Crayola is going full color with eight* iconic crayons making a dazzling comeback for a limited time, including 2017’s retired star, Dandelion. Joining the lineup are classics like Lemon Yellow, Orange Red, Violet Blue, and Mulberry.

Speaking of comebacks, a wave of retired Boomers and Gen Xers are returning to work, with 3.15 million men over age 70 now working in the U.S., and older women also returning to their jobs. According to Empower research, people without a financial plan expect to retire five years later than those with one.

— The Editors 

💲 Bringing in the green: LinkedIn is delivering results for parent company Microsoft with over 1 billion users and about $16 billion* in revenue in 2024, up 9% year-over-year, as noted in Microsoft’s FY 25 Q2 results. Premium subscriptions account for $2 billion in revenue.

🛍️ Shades of spending: Americans spent $994.1 billion during the 2024* holiday season, up 4% from the prior year. Sales for the full year grew 3.6% to $5.28 trillion.

💰 Copper curtain call: With 240 billion pennies collecting dust in jars, the federal administration is directing* the U.S. Treasury to stop making the coin. Producing pennies cost the U.S. Mint $85.3 million last year.

⭐ A brighter return: Tax returns are just starting to roll in, with the IRS*receiving nearly 13.2 million returns so far this season. As of January 31, the IRS has issued 3.2 million refunds with an average payout of $1,928 — up 38% from last year’s $1,395 average. The IRS says this number could change as more returns are filed.

🍳 Golden yolks

The great egg crisis is cracking budgets. With the cost of a dozen eggs skyrocketing year-over-year due in part to the avian flu, shortages have left grocery stores limiting purchases. In January, the cost of a dozen eggs rose to $4.95, up 53% year-over-year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistic’s Consumer Price Index (CPI). Empower research shows that 27% of Americans aren’t willing to pay anything more for many grocery staples.

Seeing work in a new light

Workplace stress is fading like an old black-and-white film as employees report feeling less stressed, down 50% year-over-year in 2024, according to ADP Research.* Nearly 20% of workers report being fully engaged on the job — a record high.

U.S. unemployment dropped to 4%, with job hopping also on the decline. Only 39.6 million Americans quit jobs in 2024, an 11% decrease from 2023 and 22% lower than 2022’s peak.

Technicolor travels

Forget jam-packed itineraries, more people are opting for slow, intentional trips. Travel trends like digital detoxes are reshaping how people connect with the world and providing opportunities for travelers to immerse themselves in local color. Nearly one in four travelers say they prioritize turning off social media and avoiding work while on vacation. With nine in 10 adults going online every day, and 41% admitting they use the internet almost constantly, taking a step away from screen time can create a more relaxing, authentic vacation.

Travel is a budget priority for many, with Americans spending an average of $1,336 on trips in January this year, according to the Empower Personal Dashboard^TM.

Read more on The Currency^TM.

A blue-ribbon moment

Some stars shine brighter with time — just ask Monty,* the giant schnauzer who finally clinched Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show after three years in the finals. 

Pet owners aren’t holding back when it comes to pampering their four-legged companions. Empower research reveals that 71% of pet parents prioritize spoiling their fur kids, and one in three admit they spend more on their pets than on themselves. In January alone, Americans shelled out an average of $324 on their pets, according to the Empower Personal Dashboard.