By CORA LEWIS and LINLEY SANDERS, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — The vast majority of U.S. adults are at least somewhat stressed about the cost of groceries, a new poll finds, as prices continue to rise and concerns about the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs remain widespread.

About half of all Americans say the cost of groceries is a “major” source of stress in their life right now, while 33% say it’s a “minor” source of stress, according to the poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Only 14% say it’s not a source of stress, underscoring the pervasive anxiety most Americans continue to feel about the cost of everyday essentials.

Other financial stressors — like the cost of housing or the amount of money in their bank accounts — are also broadly felt, but they weigh more heavily on younger Americans, who are less likely than older adults to have significant savings or own property.

The survey also found that about 4 in 10 Americans under age 45 say they’ve used what are known as “buy now, pay later” services when spending on entertainment or restaurant meals or when paying for essentials like groceries or medical care.

Adam Bush, 19, based in Portland, New York, is one of those younger Americans who has used pay-later services for things like groceries or entertainment. Bush works as a welder, fabricating parts for trucks for Toyota, and makes under $50,000 per year.

“I just keep watching the prices go up, so I’m looking for the cheapest possible stuff,” he said. “Hot pockets and TV dinners.”

Everyone is stressed about groceries

Groceries are one of the most far-reaching financial stressors, affecting the young and old alike, the poll finds. While Americans over age 60 are less likely than younger people to feel major financial anxiety about housing, their savings, child care, or credit card debt, they are just as worried about the cost of groceries.

FILE – A customer shops at a grocery store in Glenview, Ill., July 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

Esther Bland, 78, who lives in Buckley, Washington, said groceries are a “minor” source of stress — but only because her local food banks fill the gap. Bland relies on her Social Security and disability payments each month to cover her rent and other expenses — such as veterinary care for her dogs — in retirement, after decades working in an office processing product orders.

“I have no savings,” she said. “I’m not sure what’s going on politically when it comes to the food banks, but if I lost that, groceries would absolutely be a major source of stress.”

Bland’s monthly income mainly goes toward her electric, water and cable bills, she said, as well as care of her dogs and other household needs.

“Soap, paper towels, toilet paper. I buy gas at Costco, but we haven’t seen $3 a gallon here in a long time,” she said. “I stay home a lot. I only put about 50 miles on my car a week.”

According to the poll, 64% of the lowest-income Americans — those who have a household income of less than $30,000 a year — say the cost of groceries is a “major” stressor. That’s compared with about 4 in 10 Americans who have a household income of $100,000 or more.

But even within that higher-income group, only about 2 in 10 say grocery costs aren’t a worry at all.

Women and Hispanic adults are especially economically anxious

Housing is another substantial source of worry for U.S. adults — along with their savings, their income and the cost of health care. About half of U.S. adults say housing is a “major” source of stress, according to the poll, while about 4 in 10 say that about the amount of money they get paid, the amount of money they have saved and the cost of health care.

About 3 in 10 say credit card debt is a “major” source of stress, while about 2 in 10 say that about the cost of child care and student debt.

But some groups are feeling much more anxiety about their finances than others. Women, for instance, are more likely than men to report high levels of stress about their income, savings, the cost of groceries and the cost of health care. Hispanic adults are also particularly concerned about housing costs and both credit card and student debt. About two-thirds of Hispanic adults say the cost of housing is a “major” source of stress, compared with about half of Black adults and about 4 in 10 white adults.

Some people are making changes to their lifestyle as a result of high costs. Shandal LeSure, 43, who works as a receptionist for a rehabilitation hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and makes between $85,000 and $100,000 a year, said she’s started shopping for groceries at less expensive stores.

“It’s an adjustment,” she said. “Sometimes the quality isn’t as good.”

Many US adults have used ‘buy now, pay later’ services

As they stretch limited budgets, about 3 in 10 U.S. adults overall say they’ve used “buy now, pay later” services such as Afterpay or Klarna to purchase groceries, entertainment, restaurant meals or meal delivery, or medical or dental care, according to the poll.

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Bland, the Washington state retiree, said she’s paid for pet surgery with a pay-later plan.

Younger Americans are much likelier than older people to have used pay-later plans for entertainment, groceries or restaurant meals, but there’s no age gap on medical care. Black and Hispanic people are also especially likely to adopt the plans.

An increasing share of “buy now, pay later” customers are having trouble repaying their loans, according to recent disclosures from the lenders. The loans are marketed as a safer alternative to traditional credit cards, but there are risks, including a lack of federal oversight. Some consumer watchdogs also say the plans lead consumers to overextend themselves financially.

