Connect with us

Personal Finance

Designer dupe demand soars, a sign of the economic times

Published

2 years ago

on

Klaus Vedfelt | Digitalvision | Getty Images

From leggings to lip gloss, there’s a dupe for almost any brand-name product.

Buying a knockoff used to be a consumer’s dirty little secret, largely because a “fake” was considered inferior to the real thing, not to mention the economic cost and intellectual property rights infringement.

But brand imitators, also known as dupes — short for duplicates — have elbowed their way into the mainstream and are now even cool.

More from Personal Finance:
‘Recession pop’ is in: How music hits on economic trends
‘I’m looking for a man in finance’
‘I cry a lot but I am so productive, it’s an art’ 

“It’s not necessarily because the consumer doesn’t love the brand, sometimes it just makes more financial sense to buy the dupes,” said Sara Walker, a Los Angeles-based influencer and fashion industry expert.

Unlike illegal counterfeit goods, which tend to carry an unauthorized trademark or logo of a patented brand, these dupes are cheaper, typically legal alternatives to premium or luxury consumer products, and in some cases preferred to their pricier counterpart.

“It’s not a direct knockoff, it’s kind of revising something that’s very chic from a designer world into a more accessible product,” Walker said.

Brand imitators have found “this narrow little aisle to operate in that satisfies consumer demand” and keeps them safe from actual legal action from the companies they are duping, according to Ellyn Briggs, brands analyst at Morning Consult.

Even when consumers can get the real thing, nearly 33% of adults intentionally purchased a dupe of a premium product at some point, according to a report by Morning Consult. The business intelligence company polled more than 2,000 adults in early October.

TikTok is ‘ground zero’ for dupes

“The online culture of dupe shopping, accelerated by TikTok … has flipped the script,” according to Briggs.

“TikTok is ground zero for where all this is happening,” she said.

TikTok Shop, especially, “has become the storefront for dupes,” Briggs said.

Younger generations use TikTok Shop, which launched as an e-commerce platform within the short-form video app in September of last year, more than older cohorts: About 40% of Gen Zers between the ages of 18 and 26 have made at least one purchase. Similarly, 37% of millennials have bought at least one item on TikTok Shop, according to a Morning Consult poll conducted in December.

But designer look-alikes can also be found at retail giants such as Amazon and Walmart, as well as Costco, home to the viral floor mirror dupe of an Anthropologie mirror.

“Dupes are everywhere now. That’s just how it is,” Walker said.

Dupes are a sign of the times

Often, shopping for dupes is a way to participate in a trend without breaking the bank — especially at a time when styles cycle through faster and faster, according to Walker, who said she has tried dupe leggings, dupe perfume and dupe sunglasses.

“It’s not always financially responsible to buy the original,” Walker said.

Briggs said that in some ways, dupe shopping is a form of bargain hunting, which has been “repackaged” into a new subset of online shopping — just as other viral trends on TikTok are repackaging longstanding or pre-existing behaviors.

The quality may vary, however. In other words, you get what you pay for.

Fashion retailers turning to denim to attract customers

“Trends come and go and if you are constantly updating your wardrobe based on the trends, that can get expensive,” Carolyn McClanahan, a certified financial planner and founder of Life Planning Partners in Jacksonville, Florida, told CNBC earlier this year, speaking about the “mob wife” fashion trend.

McClanahan is a member of CNBC’s Financial Advisor Council.

These days, more Americans are struggling in the face of sky-high prices for everyday items, and most have exhausted their savings and are now leaning on credit cards to make ends meet, recent reports show.

As consumers continue to stretch to cover rising rent, increased food prices and higher borrowing costs, there is less disposable income left for discretionary spending, according to Brett House, economics professor at Columbia Business School. That has helped open the door to dupes.

“Sustaining recent consumption patterns is making people potentially susceptible to the promise that a dupe offers,” House said.

The “sustained interest” for dupes also reflects how increasingly cautious consumers are about making big purchases in this economy, said Briggs.

