Yesterday, the Biden admin launched its beta website for SAVE, its new income-driven student loan repayment program. The Education Dept says that with the new plan, more than 1 million borrowers could be eligible for $0 payments. The plan, funded through the Biden admin's approval of $116.6 billion in student debt relief, comes after the Supreme Court struck down Biden's earlier student loan debt-relief program in June. Unlike that version's more than $400 billion price tag, this one will cost the gov anywhere from $138 billion to $230 billion over the next 10 years.
How does it work?
Starting this week, borrowers can use the website to calculate payments based on their income and family size. Single filers who make less than $32,805 and families of four making less than $67,500 could qualify for $0 payments. Those making more than $15 an hour could save $1,000 per year. The process should take 10 minutes. It could be a welcome break for thousands of borrowers who are bracing for federal student loan payments to kick off in October.
theSkimm
After a three-year pause, tens of millions of borrowers will go back to writing checks. This plan could save Americans hundreds or thousands of dollars per year. Meanwhile, critics say the plan is a backdoor attempt to make higher education free.
An American nurse in Haiti. Over the weekend, a local nonprofit confirmed a 31-year-old nurse from New Hampshire and her child were kidnapped near Haiti's capital. Alix Dorsainvil had been working as a school and community health nurse and is married to the nonprofit's director. The US State Dept said they are in contact with Haitian authorities and "have no higher priority than the safety and security of US citizens overseas." It comes as Haiti has been in civil unrest since 2021 — and amid a rise in kidnappings in the country. At least 40 people were kidnapped since May as the country falls further into poverty.
Where there's unrest…
Niger. Yesterday, thousands of protesters attacked the French embassy in the country's capital of Niamey. The attack comes days after a military-led coup. The French embassy became a target because of the country's lasting colonial influences on Niger before its independence in 1960. Pro-coup supporters took to the capital and waved Russian flags, smashed windows, and set fire to one of the doors. Meanwhile, in Pakistan at least 44 people were killed and more than 100 others were injured after a bomb exploded at a political rally. Authorities believe the attack was carried out by an ISIS-affiliated suicide bomber.
Who dropped the mic…
Cardi B. On Saturday, the rapper hurled her mic at a concertgoer in Las Vegas after they threw a drink at her. In a viral video, Cardi B can be seen performing her hit "Bodak Yellow" before the incident went down. No comment from either of them since. The violence comes amid a wave of recent attacks against performers, including one last week in which a crowd member threw a purse at Drake.
While we're still not over Timothée Chalamet's little hat…
Here are today's recs to help you live a smarter life…
1. A new kind of probiotic Halle Berry calls 'life-changing.'
This capsule contains a patented probiotic strain known as Akkermansia, which can help strengthen your intestinal wall while increasing the levels of good bacteria in your gut. Even better? Skimm'rs get 20% off with THESKIMM20.*
Psst...looking for more discounts on brands Skimm'rs love? Check out all of our exclusive promo codes here.
Skimm'rs
We like to celebrate the wins, big and small. Let us know how your friends, neighbors, coworkers (and yes, even you) are making career moves, checking off goals, or making an impact in the community.
Big bro…Joey P (NC). After helping fundraise for years he became part of the board of directors at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina Board.
(Some) Birthdays…Elena Gallo (IL), theSkimm's Megan Beauchamp (CA), theSkimm's Michelle Simon (NY), Julie Ellis (VA), Sally Ostendorf (MA), Megan Mulligan (DEU), Samantha Jackson (FL), Laura Kopp (NH), Mandy Bui (TX), Ana Sofia Fabre (SC), Marissa Dorfler (CA), Ural Grant (NY), Mariya Greeley (MA), Nicole Conway (IL), Alexia Benner (FL)
PS: Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.
