It&#39;s not in your head. Long Island is one of the most expensive places to live in the country &mdash; and the gap between what things cost and what people earn keeps widening.

I&#39;m Brianne Ledda, Newsday&#39;s affordability reporter. I&#39;ve lived here my whole life, and every week I dig into the real numbers: rent, childcare, groceries, gas. I look at what it actually costs to stay here, and what, if anything, you can do about it.

That&#39;s Wallet Watch, our Thursday newsletter. Sign up for sharp, local reporting on the cost of living on Long Island, straight from a reporter who lives it too.

Have a question about your own expenses?

Email me at walletwatch@newsday.com. I read everything.

Previous editions of the newsletter are available below.

Business

Wallet Watch

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Brianne Ledda

<a class="p-smartembed" data-attr-caption="The Consumer Price Index shows food prices are up more than 31% since January 2020.&nbsp;Source:&nbsp;U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics" data-attr-credit="" data-attr-has-caption="true" data-attr-has-credit="true" data-attr-q="0.3" data-attr-w="400" data-onecms-id="contentid/b62a765b-0b07-41d1-9473-0121c5236e84" data-onecms-type="image" href="javascript:window.parent.actionEventData({$contentId:'contentid/b62a765b-0b07-41d1-9473-0121c5236e84', $action:'view', $target:'work'})" polopoly:contentid="contentid/b62a765b-0b07-41d1-9473-0121c5236e84"><img src="/image-service/alias/contentid/b62a765b-0b07-41d1-9473-0121c5236e84/lighterannotations.jpg?w=400&amp;q=0.3">The Consumer Price Index shows food prices are up more than 31% since January 2020.&nbsp;Source:&nbsp;U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</a> 
What’s given you sticker shock in the grocery aisle these days?&nbsp;Email <a href="mailto:walletwatch@newsday.com">walletwatch@newsday.com</a>&nbsp;and let us know. 
A few months ago, it <a href="https://www.newsday.com/business/tomatoes-inflation-prices-groceries-mexico-tariffs-trump-p24339">might have been tomatoes</a> — among the latest casualties in America’s affordability crisis, with prices up 40% from the year before. Tragic news for Mom’s Sunday sauce. 
But these days, there’s some hope for the harried food shopper as <a href="https://www.newsday.com/business/costco-price-cuts-walmart-stop-and-shop-w3nwbo2h">major retailers slash prices</a> in an effort to draw consumers away from deep-discount stores like Aldi. Last month, Costco joined <a href="https://www.newsday.com/business/stop-and-shop-lowering-prices-supermarkets-grocery-store-long-island-rzy5qkw3">other grocer giants&nbsp;like Stop &amp; Shop</a> and Kroger in cutting prices, <a href="https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&amp;&amp;p=5d50d34be687103eeb9d5740d970bf45d7a5b748ab819928184c70b34e3a63eaJmltdHM9MTc4MzM4MjQwMA&amp;ptn=3&amp;ver=2&amp;hsh=4&amp;fclid=238e71cc-7d69-66cd-2ea2-67ab7c996762&amp;psq=tory+parrish+newsday&amp;u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmV3c2RheS5jb20vcGVvcGxlL3Rvcnktbi1wYXJyaXNo">Tory N. Parrish</a>&nbsp;reported for Wallet Watch. And, earlier this week, <a href="https://www.newsday.com/business/savings-walmart-sams-club-summer-discounts-as0h4dcp">Walmart and Sam’s Club</a> executives said they would lower prices on beef, corn and other grilling essentials to reduce the cost burden on families for summer staples in temporary rollbacks, <a href="https://www.newsday.com/people/victor-ocasio">Victor Ocasio</a> reported.&nbsp; <a class="p-smartembed" data-attr-caption="Justine Kinsky, 35, of Floral Park, said price cuts at Stop &amp; Shop would likely inspire her to buy more products there.
" data-attr-credit="" data-attr-f="3x2" data-attr-has-caption="true" data-attr-has-credit="true" data-attr-q="0.3" data-attr-w="400" data-onecms-id="contentid/bc88419f-b7ac-47df-994b-e67011715528" data-onecms-type="image" href="javascript:window.parent.actionEventData({$contentId:'contentid/bc88419f-b7ac-47df-994b-e67011715528', $action:'view', $target:'work'})" polopoly:contentid="contentid/bc88419f-b7ac-47df-994b-e67011715528"><img src="/image-service/alias/contentid/bc88419f-b7ac-47df-994b-e67011715528/obj14930271_15372?f=3x2&amp;w=400&amp;q=0.3">Justine Kinsky, 35, of Floral Park, said price cuts at Stop &amp; Shop would likely inspire her to buy more products there. </a> 
Inflation has slowed since its peak during pandemic, but prices are still going up and are unlikely to go back down. On Long Island, the consumer price index in May was up 5.1% compared to last year.&nbsp;Entering July, consumer confidence remained <a href="https://www.newsday.com/business/inflation-economy-iran-trump-unemployment-j57191">historically low</a>, although attitudes towards the economy improved slightly with a dip in gas prices. 
Grocers might be cutting prices, but who knows if it's enough to offset the increases we've seen so far from inflation? 
&nbsp;Like the rest of you, I’m watching grocery prices with bated breath. 
<h2>From our readers</h2> 
<h3>Christina Ann on Facebook asks:</h3> 
Why is the cost of living so high — mortgage, food, gas, rentals? 
My colleagues <a href="https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&amp;&amp;p=48ee90ac53a79cfa983a7556bbf8c265ccca7752ddc51bc60c5c427e4594716cJmltdHM9MTc4MzM4MjQwMA&amp;ptn=3&amp;ver=2&amp;hsh=4&amp;fclid=238e71cc-7d69-66cd-2ea2-67ab7c996762&amp;psq=james+t+madore+newsday&amp;u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmV3c2RheS5jb20vcGVvcGxlL2phbWVzLXQtbWFkb3Jl">James T. Madore</a>, <a href="https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&amp;&amp;p=f8154a5b5ee9cde1bf8c52ac3c6b0924f6aa17414b2ae598a20808d823c03496JmltdHM9MTc4MzM4MjQwMA&amp;ptn=3&amp;ver=2&amp;hsh=4&amp;fclid=238e71cc-7d69-66cd-2ea2-67ab7c996762&amp;psq=jonathan+lamantia+newsday&amp;u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmV3c2RheS5jb20vcGVvcGxlL2pvbmF0aGFuLWxhbWFudGlh">Jonathan LaMantia</a> and <a href="https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&amp;&amp;p=5d50d34be687103eeb9d5740d970bf45d7a5b748ab819928184c70b34e3a63eaJmltdHM9MTc4MzM4MjQwMA&amp;ptn=3&amp;ver=2&amp;hsh=4&amp;fclid=238e71cc-7d69-66cd-2ea2-67ab7c996762&amp;psq=tory+parrish+newsday&amp;u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmV3c2RheS5jb20vcGVvcGxlL3Rvcnktbi1wYXJyaXNo">Tory N. Parrish</a> answered this with the <a href="https://www.newsday.com/business/long-island-cost-of-living-wallet-watch-j1bc2mvq">first article</a> to come out of Wallet Watch.&nbsp;For many on Long Island, the affordability strain comes from everything all at once, with a cost of living that outpaces the national average by 32%. 
Experts say the high prices on Long Island come from its attractiveness as the suburbs outside of New York City, many layers of government and high demand from a large population for a limited supply of commodities. The housing market on Long Island is brutal, with prices rising faster than income and low&nbsp;supply due to limited space, red tape, pricey supplies and local opposition to new development.&nbsp; 
The island's many layers of bureaucracy also fuel some of the highest property taxes in the country, and high demand and grid constraints lead to electricity costs slightly higher than the average in a state that ranks No. 7 in residential electric rates.&nbsp; 
Cars and auto insurance also cost more than many other parts of the country, and families face childcare expenses that can rival the cost of college tuition.&nbsp; 
You can read more about why Long Island is so expensive <a href="https://www.newsday.com/business/long-island-cost-of-living-wallet-watch-j1bc2mvq">here</a>. And stay tuned for an upcoming Wallet Watch article about why property taxes on Long Island are so astronomically expensive.&nbsp; 
Have a question you'd like to submit? Confused by a bill? Spotted a price hike? Ask our team and we might answer it in the next edition. Email <a href="mailto:walletwatch@newsday.com">walletwatch@newsday.com</a>&nbsp;or <a href="https://www.newsday.com/business/wallet-watch/wallet-watch-feedback-your-question-pq9a9bs6">click here</a>.

