Latest news with #AAA
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Here's how inflation may be hitting your summer plans — and where you can benefit from falling prices
Consumer prices are up this year, but there are a few bright spots to take advantage of in your summer plans. Consider travel. Road tripping might be a fair bit cheaper thanks to the 8.3% drop in gasoline prices from last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data out on Tuesday. Airfare is also lower, with a 3.5% decrease logged between June 2024 and June 2025. By subscribing, you are agreeing to Yahoo's Terms and Privacy Policy Having fun at home, though, is another story. Hosting a cheap barbecue is no picnic, with beef prices sharply higher. And many things that keep children entertained — toys and playground equipment, as well as subscription services for videos and games, to name a few — are more expensive than last year. Here's where inflation may be hitting your summer plans. It's a good summer to hit the road. Summer gas prices haven't been this low in four years, AAA noted last week, with costs driven down 'due to an abundance of supply in the oil market.' As of Tuesday, gas prices nationwide averaged $3.15 a gallon, with even lower prices across parts of the Sun Belt, according to AAA. Airfare costs are also easing, down 3.5% between June 2024 and June 2025, BLS data shows. Lodging cost inflation at hotels and motels was down 3.7% in the same period, falling 3.6% from May to June. Still, the cost of eating out was up 3.8% from last June, higher than the 2.4% increase for food at home, making it worthwhile to pack a cooler or cook while on vacation. Wells Fargo's Agri-Food Institute said in a report last month that a Fourth of July party for 10 people would cost about $130 for food and beverages. That's a 2.2% increase from last year, with price hikes seen in beef, eggs, and cherry tomatoes. Chicken was a cheaper protein to offer, the report noted. Indeed, according to BLS data, uncooked ground beef prices were up by 10.3% on an annual basis in June, while chicken prices were up by 3.9% over the same period. Fish and seafood price increases were even softer, up just 0.9% on an annual basis. This may also be the summer to swap sweets for produce: Fresh fruit prices were up 3.4% in June compared to last year, while candy and gum prices were up 8.1%. Parents looking to keep kids entertained while school is out may experience some pocketbook pain. Prices for toys, games, hobbies, and playground equipment rose 1.7% annually, with a 1.2% increase from May to June, according to BLS data. The cost of musical instruments was also up 3% on an annual basis, while subscription and rental services for videos and video games rose a whopping 13.7% over the same period, putting a damper on a classic air-conditioner-friendly activity. Prices for recreational books, meanwhile, were up 3.8% from May to June, though book costs have so far decreased by 0.9% on an annual basis, BLS data shows. Some better news for athletic kids: Inflation of bicycles and other sports vehicles was 4.2% lower in June compared to the previous year. If your summer plans involve buying college textbooks to prepare for the fall, according to BLS data, prices were up 10.2% in June from a year ago. Textbook prices typically increase by an average of 6% each year, according to the Education Data Initiative. But prices on other items parents may need to purchase for their kids before school starts, like smartphones and calculators, have eased since last year. As for clothing, overall apparel prices slowed by 0.5%, with girls' apparel seeing the sharpest price drop of 2.9% in that time period. Boys' apparel, meanwhile, saw a 2.4% increase. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CBS News
2 days ago
- Automotive
- CBS News
Florida drivers paying lowest gas prices in 2 months. Here's what you'll see at the pump.
With ample oil supplies, Florida drivers have gotten a break at the pump, but it's unclear how long that will last. The average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gas on Sunday in Florida was $2.94. That's down 14 cents from a week earlier, 2 cents below last month and 58 cents less than this time last year, according to the AAA. "This season's lower pump prices are due to an abundance of supply in the oil market," the auto club said in a statement. However, AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins suggested the price "break may not last much longer" amid signs on the broader market. "Gas prices in Florida often follow a pattern of falling for about 10 days, then spiking by as much as 20 cents," Jenkins said in a statement. "With oil and gasoline futures climbing again, it's likely we'll see upward pressure on retail prices in the coming days." Over the past two weeks, the U.S. price for crude oil rose 4%, while gasoline futures climbed 10 cents per gallon. Traders are closely watching developments amid speculation that President Trump may implement additional sanctions targeting Russian energy exports which could further constrain international supply lines and impact fuel prices worldwide, according to AAA. Gas prices across Florida In Miami-Dade on Monday, the average price for regular unleaded was $2.95 a gallon, down 12 cents from the week before. In Broward, the average was $2.93 a gallon, down 17 cents from last week. Florida's most expensive metro areas for gas include West Palm Beach-Boca Raton ($3.10), Gainesville ($3.06) and Sebring ($3.02). The cheapest markets are Crestview-Fort Walton Beach ($2.83), Melbourne-Titusville ($2.84), Panama City ($2.85). Tips for saving at the pump AAA encourages drivers to combine errands, drive conservatively, remove excess vehicle weight, shop around using the AAA mobile app, and consider paying with cash to avoid credit card surcharges.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
From revenue struggles to now rivaling AA and AAA titles on Steam, what made Indie Games climb to the top of gaming revenue charts?
