Pensions versus self-funded retirement
In the 1980s, 70% of retirees had a pension. Today it is less than 20%. In the '70s, Congress created IRA and 401(k) accounts to encourage self funded retirement savings.
Economics: Economic illiteracy from our elite
Lindsay Owens, Ph.D. has been an economic policy advisor to Sen. Warren. Yet she does not understand the most basic of microeconomics. Truly embarrassing.
Gen Z/Generational issues
Health-Healthcare
Media
Personal finance
Policy/Government
Public Health/Nutrition
Elder care in the past versus today
Almost all elders, today, continue to live in a home-based environment. Very few live in elder care communities or institutions.
Business
Demographics
Economy
Finance
Gen Z/Generational issues
Media
Nation of Idiots
Personal finance
Gen Z: In 2019, the average age of Gen Z was 14 years old
This 2019 journalism'ish says Abercrombie was targeting Gen Z consumers with buy now, pay later ... who averaged 14 years old in 2019.
Update: 60-70% of consumers are “paycheck-to-paycheck” every year
In 2025, per Fortune, 40% of those earning $500,000 or more per year are living paycheck-to-paycheck which points to a spending problem as we have supersized or upscaled our lifestyles.
Economy: SNAP benefits program
SNAP benefits were in the news during the Federal government shutdown. Here's some data on SNAP benefits in the various states.
Demographics
Doomerism
Economy
Finance
Gen Z/Generational issues
Nation of Idiots
Personal finance
Stupidity
Social: X has become the Daily Doomer!
"Expert" says 75-85% of US households live in poverty. This is what passes for expertise in 2025!
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.
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.
Personal finance: Perhaps this blog should focus on making wise economic choices?
The past few days, I've encountered people making poor economic decisions - that seem obvious, but for whatever reason, they were not obvious to the individuals.
Early spreadsheet and productivity software products
Early spreadsheets and integrated productivity software suites. I created one of those on this list.
Personal Finance: 40% of those earning over $500k are “living paycheck to paycheck”
Apparently those making a lot are financially illiterate, as their "wants" grow with their salary.
Climate: Oregon says the ClimateCrisis is over
Oregon declares ClimateCrisis over, to charge EV's a by-the-mile fee, increase registration fees (already 2x that of gas vehicles), and make EV driving much more expensive.