LeSure said she’s used pay-later services for things like new clothes, while she balances debt payments for a car loan, student loans and medical bills. She’s also turned to them to cover hotel costs after being evicted.

“That’s been able to help me stretch my dollar,” she said.

The AP-NORC poll of 1,437 adults was conducted July 10-14, using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 3.6 percentage points.

Sanders reported from Washington.

The Associated Press receives support from the Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism.

By MICHELLE CHAPMAN, Associated Press Business Writer

Tesla is awarding CEO Elon Musk 96 million shares of restricted stock valued at approximately $29 billion, just six months after a judge ordered the company to revoke his massive pay package.

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The electric vehicle maker said in a regulatory filing on Monday that Musk must first pay Tesla $23.34 per share of restricted stock that vests, which is equal to the exercise price per share of the 2018 pay package that was awarded to the company’s CEO.

In December Delaware Chancellor Kathaleen St. Jude McCormick reaffirmed her earlier ruling that Tesla must revoke Musk’s multibillion-dollar pay package. She found that Musk engineered the landmark pay package in sham negotiations with directors who were not independent.

At the time McCormick also rejected an equally unprecedented and massive fee request by plaintiff attorneys, who argued that they were entitled to legal fees in the form of Tesla stock valued at more than $5 billion. The judge said the attorneys were entitled to a fee award of $345 million.

The rulings came in a lawsuit filed by a Tesla stockholder who challenged Musk’s 2018 compensation package.

That pay package carried a potential maximum value of about $56 billion, but that sum has fluctuated over the years based on Tesla’s stock price.

Musk appealed the order in March. A month later Tesla said in a regulatory filing that it was creating a special committee to look at Musk’s compensation as CEO.

Though there have been ups and downs for young quarterback J.J. McCarthy throughout training camp at TCO Performance Center, he’s already done enough to prove himself as the unquestioned starter.

The biggest question that needs to be answered this week is whether McCarthy will play in the preseason game between the Vikings and the Houston Texans on Saturday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium.

A couple of series would likely be all the Vikings need to see out of McCarthy as he continues his progression under center.

As for the rest of the roster, the Vikings are using training camp to figure out where everybody stands, and will use the preseason contests to make final decisions when it comes to who’s in and who’s out.

Here’s our first 53-man roster projection:

Quarterback (3)

In: J.J. McCarthy, Sam Howell, Max Brosmer

Out: Brett Rypien

Analysis: Everything outside of McCarthy is still in flux. It’s been a rather underwhelming training camp for Howell to this point. His spot on the roster seems safe, however, until his replacement is brought in. The reason Brosmer makes the team is because it might be hard to sneak him onto the practice squad. As for Rypien, he will be a prime candidate for the practice squad.

Running Back (3)

In: Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, Ty Chandler

Out: Zavier Scott, Tre Stewart

Analysis: The backfield will be led by Jones and Mason and everybody else will have to get in where they fit in. The most redeeming quality about Chandler right now might be his ability on special teams. That should help Chandler win over Scott and Stewart.

Fullback (1)

In: C.J. Ham

Out: N/A

Analysis: The only player that Ham is competing with is himself. He’s going to make the team.

Receiver (6)

In: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor, Tai Felton, Rondale Moore, Lucky Jackson

Out: Jeshaun Jones, Thayer Thomas, Tim Jones, Dontae Fleming,  Myles Price, Robert Lewis

Analysis: There are seemingly a couple of spots up for grabs after Jefferson, Addison, Nailor, and Felton. The nod goes to Moore because of his abilities as a punt returner and Jackson because of his strong training camp.

Tight End (3)

In: T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Ben Yurosek

Out: Gavin Bartholomew, Giovanni Ricci, Bryson Nesbit,

Analysis: After getting drafted in the spring, Bartholomew might get cut in the summer. He’s been on the physically unable to perform list throughout training camp. You can’t make the club in the tub. That opens the door for Yurosek. He’s been on a steady climb over the past couple of weeks and recently got some reps with the starters.

Offensive Line (9)

In: Christian Darrisaw (LT), Donovan Jackson (LG), Ryan Kelly (C), Will Fries (RG), Brian O’Neill (RT), Justin Skule (OT), Walter Rouse (OT), Blake Brandel (OG), Michael Jurgens (C)

Out: Logan Brown (OT), Matt Nelson (OT) Marcellus Johnson (OT), Leroy Watson IV (OT), Joe Huber (OG), Henry Byrd (OG), Vershon Lee (OG), Zeke Correll (C)

Analysis: The starting offensive line is set in stone, as is most of the backup offensive line. There are a handful of players that could challenge for a spot on the roster depending on how the preseason goes.

