Even in the midst of the current economic recession, percentage of Americans who still believe that they are a people who dream big about accomplishing big ideas or great things, according to a poll conducted on behalf of Carpenter Co.: 85

On an individual level, percentage of Americans who say that they still have big dreams for themselves, despite the current economic uncertainties: 77

Percentage who do not: 21

FAMILY TIME

Percentage of respondents who indicated that their first among several definitions of success is spending quality time with family, according to a survey by Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance: 88

FOR THE CHILDREN

Percentage of parents with children under the age of 18 who do not have any savings set aside for their children, according to a survey conducted for ING Direct: 27

Percentage of parents with children who have reduced the contributions they make to their children's savings: 34

Percentage of parents with savings set aside for their children who have taken money from their children's savings to cover bills or pay off debt: 18

GENERATION Y

Number of people born between 1978 and 2000 in the U.S., known as the millennials, generation Y or the trophy generation — a term itself reflecting a trend in competitive sports where nobody loses but everybody is rewarded with a "thank for your participation" trophy — according to a study by Sibson Consulting: 76 million

Percentage of millennials who are currently in the workplace, though they are arriving in increasing numbers and with higher expectations than any generation before them: 33

Percentage of employers who said that attainment of sales goals by millennials was just as good or better than by non-millennials: 92

TAKE A HIKE

Number of Americans who enjoy hiking each year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau: 31 million

Amount spent on walking shoes annually: $4.5 billion

AT THE PUMP

Percentage of new car shoppers who said they thought gas prices would go much higher, according to a survey by Kelley Blue Book: 87

Percentage of those who saw gas prices increasing who also said they plan to change their spending habits if gas prices were to go much higher: 73