Hang Onto Your Wallet! The Tooth Fairy’s Rates Just Went Up

If you grew up in the 1950s, you’re well aware that a lost tooth could bring in anywhere from a nickel to a dime. We were so excited when we got a loose tooth that we would wiggle it around, hoping it would pop out. Alas, times have changed, and so has the Tooth Fairy’s fee. According to the 2026 Original Tooth Fairy Poll, there’s never been a better time to lose your baby teeth. Today, the Tooth Fairy fetches an average of $5.84 for a single tooth. If it’s your first lost tooth, you’re getting a premium rate: $7.17 for that one-time event. Yes, the Tooth Fairy knows just how special that milestone is in a kid’s life. The first Original Tooth Fair Poll took place in 1998, and at that time the Tooth Fairy payout averaged $1.30 per tooth. Over the years, that rate has increased by an incredible 349% to this year’s nearly $6 average. The value of a lost tooth tends to increase every year, but over the past few years that hasn’t been the case. In 2023, the value of a lost baby tooth began a 2-year decline that finally ended with this year’s poll. After a couple of thrifty years, the Tooth Fairy decided it was time to give kids a well-deserved raise. Believe it or not, the Tooth Fairy is pretty financially savvy and takes regional costs of living into consideration. In the pricier Northeast, the Tooth Fairy pays higher amounts than in the rest of the country, while the Midwestern Tooth Fairy has more affordable rates — though they are moving up fast and had the biggest year-over-year jump. To see what your region pays on average, check out the map below.

 

Strangely enough, the Tooth Fairy follows the stock market. With few exceptions, the value of baby teeth has mirrored the S&P 500 and the economy in general. If there’s any good news, it’s that the average child has only 20 baby teeth (which are replaced by 32 permanent teeth). At roughly $6 per tooth, you’re only going to be out around $120. It could be worse……..you could be one of those never-empty-nesters whose kid lives with them until they’re 42. Talk about expensive!

Continue Reading...

Study Shows Mental Decline is Not Inevitable With Age

Cheese and wine aren’t the only things that get better with age. A recent study shows that older adults also show significant improvements in their physical and cognitive health over time. The reason why seems to lie in how they think about getting older. Researchers at Yale University followed more than 11,000 seniors aged 65 and older over a period of 12 years, tracking changes in cognition and physical function. In a conclusive rebuff to the classic stereotypes, they found that one-third of participants improved cognitively, while 28% improved physically. People who viewed getting older positively were more likely to show improvements in their cognitive skills and their walking speed. By contrast, folks in the study who held more negative ideas about aging tended to see a decline in these skills. That suggests that people’s beliefs can have a dramatic effect on their biology. So, remember: A positive outlook on aging can help you join all the happy people who defy stereotypes of cognitive and physical deterioration.

Continue Reading...

The Growing Role of Refill Shops

We’ve all heard the mantra “reduce, reuse, recycle,” but a growing number of American shoppers are embracing a fourth “R” — refill. Refill stores are inviting customers to bring their own bottles and containers to stock up on food, cleaning supplies, makeup, and more. The idea is that when more customers reuse and refill — rather than dispose and replace — it reduces waste, water use, and energy expenditures. Purchasing from a refill shop that provides bulk goods can help lower prices because you're not paying for the container or shipping, just the material. This makes products more affordable for consumers. The premise is simple: you bring your own empty, cleaned-out containers and fill them up with the items you wish to purchase. Some refill shops offer reusable containers for free, and after you fill up, the prices of products are determined by weight. If you’re interesting in refilling, check out this website to find refill shops in your area.

 

 

Continue Reading...

How One Woman Uses “Funeral Tracking” to Keep From Having to Buy Clothes

In the world of extreme saving, some strategies cross a line most wouldn’t dare approach. For Lydia Abate, a self-proclaimed cheapskate, that line isn’t just crossed — it’s a full-blown lifestyle. Living entirely off freebies — from housing to food to fashion — Lydia has become a viral sensation, thanks to one controversial habit: funeral tracking. What sounds shocking to some is, for Lydia, simply a savvy and heartfelt way to live — and save. She describes funeral tracking as a method of acquiring vintage clothing by offering a free estate clean-out service in exchange for keeping a family's dead relative’s clothes. Though many would see the act of contacting bereaved families as crossing an emotional boundary, Lydia insists that her offer is often welcomed, especially when weighed against the cost of estate services. Lydia sees herself as helping both sides: honoring a loved one’s wardrobe while rescuing vintage fashion that would otherwise be discarded.

Continue Reading...