The gaming landscape has transformed, and its revolution continues to be in full swing in 2025. Once that remained overshadowed by the massive AAA budgets, now, the Indie games are rivaling and, at times, surpassing big-budget Steam counterparts. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now With humble beginnings, Indie developers climbed up the incredible revenue mountain. This mountain has been driven by shifting preferences of players, some unique strengths of Indie games and more. The journey of Indie games from niche to mainstream dominance is a testament to resilience and creativity. Let us discuss more about it and its journey up to top. Indie Games are now rivaling AA and AAA titles on Steam 2025 has been a watershed moment for Indie games. Indie and small-scale AA titles now account for a huge portion of the top-performing games on Steam. With still five and a half months left before 2025 ends, there are 4600 Indie games that have already been published on Steam. For independent developers, 2025 has been one of the biggest years yet. The data shows a huge leap from 2024. Indie Games Are BEATING Triple A Studios in 2025, Here's How A decade ago, Indie games were struggling to compete with the AAA giants. But today, some titles like, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Schedule 1, Bongo Cat, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, etc., are rivaling AAA blockbusters in terms of Steam revenue and player engagement. The surge is built on the foundation of 2024, where the Indie games performed well. As per VG Insights, Indie games in 2024 generated $4 billion in revenue till September 2024. It made up to 48% of the full-game sales of Steam. The growth is not accidental but is the result of creative innovation, evolving trends and even strategic advantages which Indie developers now have mastered. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Foundation for Indie games growth before 2025 The indie ascent was not overnight. Steam for long has been a haven for Indie games. It in 2024 hosted 12,000 games from the Indie studios alone. Quite crucially, Indie games made up 98.9% of Steam releases by September 2024, showing a sheer volume of creativity hitting the platform. Indie Games are SAVING Gaming from Terrible AAA Trash. While the AAA release did dominate headlines, Indie games revenue shares climbed up steadily, doubling up since 2018. Palworld (sold 25 million units), like the title's success and breakout potential that was seen during a pandemic, laid the groundwork and introduced a wider audience to Indie's charm and innovation. Top reasons why Indie Games are Progressing to the top Affordability and accessibility AA and Indie games' inherent advantage is that they run smoothly on modest hardware at a lower price. They are budget-friendly games for developers and players, resonating quite powerfully when the players watch their expenses, offering high-value entertainment without demanding premium price tags or cutting-edge rigs. As per VG Insights, 585 of the total copies sold by Steam by September 2024 were Indie titles. This proves that affordability does drive mass adoption. Fresh ideas are filling the void Indie Games vs AAA Games: The REAL Battle of Creativity and Innovation While the big studios do often play safer with sequels, Indies thrive on creative freedom and innovation. These games, like Lethal Company, Palword, etc., explore experimental gameplay, unique concepts and also niche genres that get avoided by AAA. This thereby leads to delivering fresh and unexpected experiences that the players crave increasingly. Note: Indie games are now matching AAA titles. Steam ratings are 72 to 74% as compared to up to 74% of the AAA titles. Streamers and influencers are amplifying Indie games reach Influencer marketing in gaming has been vital for Indies that lack big marketing budgets. Streamers like caseoh_, generating 8.7 million hours that watched with the Indie titles, champion quirky and unique games. Even Vtubers like Sakura Miko have helped to amplify the Indie game hits. It offers massive visibility and drives discoverability via authentic engagement. It's due to it all that titles like Chained Together and Buckshot Roulette gained needed traction and generated millions of watch hours. Note: As per live streaming viewership analysis by Stream Hatchet, in the 2025 first quarter, 10.3% of hours watched amidst the top 500 titles were for Indie games. Stronger niche appeal Indie games are known to dominate some genres like survival, horror and co-op, wherein creativity outweighs the graphical polish. Rust, Lethal Company and other games succeeded with their focus on engaging loops and not bloated budgets. They provide unpredictable and stream-friendly content. The genres even foster shared experiences and community and quite often lower production barriers for the smaller teams. Digital distribution and support from Steam The indie-friendly ecosystem of Steam allows small indies to thrive fully. In 2024, by September, 98.9% of the releases made on Steam were Indie games. Platforms like even democratized access. In 2025, up till mid of July, 4,600 Indie games already launched, making Steam a go-to marketplace for the breakout hits. What is the future of Indie games? The indie game's future on Steam seems to be exceptionally bright. Convergence of player ratings between 72% of Indie and 74% of AAA show a shift wherein innovation and quality are in triumph over sheer budget size. In simpler terms, Indie games are not competing, they are leading. With Triple-I indies like Black Myth: Wukong, that's blurring the lines between AAA and Indie; the market is now evolving. With 2025 unfolding, as per trends, Indie games will continue to have success. As the players continue to prioritize affordability, innovation and experiences that are community-driven, Indie games will continue to shape the future of gaming with one creative risk at a time.
