Economy
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Let’s talk markets. Specifically, let’s talk about what just went down (literally) in the Nasdaq this week. If you’ve been paying attention—or maybe even if you haven’t—it’s gotten pretty ugly pretty fast. I even tweeted something about it: Markets take the stairs up
The drop happened fast! If you blinked sometime in February, you might’ve missed that we were at new all-time highs. Now? We're in full correction territory. Just yesterday, the S&P 500 fell more 2%, and now close to 10% in less than a month. Not
Did you know that 56% of Wisconsin’s agricultural exports could be impacted by tariffs from Canada, Mexico, and China? Wisconsin now represents the 11th largest exporter of agricultural products in the U.S., up from 13th in 2023 (WI DATCP). In 2024, Wisconsin’s agricultural exports reached $3.97
So, here’s something no one seems to be making a big deal about: tariffs are rising fast, and they’re dragging the US economy down. You won’t hear much about it in the headlines, but the effects could start to pile up. Higher prices, weaker growth, and more
In the past year, gold has been steadily climbing, central banks have been buying at record levels, and the macro setup could be pointing to its biggest move in decades. But, it doesn't seem like investors aren’t paying attention. Stocks dominate the headlines, and gold still carries
Ever wondered how much we spend on food, booze, and fireworks for the Fourth of July? Last year, Americans spent billions celebrating. Dive into the numbers and see our spending trends.
Good morning! Hope your July 4th was filled with more fun than my attempt at grilling. Let’s talk about how much money we collectively burn on food, booze, and fireworks. Spoiler alert: It’s a lot.
Americans know how to feast. In 2023, we spent a whopping $9.5 billion on food alone for the 4th of July. From burgers to hot dogs, the average adult shelled out $93 on food. The cost of a cookout for 10 people was $67 (excluding drinks), a slight relief as prices dipped by 2.80% from 2022.
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Popular Food: We consumed 150 million hot dogs, with hot dog sales spiking by 20% every July.
Alcohol is a staple of July 4th celebrations. Last year, Americans spent a hefty $4.02 billion on booze. Beer, cider, and flavored malt beverages led the pack, with $2.5 billion in sales.
Wine and spirits weren’t left behind, pulling in $656 million and $900 million, respectively. Nearly 41% of Americans bought alcohol last year, so our Independence Day parties are anything but dry.
Fireworks are the literal highlight of the holiday. In 2023, we spent over $2 billion. The average cost per pound of fireworks has shot up, reaching $5.27 in 2022. About 28% of Americans purchased fireworks, spending an average of $30.65 each.
Our shopping habits are a good reflection of our enthusiasm for the 4th of July. In 2023, 94% of Americans shopped for their Fourth of July celebrations. 72.2% of us bought food, 40.9% picked up alcohol, and 19.1% grabbed decorations and party supplies.
Also intersting, inflation made us rethink our spending, with 83% of consumers adjusting their shopping habits. Most of us started shopping at least a week in advance, preparing to celebrate without breaking the bank.
The 4th of July isn’t just about staying home. Over 50 million people traveled at least 50 miles for the holiday, with plane ticket sales jumping by 11.2% from 2022. Decorations and non-alcoholic beverages were also on the list, with 29.6% of Americans buying them.
So, there you have it. We sure know how to spend on our Independence Day celebrations.