Why Your Raise Is Finally Beating the Cost of a Beach Vacation

In Episode 114 of Wages and Prices, Lucas and Luna examine how wage growth is finally outpacing the cost of a beach vacation in 2026. With average hourly earnings up to $37.60 and the Consumer Price Index showing a slight dip to 3.5%, the hosts break down what a typical week-long trip to the Outer Banks now costs versus a year ago. They discuss how lower gas prices have cut airfare and rental car costs, while hotel and dining prices continue to rise. Lucas shares data from a recent survey by the U.S. Travel Association showing average vacation spending dropping 2% year-over-year. Luna questions whether the trend holds for international travel, and Lucas points to currency fluctuations as a wild card. The episode ends with a look at how workers' purchasing power is slowly recovering, but with caveats around regional disparities. #Wages #Prices #VacationCosts #OuterBanks #Travel #Inflation #CPI #WageGrowth #PurchasingPower #GasPrices #Airfare #HotelRates #USTravelAssociation #Economics #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #CostOfLiving #Raises Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo