Author: Victoria Vesovski

Despite policy shifts under the Trump administration — from tariffs to immigration to federal spending — Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell says the U.S. economy remains on solid footing.

While the long-term effects of the policy changes continue to unfold, Powell signaled no urgency to adjust monetary policy, citing a strong labor market and easing inflation as signs of underlying resilience.

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Speaking at the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing (SABEW) conference, Powell noted that inflation has fallen significantly from its 2022 peak, even though recent progress toward the Fed’s 2% target has slowed.

“We look at inflation which is the change in prices and we’re seeing that it has come down quite a bit and unemployment is actually low, it’s very close to measures of maximum employment and the economy is growing,” he said.

New jobs data released in May showed 177,000 positions added in April. However, the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.2%.

While the numbers suggest stability, many Americans aren’t feeling it. With the cost of everyday essentials still climbing, consumer sentiment continues to lag behind the Fed’s optimism — a disconnect that could shape economic policy in the months ahead.

The market looks fine on paper

Recent employment may reflect a relatively stable U.S. job market, but Americans remain anything but reassured. A January survey from résumé service MyPerfectResume found that 81% of U.S. workers are worried about losing their jobs in 2025.

The Trump administration has introduced sweeping policy changes, including large-scale federal layoffs, deep budget cuts, new tariffs and strict immigration enforcement. While the full impact on the labor market has yet to be felt, these measures have already stoked anxiety across multiple industries — from government agencies to tech and manufacturing.

“The March employment data is the calm before the potential tariff-related storms,” Dana Peterson, chief economist at The Conference Board, told CNN.

Workers’ unease is understandable as they navigate a landscape filled with economic uncertainty and potential aftershocks. Even though job numbers haven’t plummeted, the fear of what lies ahead is keeping many employees on edge.

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Is inflation really cooling?

For many Americans, the sting of inflation is still being felt — especially at the grocery store.

According to the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, egg prices have cracked wide open — rising 63% over the past year. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows the national average price for a dozen eggs hit $5.90 in February, making a basic breakfast item feel more like a luxury.

Powell acknowledged the ongoing strain during his remarks at SABEW, attributing much of today’s high prices to lingering pandemic-era inflation. He emphasized that overall inflation has cooled since its 2022 peak — but that the road ahead is uncertain.

The Trump administration’s new tariffs could reignite inflation in the coming months. Powell noted that it’s still too early to gauge the full impact, as details such as which goods will be affected and whether trade partners will retaliate remain unclear.

“Our obligation is to keep longer-term inflation expectations well-anchored and to make certain that a one-time increase in the price level does not become an ongoing inflation problem,” Powell said.

Now’s a good time to revisit your budget and take stock of where your money’s going. Small changes — like cutting back on impulse buys, pausing unused subscriptions or buying bulk — can free up more funds than you’d think. Even in times of uncertainty, a mindful approach to spending can bring a sense of control.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

Selling a car through online marketplaces isn’t new. It’s a go-to way for people to squeeze a little extra cash out of their used ride. But what most sellers don’t think twice about is who’s driving off with their keys — and maybe they should.

On May 31, Tania Leija sold her black 2013 BMW on Facebook Marketplace. Not long after, dashcam footage captured a man stepping out of that same BMW and firing multiple rounds outside Houston’s Galleria.

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Police told ABC 13 Eyewitness News that Leija isn’t a suspect — she no longer owns the car — but that didn’t stop strangers from tracking her down through the license plate. Worse, she started receiving threatening calls from a blocked number about the incident.

Here’s how it all spiraled out of control — and what Leija could have done to protect herself before handing over the keys.

A quick sale but costly oversight

When Leija finally found a buyer, she says he wasted no time. The man showed up almost immediately with another person and a backpack stuffed with $3,500 in cash.

"As soon as I told him that he could come, he was on his way," she said.

Leija admitted she skipped some key paperwork. Instead of drafting a formal bill of sale, she signed over the title and trusted the buyer to handle the rest.

"I had my title, I filled out my part, put my name, signed it, and then gave it over to him, and he said he would fill out his part," she said.

But Leija had no way of knowing whether the buyer ever completed the transfer with the Texas DMV — leaving her name still tied to the car when things went south. According to the DMV, both buyers and sellers should complete Form 130-U to officially transfer ownership and ensure the paperwork is filed.