Defensive Line (6)

In: Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave, Harrison Phillips, Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

Out: Taki Taimani, Jonathan Harris, Travis Bell, Elijah Williams

Analysis: There’s no doubt that Allen and Hargrave are a massive upgrade in the trenches alongside Phillips. That has been on display throughout training camp. The rest of the defensive line is made up of rotational pieces that can be subbed in and out depending on personnel.

Edge Rusher (5)

In: Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner, Bo Richter, Gabe Murphy

Out: Tyler Batty, Chaz Chambliss

Analysis: You’d be hard pressed to find a player who has been more impressive than Turner in training camp. He looks like a beast out there wherever he’s lining up on the field. There isn’t any room for either of the undrafted free agents.

Linebacker (4)

In: Blake Cashman, Ivan Pace Jr., Eric Wilson, Kobe King

Out:  Brian Asamoah, Austin Keys, Dorian Mausi

Analysis: The writing has been on the wall for Asamoah ever since King was drafted. They are likely competing for the same spot on the roster. The edge goes to the rookie until further notice.

Cornerback (6)

In: Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, Jeff Okudah, Mekhi Blackmon, Dwight McGlothern, Zemaiah Vaughn

Out: Ambry Thomas, Kahlef Hailassie, Reddy Steward, Keenan Garber

Analysis: The starting cornerbacks appear to be Murphy, Rodgers, and Okudah. Though the rest of the group is battling, Blackmon, McGlothern, and Vaughn have separated themselves from their peers.

Safety (4)

In: Harrison Smith, Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, Jay Ward,

Out: Tavierre Thomas, Mishael Powell, Gervarrius Owens

Analysis: After using a trio of safeties more than any team in the NFL, it wouldn’t be surprising to see this group look a little bit more traditional. That would leave Smith and Metellus as the starting safeties with Jackson and Ward playing spot minutes here and there.

Specialists (3)

In: Will Reichard (K), Ryan Wright (P), Andrew DePaola (LS), Oscar Chapman (P)

Out: N/A

Analysis: Because he’s a part of the International Player Pathway Program, Chapman can essentially be kept around for free.

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In the four-way race for the Ward 4 seat on the St. Paul City Council, no candidate comes close to raising the kind of cash that Molly Coleman has commanded during her short time on the campaign trail.

Coleman, 33, has raised about $57,000 in five months, spending $22,000 of it as of her most recent campaign finance filing on July 24.

That’s more than double the $25,000 raised by Cole Hanson in the same period, and many times more than the $4,500 raised by Carolyn Will as of her lasting campaign finance filing mid-June, though Will said Thursday that she has raised additional dollars since.

Chauntyll Allen, a Ward 4 candidate who sits on the St. Paul Public Schools board, raised about $8,500 as of her latest filing with Ramsey County Elections on June 12.

“When I look at congressional races, I think about how many things we could do with that amount of money,” said Allen, who said she dislikes political fundraising, and other than an upcoming house party had done little of it. “I think I raised about $40,000 for my first campaign. I was like, ‘Do you know how many people we could help with this money? Do you know how many people I know who need rent support right now?’”

Special election to be held Aug. 12

The special election for the seat — which represents Hamline-Midway, Merriam Park, St. Anthony Park and parts of Macalester-Groveland and Como — will be held Aug. 12.

How has Coleman — a graduate of Harvard Law School, the director of a nonprofit and the daughter of former St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman — broken away from the pack financially?

Her campaign coffers have benefited from the generous support of politicians, real estate developers, lobbyists, attorneys, political action committees and other members of organizations that could be described as politically left, right and center.

“I’m proud of that,” said Coleman, in an interview Thursday. “I’m really proud that I’ve had support from a whole host of folks who don’t necessarily agree with me on everything, but they see me as somebody who is ready to lead, who cares deeply about the city of St. Paul, and who is ready to meet the moment that we find ourselves in.”

The rent control question

The amount of campaign cash donated by the real estate community, in particular, hasn’t escaped the notice of the other Ward 4 candidates.

The seven-member city council has hosted a number of votes that have split 4-3, like the decision last May to roll back rent control protections in buildings built after 2004, and developers and their legal representatives appear eager to have a seat at the table.

“It’s about whose voices will be heard at City Hall,” said Hanson, a Twin Cities DSA-aligned candidate. “Lobbyists and developers will always write checks to reserve their office time early if they can.”