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Wallet Watch newsletter: Grocery prices are (kind of?) down

Grocery prices are (kind of?) down

AIAudio - Wallet Watch newsletter: Grocery prices are (kind of?) down


<a class="p-smartembed" data-attr-caption="The number of LI teens ages 14-18 being hired for summer jobs in the private sector is down, as cautious employers cut back on staffing over economic concerns and more teens prioritize other activities, such as sports and college prep programs.
" data-attr-credit="" data-attr-f="3x2" data-attr-has-caption="true" data-attr-has-credit="true" data-attr-q="0.3" data-attr-w="400" data-onecms-id="contentid/dc82b72c-f159-4b13-ba4e-102727fdd40a" data-onecms-type="image" href="javascript:window.parent.actionEventData({$contentId:'contentid/dc82b72c-f159-4b13-ba4e-102727fdd40a', $action:'view', $target:'work'})" polopoly:contentid="contentid/dc82b72c-f159-4b13-ba4e-102727fdd40a"><img src="/image-service/alias/contentid/dc82b72c-f159-4b13-ba4e-102727fdd40a/WWNEWSLETTER_BZTEENS260622_line%20chart.jpeg?f=3x2&amp;w=400&amp;q=0.3">The number of LI teens ages 14-18 being hired for summer jobs in the private sector is down, as cautious employers cut back on staffing over economic concerns and more teens prioritize other activities, such as sports and college prep programs. </a> 
Has your teen struggled to find summer work this year? We're interested in hearing what families are seeing. Email us at wallet@newsday.com. 
In case you missed it:&nbsp;My colleague <a href="https://www.newsday.com/people/tory-n-parrish">Tory N. Parrish</a> reported last week for Wallet Watch that this summer may be one of the toughest seasons for young job seekers in nearly 80 years, as employers facing inflation and other economic pressures pull back on hiring. 
Reading Tory's story made me think back to my own first real job search — and how difficult it felt even in a much different market. 
The summer between my senior year and college, I needed a job. I had school expenses to pay — plus, it would be nice to have a little bit of spending money. 
As an unemployed 18-year-old without a car, I set out on foot to businesses in my neighborhood to ask about job applications. I eventually found work within biking distance of my college campus thanks to a recommendation from a friend. But getting hired — anywhere — was harder than I thought it would be. 
That was nearly 10 years ago. And the job market for teen workers in 2026 appears even tougher. 
An analysis of federal data indicates employers across the country will likely hire 790,000 workers ages 16 to 19 this summer, after hiring 801,000 teens last year — a 25.6% drop from 2024 and the lowest level in 77 years. 
The drop has not been as drastic on Long Island. Still, the number of workers ages 14 to 18 hired here last summer totaled 20,580, the lowest for that time of year since 2012, according to state labor data. 
All that's to say: It might not be your child's fault if they haven't found a summer job yet. Like the rest of us, they're facing a tough labor market. 
Read the story <a href="https://www.newsday.com/business/teens-summer-jobs-employment-hiring-e5sd8ibm">here</a>. 
<h2>From our readers</h2> 
Wallet Watch works best when it's a two-way conversation. 
Since we launched, readers have helped us spot confusing bills, hidden fees, price hikes and everyday money problems worth digging into. As we plan new stories, guides and tools to help Long Islanders save money, we want to keep hearing from you. 
Have a question you'd like to submit? Confused by a bill? Noticed a price hike? Have a question about housing, utilities, groceries, insurance, taxes or another cost of living issue? Email walletwatch@newsday.com or or <a href="https://www.newsday.com/business/wallet-watch/wallet-watch-feedback-your-question-pq9a9bs6">click here</a>.

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Wallet Watch newsletter: Is your teen struggling to find a summer job?

Is your teen struggling to find a summer job?

AIAudio - Wallet Watch newsletter: Is your teen struggling to find a summer job?


AIAudio - Wallet Watch newsletter: Is your teen struggling to find a summer job?

