Posted on: Sunday, May 25, 2008
Seniors' buying power shrinking fast
By John MacIntyre
Percentage of buying power lost by seniors since the beginning of the decade, according to a study released by The Senior Citizens League: 51
Since 2000, percentage increase in the Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) benefits: 24
Monthly amount received by a senior with the average Social Security benefit in 2008: $1,013.50
Percentage of beneficiaries who rely on it for 90 percent or more of their total income: 33
(UN)FRIENDLY ROADS
Ranks of Miami, Boston, New York, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., as the least courteous cities with the worst road rage, according to the third annual In the Driver's Seat Road Rage Survey, commissioned by AutoVantage: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Ranks of Pittsburgh, Portland, Ore., Seattle, Minneapolis and Cleveland as the most courteous cities with the least road rage: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Number of consecutive years that Miami has taken the crown as road rage capital of America: 3
FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS
Percentage of Americans who say the top scenario that would most negatively impact their financial future is having their savings stolen because of fraud/theft, according to a survey from ING and conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs: 77
Percentage who say the second scenario that would most negatively impact their family's financial future is their death or the death of their spouse or partner: 67
EXPECTING TO INTERN
Percentage of high school seniors who expect to have at least one internship during their college career, emphasizing a strong work ethic among this group, according to a www.Monster.com survey of graduating students: 87
Percentage of surveyed students who plan to attend an in-state school: 81
EFFECTS OF RECESSION
Percentage of U.S. corporate executives who say they see evidence of a recession in their life, according to a survey conducted by Gray Hair Management: 92.4
Percentage of American executives who say the primary recession evidence they see is that their investment and savings portfolios have taken a big hit: 24.6
Percentage who say the primary evidence is the rise in gas and food prices: 21.2
POPULAR STATES
Ranks of Florida (62 percent), California (56 percent) and New York (51 percent) on the list of the most-visited states, according to Greyhound's Hit the Road survey: 1, 2, 3
Percentage of Americans who have been to Alaska, the least- visited state in the country: 13
FLOWER PURCHASES
Average amount that Americans spend each year on cut flowers, according to the Flower Council of Holland: $31
Average amount spent each year by the Swiss: $112
Whereas countries such as Switzerland, Norway and the Netherlands use flowers as decorations throughout their homes, percentage of flowers sold in America that are gifts, according to a Rabobank report: 75
STAR POWER
Percentage of Americans who say that celebrity involvement in political campaigns is a bad thing, according to the results of a nationwide Harris poll: 47 Percentage who say it is a good thing: 29
TAKING CARE OF TEETH
Estimated number of teeth that are saved each year by the root canal procedure, according to the U.S. Census Bureau: 42 million
Estimated annual cost for dental services: $93 billion
Average amount spent by Americans annually on dental care: $292
JUST TRASH IT
Estimated weight of household hazardous waste produced by the average American home every year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: 20 pounds
Cumulative weight over one year: 1.6 million tons
BLAME THE CHEMICALS
Percentage of mothers who believe that some rashes on their children's skin are reactions to chemicals in the products they use, according to a national Shaklee Corp. poll: 35
IDLE THOUGHT
"Life is far too important a thing ever to talk seriously about."
— Oscar Wilde
Contact John MacIntyre at johnmacintyre@bwr.eastlink.ca.
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