College costs: Thinking about college? Here are the latest numbers:

3.3%

The average year-over-year increase of tuition and fees at private colleges, and for in-state students at public higher education institutions, from 2024-25 to 2025-26*

3.7%

The average year-over-year increase in tuition and fees at public higher education institutions for out-of-state students, from 2024-25 to 2025-26*

Sticker price vs. actual price: 51.4%

The average tuition discount rate, after institutional grant aid was awarded, for undergraduates at private nonprofit colleges and universities in the 2024-25 academic year**

The cost of public vs. private

Average cost of tuition and fees at colleges and universities for 2025-26:

$11,371

For in-state students at public schools*

$25,415

For out-of-state students at public schools*

$44,961

For private schools*

4 of the best: Ways to eat local

Supporting local farmers is an investment in your health, your community and your local economy.

CSAs

Community supported agriculture (CSA) connects you directly with local farmers—and some of the freshest seasonal produce around. Sign up for a weekly or monthly box from a nearby pickup location, and you’ll get whatever is being harvested that week. It’s a delicious surprise. By paying upfront, CSA members help ensure the farm’s financial well‑being throughout the growing season.

Farmers markets

Farmers markets give communities access to fresh, nutritious food while supporting the growers and makers behind it. Vendors offer everything from seasonal fruits and vegetables to meat, eggs, bread, honey, pastries and other homemade goods. Connecting urban residents with rural farmers, these markets are great spaces for community building.

Farm-to-table restaurants

Farm-to-table restaurants source their food directly from local farmers and producers, and the difference tends to show up on your plate. These eateries form meaningful relationships with suppliers while helping patrons gain a deeper appreciation for where food comes from. Diners at a farm-to-table restaurant can expect to eat a made-from-scratch meal filled with local, seasonal ingredients.

Grocery co-ops

Unlike typical grocery chains, food co-ops are grocery stores owned and controlled by the people who shop there. These stores prioritize high-quality, accessible food options that meet community needs. Sourcing from nearby farms keeps money in the local economy, and co-op membership often comes with perks like member rebates or discounts at other local businesses.

CSAs

Community supported agriculture (CSA) connects you directly with local farmers—and some of the freshest seasonal produce around. Sign up for a weekly or monthly box from a nearby pickup location, and you’ll get whatever is being harvested that week. It’s a delicious surprise. By paying upfront, CSA members help ensure the farm’s financial well‑being throughout the growing season.

Farmers markets

Farmers markets give communities access to fresh, nutritious food while supporting the growers and makers behind it. Vendors offer everything from seasonal fruits and vegetables to meat, eggs, bread, honey, pastries and other homemade goods. Connecting urban residents with rural farmers, these markets are great spaces for community building.

Farm-to-table restaurants

Farm-to-table restaurants source their food directly from local farmers and producers, and the difference tends to show up on your plate. These eateries form meaningful relationships with suppliers while helping patrons gain a deeper appreciation for where food comes from. Diners at a farm-to-table restaurant can expect to eat a made-from-scratch meal filled with local, seasonal ingredients.

Grocery co-ops

Unlike typical grocery chains, food co-ops are grocery stores owned and controlled by the people who shop there. These stores prioritize high-quality, accessible food options that meet community needs. Sourcing from nearby farms keeps money in the local economy, and co-op membership often comes with perks like member rebates or discounts at other local businesses.

Did you know?

June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month. But all year long, Thrivent has two dedicated teams working to safeguard elderly and at-risk clients from abuse, neglect or exploitation.

Our Financial Crimes Unit and Vulnerable Adult Office collaborate to train our staff and financial professionals to identify and report red flags. They then investigate any reported concerns.

Impressively, last year alone, the Vulnerable Adult Office completed nearly 1,000 investigations, while the Financial Crimes Unit investigated more than 241 elder financial exploitation incidents.

Get tips to protect yourself from financial exploitation.

The big number: $124 trillion

The projected wealth expected to change hands through 2048***

Lean on one another and ask for help. It’s hard to do, but I’m learning that if you ask, you will receive.

- Amanda James, Thrivent client

Defining finance: Estate

Whether you have a little or a lot, you have an estate. An estate is made up of everything you own. This could include property, cash and investments, cars, businesses, intellectual property, and collectibles such as artwork, books or family heirlooms. Estate planning is the best way to ensure that these possessions go to the people and causes you care about most after you die.

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Sparks: College costs, 4 of the best ways to eat local & more