• A slow cooker or Crock-Pot can help you out on Thanksgiving Day.
• You can make classic side dishes in a slow cooker, from stuffing to cranberry sauce.
• You can even make dinner rolls and mashed potatoes in a slow cooker.

Everyone knows that when it comes to Thanksgiving food, the sides are the best dishes.

However, when your oven is busy cooking the turkey for hours on end, it can be challenging to determine exactly when and where to cook your side dishes.

Enter a Crock-Pot or slow cooker.

Slow cookers can help you prepare classic Thanksgiving side dishes, including stuffing, cranberry sauce, and dips.

"Making a side dish in a slow cooker saves room in the oven (which usually has the turkey or ham in it)," Sarah Olson, the blogger behind "The Magical Slow Cooker," told Business Insider. "Also, if you are traveling to another house for the holidays, the slow cooker will keep your dish warm at the party."

Here are 15 Thanksgiving sides you can make in a slow cooker.

Sweet-potato casserole with marshmallows can easily be made in a slow cooker.

Sweet-potato casserole topped with marshmallows is a Thanksgiving favorite, and numerous recipes are available that show how to make it in a slow cooker.

One recipe by Damn Delicious explains that the residual heat from the slow cooker is the perfect method for achieving gooey, melted marshmallows on top of your casserole.

You might be surprised to learn you can make mashed potatoes in a slow cooker.

Mashed potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple — the meal simply wouldn't be complete without them. However, mashed potatoes can be a hassle, from parboiling them to mashing and finding a space on the stove for them.

Don't fret: Mashed potatoes can easily be made in a slow cooker. Just make sure to add water to your pot, or you won't get the desired consistency for mashing.

"Mashed potatoes are great in the slow cooker, though it does take a bit of time for the potatoes to soften, so plan ahead," Olson said.

The potatoes can take about four hours to soften, so give yourself plenty of time.

Try making your stuffing in a slow cooker, rather than in the oven or inside the turkey.

Everyone has their preferred method of making stuffing for Thanksgiving. While some might opt for oven-baked stuffing or stuffing cooked inside the turkey, it's also possible to make it in a slow cooker. 

Olson said you can use either store-bought boxed stuffing in the slow cooker or homemade stuffing, depending on your preference.

Some people swear by mac and cheese on Thanksgiving.

While Olson's recipe for slow-cooker mac and cheese can be made on the regular, it lends itself perfectly for Thanksgiving. She uses cream cheese, milk, sharp cheddar, and white sharp cheddar to make her noodles creamy and flavorful.

Candied yams are an easy Thanksgiving recipe to make in a slow cooker.

"My husband adores southern-style candied yams, and I finally took the time to make them from fresh yams, from scratch," Olson wrote in her recipe.

For Olson's Southern-inspired candied yams, you'll need peeled thick-sliced red garnet yams, cornstarch, melted butter, cinnamon, cloves, salt, brown sugar, and molasses, among other ingredients. 

Turkey chili is an easy slow-cooker recipe to make on Thanksgiving or the next day with leftovers.

If you're looking to use your turkey leftovers the day after or simply want a hearty appetizer for the Thanksgiving football game, look no further than a delicious turkey chili.

Turkey chili, like this chipotle turkey chili by The Magical Slow Cooker, is easy to cook up in a slow cooker and leave simmering all day until you're ready to dig in.

Slow-cooked glazed carrots are delicious and unbelievably easy to make in a slow cooker.

The best part of this recipe is how easy they are to make. Toss the carrots into the slow cooker with a little salt, brown sugar or honey, and butter, and let sit for four to six hours, until tender.

Green-bean casserole is another Thanksgiving side dish that can be made in a slow cooker.

"My family can not go without the green-bean casserole. It's pretty much the best side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas," Olson said. 

A recipe for green-bean casserole by The Magical Slow Cooker is perfect for a large group.

Dinner rolls can also be made in a slow cooker or Crock-Pot.

You might be shocked to discover you can actually make warm, fluffy dinner rolls in a slow cooker. One recipe from I Heart Eating teaches you how to make the perfect dinner roll dough, then bake the rolls only using a slow cooker.

Another one of Olson's favorite slow-cooker dishes around the holidays is cranberry sauce.

Cranberry sauce in a can is undeniably nostalgic, but slow-cooked homemade cranberry sauce is just as easy to make. Olson's recipe for slow-cooked cranberry sauce requires only a few ingredients: fresh cranberries, marmalade, and brown sugar to taste.

Olson said that being prepared is one thing slow-cooker beginners should know if they're using their pot for the first time this holiday season.