In the end, price is “the No. 1 factor for purchase decisions,” she added, whether a shopper is cash-strapped or not.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Personal Finance

Navigating Residential Real Estate and Mortgage Strategy

Published

3 weeks ago

on

August 15, 2026

By

The 2026 residential real estate market presents a nuanced landscape for homebuyers, current homeowners, and property investors. With benchmark mortgage rates adjusting alongside Treasury yield movements, real estate strategies require careful evaluation of borrowing costs, local market supply dynamics, and long-term home equity management.

Adapting Homebuying Strategies to Mortgage Dynamics
Prospective homebuyers are adapting to fixed 30-year mortgage rates hovering between 6.0% and 6.8%. While borrowing costs are elevated compared to historical lows seen in prior decades, moderating home price growth across several regional markets is creating selective opportunities for buyers with strong credit profiles.

Homebuyers are increasingly utilizing strategic mortgage options:
– Builder Rate Buydowns: Purchasing new construction homes where developers offer temporary or permanent interest rate buydowns to lower initial monthly payments.
– Adjustable-Rate Mortgages (ARMs): Selecting 5/1 or 7/1 hybrid ARMs with strict rate caps for short-to-medium-term housing plans.
– Points and Financing Structure: Evaluating upfront discount point purchases to secure lower fixed interest rates over the loan term.

Home Equity Utilization and Renovation Financing
For existing homeowners holding low-rate legacy mortgages, moving to a new property often entails relinquishing favorable debt terms. Consequently, many homeowners are choosing to renovate and expand existing properties rather than sell.

Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs) and home equity loans allow homeowners to access accumulated property equity for capital improvements without disturbing their primary mortgage rate. Utilizing home equity for value-adding property renovations can enhance living space while increasing long-term property values.

Strategic Real Estate Investment Guidelines
For residential property investors, achieving positive cash flow requires strict underwriting standards:
– Stress-Test Operating Expenses: Factor in rising property insurance premiums, local property taxes, and ongoing maintenance reserves.
– Focus on High-Growth Rental Markets: Target regions experiencing steady job growth and sustained tenant demand.
– Maintain Cash Buffers: Ensure property portfolios maintain dedicated emergency reserves to navigate unexpected vacancy periods or major repairs.

Actionable Homeownership Steps
1. Evaluate Complete Monthly Housing Costs: Assess property taxes, homeowners insurance, and HOA fees alongside principal and interest.
2. Leverage Renovation Equity Carefully: Utilize equity loans strategically for renovations that generate long-term property value.
3. Prioritize Credit Score Optimization: Secure top-tier credit scores prior to mortgage pre-approval to qualify for competitive lender pricing tiers.

Continue Reading

Personal Finance

$20,000 Caution Bond Requirement for US Visa Applications imposed on 50 Countries

Published

4 weeks ago

on

August 8, 2026

By

The United States Department of State has officially implemented a revised visa policy introducing a mandatory posting requirement for caution payments of up to $20,000 on select foreign travel applications. Under the updated regulatory framework, consular officials are authorized to require temporary nonimmigrant visa applicants from targeted foreign countries to post a refundable financial bond of $20,000 as a condition for visa issuance. The policy mechanism is designed to address diplomatic concerns regarding high overstay rates among temporary visitor, business, and educational visa categories.

The caution bond pilot program applies selectively to foreign nationals from designated countries whose diplomatic entities record historical visa overstay rates exceeding established federal thresholds. Under administrative guidelines published by the State Department, the full financial deposit is posted directly to a dedicated federal escrow account prior to final visa issuance. The entire caution payment is automatically refunded to the applicant upon verified proof of timely departure from the United States in strict compliance with the authorized duration of stay. Conversely, failure to depart within the legal timeframe results in full forfeiture of the posted financial bond to the United States government.

Diplomatic representatives and travel policy experts have expressed varying perspectives regarding the operational implementation of the caution bond system. Administration officials emphasize that the measure serves as an effective, market-based incentive to enforce international travel compliance and preserve domestic immigration security standards. However, international trade organizations and foreign diplomatic missions have raised concerns regarding the financial burden imposed on legitimate business travelers, foreign students, and commercial partners from developing nations.