Mint
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Mint
The best EV deals now are on the used market
Car buyers are turning a cold shoulder to new electric vehicles these days, but they are flocking to used models. Used EV sales topped 100,000 for the first time in the second quarter, according to industry-services business Cox Automotive. It is a rare bright spot for the EV industry, which is contending with lackluster demand and the looming elimination of federal tax credits. Sales for new EVs fell in each of the last three months. What buyers are finding in the used market is deals. Used EV prices fell nearly 32% in 2024 from 2023, almost 10 times the drop in used gas-powered car prices, according to an automotive research site. Last year, the average used EV cost around $30,900, in line with the average used gas car, even though a new EV sells for $17,300 more than a comparable gas model on average. Discounts have drawn in buyers like Christopher Andrzejczak, a systems engineer from Orlando, Fla., who has owned five EVs over the past decade. Last year, he picked up a 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E with 6,000 miles on it for $36,000—less than half of its sticker price. That price included an extended warranty and several upgrades like tinted windows that the previous owner had paid for. Deals on used EVs are especially pronounced because EVs lose value faster than gas-powered cars once they drive off the lot. The depreciation often reflects concerns about battery life and longevity. Replacing a battery out of warranty is costly but uncommon. New technology could quickly make a used EV antiquated. The vehicles also require specialized parts and labor that make them more expensive to repair when something goes wrong. 'I was like, You know what? I'm willing to take a risk on that," Andrzejczak said. The previous owner 'probably took a terrible depreciation hit." In the new-car market, higher sticker prices and the fast pace of depreciation can make it hard for many car shoppers to justify going green. New electric vehicles cost about $800 more a year to own than gas-powered cars when factoring in fuel, maintenance, insurance and fees. But removing the cost of depreciation results in a saving of more than $900 annually versus a gas car, according to an analysis of AAA data. EVs have lower fuel and maintenance costs, but cost more to insure. In 2024, charging an EV at home worked out to the equivalent of about $1.41 a gallon of gas, according to the Energy Department. That is less than half of what most drivers paid at the pump last year. EV owners spend roughly half as much on upkeep and repairs compared with gas-car drivers, according to Consumer Reports. Over the life of the car, that adds up to about $4,600 in maintenance costs for an EV compared with $9,200 for a traditional one. Used cars also don't depreciate as quickly. In January, Andrzejczak purchased a used 2021 Audi E-Tron Prestige for $27,000, with the intent to get ahead of tariffs and eventually gift it to his teenage son. When his son made it clear he wasn't interested in March, Andrzejczak sold the car to Carvana for $26,000. 'It's like I borrowed it for a few months for $1,000," he said. Jason Wallace, who owns Electrified Autos, a used EV dealership in Joplin, Mo., says more buyers are realizing they can save money by making the switch to electric. In an economy pinched by years of inflation and high interest rates, he said, 'that's all that matters to them." The used-car dealership has been in Wallace's family since 1975 when his grandfather opened it, but Wallace and his brother made the decision to focus exclusively on selling electric vehicles last year. So far, it has paid off. 'There's demand for EVs at the right price," he said. 'Not everyone is going to spend $60,000 on a car but they will look harder when it's $20,000 or less, and we have no problem selling those." Another reason for the rush is looming changes in EV policy. A $4,000 federal tax credit for used EVs is set to expire at the end of September as a result of the new tax law passed earlier this month. The $7,500 federal tax credit for new EVs, which made new models more affordable and helped keep prices down in the used market, is also expiring at the same time. Eli Cook decided to buy an electric vehicle after researching gas prices in the Bay Area. He and his wife, both recent college graduates, plan to move there from Missouri later this year for work. Expecting far higher gas prices in California than Missouri, the couple wanted something affordable and efficient. As newlyweds, they are determined to avoid going into debt. They could have waited until after the move, but worried they would miss out on the tax credit. Last month, they paid $15,000 cash for a 2020 Tesla Model 3. The window sticker, Cook said, showed it had sold for nearly $40,000 four years earlier. 'It really seems like we're buying the dip for used EVs right now," he said.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Nebraska pitcher rising up the minor league ranks
Former Nebraska baseball pitcher Brett Sears was called up to AAA on Friday afternoon, as he made the move to the Gwinnett Stripers. The announcement was made on social media on Friday. Sears went 3-3 with a 3.65 ERA. He had 34 strikeouts and a. 187 batting average against. The Atlanta Braves selected him in the seventh round of the 2024 MLB draft. It should be no surprise to Nebraska baseball fans, as they watched Sears put together a dominating career on the mound. All told, he went 11-6 over the course of four seasons, along with 155 strikeouts in 171 innings pitched. He sported a 3.84 ERA in total and was dominant for Nebraska on several occasions. Now, it appears he is playing at a high level in the minor leagues. It will be interesting to see how quickly he makes it to the pros, as he continues to rise up the minor league ranks. This certainly speaks to the Huskers' recent success at the minor league level. Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.