"Plan ahead and stay on schedule. Slow cooker recipes need to be prepped and set to cook early in the day," she said. "Don't wake up late and forget to start the recipe or you'll have to cook said recipe on the stove or in the oven."

Meatballs make a great appetizer for guests while you're busy cooking on the stove.

There's nothing worse than having hungry guests hanging around the kitchen waiting for dinner to be ready. Meatballs are the perfect appetizer for parties of all sizes, and they are easy to make in a slow cooker. 

Place your seasoned, raw meatballs into the slow cooker, top with sauce, and let the slow cooker finish them off, says one recipe by Spend With Pennies.

Butternut-squash soup is a festive soup you can make in a slow cooker.

This butternut-squash soup recipe from Delish advises you to buy pre-cut butternut squash cubes, sautée your vegetables first, and use a low-sodium broth. The soup should take around four hours to cook, so make sure you start early so you can have it done by the first course.

Buffalo-chicken dip is a quick crowd-pleaser.

One of the benefits of making a slow-cooker Buffalo-chicken dip — or any other side dish in a slow cooker — is that it can be prepared well ahead of time and reheated when you're ready to eat.

Queso is another appetizer that can easily be made in a Crock-Pot.

Like a lot of other Martha Stewart slow-cooker recipes, this dip only required a few ingredients, which comes in handy if you're braving the grocery store during Thanksgiving week. Martha Stewart's recipe for slow-cooker queso includes pepper jack and American cheeses, red onion, and jalapeño.

You can make pumpkin pie in a slow cooker for a tasty side dish or dessert after the meal.

What Thanksgiving table would be complete without pumpkin pie? Olson's recipe for slow-cooked crustless brown sugar pumpkin pie is made using pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, eggs, brown sugar, and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and cardamom.

Olson suggests either scooping the pie out of the slow cooker and serving it warm with ice cream, or chilling the pie after it's done cooking and serving it in slices with whipped cream.

• I had surgery earlier this year and needed help from one of my siblings.
• To show my gratitude, I took her on a cruise to Alaska.
• We chose different activities, and we both enjoyed our time during the trip.

In January of this year, I had to have cervical spine surgery. Ironically, I wasn't worried as much about the surgery as I was about the post-surgery fallout.

For several weeks post-op, I wouldn't be able to drive (due to not being able to turn my neck), so I was trying to figure out how to get my kids to school, sports, clubs, and their various activities. Plus, my doctor warned me that it would be a good idea to get help with cooking, laundry, and any other activities that involved turning my neck (turns out that's just about everything).

Fortunately, I'm one of six children, and I turned to my sister, Rose, for help. She willingly flew from Chicago to New York to take care of me and my family for three weeks. It turns out that having her stay with me was incredible. Not only was she super helpful, but getting the chance to see her every day, when we rarely got to catch up outside holidays, was a treat.

I wanted to do something special with her to express my gratitude. My favorite thing to do is travel — specifically, adventure travel — and gifting her a trip to Alaska on an expedition cruise was something I figured we'd both enjoy.

We chose what to do

Hiking, kayaking, and exploring the great outdoors were activities I often enjoyed when traveling. The more active, the better. My sister, however, was prone to more relaxing vacations. So when we showed up in Juneau on our first day aboard Uncruise's Wild, Wooly and Wow with Glacier Bay itinerary, I think we were both wondering how this trip would work.

What's great about Uncruise is it's a choose-your-own adventure — each day we would be able to pick two activities for that day, and there was no obligation to stick together.

The first day, we were going to get up close to glaciers and icebergs. I immediately thought kayaking was the activity for us; Rose wasn't so sure. I convinced her to try it, and off we went. The scenery was amazing — giant icebergs floated around us — as our guide pointed to a spot in the far distance as our turnaround point. I was loving it. As the wind picked up and the rain started, Rose told me that she was glad she had done this, but she wanted me to know that it was a one-and-done type of activity. Her back hurt, and she was tired.

The next day, when the activity options were given, I immediately jumped at the chance to bushwhack. Bushwhacking was basically hiking up the Alaskan terrain without any paths, so literally bushwhacking our way through — climbing over roots, under fallen trees, and into some pretty muddy spots (I got stuck — and almost lost my knee-high boots — in several swampy areas).

We went off to do what we liked

I asked Rose what option appealed to her, and she said the skiff tour — a boat ride that gets close to shore and promises to see plenty of animals (no exercise required). That activity was at the bottom of my list. At first, I tried to convince her to go bushwhacking with me, but then I realized that this was her vacation, too. Yes, we were traveling together, but we also had very different interests and ideas of what constitutes a good vacation.

