For many Americans, the countdown to file taxes ends on April 15, but some filers will have more room to act in good time. In 12 states, the deadline has been pushed to May 1,* or even into the fall, for some of those impacted by natural disasters.  

Others can buy themselves time with a tax extension, which will stretch the due date to October. As of late March, the IRS had received only 89.5 million* returns, slightly below last year’s pace.  

It’s an especially good time for those getting money back: The average tax refund of $3,170 is a 3.9% jump over last year. 

— The Editors 

🚇 Less time swiping: New York City is saying goodbye* to the MetroCard for transit riders. By the end of 2025, tap-and-go payments linking digital wallets to smartphones and watches will take over, saving the Metropolitan Transit Authority an estimated $20 million annually. Contactless payments are already in motion: 41% of Gen Z use digital platforms more often than cash, per Empower research.

➡️ Thinking (and saving) ahead: Healthcare expenses are a driver of credit card debt* among half of adults 50 and older. But planning ahead can provide peace-of-mind: Consumer-directed healthcare plans — now offered by 69% of large employers — allow pre-tax contributions toward medical costs while potentially lowering taxable income.

🚗 Drive time: Ferrari has a more than two-year waitlist for new vehicles, and 40%* of new buyers crossing the luxury purchase off their list are under the age of 40. Milestones matter beyond the showroom, too. An Empower study finds that nearly half of Americans (49%) have a clear financial plan to meet their money goals.

🥇 Olympics on deck: In a $3 billion* deal, NBC extended its hold on the TV rights to the Olympics. The broadcaster has now clinched the arrangement through the 2036 Summer Olympics. Prize purses for athletes debuted at the 2024 Paris Summer Games. 

Luxury travel isn’t taking a spring break. The market is on track to hit nearly $1.8 trillion* in 2025, a 5.2% boost over last year. As of February, 75% of high-earning consumers planned hotel stays within three months, and 45% intended to book international flights.

As travelers bask in new surroundings, they may have their trip pull double duty, scoping out destinations as potential retirement locations.

Maximizing the workday

American office workers are clocking out earlier: The average workday now ends at 4:39 p.m., 42* minutes earlier than two years ago. Despite the shorter workday, employees are 2% more productive. Peak* productivity increases on Tuesdays, and the lowest productivity day is Friday.

Being more efficient and effective during the work week can pay off in the long run: A third of Americans (32%) say outworking everyone has the biggest impact on achieving financial success, according to an Empower study.

City shift

Urban life is on the rise. U.S. metro areas grew by 1.1% between 2023 and 2024, outpacing the national average. Texas is attracting business and added nearly 178,000 residents to the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. NASDAQ recently announced a new regional headquarters in Dallas, shortly after the New York Stock Exchange revealed plans to move its Chicago exchange there. Read more on The Currency^TM.

Three-time top dog

The French bulldog has “fur-ever” in its sights: It’s the most popular purebred dog breed in the U.S. for the third* year in a row. Close on its heels (paws?) are Labrador retrievers and golden retrievers, rounding out the top three.

Frenchies could also become a 9-to-5 companion, if Americans get a workplace wish granted: 41% of people would return to their office if they could bring pets, according to an Empower study. In the meantime, the business of pet daycare is growing in the U.S., expected to reach $2.85 billion by 2030.