<a class="p-smartembed" data-attr-caption="Published monthly for New York, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures how much the prices of a fixed 'basket' of everyday goods and services have changed over time. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics" data-attr-credit="" data-attr-has-caption="true" data-attr-has-credit="true" data-attr-q="0.3" data-attr-w="400" data-onecms-id="contentid/4bcb1627-3ae1-4b83-867a-e63e198169a4" data-onecms-type="image" href="javascript:window.parent.actionEventData({$contentId:'contentid/4bcb1627-3ae1-4b83-867a-e63e198169a4', $action:'view', $target:'work'})" polopoly:contentid="contentid/4bcb1627-3ae1-4b83-867a-e63e198169a4"><img src="/image-service/alias/contentid/4bcb1627-3ae1-4b83-867a-e63e198169a4/IMG_4942.jpg?w=400&amp;q=0.3">Published monthly for New York, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures how much the prices of a fixed 'basket' of everyday goods and services have changed over time. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</a> 
Long Island’s latest inflation number came in 5.1% higher than a year ago — tough news for a region where everyday costs already feel punishing. 
That’s why we launched Wallet Watch. 
Each week, I answer reader questions about how to save money on Long Island. Last week, we looked at ways to cut heating and cooling costs. This week, we’re tackling broker fees. 
Now I want to hear from you. 
What’s the money question you need answered? Are you trying to lower a bill, avoid a fee, understand a local cost or make a smarter financial decision? Send&nbsp;<a href="mailto:walletwatch@newsday.com">walletwatch@newsday.com</a> your toughest questions, and I’ll do my best to answer them with reporting, research and help from local experts. 
<h2>From our readers</h2> 
<h3>Kristie Mazzei from Facebook asks:</h3> 
Why do tenants pay the broker fee? 
That’s a great question. On Long Island, tenants often pay the broker fees. But that's not the case everywhere. &nbsp; 
Last year in New York City, a new law took effect that prohibits brokers who represent landlords from charging broker fees to tenants. The law — called the Fairness in Apartment Rental Expenses, or <a href="https://www.nyc.gov/site/dca/about/FAQ-Broker-Fees.page">FARE</a>, Act — also requires landlords and their representatives to disclose other fees the tenant is responsible for before they sign a rental agreement. 
On Long Island, however, renting is not standardized, according to national real estate brokerage <a href="https://www.elliman.com/sellers-buyers-renters-guides/long-island/renters-guide">Douglas Elliman</a>. Who pays the broker’s fee depends on the transaction and who hired the broker. Often, that payment falls to the renter. 
“Outside of New York City, many landlords pass along the cost of their own brokers to tenants as part of the rental transaction,” said Patrick Fife, general counsel at the Long Island Board of Realtors. 
Referencing the FARE Act, he said: “Renters in New York City are only responsible for a broker fee if they separately retain their own broker to assist them in finding an apartment.” 
If you’re a renter, here are <a href="https://www.leaserunner.com/blog/who-pays-the-broker-fee-when-renting#heading-29">some tips</a> on reducing or avoiding a broker fee: 
• If you’re hiring the broker, ask about the fee upfront and negotiate early.. • Use housing sites like StreetEasy to search for no-fee apartment listings.. • Search for rentals listed directly by the owner.. 
Have a question you'd like to submit? Confused by a bill? Spotted a price hike? Ask our team and we might answer it in the next edition. Email <a href="mailto:walletwatch@newsday.com">walletwatch@newsday.com</a>&nbsp;or <a href="https://www.newsday.com/business/wallet-watch/wallet-watch-feedback-your-question-pq9a9bs6">click here</a>.

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Wallet Watch newsletter: Prices are up. We can help with that.

Prices are up. We can help with that.

AIAudio - Wallet Watch newsletter: Prices are up. We can help with that.


<a class="p-smartembed" data-attr-caption="Source: Child Care Aware; data as of 2025" data-attr-credit="" data-attr-f="Preview 4:3" data-attr-has-caption="true" data-attr-has-credit="true" data-attr-q="0.3" data-attr-w="400" data-onecms-id="contentid/6862db45-b285-4704-afa6-9121adf9a0cd" data-onecms-type="image" href="javascript:window.parent.actionEventData({$contentId:'contentid/6862db45-b285-4704-afa6-9121adf9a0cd', $action:'view', $target:'work'})" polopoly:contentid="contentid/6862db45-b285-4704-afa6-9121adf9a0cd"><img src="/image-service/alias/contentid/6862db45-b285-4704-afa6-9121adf9a0cd/matik%20(24).jpg?f=Preview%204%3A3&amp;w=400&amp;q=0.3">Source: Child Care Aware; data as of 2025</a> 
Meri Urena had every intention of returning to work full-time after giving birth to her twin daughters last April. 
But after touring daycare centers that offered quotes around $160 per child, per day, Urena and her husband — with a combined annual income around $100,000 — found the cost infeasible. 
Now,&nbsp;Urena works part-time, relying on family to help look after her daughters. 
In the latest for Newsday's Wallet Watch, <a href="https://www.newsday.com/people/victor-ocasio">Victor Ocasio</a> reports on Long Island families contending with some of the highest costs for childcare in the country, at prices that rival college tuition and outpace salaries. 
Mothers are often the ones who bear the burden of finding a path that works — whether that's reducing hours or <a href="https://www.newsday.com/business/mothers-young-children-leaving-workforce-q84ubnfw">leaving their jobs entirely</a> while their children are young, experts say. <a class="p-smartembed" data-attr-caption="Former GMA co-anchor Joan Lunden, left, and NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano at Newsday's Working Moms Summit on June 3." data-attr-credit="" data-attr-has-caption="true" data-attr-has-credit="true" data-attr-q="0.3" data-attr-w="400" data-onecms-id="contentid/cfb48c0d-1589-4a56-a320-95f2c8a1567f" data-onecms-type="image" href="javascript:window.parent.actionEventData({$contentId:'contentid/cfb48c0d-1589-4a56-a320-95f2c8a1567f', $action:'view', $target:'work'})" polopoly:contentid="contentid/cfb48c0d-1589-4a56-a320-95f2c8a1567f"><img src="/image-service/alias/contentid/cfb48c0d-1589-4a56-a320-95f2c8a1567f/liMOMS260606.jpg?w=400&amp;q=0.3">Former GMA co-anchor Joan Lunden, left, and NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano at Newsday's Working Moms Summit on June 3.</a> 
That struggle was at the forefront of conversations at a <a href="https://www.newsday.com/long-island/working-moms/newsday-working-moms-summit-mrsv6akl">recent summit</a> held by Newsday, where Long Island moms met to discuss the challenges of juggling parenthood and their careers while trying to raise a family on the notoriously expensive Long Island. 
It's a discussion Newsday plans to continue through our Working Moms project. With a new <a href="https://www.newsday.com/long-island/working-moms">digital landing page</a> and newsletter, we've renewed our dedication to providing moms with the curated stories and resources they need as they balance caregiving with <a href="https://www.newsday.com/business/gender-pay-gap-y4pijzqx">time in the work force</a>. 
If this describes you and your family, we'd love to hear from you. Sign up for the Working Moms newsletter and share your experience with workingmoms@newsday.com. 
You can also join our <a href="https://link.newsday.com/click/46095879.169/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL3NoYXJlL2cvMUdxTFJhNUxDRS8_dXRtX3Rlcm09bm9uJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj13b3JraW5nLW1vbXMmbGN0Zz1jNDhjNDdjZGRhY2IxNTU0YzY4NzNlODcyMGJjYTRjNzZhYTgxNGUyOTZlOGUzMmFmYmI0MjhhMzk5OWJmNTkx/56bbe42e18ff43a1248ee79eB17185f93">Long Island Moms</a> Facebook group and follow us on Instagram at @longisland_moms. 
<h2>From our readers</h2> 
<h3>Heather Elizabeth Cunningham from Facebook asks:</h3> 
Daycare. Why does it cost $27,000 to send one child to daycare? <a class="p-smartembed" data-attr-caption="Meri Urena and her family have pieced together a childcare arrangement that allows her to continue working part time." data-attr-credit="Newsday" data-attr-has-caption="true" data-attr-has-credit="true" data-attr-q="0.3" data-attr-w="400" data-onecms-id="contentid/0beae225-10b1-41a1-bd9d-3b584bfdb41f" data-onecms-type="image" href="javascript:window.parent.actionEventData({$contentId:'contentid/0beae225-10b1-41a1-bd9d-3b584bfdb41f', $action:'view', $target:'work'})" polopoly:contentid="contentid/0beae225-10b1-41a1-bd9d-3b584bfdb41f"><img src="/image-service/alias/contentid/0beae225-10b1-41a1-bd9d-3b584bfdb41f/IMG_2089.jpg?w=400&amp;q=0.3">Meri Urena and her family have pieced together a childcare arrangement that allows her to continue working part time.</a> 
Whew! That's a lot of money&nbsp;—&nbsp;even higher than the typical cost for an infant in daycare. Those prices come to a median of around $21,000 a year, according to 2024 state data. 
I can't speak to your bill, but in general, daycare is pricey because it's so labor intensive. Wages are the greatest expense for daycare centers and account&nbsp;for most of the price that parents pay. 
But even taking that into account, childcare providers take home relatively small salaries,&nbsp;with a median annual income of $38,844 on Long Island. 
And while parents struggle to cover the cost, operators describe thin profit margins after covering payroll, rent, insurance, utilities and other expenses. 
"In any business, when the cost or price of the product is more than what most of your customers can afford, you have a failing business model," said Linda Smith, executive director of policy group The Child Care Trust. 
My colleague <a href="https://www.newsday.com/people/victor-ocasio">Victor Ocasio</a> took a deep dive into the rising costs of child care for Wallet Watch this week. Read more <a href="https://www.newsday.com/business/wallet-watch/long-island-child-care-costs-o5kpi8hy">here</a>. 
Have a question you'd like to submit? Confused by a bill? Spotted a price hike? Ask our team and we might answer it in the next edition. Email <a href="mailto:walletwatch@newsday.com">walletwatch@newsday.com</a>&nbsp;or <a href="https://www.newsday.com/business/wallet-watch/wallet-watch-feedback-your-question-pq9a9bs6">click here</a>.