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How to make your next sale safer

Although this deal took a dangerous turn, Leija said it was her first time selling a car and she skipped some steps that could’ve kept things safer. If you’re planning to sell a car online, here’s how to make sure your sale doesn’t go off the rails:

• Vet buyers first: Before agreeing to meet, screen potential buyers by phone. It helps you figure out if they’re serious, whether they’ve got financing in place and gives you a chance to answer questions. If someone pushes for a fast sale and skips this step, take it as a red flag.

• Be smart about the test drive: Once you’re comfortable, meet in a busy public place and bring a friend or family member. Always check the buyer’s driver’s license before letting them get behind the wheel.

• Keep the transaction safe: Talk about payment methods ahead of time. Avoid unusual requests like driving someone to a bank or loan office. Don’t meet at your home — choose a safe, public location. Keep the title out of sight until you’re ready to sign, and use secure payment options. Apps like Zelle or Venmo can work for smaller amounts, but be aware of transfer limits.

• Nail the paperwork: Fully complete the title with the sale price, date and odometer reading — and keep a copy. Most states also require a bill of sale and a release of liability form to protect you if the new owner racks up tickets. Don’t forget to file that release with your DMV. Alan Helfman, who owns multiple car dealerships, strongly recommends that sellers go the extra mile and accompany the buyer to the DMV to make sure the paperwork gets filed properly.

• Complete the title transfer: Check your state’s rules before closing the deal. Typically, the seller signs over the title and the buyer registers the car and pays state taxes or transfer fees at the DMV or tag office. Some states also require a recent smog check or inspection certificate, so be sure to have that ready.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

It’s easy to fall for the charm and potential of a place like Minden, Louisiana — just ask Sara McDaniel.

In 2020, she came across an opportunity to purchase an eight-unit, villa-style apartment complex that had been abandoned for nearly 40 years. By then, McDaniel was no stranger to real estate; she already owned over 20 properties, ranging from short-term rentals to vacant land.

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“The villas weren’t my first rodeo with abandoned properties,” McDaniel told CNBC Make It. “But this project really pushed my skill set.”

In 2021, she purchased what would become The Villas at Spanish Court for $51,306, using her savings to pay for it. But was dipping into her savings to invest in a long-neglected property really worth it?

Falling for potential

McDaniel wasn’t just chasing financial freedom — she was sprinting toward it. As a devotee of the Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) movement, she embraced extreme saving and strategic investing to achieve early retirement. The premise is to save aggressively, invest wisely and eventually live off small withdrawals from a carefully built portfolio — typically around 3% to 4% — or supplement with part-time work.

For McDaniel, real estate was her golden ticket. In her early 30s, she started saving nearly 50% of her income to build a life of freedom and flexibility.

“I was very confident when we closed the deal. But it wasn’t long thereafter that I literally started having panic attacks wondering, ‘What in the world did I get myself into?’” McDaniel admitted. While real estate can be a smart path to financial independence, it’s not exactly a fairy tale. Market shifts and unforeseen expenses can turn a dream investment into a cautionary tale.

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An unexpected surprise

What seemed like a promising investment quickly turned into a financial nightmare. The charm of the apartments faded fast when ceilings began caving in and bullet holes in the windows hinted at deeper structural and safety issues.

Only after closing the deal did McDaniel realize she had skipped a crucial step — an environmental hazard assessment. To bring the properties up to livable standards, she had to pour in far more money than she’d planned. She sold another investment property for $175,364, added $8,000 from other income streams, secured a $202,725 interim construction loan and took out a permanent mortgage of $290,710.

When the villas were fully restored 18 months later, the total cost had ballooned to $729,885.

McDaniel’s experience highlights a hard truth about real estate investing: what looks like a great deal can quickly become a financial drain. Rushing into an investment without fully evaluating the risks can end up costing far more than the purchase price.

Despite the setbacks, by 2024, the villas were fully booked for approximately 1,300 nights at an average rate of $143 per night, generating a total revenue of $224,133 for the year.

Getting into the market

Real estate can be a great investment, but not everyone wants to deal with renovations, maintenance or surprise expenses that eat into profits. Fortunately, there are ways to tap into the market without purchasing a property outright.

One option is investing in fractional shares of vacation and rental properties, sometimes for as little as $100. This allows investors to gain exposure to real estate without the overhead costs or financial risks associated with full ownership.

For those looking to make a larger investment, commercial real estate can offer strong returns. According to Nolo, commercial properties typically yield an annual return of 6% to 12% of the purchase price, making them an attractive option for portfolio diversification.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

When Americans think of fresh orange juice, they probably picture a glass poured straight from Florida’s sun-drenched groves. But for two decades, the state’s citrus industry has been under siege by a bacterial infection called citrus greening — wiping out 90% of its crop.

