Figuratively Speaking

Most recent year in which mortgage rates reached more than 6%, according to Realtor.com: 2008

When combined with high home prices, percentage surge in the typical mortgage payment for today's buyers compared to one year ago: 66

Source: Realtor.com.

Percentage more people who plan on getting the new iPhone this year compared to those who said the same last year, according to a survey by WalletHub: 24

Percentage of people who think that not having the newest iPhone is a sign someone is struggling financially: 20

Percentage of Americans who say that their mobile phone is their most important possession: 33

Source: WalletHub.

Amount expected to be spent on adult and kids costumes this Halloween, according to the National Retail Federation: $2.9 billion

Percentage who say the leading source for costume inspiration comes from online searches: 36

Percentage who say they will look within retail stores for inspiration: 25

Source: NRF.

Percentage of small- and mid-sized-business owners who are highly optimistic about the near-term prospects for their own businesses, according to a survey by PNC Bank: 49

Percentage who are expecting to raise prices in the next six months: 63

Percentage who envision a recession in the next 12 months: 69

Percentage of those who rely on a supply chain who say it remains a problem: 49

Source: PNC Bank.

Percentage of Americans who say they listen to music while cleaning, according to a survey commissioned by Jelmar: 80

Percentage who say music even makes their cleaning tasks more enjoyable: 66

Source: Jelmar.

Percentage of workers who say they have considered a major career move this year, according to an ADP Research Institute survey of more than 32,000 workers, including those in the gig economy, from 17 countries: 71

Percentage of working parents who would like to arrange working hours to be more flexible: 74

Percentage of non-parents who say the same: 68

Source: ADP.

Percentage of current U.S. college students who do not think colleges should require students attending in-person classes to be vaccinated against COVID-19, according to a survey by Intelligent.com: 15

Percentage of students opposed who say they will transfer to a different institution with no vaccine requirements if their current school mandates them: 20

Of those opposed to mandated vaccines, percentage who say such requirements violate an individual's freedom: 25

Source: Intelligent.com.

Percentage of mothers who say they get joy out of buying toys for their kids and that they would miss out on the excitement if they were to change the number of gifts they bought, according to a survey by Zulily: 43

Percentage of moms who are looking for gifts that promote creativity and togetherness: 27

Percentage of moms who say a toy's ability to promote their children's imagination without bounds is a characteristic of an iconic toy brand: 25

Source: Zulily.

Each year, estimated cost in property damage caused by termites, according to the National Pest Management Association: $6.8 billion

Percentage of American homeowners who follow prevention techniques when entering tick-infested areas (e.g., the woods or areas with tall grass): 47

Percentage who would switch to a different hotel or motel if they found bed bugs at the hotel or motel where they were staying: 59

Percentage of Americans who have seen or removed a tick from themselves, someone else or a pet: 63

Source: Vault Communications.

Idle Thought

Hofstadter's Law: It always takes longer than you expect, even when you take into account Hofstadter's Law. -- Douglas Hofstadter, professor of cognitive science (1945- )

Ranks of "being in good health" (96%), "having a good work-life balance" (96%), "living in a location you like" (90%) and "having an interesting job" (87%) on the list of what teens consider to be an important part of "the good life": 1 (tie), 3, 4

Percentage of teens who said "having children" is an important part of having "the good life": 51

Source: Junior Achievement.

Percentage of U.S. retirees who say their age could be a barrier to getting a new job if they chose to enter the workforce, according to an American Staffing Association poll: 43

Percentage of retirees who would look for a job if they could have a flexible work schedule: 41

Percentage who would do so if they could work remote full time: 35

Source: American Staffing Association.

Percentage of Gen Z professionals who say they are more burned out than a year ago, with their age group the most likely to report a rise in burnout, according to a survey by Robert Half: 47

Percentage of technology workers who say they are more burned out than a year ago -- leading all employment sectors in reporting a rise in burnout: 44

Ranks of Boston, Charlotte, North Carolina, and San Diego as the cities most likely to report burnout: 1 (tie), 3

Source: Robert Half.

Median household income versus the income of the top 5% in Bridgeport, Connecticut, making it the metro area with the biggest income gap, according to a survey by MagnifyMoney at LendingTree: $97,539 vs. $883,321

Median household income in Miami versus that of the top 5%, the second biggest income gap in the country: $59,030 vs. $472,715

Source: LendingTree.