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Wallet Watch newsletter: How working moms make it work on LI

How working moms make it work on LI

AIAudio - Wallet Watch newsletter: Subject line goes here


<a class="p-smartembed" data-attr-caption="A national survey asked renters, &quot;What do you think is the percent chance you will own your primary residence at some point in the future?&quot; Source: New York Fed Survey of Consumer Expectations." data-attr-credit="" data-attr-has-caption="true" data-attr-has-credit="true" data-attr-q="0.3" data-attr-w="400" data-onecms-id="contentid/ecbfd751-bddf-47a6-8f0b-b913172613f9" data-onecms-type="image" href="javascript:window.parent.actionEventData({$contentId:'contentid/ecbfd751-bddf-47a6-8f0b-b913172613f9', $action:'view', $target:'work'})" polopoly:contentid="contentid/ecbfd751-bddf-47a6-8f0b-b913172613f9"><img src="/image-service/alias/contentid/ecbfd751-bddf-47a6-8f0b-b913172613f9/WWNEWSLETTER_%20BZRENTS-expectations%20(1).jpeg?w=400&amp;q=0.3">A national survey asked renters, "What do you think is the percent chance you will own your primary residence at some point in the future?" Source: New York Fed Survey of Consumer Expectations.</a> 
Richard Lefebvre, 37, has been renting the same one-bedroom in Mastic Beach for 15 years. 
The school bus driver has been ready to buy his own home for years.&nbsp;But, faced with rising home prices and expensive mortgage rates, he says he can’t afford the expenses that would come with home ownership.&nbsp; 
It’s a conundrum facing many Long Island renters, as my colleague <a href="https://www.newsday.com/people/jonathan-lamantia">Jonathan LaMantia</a> and I reported this week for Wallet Watch. Federal data shows that fewer renters now believe they will ever own a home. The age of the typical first-time homebuyer has grown from 29 to 40 since 1981, according to the National Association of Realtors. <a class="p-smartembed" data-attr-caption="Source: An analysis of data from the National Association of Realtors." data-attr-credit="" data-attr-has-caption="true" data-attr-has-credit="true" data-attr-q="0.3" data-attr-w="400" data-onecms-id="contentid/120ca440-4305-41e1-929f-92e7ef641f32" data-onecms-type="image" href="javascript:window.parent.actionEventData({$contentId:'contentid/120ca440-4305-41e1-929f-92e7ef641f32', $action:'view', $target:'work'})" polopoly:contentid="contentid/120ca440-4305-41e1-929f-92e7ef641f32"><img src="/image-service/alias/contentid/120ca440-4305-41e1-929f-92e7ef641f32/WWNEWSLETTER-%20BZRENT-chart1%20(1).jpeg?w=400&amp;q=0.3">Source: An analysis of data from the National Association of Realtors.</a> 
It’s harder to buy a home on Long Island, which remains one of the strongest seller’s markets in the country. From what I've heard from renters, it seems that even if you have a good job (or two) with a decent salary, you might not be able to afford a house here. We&nbsp;spoke with around a dozen people who described the struggle to not just save for a down payment, but even just keep up with rising rents in the region.&nbsp; 
Despite those challenges, there was an underlying glimmer of hope. Many renters said they still&nbsp;aspire to homeownership, viewing it as a source of financial security and stability. Although several said they had considered pursuing that dream elsewhere, most want to stay on Long Island&nbsp;— near family and friends, and at their jobs and businesses. 
But if you are&nbsp;an aspiring homeowner, there are&nbsp;resources that can help.&nbsp; 
Read the story&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsday.com/business/wallet-watch/long-island-renters-homeownership-housing-affordability-ykxym7uo">here</a>.&nbsp; 
<h2>From our readers</h2> 
<h3>Lizzie Bollard from Facebook asks:</h3> 
What is the best way to save on cooling and heating? 
Heating and cooling can account for a significant share of your electric bill, especially during extreme weather. One of the easiest ways to save is by shifting energy-intensive chores — like running the dishwasher or doing laundry — outside of peak hours, which are 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. 
Here are some additional ways to lower your energy costs. 
To save on cooling: 
<ul> 
 <li>If you have central air conditioning, keep the condenser unit coils and fins clean. Keep shrubs away from your air conditioner to avoid blocked vents.</li> 
 <li>Check the filter on room air conditioners once a month by holding it up to a bright light. If you can’t see through it, that means it needs to be cleaned or replaced.</li> 
 <li>Use caulking to seal spaces around room air conditioners.</li> 
 <li>Run pedestal and ceiling fans to improve air circulation.</li> 
</ul> 
To save on heating: 
<ul> 
 <li>Make sure your home is properly insulated.</li> 
 <li>Humidifiers will help your home feel more comfortable at a lower temperature.</li> 
 <li>Avoid portable heaters if you can. They’re expensive to use.</li> 
 <li>Open curtains and blinds to let in the sun.</li> 
</ul> 
PSEG offers&nbsp;resources on how to use energy more efficiently. To learn more on how to save on heating and cooling, click <a href="https://www.psegliny.com/en/saveenergyandmoney/TipsandTools/66waystosave">here</a>. 
Have a question you'd like to submit? Confused by a bill? Spotted a price hike? Ask our team and we might answer it in the next edition. Email <a href="mailto:walletwatch@newsday.com">walletwatch@newsday.com</a>&nbsp;or <a href="https://www.newsday.com/business/wallet-watch/wallet-watch-feedback-your-question-pq9a9bs6">click here</a>.

