US News
Trump Floats an Affordability Floor Plan
What’s going on: President Donald Trump covered a lot of ground in his Davos speech — from ruling out military force in Greenland to trashing European countries and taking a jab at French President Emmanuel Macron’s “beautiful sunglasses.” But one topic likely felt a lot more personal for Americans: housing affordability. Trump cast it as a people-versus-business issue (a rich choice, given the very rich room). He warned the US shouldn’t become a nation of renters, and said, “Homes are built for people, not for corporations.” Trump apologized to corporate landlords — some he called friends — and blamed them for driving up prices by snapping up large numbers of single-family homes. A day after issuing an executive order on the issue, Trump said federal agencies would explore ways to help rein in these investors and level the home-buying field.
What it means: “The rent is too damn high” stopped being a punchline years ago, which explains why Trump’s housing push is getting some praise. If you’ve watched your costs climb, any promise of relief is welcome. But the fine print matters. Experts say large institutional investors own only about 2% of single-family rental homes, and any policy change is unlikely to drastically affect prices. Meanwhile, your rent or mortgage is still due every month — and that pressure keeps building. In the 50 largest US cities, the average one-bedroom rent jumped 41% from 2020 to 2025. And with little being done to address the housing supply crisis, frustration among voters continues to grow.
Related: Trump Touts a “Concept of a Deal” on Greenland as NATO Pushes Back (CNBC)
The News in 5
🗞️ A former Uvalde police officer was acquitted of charges stemming from the 2022 elementary school shooting that killed 19 children and two teachers.
🗞️ Federal immigration enforcement just launched “Operation Catch of the Day” in this state.
🗞️ The Supreme Court might break with Trump over a case involving a federal official.
🗞️ Prince Harry took the stand in his trial against the UK press — and he spoke out about the royal “rule” that kept him silent for so long.
🗞️ A new study says antioxidants may delay menopause — here are the simple ways you could add them to your diet.
Weather
A Winter Storm Brings the Pressure
What’s going on: Punxsutawney Phil hasn’t even spoken yet, and this winter has already felt harsh. It’s about to get worse. A brutal, widespread winter storm is expected to hammer most of the country this weekend, bringing potentially damaging ice and snow to more than half of the US population. The Weather Channel has already given her a name, meet: Fern. The system will likely form as early as Friday in parts of New Mexico, then move through the Great Plains and the South before pushing into New England by Monday. The latest reports predict the storm will dump heavy snow in the double digits in Memphis, Nashville, Washington DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City. But just like all weather, the exact movement, severity, and timing of the storm is constantly evolving.
What it means: If you live anywhere along Fern’s path, forecasters want you to take this storm seriously. Expect subzero windchills, hazardous travel, and power outages that could last several days. Some airlines have already issued travel alerts and waived rebooking fees, and in certain areas, roads will likely become impassable due to ice. The American Red Cross has compiled a list of tips to help you prepare, like: stock drinking water, charge devices, and equip vehicles with emergency supplies. Governors across the South have advised residents to start stocking up now, so maybe show a little grace to the winter weather novices panic-buying milk, bread, and eggs at the grocery store (are we all suddenly making French toast?). Fern is legit. Stay warm, stay safe.
Related: How This Weekend’s Inclement Weather Affects the NFL Playoffs (and Other Leagues) (USA Today)
Money
New Year, New Spending Habits?
What’s going on: Between endless scrolling, nonstop trends, and one-click checkout, overspending has become almost too easy. Enter “No Buy January,” a viral reset that challenges people to skip nonessential purchases — think makeup, clothes, and impulse buys — for a full month. It might be easier said than done, but that hasn’t stopped the trend from taking off. One father told The Wall Street Journal that if he and his family didn’t “take some drastic measures to change our behaviors now, we’re going to be in a lot of trouble.” Many Americans are looking for a hard reset, and a financial detox can offer that.
What it means: Despite the name, you can try a no-buy challenge any time of year. (We wouldn’t want the other months to get jealous.) Start by setting boundaries that actually fit your life: What counts as nonessential for you, and how long do you want this to last? If a full month feels extreme, start smaller. Take a hard look at your weekly spending and set a realistic “fun” budget. The goal is awareness, not punishment. Try a “no buy list” because you do, in fact, have enough lip liners. Delete shopping apps and credit cards from your phone. One other option? Switching to cold hard cash. Swiping hides the pain, but watching bills leave your wallet makes every purchase feel real. It may sting at first, but your bank account will thank you.
Related: The Six Things Designers Say You Should Avoid at Thrift Stores (Apartment Therapy)
On Our Calendar
A few things to jot down today…
🗓️ Nominations for the 98th Oscars will be announced this morning. Is it possible for KPop Demon Hunters to sweep every category?
🗓️ Looking for wardrobe inspo? Today is National Polka Dot Day.
🗓️ The Sundance Film Festival kicks off today (the last one before it moves to Boulder) and runs through Feb 1.
Psst…For more dates worth knowing this week, check out the Skimm+ calendar.
Freeze Week
Welcome to your warm hug, your first sip of tea, your blanket cocoon. We’re talking about Freeze Week, where we’re sharing our recs for all things cozy yet functional. Bundle up and check out:
A cute cardigan that’ll make your entire outfit
The woodsy candle we’re burning till spring
A layerable blazer for in-office days
Extra Credit
Invest
Kick off the new year by doing something meaningful for your kids: open a UGMA investment account and get $25 through January 31.† By investing on your child’s behalf, you’re giving those funds more time to potentially compound and grow. Plus, the money you put in can be used to cover almost any current kid-related expenses (like music classes or tutoring). And once they’re an adult, the account is all theirs. Think of it as a long-game parenting flex.*
For more recs...
Check out the Daily Skimm Weekend newsletter, in your inbox every Saturday and Sunday. We'll help you spend your leisure time well.
Turn a word search into your favorite strategy game with Spelltower. Clear the board.
Photos by Grace Cary and fcafotodigital via Getty Images, Brand Partners
Design by theSkimm
*PS: This is a sponsored post.
†Terms and conditions apply. This is a paid endorsement for Fabric by Gerber Life’s UGMA (Uniform Gift For Minors Act) Offering and not a paid endorsement for advisory services. Investing in securities involves the risk of loss. Age of Majority varies by state. Please read the offering circular at meetfabric.com/UGMA.
Live Smarter
Sign up for the Daily Skimm email newsletter. Delivered to your inbox every morning and prepares you for your day in minutes.