The United States finalized the rule to make the temporary visa bond program permanent, taking effect on August 3, 2026. The updated permanent regulation replaces the prior 12-month pilot, eliminates the lowest $5,000 tier, and raises the maximum required bond amount to $20,000 for specific B-1/B-2 business and tourist visa applicants.

Here is the list of the 50 countries on the list as o August 3, 2026

African Nations (31 Countries)

  • Algeria
  • Angola
  • Benin
  • Botswana
  • Burundi
  • Cabo Verde (Cape Verde)
  • Central African Republic
  • Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
  • Djibouti
  • Ethiopia
  • Gabon
  • The Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Guinea
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Lesotho
  • Malawi
  • Mauritania
  • Mauritius
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Nigeria
  • São Tomé and Príncipe
  • Senegal
  • Seychelles
  • Tanzania
  • Togo
  • Tunisia
  • Uganda
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

Asian & Eastern European Nations (11 Countries)

  • Bangladesh
  • Bhutan
  • Cambodia
  • Georgia
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Mongolia
  • Nepal
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Tajikistan
  • Turkmenistan
  • Uzbekistan

Caribbean & Latin American Nations (5 Countries)

  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Cuba
  • Dominica
  • Grenada
  • Venezuela

Oceanian Nations (3 Countries)

  • Fiji
  • Tonga
  • Vanuatu

Continue Reading

Personal Finance

Next-Generation Retirement Planning: Managing Longevity Risk and Variable Income Streams

Published

4 weeks ago

on

August 7, 2026

By

Retirement planning strategies are evolving in 2026 to address increased life expectancies, shifting dynamic market conditions, and the transition away from traditional defined-benefit pensions. Individual investors and financial advisors are abandoning rigid retirement models in favor of flexible, multi-asset strategies designed to mitigate longevity risk and preserve purchasing power over multi-decade retirement horizons.

Mitigating Longevity Risk with Dynamic Asset Allocation
As average life expectancies extend past eighty-five years, one of the primary financial risks facing retirees is outliving their accumulated wealth. Traditional fixed income allocations—such as the standard 60/40 equity-to-bond portfolio—are being reevaluated to ensure portfolios generate sufficient capital growth alongside reliable income.

Financial planners recommend maintaining a meaningful equity allocation throughout retirement to offset long-term inflation erosion. High-dividend equity funds, global real estate investment trusts (REITs), and inflation-indexed Treasuries are combined to create diversified portfolios that deliver both growth and income stability.

The Transition to Dynamic Withdrawal Strategies
The classic “4% safe withdrawal rule” is increasingly replaced by dynamic withdrawal strategies that adapt annually based on market performance. Under a dynamic withdrawal framework, retirees adjust their annual distribution rates within pre-set caps and floors:
– Market Upside: During strong market returns, retirees can increase discretionary spending or fund family legacy gifts.
– Market Downturns: During market pullbacks, spending distributions are temporarily reduced to prevent sequence-of-returns risk and preserve core investment principal.

Guaranteed Lifetime Income Options and Deferred Annuities
To establish a guaranteed baseline for essential living expenses, individuals are incorporating modern fixed-indexed and deferred longevity annuities into their broader retirement architectures. Modern annuity structures offer competitive return caps, transparent fee schedules, and inflation-adjustment options.

By funding essential expenses—such as housing, healthcare, and insurance—with guaranteed income streams from Social Security, pensions, and annuities, retirees can manage discretionary investment portfolios with greater flexibility and lower emotional stress during market volatility.

Actionable Steps for Future Retirees
1. Calculate Baseline Retirement Expenses: Determine fixed living costs and map guaranteed income sources to cover essential expenditures.
2. Adopt Flexible Withdrawal Rules: Implement dynamic spending rules to protect investment principal against market downturns.
3. Incorporate Inflation-Protected Assets: Maintain exposure to dividend-growing equities and inflation-indexed bonds to safeguard long-term purchasing power.

Continue Reading

Trending