Tuesday, April 7, 2026

Majority of Americans Report Pandemic Personality Changes

Mon, 10 May 2021  |  pandemic 

The global pandemic has changed our personalities according to a new study by Oracle. The representative survey of 2,000 U.S. consumers found that the circumstances created by COVID-19 have made many people feel smarter and more open to new experiences, but also more conscientious and disconnected from their personal relationships.

Nicer, More Open Personalities Emerge

The global pandemic has changed people's personalities, with Americans reporting increased conscientiousness, openness to new experiences, and agreeableness.

• A majority of respondents (86 perce... Read More

  Demand for Second Homes Is More Than Double Pre-Pandemic Levels

  Mon, 10 May 2021  |  real estate 

  The number of buyers who locked in mortgage rates for second homes soared 178% year over year in April, marking the 11th straight month of 80%-plus growth, per a new report from Redfin. The record increase should be taken in context: It is likely exaggerated because demand for second homes dropped 24% year over year last April, the month after the coronavirus pandemic hit the U.S. and real estate activity in the country nearly ground to a halt. Still, second-home mortgage rate locks are holding steady at more than double pre-pandemic levels.

  The rise in demand for second homes is ... Read More

  TD Ameritrade Investor Movement Index Trends Slightly Lower in April

  Mon, 10 May 2021  |  investing 

  The TD Ameritrade Investor Movement Index^® (IMX^SM) decreased .85 percent to 8.14 in April, down from its March score of 8.21. The IMX is TD Ameritrade’s proprietary, behavior-based index, aggregating Main Street investor positions and activity to measure what investors actually were doing and how they were positioned in the markets.

  The reading for the five-week period ending April 30, 2021 ranks “High” compared to historic averages.

  “Despite an incredibly strong first quarter earnings season and all three major indices reaching re... Read More

  Millennials Plan to Spend More on Luxury Travel

  Mon, 10 May 2021  |  demographics travel spending 

  Millennials in search of luxury are at the forefront of rebounding U.S. traveler confidence, a joint study by Tripadvisor, the world's largest travel guidance platform, and Accenture, the global professional services company, has found. While beach vacations remain highly popular among U.S. travelers planning to travel domestically in 2021, the U.S. city break is also returning as a trip of choice.

  The findings were revealed today in a new research report that shares insights into U.S. travelers' plans for the year ahead. The research analyzes the latest consumer sentiment in the U... Read More

  New Housing Market Records Set for Prices, Competition and Speed

  Fri, 07 May 2021  |  housing real estate 

  A record high 21% year-over-year growth rate in the median home-sale price hit $348,500, according to a new report from Redfin. One contributing factor to the large rate of growth is that more high-end homes are being sold now than a year ago. Asking prices reached an all-time high of $360,975.

  Below are other key housing market takeaways for more than 400 U.S. metro areas during the 4-week period ending May 2 (unless otherwise noted).

  Note that at this time last year, pandemic stay-at-home orders halted homebuying... Read More

  Couples Retiring Today Need $300,000 to Cover Medical Expenses

  Fri, 07 May 2021  |  retirement healthcare 

  According to Fidelity Investments, a 65-year old, opposite-gender couple retiring this year can expect to spend $300,000 in health care and medical expenses throughout retirement. For single retirees, the 2021 estimate is $157,000 for women and $143,000 for men.

  This year’s estimate marks a new milestone high, up 30% from 10 years ago when the amount was $230,000, but just 1.7% from 2020 ($295,000) as health care inflation has remained relatively flat over the last few years. Fidelity began measuring in 2002 to build greater awareness of estimated health care costs and the i... Read More

  
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