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Wallet Watch newsletter: Will I ever be able to buy a home?

Will I ever be able to buy a home?

<a class="p-smartembed" data-attr-caption="Source: Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey • Note: Rates exclude fees and points offered by lenders." data-attr-credit="" data-attr-f="Preview 4:3" data-attr-has-caption="true" data-attr-has-credit="true" data-attr-q="0.3" data-attr-w="400" data-onecms-id="contentid/784d0d87-68fe-427f-9bd1-49d0e6a1db63" data-onecms-type="image" href="javascript:window.parent.actionEventData({$contentId:'contentid/784d0d87-68fe-427f-9bd1-49d0e6a1db63', $action:'view', $target:'work'})" polopoly:contentid="contentid/784d0d87-68fe-427f-9bd1-49d0e6a1db63"><img src="/image-service/alias/contentid/784d0d87-68fe-427f-9bd1-49d0e6a1db63/NEWSLETTER-HOMORT260529_chart.jpeg?f=Preview%204%3A3&amp;w=400&amp;q=0.3">Source: Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey • Note: Rates exclude fees and points offered by lenders.</a> 
Mortgage rates hit a nine-month high last week, but that won't put off Long Island buyers, experts say. 
Driven by soaring oil prices and inflationary pressures in the wake of the Iran War, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate climbed to 6.53%, reports Newsday real estate reporter <a href="https://www.newsday.com/people/jonathan-lamantia">Jonathan LaMantia</a>. 
Instead of leaving the market entirely, Long Islanders on the hunt for a house will shift their focus to lower asking prices, said Lisa Zambelli, a loan officer at Cliffco Mortgage Bankers in Uniondale. 
"They're not stopping buying," she said. "They're just changing their search criteria." 
The higher rates though will still saddle new homeowners with higher monthly payments for years to come and could exacerbate an existing shortage of for-sale listings as homeowners with lower rates hold off on moving. 
The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is still lower than it was at this time last year, when rates hit 6.89%, and remains far below a 2023 peak of 7.79%. 
Read more <a href="https://www.newsday.com/real-estate/long-island-mortgage-rates-f6ears8d">here</a>.&nbsp; 
<h2>From our readers</h2> 
<h3>Walter Triesch from Facebook asks:</h3> 
How can I get more of a tax refund than I do? 
A large tax refund is nice, but it doesn't mean you paid less taxes. More likely, you overpaid throughout the year and your refund is the government giving your money back, experts said. 
"The real goal should be ensuring you pay the lowest amount of tax legally possible while keeping more of your money working for you throughout the year," said Melissa Madsen, director at accounting firm DeFreitas &amp; Minsky in Centerport. 
This matters especially for Long Islanders, for whom "taxes are often one of the largest recurring expenses in the household," said Great Neck-based adviser Jason Gilbert of RGA Investment Advisors LLC. 
Plan your taxes throughout the year, not just during tax season, by communicating regularly with a financial expert. There could be opportunities — like retirement contributions, tax credits and medical deductions, among other things — that you're missing. 
Here's some advice from Gilbert and Madsen: 
<ul> 
 <li>Review your tax withholding, especially if there have been changes to your income, bonus, side income, marriage status, children, mortgage or deductions.</li> 
 <li>Long Island homeowners may qualify for the STAR credit, which offers some relief on school property taxes. Look into other New York-specific benefits, such as credits for education, and child and dependent care.</li> 
 <li>Use tax-advantaged accounts with intention. Gilbert says, "401(k), IRA, and HSA contributions … can be tax planning tools, especially when used consistently."</li> 
 <li>Homeowners should run the itemized deduction calculation each year. The standard deduction is not always the best.</li> 
 <li>Keep clean records of everything — childcare, charitable giving, business expenses, estimated payments, energy credits and education expenses.</li> 
 <li>If you own a business, check with an advisor to make sure it's structured in the most tax-efficient manner.&nbsp;</li> 
 <li>Pay attention to tax law changes that could impact you.</li> 
</ul> 
Have a question you'd like to submit? Confused by a bill? Spotted a price hike? Ask our team and we might answer it in the next edition. Email <a href="mailto:walletwatch@newsday.com">walletwatch@newsday.com</a>&nbsp;or <a href="https://www.newsday.com/business/wallet-watch/wallet-watch-feedback-your-question-pq9a9bs6">click here</a>.

