| Vacation rental costs are surging and more long reads from USA TODAY. |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Good morning, friends of The Short List! It's John, here again with your weekend long reads. | | As always, we've got an abundance of great journalism to share with you. And that's a good thing, because it seems like everywhere else you look, America is dealing with shortages. From homes to cars and even chicken wings, the reopening of the economy in the wake of the COVID-19 has strained the supply of seemingly everything. | | With those shortages has come another unpleasant trend: inflation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics last month reported a 5% year-over-year increase in prices, the sharpest increase in over a decade. Just one example of inflation's impact: The rising cost of lumber is forcing Americans to delay costly home renovations. | | We hope this week's long reads help you get what you're looking for – with the least possible pain: | | | | Final thought: Next weekend is the July 4th holiday. You might want to hurry up and get your fireworks (if permitted in your area, of course). | | Good luck! | | | | MORE ARTICLES | | | | | | | |