Now, hope is budding on an unlikely branch: a 30-year-old tree named Donaldson, growing on a research farm near Groveland. Scientists say it could be the key to rescuing Florida’s oranges from extinction, thanks to its surprising resistance to the deadly disease, also known as Huanglongbing.

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One of the geneticists calling attention to the citrus tree is Matt Mattia, who works with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“When I saw the Donaldson tree, I was like, ‘Wow, this is something that’s really unique and really different,’” he told WFTV 9.

Here’s what makes this humble tree so special — and how it could help secure your morning glass of OJ for years to come.

Meet Donaldson

Florida was once bursting with orange trees, but today, Donaldson is the unassuming survivor and may be the industry’s best shot at bouncing back.

What makes this tree stand out comes down to three traits: it’s a genetically pure orange, it produces sweet, high-quality fruit and most importantly, it’s shown resistance to citrus greening.

Florida’s signature orange juice used to rely mainly on just two varieties — Hamlin and Valencia. In a search for solutions, Mattia tested more than 25,000 trees for both disease resistance and fruit quality. Many trees survived the disease but produced bitter, unusable fruit. Donaldson, however, delivered both resilience and sweetness — exactly what Florida growers need.

But disease isn’t the only threat squeezing the state’s citrus industry. Rapid development, devastating freezes and a string of powerful hurricanes — from Irma in 2017 to back-to-back storms in recent years — have battered groves and left farmers struggling to rebuild.

As a result, Florida’s citrus acreage has shrunk from over 832,000 acres at the turn of the century to about 275,000 today.

It’s become such a tough business that Alico — one of Tropicana’s major suppliers — has decided to exit citrus altogether. John Kiernan, CEO of Alico, said in a statement, “Growing citrus is no longer economically viable for us in Florida.”

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Saving the industry

Mattia isn’t hoarding the Donaldson tree’s potential for his own team, even though the USDA currently keeps the prized tree under lock and key. He says the state has already propagated 18,000 Donaldson trees and is distributing them to growers statewide to speed up the comeback.

“We’re pushing it out to commercial usage,” he said. “If people want to test it in their own grove, it’s available, and we have the data and the research going on here that supports that effort.”

Mary Graham, who runs Graham U-Pick Farms, knows firsthand how devastating citrus greening can be. She’s tried everything from adjusting soil nutrients to cutting back on chemicals, but the disease often has the final say. Still, she’s not throwing in the towel just yet. Graham is eyeing new seedlings for her children to care for one day.

“We’re hopeful about the Donaldson tree,” she told WFTV 9. “With that one, what else can they come up with?”

While the future of Florida’s orange juice is still uncertain, Mattia is staying optimistic. Even if Donaldson falls short, he’s determined to find a blend of citrus that keeps the juice flowing.

“My mission is to really help people,” he said.

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Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. Subscribe for free.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

It’s not every day a stranger insists on handing you a $20 bill you didn’t drop. But for Sarah — whose last name has been withheld, as reported by Fox LA — that’s exactly what happened on an ordinary Wednesday afternoon at a Ralphs grocery store in Van Nuys.

"He came much closer to me and was kind of pushing the $20 into my wallet," Sarah recalled. "I said, ‘No, I don’t think I did.’"

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At first, it could have been a strange but harmless mix-up. That is, until Sarah noticed the man was suddenly joined by a woman — both of them following her to her car, pressing the cash on her with unsettling persistence. What felt like an awkward moment quickly turned into a coordinated scam. When Sarah checked her wallet, her cash was intact, but her debit card was gone.

Within 30 minutes, the thieves had made multiple withdrawals from Sarah and her daughter, Jennifer’s bank account from a Chase branch.

Unfortunately, Sarah and Jennifer aren’t alone. Distraction scams have been popping up across the country. Here’s how to spot the red flags.

Be on the lookout

Distraction scams don’t come with flashing red lights, they come with kindness and confusion. These types of scams are built on flustering you just enough to make you vulnerable. This involves a stranger creating a diversion — like insisting you dropped a $20 bill — while an accomplice steals something like your wallet or debit card.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a 25% increase from the year before. While that includes a mix of schemes, distraction scams are rising, especially in places we least expect it like grocery store lines.

"It’s a huge violation," Sarah said. "I feel like I’m looking over my shoulder everywhere I go. It’s just horrible."