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Wallet Watch newsletter: Mortgage rates hit 9-month high

Mortgage rates hit 9-month high

<a class="p-smartembed" data-attr-caption="Source: CoStar Group. Includes all unit sizes in professionally managed buildings (5+ units). Excludes senior and affordable housing." data-attr-credit="" data-attr-f="Preview 4:3" data-attr-has-caption="true" data-attr-has-credit="true" data-attr-q="0.3" data-attr-w="400" data-onecms-id="contentid/eb039ff5-0180-4e93-a14f-226d62c074a4" data-onecms-type="image" href="javascript:window.parent.actionEventData({$contentId:'contentid/eb039ff5-0180-4e93-a14f-226d62c074a4', $action:'view', $target:'work'})" polopoly:contentid="contentid/eb039ff5-0180-4e93-a14f-226d62c074a4"><img src="/image-service/alias/contentid/eb039ff5-0180-4e93-a14f-226d62c074a4/FORNEWSLETTERONLY_%20bzAFFORDABLE_comparerents%20(1).jpeg?f=Preview%204%3A3&amp;w=400&amp;q=0.3">Source: CoStar Group. Includes all unit sizes in professionally managed buildings (5+ units). Excludes senior and affordable housing.</a> 
Last year,&nbsp;1,741 people applied for the chance to rent apartments&nbsp;between around $1,250 and $1,550&nbsp;—&nbsp;below market rate&nbsp;—&nbsp;at a new building on Bedell Street in Hempstead. Only 53 were selected.&nbsp; 
Yola Augustin was one of them. It took nearly two years of searching to find a new home that she could afford for herself and her adult brother, who has Down syndrome. Getting the chance to rent an apartment at Estella felt "like actually winning the New York Lottery," she said.&nbsp; 
It's a high stakes market for renters like Augustin, who face a crowded field of applicants&nbsp;and&nbsp;a web of rules and eligibility requirements to find a place in Long Island's affordable housing market. 
More than half of Long Island renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, spurring hundreds or even thousands to apply for just a handful of affordable units available through lotteries like the one for Estella. <a class="p-smartembed" data-attr-caption="Yola Augustin at her apartment in Hempstead in mid-May. Augustin received an apartment at Estella, an affordable-housing building in Hempstead, after being selected through a lottery" data-attr-credit="Newsday" data-attr-has-caption="true" data-attr-has-credit="true" data-attr-q="0.3" data-attr-w="400" data-onecms-id="contentid/8151c060-a086-4b82-8e0c-986780306397" data-onecms-type="image" href="javascript:window.parent.actionEventData({$contentId:'contentid/8151c060-a086-4b82-8e0c-986780306397', $action:'view', $target:'work'})" polopoly:contentid="contentid/8151c060-a086-4b82-8e0c-986780306397"><img src="/image-service/alias/contentid/8151c060-a086-4b82-8e0c-986780306397/IMG_0872.jpg?w=400&amp;q=0.3">Yola Augustin at her apartment in Hempstead in mid-May. Augustin received an apartment at Estella, an affordable-housing building in Hempstead, after being selected through a lottery</a> 
There is help out there — but to find it, renters must navigate a complicated, fragmented and fiercely competitive&nbsp;system of lotteries, waitlists and&nbsp;voucher programs with varying income restrictions. 
This week for Wallet Watch, Newsday residential real estate reporter&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsday.com/people/jonathan-lamantia">Jonathan LaMantia</a>&nbsp;and I spoke with housing advocates, developers and local officials to break down how these systems work, why "affordable" housing can sometimes still feel out of reach&nbsp;and where renters can search for opportunities. 
Read the full story&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsday.com/business/wallet-watch/how-to-find-affordable-housing-long-island-bthmvmcx">here</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
<h2>From our readers</h2> 
<h3>A reader on Facebook, @NYCBroadwayBaby, asks:&nbsp;</h3> 
We already pay for state parks through taxes. Why do we also have to buy park passes to enter? 
Our taxes fund some of the budget needed to run New York's state parks, but not all of it.&nbsp;Visitor revenue makes up about one-third of the system's budget and&nbsp;helps pay for upkeep, staffing and park services, a spokesperson for the agency said.&nbsp;But if you want to enjoy some tax-funded nature without paying extra,&nbsp;there are a few ways to do it. 
Check with your local public library&nbsp;to see if you can borrow an <a href="https://parks.ny.gov/visit/passes/empire-pass">Empire Pass</a>, which waives the vehicle entrance fee, typically between $6 and $10 for a day.&nbsp;Most libraries lend the pass for a period of&nbsp;three to seven&nbsp;days, depending on the branch, as long as you have a valid library card. 
Buying your own pass starts at $80 for a physical card,&nbsp;while a digital pass costs $72;&nbsp;both are valid through Dec. 31 of the year purchased. The pass can be shared with family and friends, but it can only be used for one vehicle at a time.&nbsp; 
There are <a href="https://nystateparks.blog/2025/08/07/seasonal-savings-at-state-parks-and-historic-sites/">programs</a> that offer free passes to veterans, active military members, people with disabilities and New Yorkers 62 and older. You can also avoid the vehicle fee by walking or biking instead.&nbsp;And many parks and historic sites around the state&nbsp;are free to access. 
On Long Island, that includes: 
<ul> 
 <li><a href="https://parks.ny.gov/visit/state-parks/brentwood-state-park">Brentwood State Park</a>, Brentwood</li> 
 <li><a href="https://parks.ny.gov/parks/brookhaven/details.aspx">Brookhaven State Park</a>, Ridge</li> 
 <li><a href="https://parks.ny.gov/parks/coldspringharbor/details.aspx">Cold Spring Harbor State Park</a>, Cold Spring&nbsp;Harbor&nbsp;</li> 
 <li><a href="https://parks.ny.gov/parks/shadmoor/details.aspx">Shadmoor State Park</a>, Montauk</li> 
 <li><a href="https://parks.ny.gov/parks/trailview/details.aspx">Trail View State Park</a>, Woodbury</li> 
</ul> 
Have a question you'd like to submit? Confused by a bill? Spotted a price hike? Ask our team and we might answer it in the next edition. Email <a href="mailto:walletwatch@newsday.com">walletwatch@newsday.com</a>&nbsp;or <a href="https://www.newsday.com/business/wallet-watch/wallet-watch-feedback-your-question-pq9a9bs6">click here</a>.

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Wallet Watch newsletter: Where's the affordable housing?

Where's the affordable housing?