Rose went on her skiff tour and came back super excited — she saw tons of grizzly bears, humpback whales, otters, and even orcas. While I had not seen any animals, I was flying high on adrenaline from hiking up a mountain without a trail and taking in the most magical views from the top.

Rose quickly made friends with the other skiff riders, and I became good friends with my hiking and kayaking buddies. Each day, Rose and I did our own thing — no pressure on the other person to join. And it worked out beautifully. She saw tons of wildlife, and I got my active adventure.

Unlike when we were younger and felt strongly that we needed to do the same things, getting older allowed me to realize that accepting my sister and her choices — and not pressuring her to do what I thought was best — was the key to a happy relationship.

• I've lived in Florida my whole life and have spent time in every part of the state.
• Many tourists visit Orlando and Miami's South Beach, but I'd recommend a few other spots instead.
• St. Augustine has a ton of history and culture, and Vilano Beach is quiet and beautiful.

I was born and raised in Miami, then moved to Florida's Space Coast in my 20s.

It was supposed to be a temporary move to save money, but I ended up falling in love with Central Florida. Fifteen years later, I'm still here.

I've traveled all over the state and could honestly fill the rest of my days just visiting different towns and cities in Florida. There's no shortage of tourist destinations here, but parts of Orlando and Miami are home to tons of crowds … and traffic.

Instead, there are four lesser-known places I'd recommend for gorgeous beaches, culture, and history.

Visiting Coral Gables feels like stepping back in time

If you want to experience Miami like a local, I'd recommend staying in Coral Gables.

Founded in the 1920s and featuring historic landmarks like the Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables feels completely one of a kind. I always think of it as a town within a city — it's very different from the South Beach atmosphere that many people might imagine when they envision Miami.

Spending time in "the City Beautiful," as Coral Gables is dubbed, is like stepping into a version of "The Great Gatsby" featuring a modern, tropical backdrop. The public Venetian Pool, for instance, first opened in the 1920s and features waterfalls and cave-like grottos.

For those with young kids, Matheson Hammock Park has a family-friendly beach complete with amenities. There's also Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, an 83-acre botanic garden that opened in 1938 and is exactly as spectacular as it sounds.

Plus, when you're in Coral Gables, you'll eat at some of the best restaurants in the world — especially if you love a classic Italian spot. My favorite is Caffe Abbracci, which has been there since 1989.

I'll always recommend a visit to Alachua County

Alachua County is full of wide, open spaces and lots of horses. It neighbors the city of Ocala, which is known as "the Horse Capital of the World" for a reason.

If you enjoy being out in nature, this county has a plethora of hike-worthy nature preserves — including Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, where, if you're lucky, you might see wild-roaming horses and bison.

There's also Mill Creek Farm, a retirement home for horses that opens to the public on Saturdays, allowing guests to go for hikes while feeding rescue horses all the carrots they desire along the way.

Alachua County is also home to Gainesville, which is far more than just a college town. Home of the University of Florida, the city of Gainesville is a cultural hub and feels surprisingly family-friendly.

Here, you'll find tons of performing arts, museums, eclectic restaurants, and sporting events.

St. Augustine is one of my favorite places in Florida

I believe every American should visit St. Augustine at least once.

This city's history is tied up with America's, too. St. Augustine was founded in 1565, almost 42 years before the English settled in Jamestown, making it the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the United States.

Aside from its history, St. Augustine is a Florida beach town full of art galleries, architecture, local music, and restaurants, giving it an overall very European feel for an American city.

If I could live anywhere, it would be Vilano Beach

I've been to beaches up and down the east and west coasts of Florida, and Vilano Beach is my favorite so far.

When I close my eyes and envision being on a beach, it's this one — and I'm probably there with my pets, since it's dog-friendly.

This is a small town, mainly consisting of a beach and the local fishing pier. Even though there is a tourist presence, Vilano Beach feels like a quiet, local spot, and I get the impression those who live there really love it.

I understand them, though: If I lived there, I'd rarely ever leave. It certainly wouldn't hurt living just a short drive north of St. Augustine, either.

• I grew up eating mashed potatoes yearly on Thanksgiving, but secretly preferred scalloped potatoes.
• We've been making these cheesy scalloped potatoes and skipping the mashed potatoes for years now.
• The crispy cheese crust and creamy layers of potato make this one of my favorite recipes.

I've never been a fan of huge mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving or any other day.

