A “lightly used” car is now 1.3%, or $533, more expensive than its new counterpart. A one-year-old Mercedes Benz G-class luxury SUV is almost 36% more than new, commanding a staggering $62,705 premium over the manufacturer’s suggested retail price. Buying a used Chevrolet Corvette will cost you $16,645, or 20%, over a new one. MarketWatch, April 6, 2022
In 2021, the U.S. population grew at the slowest pace in history. It didn’t just fade away: It slipped, and slipped, and then fell off a cliff. The 2010s were already demographically stagnant; every year from 2011 to 2017, the U.S. grew by only 2 million people. In 2020, the U.S. grew by just 1.1 million. Last year, we added only 393,000 people. The Atlantic, March 28, 2022
“We never know what is enough until we know what’s more than enough.” Billie Holiday
Stock buybacks from S&P 500 companies are expected to pass $1 trillion this year, after hitting a record $882 billion in 2021. Today, companies themselves are the largest buyers of stocks in the U.S markets. CNN, March 29, 2022
On average, one in three NFT collections have essentially expired, with little or no trading activity. Another third are trading below the amount it cost issuers to mint the tokens. Bloomberg, March 26, 2022
IRS Publication 17 notes “Income from illegal activities, such as money from dealing illegal drugs, must be included in your income” declarations. Similarly, it says, “If you steal property, you must report its fair market value in your income in the year you steal it unless you return it to its rightful owner in the same year.” TaxFoundation, June 9, 2014
“Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go.” Oscar Wilde