<a class="p-smartembed" data-attr-caption="Screenshot" data-attr-credit="" data-attr-f="Preview 4:3" data-attr-has-caption="true" data-attr-has-credit="true" data-attr-q="0.3" data-attr-w="400" data-onecms-id="contentid/dc2c48a3-ae01-4dcb-9ccb-747610ac8a73" data-onecms-type="image" href="javascript:window.parent.actionEventData({$contentId:'contentid/dc2c48a3-ae01-4dcb-9ccb-747610ac8a73', $action:'view', $target:'work'})" polopoly:contentid="contentid/dc2c48a3-ae01-4dcb-9ccb-747610ac8a73"><img src="/image-service/alias/contentid/dc2c48a3-ae01-4dcb-9ccb-747610ac8a73/IMG_1804.jpg?f=Preview%204%3A3&amp;w=400&amp;q=0.3">Screenshot</a> 
This week for Wallet Watch, my colleague <a href="https://www.newsday.com/people/victor-ocasio">Victor Ocasio</a> and I took a closer look at why parents on Long Island feel pressure to overspend on their children.&nbsp;Raising kids on Long Island is already expensive. 
But many parents told us the real strain comes from everything beyond the basics — travel sports, lessons, parties and extracurriculars that can cost thousands a year. 
Victor spoke with one Levittown mother, Amanda Pastore, who said she's raided her retirement savings and sold the family minivan to pay for birthday parties for her young son.&nbsp; <a class="p-smartembed" data-attr-caption="Amanda Pastore at her Levittown home in April." data-attr-credit="" data-attr-f="3x2" data-attr-has-caption="true" data-attr-has-credit="true" data-attr-q="0.3" data-attr-w="400" data-onecms-id="contentid/c31fd138-18ac-4f58-a85d-e8833583de08" data-onecms-type="image" href="javascript:window.parent.actionEventData({$contentId:'contentid/c31fd138-18ac-4f58-a85d-e8833583de08', $action:'view', $target:'work'})" polopoly:contentid="contentid/c31fd138-18ac-4f58-a85d-e8833583de08"><img src="/image-service/alias/contentid/c31fd138-18ac-4f58-a85d-e8833583de08/bzJONES260512.jpg?f=3x2&amp;w=400&amp;q=0.3">Amanda Pastore at her Levittown home in April.</a> 
However, sports stood out as one of the biggest financial pressure points we found from our reporting. Families told us they spend thousands of dollars a year on club teams, private coaching and extra training.&nbsp;They make those&nbsp;investments&nbsp;not necessarily because they expect scholarships, but because they worry their kids will fall behind teammates who are getting more instruction and playing time. <a class="p-smartembed" data-attr-caption="Screenshot" data-attr-credit="" data-attr-f="Preview 4:3" data-attr-has-caption="true" data-attr-has-credit="true" data-attr-q="0.3" data-attr-w="400" data-onecms-id="contentid/e96cc24a-b22a-444a-bd0c-bc8be92ac619" data-onecms-type="image" href="javascript:window.parent.actionEventData({$contentId:'contentid/e96cc24a-b22a-444a-bd0c-bc8be92ac619', $action:'view', $target:'work'})" polopoly:contentid="contentid/e96cc24a-b22a-444a-bd0c-bc8be92ac619"><img src="/image-service/alias/contentid/e96cc24a-b22a-444a-bd0c-bc8be92ac619/IMG_4319.jpg?f=Preview%204%3A3&amp;w=400&amp;q=0.3">Screenshot</a> 
For parents&nbsp;feeling squeezed, there's a way to get out of this trap, mental health professionals said. 
Set realistic expectations with your kids about what you can afford. 
"The way to have a healthy balance is for kids to understand that money is finite, to understand we can’t always afford something and we’re OK, and still we thrive," said Don Sinkfield, a mental health counselor in Valley Stream. 
Read the story&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsday.com/business/wallet-watch/long-island-parents-kids-expenses-sports-birthday-parties-uuf8n7a2">here</a>.&nbsp; 
<h2>From our readers</h2> 
<h3>Sharon Bendersky on Facebook asks:</h3> 
Why are Long Island’s car insurance premiums so high even for drivers with clean records? 
&nbsp; 
The short answer: More accidents, more claims, more costs. 
Even safe drivers on Long Island can face high premiums because insurers price policies partly based on regional risk — and Long Island is an expensive place to insure cars, experts said. 
Long Island’s dense population, heavily congested roads and large number of commuters traveling to New York City all contribute to higher accident rates, said Beth Swanson, an insurance analyst at Zebra, an insurance comparison company. 
The Long Island Expressway alone averages thousands of crashes a year, she said, with bumper-to-bumper traffic contributing to&nbsp;a high number of rear-end collisions. 
Higher labor, healthcare and property costs on Long Island also drive up repair bills and insurance claims. Swanson noted that high property taxes can increase overhead costs for repair shops, pushing labor and parts prices higher. 
Analysts also pointed to fraud and lawsuits tied to New York’s no-fault insurance system, where drivers’ own insurers cover their medical costs regardless of who caused a crash. Swanson said New York is also considered a riskier insurance market because many drivers carry only minimum coverage, causing "premiums to skyrocket after a major accident to cover the shortfall." 
A few ways drivers may be able to lower rates: 
<ul> 
 <li>Take a defensive driving course.</li> 
 <li>Shop around regularly for quotes.</li> 
 <li>Ask about low-mileage discounts.</li> 
 <li>Look into safe-driver tracking programs.</li> 
</ul> 
Have a question you'd like to submit? Confused by a bill? Spotted a price hike? Ask our team and we might answer it in the next edition. Email walletwatch@newsday.com&nbsp;or <a href="https://www.newsday.com/business/wallet-watch/wallet-watch-feedback-your-question-pq9a9bs6">click here</a>.

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Wallet Watch newsletter: The price of fitting in on Long Island