Shirking what many would call a Thanksgiving staple, I've made scalloped potatoes — or potatoes au gratin — for the past five-plus years instead.

Thanksgiving purists may not believe me, but the texture and flavor are far superior to even the best mashed-potato recipe. Plus, with the average cost of hosting Thanksgiving this year reaching $431, according to a recent WalletHub report, I want to make every dish count. 

I've followed several different recipes, but Half Baked Harvest, run by cookbook author Tieghan Gerard, has a recipe for cheesy scalloped potatoes with caramelized onions that has become a go-to on practically every holiday.

Here's how to make it yourself.

I started by preheating the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and thinly slicing about six yellow-gold potatoes.

The recipe recommends either russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, but I opted for Yukon Gold potatoes. 

You can find the full Half Baked Harvest recipe and ingredient list here.

After thinly slicing a small yellow onion, I added 2 tablespoons of butter and the onions to a cast-iron pan.

I cooked the onions on medium-high heat until they became golden brown and caramelized. 

After about 10 minutes of cooking, and stirring frequently, I added a quarter cup of dry white wine to the pan.

The wine helped to speed up the caramelization of the onions, creating a heavenly scent in my kitchen.

Then I tossed in a clove of sliced garlic and a tablespoon of chopped fresh thyme.

I cooked the garlic, thyme, and caramelized onions together for two more minutes before removing the pan from the heat.

Next, I greased a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter and set it aside.

The butter ensures that your scalloped potatoes won't stick to the pan, of course.

I started assembling the scalloped potatoes by pouring a third of the milk mixture into the bottom of the pan.

The milk mix is made with 2 cups of heavy cream, 1 cup of whole milk, a pinch of cayenne, salt, pepper, and a ¾ cup of shredded Gruyere cheese. 

I followed the recipe's instructions on how to layer the potatoes, onions, and milk mix.

The first layer of potatoes should use up a third of the sliced potatoes, topped with half of the caramelized onions and garlic. Then, I added another third of the milk mixture, followed by another third of the potatoes, and then the remaining onions.

I then placed the remaining potatoes in an even layer and poured the remaining mixture over the top. 

I covered the dish in foil and cooked it in the oven for two hours.

After two hours, the potatoes were almost done cooking and the milk mixture was bubbling.

I finished the scalloped potatoes by layering about a cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top and popping it back into the oven.

You can grate your own cheddar or Gruyere cheese for this recipe, or opt for store-bought, already-shredded cheese to make Thanksgiving day easier. 

After another 20 minutes uncovered in the oven, the potatoes had developed a deep golden crust on top. I wish you could smell this dish.

I topped the finished scalloped potatoes with another tablespoon of fresh thyme.

These potatoes were a major hit with my roommates, and we all agreed they were better than any mashed potatoes we've ever had.

The potatoes had a delicious, savory crust on the top, and the caramelized onions added a lot of dynamic flavor to the dish.

The creamy layers of the potatoes complemented the crispy texture of the crust, creating a perfect balance of texture and flavor — something I've never experienced with grainy or bland mashed potatoes that, frankly, resemble baby food.

While I know some will never agree with my hot take that mashed potatoes have no place on the Thanksgiving dinner table, I'm perfectly content as long as I'm eating these scalloped potatoes.

• Living in a 193-square-foot tiny house has made me tidier and more organized.
• When designing my tiny house, I created built-in storage and plenty of open shelving.
• I'm now more strict about the items that make it into my tiny house.

Before I moved into my tiny house four and a half years ago, I was accustomed to living minimally as a semi-nomadic travel writer for 25 years. But building — and then moving into — my tiny house really awakened my inner minimalist.

To me, minimalism isn't really about stuff. It's a way of living that's calming. It's a way to simplify and streamline my life, while also helping me save money and live more sustainably.

My 193-square-foot tiny house has enabled me to do all this by designing a life that works for me.

Designing for a minimalist lifestyle

When I designed my tiny house, I intentionally built it with only a few storage spaces.

I created dedicated shelving for my indoor plants, my favourite books (I culled my book collection before moving in), and my bed linen (one set on the bed, the other in the wash).

I built a small alcove above my timber bench to display a few personal treasures and small artworks without cluttering up my walls and windowsills.

I have built-in storage spaces under the couch, the stairs, and the floor — where two bath-sized storage bins serve as a "she-shed" for old photos, love letters, home maintenance tools, and all my camping gear.

I also designed my kitchen cabinets to accommodate all my cookware so my benches wouldn't be cluttered with toasters, blenders, and other appliances.

