: Context is everything

    It’s easy to see how a piece of a quote could be taken out of context, but in this case it’s clear that the original claim is a complete fabrication. There’s a big difference between criticizing someone’s career path and dismissing entire professions like teaching and military service.

    Summary: Beware of manipulation

    In the maelstrom of political campaigns, it’s more important than ever to check the facts and look at the whole picture. Misleading claims can spread like wildfire, but the truth is often a little less sensational and a lot more grounded. So the next time you see a shocking headline or an out-of-context quote, take a deep breath, dig in, and get your facts straight—because that’s how we keep it real.

  • If the United States were to use 100% renewable energy today, yes, there would be a power outage

    Okay, let’s break this down. You may have seen this cheeky statement from Kamala HQ suggesting that if the US ran on renewable energy alone, your TV would never turn off. Sounds like a dream, right? But let’s be realistic – we need to talk about the reality of renewable energy and how it actually powers your binge-watching sessions.

    Wind Energy: A Gusty Hero with a Touch of Reality

    Wind power is like that one friend who always shows up at the party—dependable, but not the life of the party. Sure, wind makes up about 9.8% of U.S. electricity (not bad!), but not everything is smooth sailing (or is it windy?).

    Fact Check: Wind energy Is largest source of renewable electricity in the US, but only 9.8%. That means there’s still plenty of energy coming from other sources. Wind turbines are like that quirky indie band you love – great when they’re performing, but not always on your main playlist.

    Windy Places: Not Everywhere Is Chicago

    Here’s the catch – not everywhere has strong, consistent winds. Remember when Trump threw shade at wind power? Well, there’s some truth to that. Not every place is windy enough to make wind power super profitable. It’s like trying to make a sailboat work in the middle of the desert – it’s not ideal.

    Department of Energy confirms: “Wind projects may not be cost-competitive in some places where there isn’t enough wind.” Translation: If you live in a quiet, windy area, wind power may not be the best choice. Plus, the windiest places are in the middle of nowhere, far from the city where all the action (and demand for electricity) is.

    Summary: It’s a mix of people

    Your TV is turning off? It’s more about how we manage and store energy than where it comes from. The U.S. power grid isn’t just wind turbines spinning in a field—it’s a mix of renewables like wind and solar, as well as old-school stuff like natural gas and coal.

    Summary: If we relied only When it comes to renewable energy, we would need to do a better job of storing that energy for the days when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow. But don’t worry, with the right infrastructure (and maybe a little patience) your TV viewing is safe.

    So yes, renewables are awesome and definitely the future – but like any good thing, it’s a work in progress. So get your popcorn ready and look forward to a future where renewables can easily keep your TV on!

  • ‘Dangerous’ TSA Smuggling Now Goes to Charity as Deadly Shampoos Donated

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ah, the good old TSA — the bane of every traveler’s existence. You know the drill: You’ve meticulously packed your toiletries, and your full-size shampoo bottle has been ruthlessly confiscated because it could be a secret weapon. But here’s a twist no one expected: Those “potentially dangerous” items the TSA protects us from? They’re now being donated to charity!

    You read that right. The same liquids and gels that were deemed too dangerous to pass through the TSA’s strict “3-1-1” rule are now considered safe enough to be handed out to those in need. That unopened bottle of sunscreen you had to give away? It’s no longer a national security threat — it’s simply something that could help someone avoid a nasty sunburn.

    From Explosives to Charitable Giving: A 20-Year Change

    For nearly two decades, the TSA has been diligently confiscating items weighing more than 3.4 ounces, warning us that they could wreak havoc on board an airplane.

    And while many of us have shed a tear while washing off our favorite body lotion or had to say goodbye to an expensive sunscreen, there is now some silver lining to this strange process.

    In a pilot program at Reagan National Airport, non-TSA workers sort through piles of toiletries left behind by exhausted passengers. Only the best of the best make it to the selection process—brand new or lightly used. So far, they’ve collected a staggering 2,300 items, diverting more than 1,160 pounds of what used to be labeled “hazardous waste” from landfills. It’s like giving your trash an extreme makeover.

    Why this sudden change of mind?

    You might be scratching your head and wondering, “Wait, weren’t these things supposed to be dangerous?” It turns out that these “dangerous” items are actually safe enough to give away, which makes you wonder about all those times you had to give away your brand new bottle of conditioner.

    Of course, it’s unclear whether the TSA quickly checks these items to make sure they’re not dangerous before handing them over. But hey, in the grand scheme of things, it could be a win-win: The TSA keeps its reputation as the best enforcer, and people in need get free toiletries.

    What’s next?

    Since this program is still in its early stages, the future looks bright for all those discarded shower gel bottles and shaving cream cans. If the pilot program proves successful, we may see it expanded to other airports across the country. Who would have thought that one day confiscated liquids could end up in the hands of someone who really needs them?

    In the meantime, keep your fingers crossed that your next bottle of sunscreen doesn’t end up in a landfill but in a charity bag instead – because if the TSA doesn’t want it, someone else definitely will.