The price of fitting in on Long Island

<a class="p-smartembed" data-attr-caption="The Long Island Consumer Confidence Index (officially the Summary Index of Consumer Sentiment) is measured by the Siena Research Institute. This data is based on quarterly telephone and web surveys of approximately 100 Long Island residents. Updates are released in January, April, July, and October.
" data-attr-credit="" data-attr-f="3x2" data-attr-has-caption="true" data-attr-has-credit="true" data-attr-q="0.3" data-attr-w="400" data-onecms-id="contentid/1cba2e4a-04e2-4b5d-a7f3-3fd230d50f62" data-onecms-type="image" href="javascript:window.parent.actionEventData({$contentId:'contentid/1cba2e4a-04e2-4b5d-a7f3-3fd230d50f62', $action:'view', $target:'work'})" polopoly:contentid="contentid/1cba2e4a-04e2-4b5d-a7f3-3fd230d50f62"><img src="/image-service/alias/contentid/1cba2e4a-04e2-4b5d-a7f3-3fd230d50f62/Screenshot%202026-05-13%20at%205.09.59%E2%80%AFPM.png?f=3x2&amp;w=400&amp;q=0.3">The Long Island Consumer Confidence Index (officially the Summary Index of Consumer Sentiment) is measured by the Siena Research Institute. This data is based on quarterly telephone and web surveys of approximately 100 Long Island residents. Updates are released in January, April, July, and October. </a> 
What’s the first word that comes to mind when you think of Long Island? For me, it’s expensive. 
Gas. Groceries. Housing. Prices keep going up, and while many economists say the broader economy is holding up fairly well, that’s not always how it feels around here. I go home and look at my bills, then come to work and look at other people’s bills. So when I say a lot of Long Islanders are struggling right now, believe me.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
That’s why Newsday is launching Wallet Watch. 
We’re putting in the work not just to cover the economy, but to help Long Islanders navigate it. The <a href="https://www.newsday.com/business/wallet-watch">Wallet Watch landing page</a> on <a href="http://newsday.com">newsday.com</a> features deeply reported stories from our business team, answers to reader questions, charts tracking inflation and other economic trends across the region, and <a href="https://www.newsday.com/business/wallet-watch/shopper-quiz-ieqkpx0n">an interactive quiz</a>&nbsp;designed to help people better understand — and maybe even hack — their shopping and spending habits. 
<h2>Why it costs more to live on Long Island</h2> <a class="p-smartembed" data-attr-caption="Harrison Smith, mobile outreach and community services manager for Long Island Cares, hands out free fresh produce from the Long Island Cares Farm to Truck program at Harmony Healthcare in Hempstead." data-attr-credit="" data-attr-has-caption="true" data-attr-has-credit="true" data-attr-q="0.3" data-attr-w="400" data-onecms-id="contentid/96b9fb7e-7d72-470c-9e03-7e7e32e5c5b7" data-onecms-type="image" href="javascript:window.parent.actionEventData({$contentId:'contentid/96b9fb7e-7d72-470c-9e03-7e7e32e5c5b7', $action:'view', $target:'work'})" polopoly:contentid="contentid/96b9fb7e-7d72-470c-9e03-7e7e32e5c5b7"><img src="/image-service/alias/contentid/96b9fb7e-7d72-470c-9e03-7e7e32e5c5b7/bzUNIQUE260517-5.jpg?w=400&amp;q=0.3">Harrison Smith, mobile outreach and community services manager for Long Island Cares, hands out free fresh produce from the Long Island Cares Farm to Truck program at Harmony Healthcare in Hempstead.</a> 
To kick off the Wallet Watch project, my colleagues <a href="https://www.newsday.com/people/james-t-madore">James T. Madore</a>, <a href="https://www.newsday.com/people/jonathan-lamantia">Jonathan LaMantia</a> and <a href="https://www.newsday.com/people/tory-n-parrish">Tory N. Parrish</a> examined why the cost of living on Long Island is 32% above the national average. 
They found a host of reasons for the region’s high prices: proximity to New York City, layers of local government and expectations for a high quality of life, among other things. But for many Long Islanders, the most brutal expense is housing. The cost to buy a home here has doubled over the past decade, while rents on Long Island run about 70% higher than the national average. 
The story also includes advice from experts on how Long Islanders can stretch their dollars further and potentially cut costs on housing, utilities, taxes, transportation and more. 
Read more <a href="https://www.newsday.com/business/long-island-cost-of-living-wallet-watch-j1bc2mvq">here</a>.&nbsp; 
<h2>She works 100 hours per week. It's not enough.</h2> <a class="p-smartembed" data-attr-caption="Jeannine Sheppard (l) of Westbury answers questions from her daughter Meghan 22 about her jobs." data-attr-credit="" data-attr-has-caption="true" data-attr-has-credit="true" data-attr-q="0.3" data-attr-w="400" data-onecms-id="contentid/a5ffc80b-3a4a-4289-bd62-667f22cfc5cb" data-onecms-type="image" href="javascript:window.parent.actionEventData({$contentId:'contentid/a5ffc80b-3a4a-4289-bd62-667f22cfc5cb', $action:'view', $target:'work'})" polopoly:contentid="contentid/a5ffc80b-3a4a-4289-bd62-667f22cfc5cb"><img src="/image-service/alias/contentid/a5ffc80b-3a4a-4289-bd62-667f22cfc5cb/bzSIDEHUSTLE260315-5.jpg?w=400&amp;q=0.3">Jeannine Sheppard (l) of Westbury answers questions from her daughter Meghan 22 about her jobs.</a> 
I’ve spent the last few months reporting on Long Islanders working multiple jobs to push through affordability challenges that some regional business leaders are now calling an “existential” crisis for the region. 
Jeannine Sheppard is one example. She’s 60, a mother of two adult daughters, and works full time as an EMT while also waitressing — sometimes logging more than 100 hours a week. And she’s not alone. While reporting this story, I spoke to dozens of Long Islanders juggling multiple jobs, including a dancer balancing four part-time gigs to cover rent and a young professional working side hustles while raising a family here. 
Nearly one-third of Long Islanders report being financially strained, meaning they cannot cover an unexpected expense without missing bills or falling into debt, and one in five Long Islanders identifies as a gig worker. Jeannine described it as “fixing something you didn’t actually break” — an endless cycle of work just to stay afloat. 
Read the full story&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsday.com/business/side-hustle-extra-income-wallet-watch-rrx3nvt2">here</a>. 
<h2>From our readers</h2> 
<h3>Paul Cognato on Facebook&nbsp;asks:</h3> 
Why do we pay some of the highest property taxes in America? 
This actually came up&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsday.com/business/long-island-cost-of-living-wallet-watch-j1bc2mvq">in one of our Wallet Watch stories this week</a>. As my colleagues reported, Long Island has many layers of government, including 124 school districts. 
About two-thirds of the average property tax bill goes toward public schools, but those taxes also help fund law enforcement, garbage pickup, libraries, fire districts, senior services and other local programs. Many towns provide residents with a breakdown showing exactly where tax dollars go. <a href="https://www.smithtownny.gov/180/ViewPay-Your-Property-Taxes">Here’s one example</a> from the Town of Smithtown. 
But why are taxes especially high here? 
“In other areas of the country, statewide broad-based taxes pay for a lot of services that we rely on the property tax to pay for, such as public education,” said Lawrence Levy, executive dean of Hofstra University’s National Center for Suburban Studies. 
Have a question you'd like us to answer? Confused by a bill? Spotted a sudden price hike? Email us at walletwatch@newsday.com&nbsp;or <a href="https://www.newsday.com/business/wallet-watch/wallet-watch-feedback-your-question-pq9a9bs6">click here</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;we may feature your question in an upcoming edition.

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