When I moved into my tiny, I found that I love showering outdoors, in all weather, which allowed my indoor shower to become a bonus storage space for my guitar and a few extra books.

I've downsized most of my belongings

I work from home, so I don't need to wear office clothes. I don't wear makeup or own a hairdryer.

Living in subtropical New South Wales, Australia, also means I can wear shorts, T-shirts, sandals, and linen dresses for most of the year, which don't require much storage space.

But I've adapted to my tiny life, too. For instance, when I need a new household item or appliance, I "buy small" now. I have a small kettle, a hand-held vacuum cleaner, a heater that's half the size of a shoebox, a 32" TV in my lounge loft, and a lime-green watering can that fits snugly under my sink. I even have a pocket dictionary on my desk.

The beauty of living in a small space is that none of these things look quaint. They look right at home.

I've become much tidier and more organized since living in my tiny house

I now put my clothes away neatly as soon as I take them off. I wash the dishes every night so I can wake up to a clean kitchen every morning. I return books to friends or the library the day I finish reading them. I sweep, dust, or clean almost daily.

And I'm constantly decluttering; I no longer keep things "just in case." Clutter is kryptonite to minimalists.

It's surprisingly soothing to know that everything has its place, and I rarely misplace things. In a tiny house, there are only so many places a lost item can hide.

I'm strict about what items come into my tiny house now

I've never been much of a shopper, but like a nightclub bouncer vetting potential guests, I've become fiercely discerning about every new thing entering my home.

Do I need this? Will it last? Will it justify the space it's taking up? Anything that doesn't spark joy or pull its weight in a practical way doesn't make it past the door.

The other question I ask is: Will this simplify my life? Because, for me, simplicity and minimalism go hand in hand, working together in an endless positive feedback loop to clarify my life and make space for what really matters.

• Shoppers are being more selective, leaning toward value spots like Walmart and T.J. Maxx.
• With the economy feeling shaky, even wealthier shoppers are hunting for deals.
• It's not just about price: Consumers want value in their purchases.

Americans are spending selectively.

That's the picture painted by this quarter's earnings season, and it's not surprising. Consumer sentiment is at its lowest level since 2022, job cuts are rising sharply, and tariffs are making shopping trips more expensive.

Lower-income shoppers aren't the only ones feeling the heat. Analysts say well-off consumers are also "trading down" on some purchases and switching up their shopping routines to get better deals.

But shoppers aren't just gravitating to the lowest-priced chains. While they are seeking value, it's not just about price, Neil Saunders of GlobalData Retail told Business Insider.

"The consumer does not have enough spending power to lift all retailers. What we're seeing is polarization: Some retailers are doing well, while others are failing," Saunders said.

"It is somewhat easier for those offering low prices to do well. But it's much wider than price — consumers want to feel they are buying well and getting bang for their buck," he said.

Here's a look at who's in and who's out this season.

What's in: Walmart, preppy luxury, fast-casual dining, and T.J. Maxx.

Americans can't get enough of off-price stores right now.

TJX, the parent of T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, reported a 5% rise in same-store sales in its most recent quarterly earnings, while Ross Stores reported a 7% climb in the same metric compared to the same period the year before. These stores are offering shoppers the chance to treat themselves without breaking the bank.

Meanwhile, Walmart is solidifying its grip on American dollars. The retail giant reported strong sales for the third quarter, with total revenue increasing 5.8% year-over-year and US same-store sales rising 4.5% versus the same quarter in 2024. It also said it continues to benefit from gaining more upper and middle-income consumers.

Restaurants are seeing the same pull. Diners want affordability and value for money. Fast-casual chains like Applebee's and Chili's are thriving because they offer just this.

"These guys have figured out what that magic price point is," Phil Kafarakis, CEO of IFMA, The Food Away From Home Association, told Business Insider. It's enabling them to compete with fast-food chains, he said.

"They said we're going to make a bigger burger and you can sit in our place and be served, and it's not going to cost you $12 to get a Big Mac meal," he added. The price of this McDonald's meal varies by location and comes with fries and a drink.

When it comes to apparel, the all-American preppy brands are having a moment. Gap, Tapestry-owned Coach, and Ralph Lauren all saw year-over-year sales growth in the most recent quarter.

Ralph Lauren has positioned itself as an affordable luxury brand. Plus, it sells products that are good quality and have a classic design, which means they can be worn many times, Saunders said.

What's out: $15 salads, discretionary splurges, and mid-market retail.

Trendy "slop bowl chains" are cooling off right now.

