What's in a Number?

I was frankly surprised (ok, and delighted) by the number of "views" my last Huffington Post blog received. I know it was celebrity-oriented, which helps, and I had fun with a tongue-in-cheek view of how there's no escaping media coverage, even as I was on my way in and out of surgery.

In between reading other peoples' posts, financial reports and political news, I was fascinated by some other numbers I encountered during the past few days.

BUSINESS WEEK reported that Americans aged 20-34 spend on average only 10 minutes per day reading for pleasure, far less than people 45 and over.

Associated Press pointed out that, as the economy worsens, more people in their 40s and 50s are moving back in with their parents. The results of an AARP poll in the story said that one-fourth of "Generation X-ers" (28 to 39 years old) received financial help from family and friends.

USA TODAY headlined a story about a PBS special, "Can wealth affect health," and the answer was clearly yes. The findings were fascinating and included:

--The more years parents owned their own home, the less likely the offspring was to develop a cold.

--For Americans who report "good health," 71 percent had annual income over $80,000. Only 37 percent of those reporting good health had incomes under $20,000.

--The under $20,000 income group also reported that 13.9 percent had been diagnosed with diabetes. For those making between $40,000 and $60,000 12 percent had been diagnosed with diabetes. Only 6.5 percent of those making more than $80,000 had diabetes.

AARP BULLETIN points out that the Americans aged 50 and over make up less than a third of the population, yet control 50 percent of the discretionary income. (Marketers and advertisers, are you listening?) The article went on to list where the money goes after taxes, housing, health care and other essentials. Starting with the largest expenses, the list included:

1) Retirement savings deposits

2) Cash gifts

3) Restaurants/carryout

4) Education

5) Cable TV/satellite service,

followed by furniture, cellphone service, life insurance, hotels, airfare, pets, RVs, cigarettes, vacation homes, legal fees, postage and stationery, wine, cosmetics/perfume/bath preparations, reading materials and beer. At the very end of the list, starting with the least spending, are:

1) Dating services

2) Wigs and hairpieces

3) Adult day care center

4) Shopping club membership

5) Watches.

So, what's in the numbers? It means continued employment for the pollsters and numbers crunchers and more guessing about what difficult-to-categorize people will decide between now and November. It's not easy to add all this up, but it sure is fascinating to observe what the numbers say about us.

Comments

[genoasail]

I forgot to add--I hope you are well recovered from your surgery and are feeling better.

[genoasail]

HuffPost's Pick

I'm not certain that the conclusions drawn are necessarily factually correlated to the findings here, but several things seems obvious from the numbers, among them:

40-50 year olds are moving in with their parents. I think the likely cause of this has more to do with being at the sandwich age than finances. Parents may be living longer, but they are not necessarily enjoying good health or are able to be living self-sufficiently.

When the data shows that people in their 20-34 read for pleasure, I am not sure that research correctly defines what pleasure reading is? Does that include blogging, reading online, Im-ing and reading and answering social e-mail? I don't think so. I think that when they are thinking of 10 minutes, they are thinking books, and much of what we would think of as the pleasure reading of yesteryear that could be found in books, we often read online--history, social issues, politics, and current events, thereby skipping the costs of magazines, or trips to the library. Pity that, because habit begets habit, and the good reading to be found in literature is critical to developing and maintaining a thoughtful worldview and creative problem solving.

[Chip1222]

It sure points out how responsible the Boomers are and that the younger ages need some life lessons. If only 50 really were the new 30, we could teach them what we learned and they might listen.

[Newyorkgal]

I'm going to drive my RV over to my daughter and son-in-law and read to them. Great fun, but disheartening. Maybe I'll buy a wig and join a dating service, too, just to be a contrariarn.

[jeff01]

Good stuff. Too bad the 20-34-year-olds won't be reading it.

[kaseybandit]

I live in fear that my kids are moving back home someday. We need to get the economy fixed and fast!

[QueenCeleste]

Some fascinating figures.

I was really struck by adults in their 40s and 50s moving in with their parents. While experiencing financial reversals, at least they may have a greater chance to escape colds!

[Chip1222]

Obvious we can trust or rely on anyone under 40. Fun facts but disheartening for our Gen Xers and youth.

[rucognizant]

Very hard to avoid high fructose corn syrup in almost all processed foods at under $20,000.!
Which causes diabetes!