Work | Kailyn Rhone

Articles

Past. Present. Future.

The following is a collection of my latest and most meaningful articles. Each piece is unique in style and content and represents a distinct moment in my career.

New York Times | Feb. 23, 2026

It’s a Buyer’s Market, but Homeownership Eludes Many Americans

A growing split between low-to-middle-income families and wealthy households is changing who has access to homeownership now.

New York Times | Nov 28, 2025

How Gen Z Is Shopping For Black Friday

This piece was featured on The Morning Newsletter for The New York Times.

New York Times | Nov. 27, 2025

Gen X-ers Have Money to Spend. Why Are Retailers Ignoring Them?

Three in four Americans ages 45 to 60 say they expect to overspend for the holidays. They’re “sort of like the glue within the consumer spectrum.”

New York Times | Nov. 20, 2025

Holiday Hiring Slows, Frustrating Job Seekers

Retailers are adding fewer of the seasonal roles that many Americans rely on to make ends meet.

New York Times | Nov. 16, 2025

They Rushed to Buy Homes During the Pandemic. Now, Some Feel Trapped.

Many Americans bought their first houses when mortgage rates dipped to record lows. Some are ready to move but feel locked in by their low rates.

New York Times | Oct. 26, 2025

An Early-Decision Student Backed Out of Tulane. Tulane Punished the High School.

In an unusual move, the university imposed a one-year ban on Colorado Academy for early-decision applications, which carry a commitment to attend.

New York Times | Sept. 13, 2025

They Had Money Problems. They Turned to ChatGPT for Solutions.

More people are turning to generative A.I. chatbots for financial advice, whether it’s for debt management, better saving strategies or stock picks.

New York Times | July 29, 2025

Forget Black Friday: Economic Anxiety Is Leading to ‘Christmas in July’

Young men are trying to use ubiquitous online betting to deal with big college loans.

New York Times | July 26, 2025

Saving for College Once Felt Essential. Some Parents Are Rethinking Their Plans.

Generations of parents have opened 529 plans to save for their children’s educations. Now some are reconsidering the value of college and looking into other options.

New York Times | June 30, 2025

The Summer Job, a Rite of Passage for Teens, May Be Fading Away

People are starting their holiday shopping earlier this year, using summer sales from retailers like Amazon and Walmart to save time and money.

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Wall Street Journal | Aug. 17, 2024

The Extreme Renters Who Own Nothing, Not Even Their Jeans

It’s not just leasing your car. Christmas trees, camping gear and even caskets are up for rent.

Wall Street Journal | July 25, 2024

An Increase in Uninsured Drivers Is Pushing Up Costs for Everyone Else

Number of drivers without car insurance has risen since the start of the pandemic.

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Wall Street Journal | March 30, 2024

No Showers, No Sleep: Van Life Isn’t as Cool as Instagram Makes It Seem

With home prices so high, living on wheels seems a reasonable alternative. Many find it isn’t.

Wall Street Journal | Feb. 28, 2024

The TikTok Generation Turns to Sports Betting to Chip Away at Student Debt

Young men are trying to use ubiquitous online betting to deal with big college loans.

Reuters News | Sept. 1, 2023

Back-to-school U.S. spending set to hit record high in 2023

See-through backpacks and jean shorts are among the popular last-minute purchases ahead of the new school year, several retailers said, as heat waves sweep the U.S. and security concerns grow at many middle- and high schools.

Reuters News | Aug. 30, 2023

Rising caffeine levels spark calls for ban on energy drink sales to children

Pediatricians and parents are calling for the U.S. to treat new high-caffeine energy drinks like alcohol and cigarettes and ban their sale to minors as a single serving can contain as much caffeine as six Coca-Colas.

Texas Tribune | Jan. 24, 2022

How a former U.S. military translator escaped Afghanistan with his family and started over in Texas

Lucky took his family back to Afghanistan when his mother was hospitalized with kidney problems. Then the Taliban took over the country, and the family joined thousands of Afghans desperately trying to escape.

Tampa Bay Times | Aug. 2, 2021

Hashtag Red Tide: TikTok is all over Tampa Bay’s environmental crisis

Red Tide and fish kills are going viral as TikTokers share what’s happening in Tampa Bay on the social media platform.

Tampa Bay Times | July 28, 2021

After liver transplant, she spent decades living with hepatitis C

For World Hepatitis Day, a Manatee County woman share her story of living with hepatitis C.

YR Media | Feb. 2, 2021

'Zoom University' Takes 'Drastic' Toll on Students' Mental Health

As the spring semester is in full swing, some students continue to hopelessly struggle with another term now affectionately known as “Zoom University.”

Teen Vogue | May 20, 2021

4 High School Seniors on Why They’re Attending HBCUs Over Ivy League Schools

May 1st is a day that causes high school seniors across the nation to erupt in tears or shouts of joy: National College Decision Day. For many Black students, the day is also an occasion to have a trickier conversation about the kind of school they choose to attend: predominantly white institutions (PWIs) or historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).