Sweetgreen, Cava, and Chipotle all said in recent earnings that they are seeing fewer frequent visits from their younger consumers. And it's hitting their sales and stock prices. Sweetgreen's same-store sales dropped 9.5%, Cava slowed to 1.9% growth, and Chipotle barely eked out 0.3% in this quarter versus the same period the year before.

"We're not losing them to the competition. We're losing them to grocery and food at home," Chipotle's CEO, Scott Boatwright, said of young diners in the company's most recent earnings call.

When it comes to big-box retail, Target is losing out. Analysts say messy stores, long wait times, and locked-up products have put off consumers, and they are heading elsewhere.

What's mixed: Home improvement and fast food.

Many Americans seem to be putting home improvement projects on hold for now.

In their most recent earnings calls, the titans of the sector — Home Depot and Lowe's — said the era of big flashy makeovers is on pause right now, but the home improvement world isn't dead either. Contractors are still working — but the focus is on smaller projects, maintenance, and repairs.

It's just not big purchases that shoppers are more reluctant to make. Some of the more cash-strapped consumers are also turned off by rising prices in fast food.

Although McDonald's saw its sales grow in the most recent quarter, it's not an entirely rosy picture.

McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski said in its most recent earnings call that sales from lower-income diners are falling right now. At the same time, it's seeing more traffic from higher-income diners.

"I think sometimes there's this idea that value only matters to low income, but value matters to everybody, whether you're upper income, middle income, lower income," Kempczinski said on the call.

"Feeling like you're getting good value for your dollar is important," he added.

• Incoming NYC Mayor Mamdani's embrace of socialism has some predicting the wealthy will flee
• In luxury hotspots like Miami, there's anticipation that this will unleash a buying spree.
• This comes after a banner year for ultra-luxury purchases in locales popular with ex-New-Yorkers.

Zohran Mamdani won a resounding mayoral victory by promising to make it cheaper to live in New York City.

However, his victory earlier this month may have the unintended effect of making it even more expensive for the ultrawealthy to afford their homes in favorite ex-New Yorker haunts like Greenwich, Palm Beach, and the Hamptons, top real estate agents told Business Insider. Real estate agents in these elite zip codes say that the "Mamdani effect" is already creeping into prices or causing some to pull the trigger to buy, as locals anticipate another migration wave.

2025 was already a "banner year" for Dina Goldentayer, a Miami-based real estate agent who, with more than $3 billion in sales since 2021, is the top earner at real estate firm Douglas Elliman. Even as prices are dropping in Miami at the median-home level, they're growing for ultra-luxury buyers. As of September, the median home price for Miami was down about 4% year-over-year, while it was up 8.4% for luxury homes in Miami, according to Redfin.

"Every year, our price points get higher and higher," she said. Referencing million-dollar listings, she added: "30 is the new 20."

This dynamic mimics a broader consumer dynamic, with wealthy Americans spending more while the rest cut back.

She has not had any New York to Miami transplant clients say they were moving because of Mamdani, but she said Miamians believe the "election results will flood the market with New Yorkers."

"I've had some sellers in Miami say, 'Let's raise my price,'" Goldentayer said, though she has cautioned them to wait until he actually rolls out policies before raising it.

Socialist Mamdani, who will take office in 2026, has proposed raising taxes on those making more than $1 million a year, and criticized the New York Police Department. His campaign left ultrawealthy New Yorkers concerned he's going to target their wealth and make the city less safe.

While sellers are salivating at steep price jumps, buyers are worried that New Yorkers will drive prices up, Goldentayer said.

"I had one client use the expression 'The Mamdani effect is being baked into the price,'" Goldentayer said.

Heading down to Florida

Nancy Batchelor, a top Miami real estate agent who heads her own group with Compass, wrote to BI that she's had "a handful of buyers mention the election," but that it's never the "sole reason."

"What we're seeing is more subtle; people who were on the fence are now exploring their options with more urgency," Bachelor wrote. "Many are waiting it out to see if anything changes in New York City before making a decision."

That might mean buying a second home in Miami for now, but not actually moving their family south in the middle of the school year, she said.

And in markets like Palm Beach, which has been a magnet for Manhattanites, what started as a pandemic trend is turning into a "full lifestyle shift," Samantha Curry, a top Palm Beach real estate agent, wrote to BI.

South Florida has attracted a number of billionaires like legendary investor Carl Icahn and Citadel's Ken Griffin, who moved his firm's Chicago headquarters to Miami. Steven Ross, former CEO of Related, which developed the upscale Hudson Yards neighborhood in NYC, spun out the firm's Palm Beach operations to form Related Ross.

