What’s going on: Yesterday, Supreme Court justices appeared to channel Pyrrho, questioning whether President Donald Trump’s order limiting birthright citizenship is constitutional. At the crux of the case: On day one back in office, Trump signed an executive order to end citizenship for babies born in the US to undocumented immigrants or temporary visitors. It was quickly blocked by lower courts, and never took effect. Critics and judges alike said the idea clashed with the country’s founding principles, specifically the 14th Amendment, which was ratified in 1868. While conservative justices were skeptical of the administration’s arguments, they were also tough on the ACLU lawyer who challenged the order. Upping the ante, Trump became the first sitting president to attend oral arguments, putting unprecedented pressure on a court he’s had a tense relationship with since the justices struck down his tariffs in February.
What it could mean: The Justices are expected to rule in June or July. While analysts say the court seemed ready to strike down this attempt from Trump, if it does side with him, the ripple effects would be astronomical — and expensive. Roughly 200,000 babies born each year could be denied citizenship going forward. One estimate suggests 6.4 million US-born kids could lack legal status by 2050. That would not only hurt those families, but carry an unknown toll — the loss of what they could contribute to the country, like immigrants before them. And while it would only impact future children, critics say it could cast new doubt on the status of millions of people. That’s the real human toll.
What's going on: We don’t need an accountant to tell us that we are paying too much for gas right now. The average cost of a gallon in the US is $4 — up 35% since the end of February. Not even the Etsy witches can make this one go away. President Donald Trump did say yesterday that the war with Iran could end in two or three weeks (but his timeline has shifted before). In the meantime, more Americans can’t help but wonder if it’s time to swap out their fossil fuel-loving car for an electric vehicle or hybrid. The Washington Postfound that there was a 56% increase in Google searches for “most fuel-efficient gas cars” in March. Some looked for “best electric cars” and “hybrids for sale.”
If you’re ready to plug in: Ask yourself whether you actually need a new car right now: Is yours on its last tire, or do you only care about saving money at the pump? (Edmunds has a “Car Cost vs. Gas Mileage Calculator.”) Lower costs sound great, but it might not be worth spending thousands at the dealership or taking on a new loan, especially since auto loan interest rates are around 7%. If you are ready financially, mentally, and spiritually to make the switch, consider a used EV first. They often cost less than $30,000 and are still more affordable in the long run. Also, make sure you can charge your car at home. That can save you up to $2,000 a year, according to one study. But if you’ll need public chargers regularly, costs can rival a trip to the gas station.
What’s going on: “Deskilling” might sound like a cool new band you should check out (and for all we know, maybe it is), but it’s less fun in practice. AI can make your job easier — and, over time, make you a little worse at it, too. When Anthropic’s Claude briefly went down last month, some developers said they struggled to complete basic tasks. One even confessed he’d have to “write code like a caveman.” While the developer was joking (we hope?), this showed how reliance on AI can boost productivity while chipping away at basic skills. Researchers warn this kind of “skill decay” could hit new hires the hardest because they have less time to build foundational skills before they outsource them.
Tell me more: So are we all just a bit too dependent on technology that could eventually replace us? It’s possible, experts say, but not inevitable if we use AI with purpose and don’t become reliant on it. One tech leader’s main concern about the AI era: Users get polished answers and skip the thought process that helps it stick. Companies that recognize their AI enthusiasm might’ve gone too far could (if they were smart) create space for their employees to practice problem-solving without it. One way to avoid reliance on AI is to treat it like an assistant, not a decision-maker. Use it to handle administrative tasks so that you have more time for creativity and complex tasks. Yay?
Triangle scarves are still in for spring. This silk bandana comes in the cutest prints, like cherries and gingham, and looks chic wrapped around your hair, neck, or handbag.
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Extra Credit
Refresh
Spring means warmer temps, more daylight, and the sudden motivation to clean…everything. If you’re tackling spring cleaning, your finances might be due for a refresh too.
Enter: Northwestern Mutual. Their financial advisors can help you create a financial plan that’ll move you closer to your goals — whether that’s buying a home, paying off your credit card bill, or opening your own business. It’s the right time to build yours.
