Economy: About 10-11% of housing units in the U.S. are vacant – kind of
There's a meme that the US has "15+ million housing units" "available", but that is misleading.
Economy, Policy: Social Security has been in a downfall since the 1980s
The situation in the 1980s was exactly the same as today - with fears of SS running out of money in the 1980s. Here we are in 2025 and nothing…
Social Security: Less than 1 in 4 rely solely on Social Security
A majority of Social Security recipients have a pension, retirement accounts, interest/dividend/rental income, and 1//3 have a working spouse.
A note: Gen Z versus the Baby Boom
In the past several weeks, some social media has seen a flood of generation hate posting. This looks like a coordinated propaganda campaign - from some politicians.
Economy: Unemployment age 20-24, 25-34
Much doomerism about unemployment among young workers-but it is at normal historical levels. But data lags real time.
Economy: 1 in 6 Oregon residents rely on SNAP
Benefits vary greatly by family situation and state.
Economy: The real reason people are falling behind on payments and debt? Living for the present?
Post Covid there has been increase in "living for the present" as people realized they might be postponing experiences for a future that does not come.
Economy: Vox says Gen Z isn’t having the worst possible time in history
Social media says Gen Z is screwed and they are going through the worst time in history. Vox, though, says this is not true.
No: Is the housing shortage due to “Boomers” not downsizing?
"Boomers" age 65+ are already living in smaller homes, per data, and this is largely unchanged in 25 years.
Surprising reason used cars became expensive
The Obama era "Cash for Clunkers" program removed almost 700,000 used vehicles from the marketplace leading to higher prices for used cars.