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Briefs, Case Studies, and News
Economy
Millennials, Gen Z, Republicans, and Democrats agree: The economy sucks.
Five Things You Need to Know to Start Your Day
Middle Class Americans Are Rattled by Fed's Fight Against Inflation
US economy grows at fastest pace in nearly two years in third quarter of 2023
5 Things Podcast: Why are many Americans still stressed about their finances?
Keep your finger on the pulse with the latest trends in business, culture, and more.
Many Americans padded their savings amid COVID. How are they surviving as money dries up?
Americans agree more than they disagree, despite political divide, data suggest
Brief • 2 min Read
Chicagoans get creative in rethinking dormant office space
Most millennials and Gen Zers feel they have it a lot harder than their parents did in today's economy
How's your 401k doing after 2022? For retirement-age Americans, not so well
The 'American Dream' has always been elusive. Is it still worth fighting for?
Workers are the unhappiest they've been in 3 years - and it can cost the global economy $8.8 trillion
'They can't buy into that American Dream': How younger workers are redefining success
Brief • 1 min Read
Harris Poll/Guardian Poll: Americans Don't Believe The Good Economic News
US wage growth is finally outpacing inflation. Many Americans aren't feeling it.
Nearly Half of All Young Adults Live With Mom and Dad - and They Like It
US economy going strong under Biden - Americans don't believe it
Save, splurge, (don't) stress: How Gen Z is putting their spin on personal finances
67% of Americans Favor Paying For College Athletes: Sportico/Harris Poll
How much do you need to be financially secure? Americans now cite a surprisingly high salary
A Frustrated Middle Class Wants More Than Promises in 2024
The US Middle Class's Economic Anxiety Will Decide the 2024 Election
Organized Labor Is Having a Moment. Americans' Views Are Complicated.
Exclusive: 64% of Americans would welcome a recession if it meant lower mortgage rates
You're Not Imagining It - Job Hunting Is Getting Worse
90% of 2023 graduates think college is really worth it. Here's why they're right - and politicians and pundits are wrong
Is College Worth It? It Depends
Layoff Fear Is Sweeping the Economy. There's Still Hope.
Brief • 2 min Read
Nine in 10 graduating students believe their college education will enable them to achieve the lifestyle they want
Work Shift: Why Purpose-Driven Jobs Pay Less
Brief • 3 min Read
Most Americans support regulating generative AI
Brief • 3 min Read
Safety and affordability top-of-mind for Chicagoans ahead of mayoral inauguration
Capitalism's Crisis Of Perception
People are "cash-stuffing" to manage their spending as the cost-of-living crisis bites
A new survey might be the first indication that economic woes are casting clouds over the push for climate action
34% of workers say they'd post how much money they make online - Gen Z and millennials are even more eager
Americans are choosing lottery tickets and maybe eve fortune tellers over financial planners
Millennial homeowners finally outnumber renters. But they still aren't catching up to baby boomers
Americans are over the endless anxiety loop. Only the rich, remote workers, and Gen Zers really care about the banking crisis, according to The Harris Poll
How do Americans define wealth? The answer may surprise you
More American women are single than ever before - and it's costing them big money
Americans want weight loss drugs like Ozempic to be covered by insurance. Most of the time, they aren't.
Layoff anxiety is real - but you can still thrive during challenging times. Here's how
Millennials are more likely than other generations to support a cap on personal wealth
Brief • 3 min Read
Amidst economic uncertainty, new survey shows cautious optimism among small business owners for 2023
Women aren't investing at the same rate as men. Here's why it matters - and how the gap can be closed
Working Parents' Behavior Driven By Looming 2023 Recession
The unsung heroes of the American economy: Grandmothers
Brief • 4 min Read
Are grandmothers who provide childcare key in driving the US economy?
Don't tell Americans the economy is getting better - they're still worried about a recession, poll finds
Will Johnson in Seven
The high price of being single: 'It's all on one person'
Exclusive: Babysitting rates surged nearly 10% last year
Childcare is so expensive that educated women are dropping out of the workforce because they refuse to put more than 25% of their paycheck toward the cost
Go Ahead, Fire Me: Some Workers Welcome Losing Their Jobs
How To Succeed As a First-Time Entrepreneur
Will Johnson: Why Lightfoot - or almost anyone else - could win the mayoral election
Harris Poll: Chicagoans favor unions more than they support paying for public pensions
Should You Start A Side Hustle? 5 Ways To Ensure Success
42% of Americans say it’s up to local government to fix homelessness. Can they? [Grid/Harris Poll]
The In-Demand Freelance Skills Where Earnings Are Growing The Fastest
These are the 3 most promising side hustles of 2023: Delivery jobs ‘take way too much of your earnings,’ says expert
Survey Said: Ten Polls That Generated The Most Interest In 2022
Watch: Diving Into the Data Behind Health and Economic Inequities
Harris Poll: High cost of housing is making Chicago inhospitable
CFOs are worried about everything right now - but especially revenue and earnings growth
These are workers' biggest fears about 2023
Americans Cut Back on Spending With Inflation Hitting Holidays
The American Dream of homeownership is hanging on by a thread, and there are hardly any solutions in sight
The Home Improvement Projects Spring Sellers Should Tackle Now (And What To Skip)
Recent U.S. homebuyers are being hit with a massive wave of regret
Generation Z has a different view of retirement
U.S. News - Harris Poll: For People of Color, Economic Concerns Get Personal
Brief • 2 min Read
Americans value neighborhood independence, welcome more affordable housing construction
Hiring freezes instead of layoffs gain ground in the job market as recession fears grow
Employee Experience: The Critical Ingredient To Workplace Culture
Gen Z doesn't care as much about salary transparency as their boomer and millennial coworkers. Their cynicism is valid
It's Getting Harder To Switch Jobs As Labor Market Shows Cracks
Crypto Issues A Factor For 37% Of U.S. Voters, Study Finds
US Middle Class Is Doing Great - On Paper: Big Take Podcast
Once-in-a-Generation Wealth Boom Ends For America's Middle Class
The real story behind America's population bomb: Adults want their independence
Brief • 3 min Read
Personal independence behind declining birth rates
Despite Steady Consumer Spending, Inflation Will Change Media Landscape
Inflation or Recession: Americans Are Divided on Rate Hikes
Brief • 3 min Read
Eight in 10 US adults agree lowering cost of tuition is more important than forgiving student debt
Who wants to be a billionaire? 6 in 10 Americans strive to be mega-wealthy, report finds
Banks Should Worry About Inflation as Much as Jobs
Nervous about recession layoffs, employees are toning down remote work and higher pay demands
Will Johnson: Love Chicago? You are likely to give a thumbs-up to the plan for the city's casino
US Employees Say They're Losing The Upper Hand as Layoffs Mount
The economy is changing - and so is philanthropy
Thought Leadership: How Business Executives Can Close The Communications And Revenue Gap
Gen Z say they need the highest salary of all generations to feel 'financially healthy.' Here's what Americans think they need at every age
Here's the average salary Americans need to feel 'financially healthy' at every age
Consumers will pay more for American-made products, but inflation takes a toll: poll
Consumers want the consumer protections but not so keen about paying more for clean energy
Costly Mistake for Seniors: Survey Finds Older Homeowners Nearly Twice as Likely Not to Utilize Home Equity Loans