Jennifer, Sarah’s daughter, filed a police report and shared the story online — and the responses came flooding in. Dozens of people chimed in with eerily similar experiences, revealing just how widespread the scam really is.

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What you can do to protect yourself

For Jennifer, a teacher with a limited income, falling victim to a scam wasn’t just an inconvenience, it had immediate financial consequences. "My money is gone, and I had just gotten paid," she told Fox LA. As living expenses continue to rise, incidents like this can disrupt far more than a day’s routine.

And yet, that’s why scams like these are so effective, often appearing as benign interactions. “You need to understand the hallmarks of most scams: They contact you first, dangle some sort of bait in front of you and create a sense of urgency,” Jason Zirkle, training director at the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, told Nerd Wallet.

Remaining aware of your surroundings is key. Trusting your instincts, keeping personal belongings securely fastened and not hesitating to report suspicious behavior — whether to a store manager or law enforcement — can serve as your first line of defense.

And if you do find yourself in Sarah and Jennifer’s position, it’s important to take action. The first step is to contact your bank or card issuer immediately to freeze the account to prevent further transactions. Most banks offer 24/7 fraud hotlines and mobile app features to lock your card with just a tap. Next, file a fraud report with your financial institution so they can begin investigating the unauthorized charges. This also increases your chances of recovering any lost funds.

Be sure to file a police report as well, which not only helps authorities track patterns of criminal activity but may also be required by your bank for reimbursement.

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Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. Subscribe for free.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

The City of Oakland has cleared a large homeless encampment on East 12th Street, relocating about 70 people to the Mandela House — a former hotel turned shelter, now funded through a state grant.

The move marks one of the city’s most visible steps toward addressing homelessness, a crisis that has more than doubled in Oakland over the past decade.

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Driven by rising rents, stagnant wages and a chronic shortage of affordable housing, more than 4,000 people in the city are currently unhoused.

Oakland officials say the clearance is part of a broader push to connect unhoused residents with long-term housing support. It follows Governor Gavin Newsom’s rollout of a model ordinance aimed at helping cities respond to what he calls the “dangerous” and “unhealthy” conditions of encampments.

“There’s nothing compassionate about letting people die on the streets,” Newsom said in a press release. “Local leaders asked for resources — we delivered the largest state investment in history.”

As Oakland aligns with statewide efforts to address homelessness, the impact of encampment closures — and whether they help — remains at the center of the conversation.

Homelessness in Oakland

California’s homelessness crisis has reached a breaking point. According to data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, more than 187,000 people were homeless in the state last year — nearly 24% of the entire nation’s unhoused population. The pressure is mounting on state and local leaders to act fast.

In response, Newsom announced $3.3 billion in new funding to help cities expand access to housing and treatment for the state’s most vulnerable.

Cities like Oakland and San Francisco are rolling out targeted interventions. San Francisco’s newly elected mayor, Daniel Lurie, has pledged to tackle homelessness head-on. Oakland is already home to the Community Cabins program — a shelter initiative offering small, two-person cabins built on public land.

These temporary shelters focus on stabilization and connecting residents to long-term support. The program has seen high participation rates, largely because cabins are built near existing encampments, allowing people to stay close to familiar spaces.

“Oakland’s Cabin Community model is one of the most promising and cost-effective homeless shelter innovations I’ve seen,” said Trent Rhorer, executive director of the San Francisco Human Services Agency.

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

Is this the only solution?

City officials say closing the East 12th Street encampment is a step forward, but community reactions suggest a more complicated reality.

Some residents and business owners say they’re relieved to see the area cleared, calling it a long-standing source of frustration.

"I was driving by, and I was shocked to see the whole encampment was clean," said Veleda, an Oakland resident, in an interview with Fox KTVU. "It was an eyesore, and it was very hard for them to tackle it."

But homeless advocates say that while shelters like Mandela House or Community Cabins represent a step in the right direction, the process of clearing encampments often unfolds with little warning and limited resources.

"People lost medication, people lost their IDs, people lost their phones, people lost their clothing, their food," Needa Bee, director of the homeless advocacy group, The Village, told Fox KTVU. According to Bee, she was able to reconnect with 54 individuals from the East 12th encampment — none of whom were offered housing options before the site was cleared.

The city maintains that shelter space was made available at Mandela House. But advocates argue the outreach efforts fell short, and question how effective these emergency responses really are in the long term.

With growing pressure to “clean up” encampments, cities risk swapping long-term solutions for short-term optics — and sidelining the very people these efforts claim to support.

