“The quality of an individual’s social connections has been proven to be an indicator of physical and mental well-being and longevity, with mutually supportive friendships acting as a protective factor against anxiety and depression, reports Ipsos. Having strong social connections can be beneficial to fathers, who can experience stress and isolation during this critical life stage.”
Category: Lifestyles+Events
Retailers to Tout These Hot Back-to-School Items
“The back-to-school and college shopping season is in full swing, but many parents and college students say they are waiting for the best deals to complete their shopping lists, according to the annual survey by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights and Analytics. Total spending for K-12 schools and college combined was projected to reach $82.8 billion in 2018.”
Credit Card Companies Promote Features to Help College Grads Establish Good Credit
“Just got your degree? Congratulations! Now’s the time to follow that smart move with another and take a few minutes to learn how to build a good credit profile, says Consumer Reports.”
Younger Americans Prefer Mini-Vacations
“Last year, two-thirds (66%) of Americans took at least one trip shorter than five nights, driven by younger generations (72% of millennials and 69% of Gen X’ers, vs. 60% baby boomers), according to a new Ipsos poll. For some, these short breaks are the longest vacations they take: about three in ten Americans (29%) indicated their longest trip last year was lasted less than five nights.”
Colleges Targeting more Students from Lower-Income Families
“The overall number of undergraduates at U.S. colleges and universities has increased dramatically over the past 20 years, with growth fueled almost exclusively by an influx of students from low-income families and students of color, reports Pew Research Center.”
79% of Americans Love Creating Things from Scratch
“A recent online survey conducted by Ipsos on behalf of digital lifestyle learning platform, Bluprint, reveals that nearly nine in ten adults who participate in creative activities say that successfully finishing a creative project brings them joy (88%). At least three quarters also say that they love the process of creating something from scratch (79%) – and even though they may make mistakes along the way, it doesn’t take away from their enjoyment (75%). However, just over two thirds admit they wish they got to use their creativity more in life (68%), and this is especially true for younger adults (74% of those age 18-34 vs. 61% of those age 55+).”
Retailers to Tout Sustainable Offerings
“The ways in which companies are delivering on their brand promises to consumers is steadily widening as sustainability expands well beyond food and beverages. While we expect sustainable-minded shoppers to spend up to $150 billion on sustainable products by 2021, sustainability is starting to drive gains in everything from resource management to product packaging. Here’s a glimpse into the myriad ways in which consumer packaged goods companies are embracing sustainability and outperforming along the way.”
62% of Americans Plan Cookouts for the 4th of July
“Americans were expected to spend $6.9 billion on food for Fourth of July cookouts and picnics in 2018, according to the annual survey released by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insight & Analytics. That’s the second-highest amount in the history of the survey and per-person spending is up.”
Financial Planners to Target Retirement-Planning Americans without 401(k)s
“Buoyed by a growing economy and stock market gains, more Americans are feeling confident about their ability to afford a comfortable retirement, according to a long-running national survey released this week. Still, there are big gaps in confidence between workers who have a retirement plan, such as a 401(k), and those who don’t, according to Consumer Reports.”
Restaurants, Footwear Retailers to Target Free-spending Teens
“Piper Jaffray recently completed its 37th semi-annual Generation Z survey of 8,000 U.S. teens. Overall, it found that teens claim they spend approximately $2,600 per year, a 1% year -over-year raise and a 6% compared to last fall.”
Here’s How Young Luxury Product Shoppers Make Buying Decisions
“Millennial and Gen Z consumers are embracing luxury fashion. The average luxury consumer in these generations owns nine luxury fashion items across accessories, apparel, and footwear, according to A Millennial Approach to Luxury, a recent report from The NPD Group and Stylitics. But, they have a different style when it comes to the purchase journey. This younger luxury consumer favors the convenience and extensive browsing ability afforded to them by online shopping, but also appreciates the luxury in-store experience.”
Mortgage Brokers can Guide Homeowners Through Confusing Processes
“After climbing for much of 2018, mortgage rates have been falling since the beginning of the year. The average mortgage APR (annual percentage rate) was recently at 4.28%, according to Freddie Mac, compared to a high of 5% in 2018. But just because rates are down doesn’t mean you’re getting a good deal, says Consumer Reports.”