Skimm'd by: Melanie De Lima, Anacaona Rodriguez Martinez, Chantal Vaca, Julie Shain, and Mariza Smajlaj
Photos by Peter Dazeley via Getty Images, Brand Partners
Just a few months later, then-Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley voluntarily took the bench to focus on his "mental wellbeing" — becoming one of many NFL players to do so. Since then, snowboarder Chloe Kim, Olympic swimmers Kyle Chalmers and Caeleb Dressel, MLB players Daniel Bard and Austin Meadows, and many other athletes have gone public with their own struggles. So much so that some sports orgs have made plays to step up support: The National Women's Soccer League now lets players take up to six months of paid mental health leave, thanks to its first-ever collective bargaining agreement. Last year, the NCAA's Mental Health Advisory Group convened for the very first time. And the US women's national team is currently using its World Cup platform to kick off a new mental health initiative that has young athletes in mind. Important, since 38% of female student athletes and 22% of male student athletes said they felt "mentally exhausted constantly," according to the NCAA's own survey. Not to mention that less than half of women surveyed felt their athletic department prioritized their mental health.
theSkimm
Two years after opening up about balancing more than just the beam, Biles is leaping back into competition. A reminder that while the sports world has seen some major wins in the mental health arena, there's always more down the field.
Missed the peak of the Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower? Count your lucky stars: On Tuesday, one of the largest full moons will come to a sky near you. And the Perseids are already underway. Plus, if you think the James Webb Space Telescope is out of this world, wait until you get a glimpse of the stellar new telescope NASA is building. It comes as the space agency is investing in projects that could allow humans to live off the (lunar) land.
🧘 In wellness...
Hitting your goals isn't always easy, so consider this your friendly reminder to, ahem, set reminders. If that stresses you out, earthing may help you get grounded. (Apparently, the barefoot boys were a step ahead of us.) Same with listening to what the little birdies are saying.
Here are today's recs to help you live a smarter life…
1. A doctor-recommended vibrator that hits allll the right spots.
This award-winning, bendable vibrator has 16 intensities and 12 preset app-controlled patterns. Plus it's clinically proven to alleviate dryness. Oh, and Skimm'rs get 20% off. Good vibes (and orgasms) only.*
Psst...looking for more discounts on brands Skimm'rs love? Check out all of our exclusive promo codes here.
Sunday Scaries, Who?
Here's one tip for a better start to your week.
Struggling to finish your to-do list? Try pairing it with a dopamenu — aka, a list of fun activities that boost dopamine, which in turn, helps you to get through the not-so-fun things. As clinical social worker and therapist Melissa Gottlieb explained, dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with "the reward center of your brain," so it can keep you feeling motivated.
Of course, when you're in a rut, thinking of things that'll inspire and energize you can feel like yet another task. In that case, dopamenus "take the challenge out of decision making. They're a shorthand way to refer to [your motivators] quickly," Gottlieb said. Now, to make your own menu, think of the one at your favorite restaurant. Meaning...
Appetizers: Just like small dishes or starters, these should be "quick things that can help you refocus, like hugging your dog, going for a [short] walk, or grabbing a coffee," Gottlieb said.
Entrées: Here, think bigger. Tap into a list of "activities that take a little longer, but may also give you more dopamine, energy, and motivation to work toward that longer term goal," Gottlieb explained. That could be meeting a friend for lunch, doing something crafty, or reading a page-turner.
Sides: This is where you can really get creative. That's because sides can be "built into an activity you're already doing," Gottlieb said. For example, only watching your guilty pleasure TV show at the gym. "That way, you're [attaching] a reward with exercising," she explained, which can help build a habit. Other food for thought? Listening to music while cleaning or calling a friend while folding laundry.
...Oh and if you're worried about having too much fun (as in, you never make it back to your chores), Gottlieb had a suggestion: "Put on a timer. Say to yourself, 'I'm going to go for a walk. It's going to be 20 minutes. When the timer goes off, I'm coming home and doing this task.'"
Save the Date
Like ours, your work and personal calendars are probably hectic. So here are some events you should know about...
The USWNT faces off against Portugal in its final World Cup group-stage match. Can they kick it? Yes, they can.
Billie Eilish and Karol G take the stage at Lollapalooza. Don't forget your mini fan.
PS: Want more events like this on your cal? theSkimm App gives you a heads-up on when everything from holidays to sports games to awards shows are going down. Download it here.
News Quiz
Stumped by our news quiz yesterday? Here's the answer.