Rank of Michigan as the most affordable state for retirees, according to a survey by Bankrate: 1

Rank of Massachusetts as the best state for well-being: 1

Rank of Florida for culture and diversity: 1

Rank of Arizona as the No. 1 state for weather: 1

Source: Bankrate Inc.

Percentage of Americans who agree that it is socially acceptable to start celebrating Halloween before October, according to a Hershey survey: 60

Percentage of parents with children under 18 who say the same: 70

Source: The Hershey Co.

Percentage of Americans who say the Tooth Fairy gives their child something to be excited about, up from 53% last year, according to a poll released by Delta Dental: 55

Average cash gift per tooth, an all-time high in the 24-year history of the poll, and up from $4.70 last year: $5.56

Percentage of times that the Tooth Fairy leaves only money rather than some other physical gift: 80

Source: Delta Dental.

Percentage of internet-equipped households that watch NFL games throughout the season, making football the most widely watched sport in the U.S., according to Parks Associates: 68

Source: Parks Associates.

Percentage increase in the number of hybrid job (defined as a professional-level job that consists of some remote work and some in-office work) postings in its database between Sept. 1, 2021, and Aug. 31, 2022, compared to Sept. 1, 2020 and Aug. 31, 2021, according to a survey by FlexJobs.com: 52

Ranks of accounting and finance, computer and IT, and marketing as the top career jobs for hybrid careers: 1, 2, 3

Source: FlexJobs.com.

Estimated number of Americans who are impacted by Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of vision loss for those over 50, according to survey data from Bausch and Lomb: 16 million

Percentage who are aware that being overweight/obese puts people at increased risk for being diagnosed with AMD: 25

Percentage who don't know that smoking and being exposed to secondhand smoke can increase a person's risk of being diagnosed with AMD: 71

Source: Vault Communications.

Idle Thought

"To a poet, silence is an acceptable response, even a flattering one." -- Colette, author (1873-1954)

Percentage of teens who would be more interested in starting their own business than having a traditional job, according to a survey by Junior Achievement USA: 60

Of teens who are interested in starting their own business, percentage who cite social media influencers/celebrities as their top inspiration: 37

Percentage of teens who feel it's most beneficial to hear about starting their own business from business owners: 45

Source: Junior Achievement.

Percentage of winter holiday shoppers who started their shopping in August, according to a survey by Bankrate.com: 11

Percentage who are expected to start their holiday shopping by Oct. 31: 50

Source: Bankrate Inc.

Average number of days a house stayed on the market in August, the first increase in days in more than two years, according to Realtor.com: 42

Median home listing price in August, down from June's record-high $450,000: $435,000

Source: Realtor.com.

Percentage of Americans who say a loved one owes them money, according to a survey by LendingTree: 31

Median amount of money owed: $4,000

Percentage of those who gave money to a loved one who say they now regret it: 41

Source: LendingTree.

Value of global purchase transactions by credit cards in 2020, according to the latest data from the Nilson Report: $467.5 billion

Percentage of those transactions accounted for by Visa: 40

Percentage accounted for by MasterCard: 24

Percentage accounted for by UnionPay of China: 32

Source: The Nilson Report.

Percentage of U.S. companies that say they are hiring for new roles in the second half of 2022, according to a survey by Robert Half: 46

Percentage who will bring in more contract talent: 45

Percentage of managers who worry about workers quitting: 75

Source: Robert Half.

Ranks of the economy, their socioeconomic status, financial literacy, career choice and education level on the list of factors that college students say hold them back the most financially, according to a survey by WalletHub: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Percentage of students who say the pandemic made them more concerned about their financial future: 86

Percentage of college students who get help with credit card bills from their parents: 37

Source: WalletHub.

Age group that is the most likely to report being vegetarian or vegan, according to a report by Packaged Facts: 18 to 24

Rank of vegetarians and vegans as the group most likely to report being parents of children under 18 and living with children: 1

Source: Packaged Facts.

Of 1,000 homeowners planning or working on home projects, percentage who say their primary residence needs at least minor renovations, according to a survey by Angi: 91

Percentage who say their home needs major renovations: 36

Percentage of homeowners who anticipate their 2022 home projects will cost $10,000 or more: 60

Source: Angi.

Average length of an RV trip, according to RVshare.com: 330 miles

Average MPG an RV gets: 15

Average increase in the cost of fuel per gallon this year compared to last year: $1.50

Source: RVshare.

Idle Thought

"Every increased possession loads us with new weariness." -- John Ruskin, author, art critic and social reformer (1819-1900)