Mind On Your Money

What's next for inflation? [For the best experience, read in browser.]( [Wake-Up Call] [by Katie Couric Media] September 12, 2024 Good morning! We begin today with the latest on how our economy is faring, then we'll turn our attention to... - [Melania Trump's cryptic remarks]( about the assassination attempt on her husband - Fitness guru Kira Stokes' [easy and effective full-body workout]( - [My chat with Jennifer Esposito]( about her innovative mafia movie Fresh Kills All that and much more, coming right up!   In the News [A basket full of groceries with a receipt underneath ]( Shutterstock As we saw during this week's presidential debate, the economy remains a top-tier issue for voters. On Wednesday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released a closely watched report about one of the most important pieces of that conversation: inflation. The Consumer Price Index, which broadly measures the cost of goods and services, rose 2.5% between August 2023 and August 2024. Expenses like groceries and airfare are still getting more expensive, but inflation hit 9% back in 2022, so a year-over-year spike of “only” 2.5% is a significant improvement. Bankrate analyst Ted Rossman tells us the latest numbers are "more or less in line with expectations.” While costs are climbing, those increases have slowed down, even though categories like housing and car insurance remain “stickier than others.” “Long story short, we're moving in the right direction, but inflation is still a bit above the Fed's target,” says Rossman. He adds that this month’s highly anticipated interest rate cut might be smaller than we’d expect if inflation were cooling more quickly, but we’ll find out for sure when the Federal Reserve meets next week.   More Stories [A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon Resilience capsule, carrying the crew of the Polaris Dawn Mission, lifts off]( The Polaris Dawn mission lifting off from Nasa's Kennedy Space Center. (Getty Images) The four-person private crew on SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission is set to carry out the world's first ever commercial spacewalk this morning. All four will be exposed to the vacuum of space, but only billionaire tech CEO Jared Isaacman and SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis will actually step out of the capsule. The father of an 11-year-old Ohio boy killed when a minivan driven by a Haitian immigrant crashed into a school bus last year has asked Donald Trump and JD Vance to stop exploiting his son’s name for “political gain.” “I wish that my son, Aiden Clark, was killed by a 60-year-old white man," Nathan Clark said. Francine has weakened to a tropical storm after landing in Louisiana as a Category 2 hurricane. It's moving inland after dumping more than a month's worth of rainfall in New Orleans and leaving more than 365,000 homes and businesses without power. The mother of the 14-year-old accused of killing four people at Apalachee High School has apologized to the victims in an open letter. “If I could take the place of Mason and Christian [the two 14-year-olds killed], I would without a second thought,” Marcee Gray wrote. "I will personally never forgive myself for what has happened. My son Colt is not a monster."   A Closer Look Ahead of her memoir release, Melania Trump has been uncharacteristically vocal in a series of videos. In her latest, she comments on her husband's attempted assassination — we've got more on [what she had to say](. [Melania Trump in a red blazer waving]( [READ MORE](   Going Strong [Kira Stokes doing a squat and donkey kick with a resistance band]( KCM You’ve met our new wellness ambassador and fitness contributor, Kira Stokes, and now it’s time to sweat with her! Her first [workout designed exclusively for Katie Couric Media readers]( will give you a quick full-body workout with just a resistance band. Don't let the low-impact moves fool you — this routine will have you huffing and puffing! [SWEAT TO IT](   Stop the Sneezing [Woman petting her orange cat with a bottle of Pacagen spray next to her]( Pacagen Look what the cat dragged in: a solution that actually relieves feline allergies! [This allergen neutralizing kit]( from our partners at Pacagen contains three products that use cutting-edge biotechnology to keep 98% of cat allergens at bay. It's safe for you, your pets, and the environment — and customers keep calling it "a miracle cure" and "worth every penny" in reviews. Try it now for 15% off with our exclusive code, KCM15. [CHECK IT OUT]( [Sponsored by Pacagen](   Extra Credit [characters from Jennifer Esposito's movie Fresh Kills]( Quiver Leading ladies: You all know that I love to spotlight strong female voices who are serious badasses. My pal Jennifer Esposito wrote, directed, produced, and starred in the recent film Fresh Kills, which is a must-see. I sat down with Jennifer to talk about creating a feminist take on the mafia movie, the abusive producer who almost ruined her career, and more — [check it out right here](. Great move: Your workout can help more than just your health when you sign up for Fitness & Fight, a virtual benefit for ovarian cancer. Complete the exercise challenges from wherever you are, log your progress, and raise money for the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance all month long. [Learn more and get involved right here](. Perfect fit: Finding the right bra is a struggle, as we all know. [Thirdlove's T-shirt bra]( is my favorite — it's smooth under any type of clothing, and it doesn't dig in around the shoulders and midsection.   Dig In! [Logo for Good Taste by Katie Couric Media, presented by Ben's Original]( KCM Have you committed the culinary sin of overlooking the power of the bean? These legumes don't get a ton of fanfare, but they're a versatile and affordable protein, and they take center stage in today's issue of our cooking newsletter. [Sign up for Good Taste here]( to get three delicious, bean-centric recipes delivered to your inbox this afternoon. [SUBSCRIBE NOW](   Double Duty If you read Monday's Wake-Up Call, then you know dermatologists say to wash your face twice per day. So simplify your routine [with this cleansing balm]( that removes makeup and dirt in one go. (It's a favorite of Miranda Kerr!) [Koa makeup cleansing balm]( [SHOP HERE](   One More Thing Saturday Night Live returns for its 50th season on Sept. 28, and we'll be seeing a whole lot of former cast member Maya Rudolph, who is returning to reprise her beloved impression of Vice President Kamala Harris. "This is so much bigger than me, and this is about something very important," Rudolph said about the role in [an interview with Variety](, in which she also shares her secret to playing the Democratic presidential nominee.   Thanks for reading! Want to stay connected? Subscribe right here: 💪 Wake up well: [Body and Soul]( 🍴 See what's cooking: [Good Taste]( 🌎 Explore the planet: [Ripple Effect]( 🛒 Bargain-hunt: [The Shop Edit]( 👔 Clock in: [Wake-Up Call at Work](   Have questions or comments? Drop us a line at info@katiecouric.com. Update your preferences or [unsubscribe]( If you buy something through this email, KCM may earn a commission. Katie Couric Media, 75 Varick St, Ste 12, New York, NY - 10013-1917 Copyright © 2024 Katie Couric Media, All rights reserved.