Coleman has said she supported the council’s May amendment, given the need to jump-start lagging housing construction, and she sees no reason for further changes to rent control at this time. Hanson, on the other hand, had called for preserving rent control for further study rather than watering it down.

A variety of donors

Coleman’s donors, however, run a wide gamut. They include a bartender at the Black Hart bar on University Avenue, the owner of the Mischief Toy Store on Grand Avenue, employees of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, a substitute teacher at the Twin Cities German Immersion School and a social worker at Brighton Hospice.

She’s also received donations from former U.S. Sen. Al Franken, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, former Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak, former St. Paul Police Chief Todd Axtell and Sam and Sylvia Kaplan, who are well-known donors in Minneapolis progressive circles.

Multiple attorneys with the litigation and lobbying firm Lockridge Grindal Nauen contributed to Coleman’s campaign, as did Ryan C. Kelly, principal of Synergetic Endeavors consulting and co-founder of the Primacy Strategy Group, which is co-owned by the law firm. An affiliated political action committee, the Primacy PAC, donated additional dollars.

Another donor was Brian Rice, of Rice Walther & Mosley. Rice’s clients have included the Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Police Fraternal Association, as well as the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board. In those capacities, Rice worked closely for years with Bob Kroll, the controversial former president of the Minneapolis police union.

“That is not somebody that I’ve ever had a meeting with, that I’ve ever had a conversation with,” said Coleman, of the Rice donation. “I’m committed to police accountability, I’m committed to true public safety, and using pro-active steps, not using police as our first step toward public safety.”

“If people are projecting Minneapolis political dynamics onto this race,” she added, “feel free to come over and learn about St. Paul.”

Real estate donors

Coleman’s financial backers also include notables from the real estate industry, some of whom have also supported Republican politicians in the past. She noted that those contributors run from nonprofit donors committed to affordable housing to private sector developers involved in market-rate housing, a reflection of her interest in generating housing at all price points.

Her campaign contributors have included Maureen Michalski, a regional senior vice president with the Ryan Companies, the master developer behind Highland Bridge at the former Twin Cities Ford auto manufacturing campus in Highland Park.

Other donors have included Howard Paster of Paster Properties, Deann Weis of Weis Builders, Renee Spillum of the University of Minnesota Foundation’s UMFREA real estate advisers, Ari Parritz of Afton Park Development, Henry Parker of CommonBond Communities, Stephen Wellington of Wellington Management, Christopher Sherman of Sherman Associates and Jamey Flannery of Flannery Construction.

Political action committees backing Coleman financially include those affiliated with the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce, the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters and the Legal Defense Fund (for Black American voting rights).

Hanson has generally drawn smaller donations from less well-known backers mostly based in St. Paul, which he’s described as a strength, not a weakness. His politically-linked donors have included St. Paul City Council Member Nelsie Yang, Minneapolis City Council Member Robin Wonsley, state Rep. Athena Rollins, Luke Mielke of the Twin Cities Democratic Socialists of America and others involved in the Twin Cities DSA, which has officially endorsed his candidacy.

Allen, Will donors

In addition, Allen, Coleman and Hanson all received donations from a political action committee associated with St. Paul Fire Fighters Local 21. “Firefighters Local 21 being my only PAC contribution is kind of fun,” Hanson said.

Allen’s donors have included Hoang Murphy, chief executive officer of the People Serving People emergency shelter, fellow school board member Carlo Franco and several educators and city employees.

Allen said she was unaware of the names of other donors. “I don’t even look at fundraising. I have a fundraising person, and when people try to give me money, I point to her and say, ‘Give it to Amelia,’” Allen said on Thursday. “I honestly don’t even know any specifics like that.”

Will said she’s raised about $10,000 since her last filing in June. Her donors have included a wide mix of people, she said, including “maybe six or seven” individuals opposed to the city’s proposed Summit Avenue bikeway, as well as former St. Paul City Council Member Jane Prince and several members of her own family and her husband’s college fraternity.

“They recognize that I’ve run my own business,” said Will, a former television newscaster who operates her own public relations group and until recently edited a newsletter against the bikeway. “I’ve had dealings with the city. Other people are concerned about downtown.”

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While the race is officially nonpartisan and the St. Paul DFL is not making endorsements this summer, Allen, Coleman and Hanson all spent campaign dollars to access software affiliated with Democratic causes or the Minnesota DFL. Those tools include ActBlue and the MN DFL Action Network, two online platforms that create text message alerts, template fundraising pitches and other campaign instruments for progressive causes and candidates.