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• How much cash do you plan to keep on hand after you retire? Here are 3 of the biggest reasons you’ll need a substantial stash of savings in retirement

Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. Subscribe for free.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

When you can’t find farmhands the old-fashioned way, it might be time to think outside the fence posts.

That’s exactly what the founders of Yellowstone Farmstead did. The agricultural venture, nestled at the Montana side of Yellowstone National Park, began as Shugabeet Farms — a solo project launched by sixth-generation Maine farmer Sage LeBlanc. In 2024, she joined forces with fellow East Coaster Allison Larew, former Garden Director at Chico Hot Springs, to grow their shared dream of a sustainable, community-rooted farm.

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But finding the right team to bring their vision to life wasn’t easy.

“I remember looking at Sage and we had gone through applications and I was like, ‘gosh, I wish we could grab from a bigger pool. I was like, it’s our time to try TikTok,” Larew told 4KXLF News.

After combing through nearly 4,000 TikTok applications, the pair hired 12 new employees — mostly women. The farm has grown to 10 acres since then.

But it wasn’t just social media that brought Yellowstone Farmstead to life. It was their entrepreneurial spirit that turned a shared dream into a thriving, boots-on-the-ground business.

From the desert to the valley

It didn’t take long for word to spread. Within just a few months, a dozen new hires packed up and moved to a remote stretch of Paradise Valley, Montana, leaving behind lives in places like Texas, Oklahoma and even Alaska.

Adriana Lopez was one of them. She left the Tohono O’odham Nation in southern Arizona for her first experience living outside the desert.

“I’ve never left the desert. First time. My family was like, “She’s going where? What is she doing? It was scary. It was a big leap for me,” she said.

To help ease that leap, the farm offered free on-site housing in exchange for just 15 hours of work each week — a perk that’s hard to beat. The founders leaned heavily into social media to find the right people, and it paid off.

Roughly 90% of local businesses now use social media to promote their services, and 78% say it’s crucial for driving revenue, according to Synup’s Social Media Marketing Statistics. For this small operation in Paradise Valley, platforms like TikTok weren’t just a marketing tool — they were the bridge between big dreams and the people who were ready to chase them.

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

Planting roots in passion

For Larew and LeBlanc, building a business wasn’t just about making a profit. It was about turning a dream into something tangible. They set out to build something far beyond the average farm, but bringing that vision to life took more than just grit and good intentions.

They secured land through a deal with Church Universal and Triumphant — a group once known for its doomsday prophecies — and rolled up their sleeves to convert former church housing into apartment units for employees. They built greenhouses, plowed fields and planted thousands of seeds — not just in the ground, but in the future they envisioned for themselves.

It’s a workload most would call overwhelming. But when you’re chasing something you believe in, it barely feels like work at all.

“I pinch myself every single day. I really do. This is my life’s work. I don’t care if I ever make a cent,” said Larew.

That kind of passion isn’t just poetic — it’s powerful. Jay Chaudhry, self-made billionaire and founder of cybersecurity firm Zscaler, told CNBC Make It that passion is the real game-changer when it comes to building something that lasts.

“If people don’t have passion,” he said. “It doesn’t matter how much experience they have. It just doesn’t matter for any job. You won’t have that internal drive to keep working toward solving problems and moving ahead.”

Whether you’re planting carrots or coding apps, investing in your passion may just be the most rewarding decision — financially and personally — you’ll ever make.

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Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. Subscribe for free.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

There’s missing a flight, and then there’s missing every flight because your airline just went bankrupt.

That’s what happened to hundreds of travelers this week when Silver Airways, a Florida-based regional carrier, abruptly announced it was ceasing operations effective immediately.

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Passengers flying between Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean were left at airports with no warning, no alternative flight plans and no customer service reps in sight.

“We regret to inform you that we are ceasing operations as of today, June 11, 2025,” the airline posted on Instagram. "Please do not go to the airport."

The bankruptcy came with zero notice and even fewer answers, raising questions for customers who already paid for tickets. Here’s what led to the airline’s sudden nosedive — and what to do if your summer vacation just hit major turbulence.

What went wrong?

Silver Airways has officially flown its last mile. Roughly five months after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the Florida-based airline grounded all flights — and not because of stormy weather.

In a recent statement, the company revealed it had sold its assets to another airline holding company as part of a restructuring effort. But instead of reviving the brand, the new owner decided to ground all operations.

“In an attempt to restructure in bankruptcy, Silver entered into a transaction to sell its assets to another airline holding company, who unfortunately has determined to not continue Silver’s flight operations,” the airline wrote in a statement.

