Hello! This is Lakshmi Finance CenterBetty Lin-Fisher with today's The Daily Money.

The latest consumer spending data is showing signs of solid U.S. consumer spending, despite higher interest rates and inflation.

But there's a dichotomy for some shoppers, based on their wealth, my colleague, Bailey Schulz, reports.

While wage growth has helped boost Americans' purchasing power, economists say there are still pockets of shoppers – especially lower-income renters –who are struggling..

Dollar stores and several other low-cost retailers are feeling the pinch.

Ho Ho Ho?

We're trying to hang on to the last parts of summer, but retailers already have their sights – and some merchandise displays – set on the holidays.

They're on to something.

In a new survey by Bankrate, 48% of holiday shoppers say they are planning to begin their buying by Halloween.

Why are people starting so early?

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Do you love Pumpkin Spice? I mean, really love it enough to taste test 20 products and get paid $1,000? (Rough deal, huh?)

Personal finance site FinanceBuzz is taking applications for one person to taste test all of Trader Joe's pumpkin-spiced products.

About The Daily Money

Each weekday, The Daily Money delivers the best consumer and financial news from USA TODAY, breaking down complex events, providing the TLDR version, and explaining how everything from Fed rate changes to bankruptcies impacts you.