How the end of the de minimis exemption could cost you, how self-driving cars could lower insurance

Online Shopping & Tariffs - The dimminimous exemption, which previously allowed packages under $800 to enter the US without import taxes, has ended [3][4] - Consumers may face higher prices, potentially rising by 10% to over 50%, or receive surprise tariff bills from carriers like FedEx, UPS, or DHL [6] - Some foreign post offices are pausing e-commerce package shipments to the US due to the complexity and cost [13][14] Tax Benefits & Deadlines - The electric vehicle (EV) tax credit of $7,500 is expiring on September 30th, but consumers can still qualify if they sign a contract and pay a deposit before the deadline, even if delivery occurs later [16][17] - Tax credits for energy-efficient home upgrades, such as solar panels (covering 30% of the cost, which can be upwards of $20,000) and heat pumps (30% of the cost, up to $2,000), are set to expire on December 31st [22][24][26] Auto Insurance & Self-Driving Cars - The average cost of auto insurance in the US is over $2,600 per year [28] - Autonomous technology could potentially reduce insurance premiums by cutting the number and severity of accidents [28] - While only about 4% of new personal cars sold by 2035 are expected to be autonomous, automatic emergency braking reduces rear-end crashes by nearly 50% [30] - Commercial insurance costs for robo taxis could drop from 50 cents a mile to about 23 cents by 2040 [32] - Multi-year increases in personal auto insurance are expected to stabilize, but regulators need more data on self-driving tech before premiums can change [35][41] Retirement & Education Savings - When considering Roth conversions, individuals should calculate their true marginal tax rate, considering hidden tax effects like increased taxation of Social Security benefits [49][50] - A Coverdell Education Savings Account (ESA) allows contributions of up to $2,000 per year per child for qualified education expenses, including pre-kindergarten to 12th-grade expenses [52][53][54] Disability Insurance - Individuals should consider supplemental individual disability insurance beyond employer-provided plans, as employer plans may not cover bonuses, commissions, or provide adequate benefits, and benefits are taxable [57][58] Health Savings Accounts - Starting in 2026, individuals with ACA bronze or catastrophic health plans can establish Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), offering triple tax benefits [60][61][62]