Silver had hoped the bankruptcy would help secure new capital and offer a path toward financial recovery. Instead, the collapse has left travelers stranded and staff without jobs — a costly detour for everyone involved.

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

What about the travelers?

If you’re one of the many people left grounded by Silver’s sudden shutdown, don’t expect a refund from the airline itself. In its final Instagram post, the company made it clear that customers won’t be reimbursed directly.

But all hope isn’t lost.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, you might be able to recover your money depending on how you paid. If you bought your ticket with a credit card, you can file a dispute with your card issuer under the Fair Credit Billing Act.

Be sure to include a copy of your ticket and receipt, and clearly explain that the airline has ceased operations and failed to deliver the service you paid for.

Just don’t wait too long. You typically have 60 days from the date your statement was issued — the one that includes the airfare charge — to file the dispute.

If you booked through a travel agent or third-party site, it’s worth reaching out to see if they can help secure a refund or offer any alternatives. Some agencies have extra protections or recourse built into their services.

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Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. Subscribe for free.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

While many high school graduates are celebrating the season with dinners, parties and well-deserved rest, one teen in metro Atlanta marked the milestone a little differently — trading his cap and gown for a shift at Burger King.

Still wearing his graduation medals around his neck, 18-year-old Mykale Baker showed up to work at the Dacula location just hours after receiving his diploma. His decision not only showed commitment but also caught the internet’s attention.

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Maria Mendoza, a customer who had just come from her own daughter’s graduation, stopped by the restaurant for a quick burger when she noticed Baker behind the counter. Inspired by his work ethic and touched by the sight of his medals, she filmed a short video and posted it to TikTok, where it quickly went viral, gaining nearly four million views.

But Mendoza didn’t stop there. She also launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover Baker’s college expenses. What started as a small act of kindness quickly turned into something much bigger: an outpouring of support from strangers across the country. The campaign initially raised just over $6,000, but as of this week, it has grown to more than $87,000.

At a time when headlines about Gen Z often focus on entitlement, Baker’s story stands out for one simple reason: he showed up. And sometimes, just showing up — even when no one’s watching — can change your life.

What a diploma really costs

In Georgia, the state minimum wage is officially listed at $5.15 per hour.

However, most workers are covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act, which requires employers to pay the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour.

At the same time, the cost of attending college in the U.S. keeps climbing. According to the Education Data Initiative, the average annual cost of college, including tuition, books, supplies and living expenses, is $38,270 per student.

For many students working part-time jobs, especially in fast food or retail, those wages make it hard to cover even basic expenses, let alone build meaningful savings for tuition. Balancing school and work often means juggling limited hours and inconsistent income — forcing tough decisions about whether to delay college or take on serious debt.

“I was thinking of taking a gap year because I didn’t have money for school,” Baker told Mendoza’s TikTok followers. “But thank you to all of you now. I might actually go straight to technical college and get my mechanical (degree).”

With the GoFundMe campaign now exceeding its $60,000 goal, Baker is one step closer to turning those college plans into reality.

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

Follow Baker’s lead

Baker’s story proves that even a part-time fast-food job can open doors — especially when paired with a strong work ethic and a willingness to go the extra mile. Showing up to work on graduation day wasn’t just a sign of dedication. It was a message to others of his drive and determination.

While most part-time workers won’t end up in a viral video, the financial lesson still holds: even small paychecks can make a difference. Whether you’re using them to cover day-to-day expenses, build an emergency fund or chip away at tuition costs, consistency matters.

There are also ways to make those earnings work harder. For example, setting aside a portion of each paycheck into a high-yield savings account can help you take advantage of compounding interest. Even modest contributions — say, $100 a month — can grow over time. It’s not just about saving. It’s about putting your money in the right place so it continues to work for you.

If you’re passionate about a goal, don’t be afraid to share your story. Scholarships and grants often come when people understand what you’re striving for. Hard work rarely goes unnoticed — and sometimes, it pays off in ways you never expected.

What to read next

• JPMorgan sees gold soaring to $6,000/ounce — use this 1 simple IRA trick to lock in those potential shiny gains (before it’s too late)
• This is how American car dealers use the ‘4-square method’ to make big profits off you — and how you can ensure you pay a fair price for all your vehicle costs
• Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
• How much cash do you plan to keep on hand after you retire? Here are 3 of the biggest reasons you’ll need a substantial stash of savings in retirement

Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. Subscribe for free.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.