Money Money 

     We don't particularly care to write about money, but it's a subject most people deal with. 

     On the positive side, some 25% of American adults want to start investing in the stock market this year. Younger adults are leading the way. Some 42% of those aged 18-29 are considering investing for the first time.  

     Younger adults have shifted from buying a starter home to investing in the stock market. The typical sale price for a smaller, more affordable starter home exceeded $260,000 last year, more than double the 2015 price of $110,000.

     Meanwhile, consumer use of debt for necessities, instead of discretionary spending, reached an all-time high last year. Total American household debt is nearly $19 trillion, and a record number of consumers lack enough money to repay debts. 

     Analysts expect the trend to continue this year. Almost 30% have more credit-card debt than emergency savings. Paying down credit-card debt and increasing emergency savings is difficult. 

 #