Curry has heard from ex-New Yorkers who said the potential tax implications and safety concerns of Mamdani have been a reason for their searches. Right now, it's mostly "driving conversations," especially with the top tier of clients, but actual increases in taxes will really change things.

"If that happens, we expect to see another wave of buyers from the north heading to Palm Beach," she wrote.

A record year for Greenwich

While Miami and Palm Beach have become destinations for financial types, a more traditional post-Wall Street destination, Greenwich, CT, is actually seeing some post-election sales.

Ultra-luxury Greenwish home sales jumped after Mamdani's June primary victory, with more homes sold in a shorter period, and at higher prices, with an average of $19.7 million per home after the nomination compared to $14.9 million before, according to the mid-November analysis by Mark Pruner, a top Greenwich agent for Compass.

Pruner said the town has seen three large sales go into contract since the election, ranging from $14 million to $28 million. He has had some clients say that Mamdani is a factor behind their move, but that the evidence is "anecdotal."

What is certain is that Greenwich is having a record year, he said, saying that it's on track for more than 50 sales over $10 million, compared to a prior high of 19 in 2007.

"A significant portion of it is the concern about the stock market," Pruner said. "We're at record highs, people are sitting at lots of unrealized profits, and there are people who are taking money out of their stock investments and putting it into high-end real estate here in Greenwich."

If a Mamdani wave continues, home hunters will have slim pickings in Greenwich. Inventory is down 82% from where it was pre-COVID, according to Pruner, pushing prices higher before any Mamdani effect became part of the equation.

So far, the numbers don't match the chatter. Despite all the talk of wealthy fleeing, and that penthouses and brownstones would be going for bargain rates, luxury home sales surged in the city following the election. The week of the election saw 41 contracts signed at $4 million and above, the most in a single week since late May, according to the Olshan Luxury Market Report.

New York's continued strength is a result of "multi-market living," said Miami's Batchelor.

"Many aren't choosing between New York and Miami, they're choosing both," she said.

Now that's not to say there won't be some ultrawealthy people selling properties in New York, but many of the ultrawealthy will buy in Florida and change their domicile to shake off the tax man while keeping their pad on Billionaire's Row.

"The nice thing is, if you can afford an over $10 million house, you generally can afford two, or three, or four," said Pruner.

• After living in Philadelphia, I was worried that moving home would feel like a step backward.
• We've been back for four years, and it definitely was the best decision for my family.
• Sharing things I did as a child and places I loved with my daughter has been special.

When my husband and I got married in 2015, I moved from my suburban hometown in Delaware to Philadelphia. We loved the proximity to arts and culture events and museums, the access to public transportation, and the ability to walk to some of our favorite restaurants.

Living in a city also came with its negatives: noise and safety issues, as well as limited outdoor space. When we became parents, these issues became even more challenging. So, when we decided to move again four years ago, we made the choice not only to trade the city for the suburbs, but also to move back to my hometown.

I was conflicted at first about moving back to my hometown

After living in Philadelphia for over five years, I was concerned that moving back to my suburban hometown would feel like a step backward. Moving away from home to bigger and better things seems like a rite of passage during young adulthood. But the lockdowns and isolation of the pandemic took their toll.

The things that we had been struggling with about living in a city got worse, and I felt trapped at home with a toddler who couldn't wear a mask. Longing for a feeling of normality and safety, moving back to an area that was familiar and comfortable felt like the best choice for our family. We ended up purchasing a house that was not far from my childhood home.

My daughter has blossomed in the suburbs with more outdoor space

Over the past four years, we've taken numerous walks, tricycle rides, and scooter rides around our neighborhood. In the fall, we watch all the leaves change from green to gold and rust. In spring, my daughter puddle-hops along the streets, and in winter, she builds snowmen in the front yard, just like I did as a child. We've planted our own garden, growing tomatoes and strawberries, and have been slightly more successful than my siblings and I were.

Late last spring, my dad and husband worked together to construct a swing set in our backyard, while my daughter raced around, delivering screws and holding brackets. Years ago, my grandfather and dad also built a swing set in the backyard of my childhood home that my siblings and I used into our teenage years.

In our outdoor space, we have been able to enjoy a lot of the special memories I have from growing up: running through the sprinkler on hot summer days, kicking soccer balls around the yard, and watching the bunnies and cardinals that make our yard our home.

I've also enjoyed sharing the places I enjoyed as a child with my daughter

Our local nature and science museum has become one of my daughter's favorite places. While a lot has changed over the years, I still get to see her wonder at the same giant clam shell and stuffed animal specimens that I did and pretend to swim over the underfloor coral reef that I was always too scared to walk over.

