Once, saving for a car was aspirational—a tangible goal that marked adulthood and independence. Now, the average American car payment exceeds $700 a month, and 84-month loans are standard. We explore how the automobile transformed from a symbol of freedom into a financial anchor.
Mar 13, 2026
Not long ago, calling a relative three states away meant budgeting for it like a bill. Before that, your neighbor could literally pick up and listen to your conversation. The story of how Americans went from sharing a single telephone line to streaming live video from anywhere on Earth is wilder — and faster — than most people realize.
Mar 13, 2026