Last year, she took another plunge into the past when she became the third generation to take swim lessons at a local pool. Ironically, it looks pretty much the same, but thankfully, neither my daughter nor I had to use loaner wool bathing suits like my mom did.

When we were in Philadelphia, we had access to a bigger zoo, multiple art museums, and a huge variety of restaurants. But our small state's little zoo, museums, and state parks have turned out to be perfect for my daughter because they aren't overwhelming or overstimulating. And rather than feeling trite, sharing things I did as a child and places I loved with my daughter has felt a bit magical.

• The retail sector has had a tough run this year, and business bankruptcies have been on the rise.
• Some companies have dissolved while others have negotiated a solution — or a buyer.
• Here are some of the more notable retail bankruptcy cases that took place in 2025.

This year has been a rough one for retailers.

Business bankruptcies across the country have been on the rise in recent years, according to an analysis from the Administrative Office of the US Courts, and 2025 has seen several prominent retail brands involved.

Some retail brands started the year already engaged in the bankruptcy process, while others filed for protection as the months went by.

Among them, several have found themselves in bankruptcy for the second time in just a few years, and a few have managed to find buyers interested in keeping their brands alive through an acquisition.

Here is a roundup of 14 of the more notable retail bankruptcy cases that unfolded in 2025.

At Home — filed in June, exited in October

Texas-based housewares chain At Home filed for Chapter 11 protection in June and emerged in October with a new ownership agreement among a group of its lenders.

JoAnn Fabric — filed in January, closed in May

Arts and crafts retailer JoAnn filed in January for its second Chapter 11 status in less than a year, and wound down its stores over the next several months.

Party City — filed in December, closed in February

Just over a year after exiting bankruptcy in October of 2023, Party City again filed for Chapter 11 protection in December 2024. The company spent the early months of 2025 closing corporate-owned stores.

Forever 21 (US) — filed in March, closed in May

Citing pressure from fast-fashion e-commerce brands like Shein and Temu, shopping mall favorite Forever 21 filed for Chapter 11 protection in March and shuttered its US locations the following month.

Rite Aid — filed in May, closed in October

Pharmacy chain Rite Aid filed for its second bankruptcy just eight months after exiting its first. The company sold most locations to rivals like CVS and Walgreens and closed its remaining stores in October.

Bargain Hunt — filed in February, closed in February

Ultra-discounter Bargain Hunt filed for Chapter 11 in February and moved quickly to close all 92 US locations.

The Container Store — filed in December, emerged in January

Organizing specialists The Container Store filed for Chapter 11 protection in late December 2024 and emerged weeks later with a lighter debt load and private ownership.

Hooters — filed in March, emerged in November

Chicken-wing and skimpy-uniform restaurant chain Hooters filed for Chapter 11 protection in March and emerged several months later under a deal with the company's original founders to "re-Hooterize" the brand.

Candy Warehouse — filed in October, case ongoing

Online bulk candy retailer Candy Warehouse filed for Chapter 11 protection in October on the eve of one of the biggest sweets-purchasing holidays of the year.

Del Monte — filed in July, case ongoing

Grocery store staple Del Monte Foods filed for Chapter 11 protection in July as it seeks to restructure its business. The company said it secured $912.5 million in financing from existing lenders, which allows it to remain in business while it looks for a buyer.

Bar Louie — filed in March, purchased in October

Martini and burger chain Bar Louie filed for Chapter 11 protection in March, five years after navigating the process and closing dozens of locations. In October, Sun Holdings purchased the company out of bankruptcy, adding to a portfolio that includes several quick-serve and full-service chain locations.

Hudson's Bay — filed in March, IP sold in June

Canada's 355-year-old retail icon Hudson's Bay Company entered an arrangement with creditors in March. Unable to secure new financing, HBC closed its doors in June and sold its brand name and IP to Canadian Tire.

Claire's — filed in August, sold in August

Ear-piercing boutique Claire's filed for Chapter 11 protection in August for the second time in seven years and was quickly sold to a private equity firm that pledged to preserve much of the chain's retail footprint.

Liberated Brands — filed in February, dismissed in May

Apparel group Liberated Brands, which operated surf lifestyle brands like Billabong, Roxy, RVCA, and Quiksilver, filed for Chapter 11 protection in February. The move came after Authentic Brands Group terminated the company's license to use its labels and transitioned them to another partner.

The case was dismissed in May when Liberated Brands was unable to pay its secured lenders in full, leaving unsecured creditors like suppliers and service providers unpaid.