How marijuana can help feel refreshed and energetic at the end of the holidays, easing stress and helping recovery from seasonal burnout.
By the time the holidays wind down, many Americans are running on empty. The nonstop socializing, travel, shopping, and disrupted routines can leave people mentally foggy and physically worn out. While the exhaustion is nearly universal, it often shows up differently by age group. Gen Z frequently reports elevated stress, anxiety, and burnout from financial pressure and social expectations, while older adults tend to feel physically drained after weeks of hosting, traveling, and juggling family obligations. But with a week + left of activities, marijuana can help you feel refreshed.
Contrary to outdated stereotypes, cannabis is not only about sedation or couch-locking effects. When used intentionally, certain strains and products are associated with clarity, motivation, and a lighter mental state—qualities many crave after the holidays.
For Gen Z, stress is often the dominant issue. Surveys consistently show younger adults reporting high levels of anxiety tied to finances, work uncertainty, and social pressure amplified by constant online comparison. For this group, cannabis is often used as a tool to decompress and quiet racing thoughts. Lower-THC products, balanced THC-CBD options, and terpene-forward strains are frequently chosen for their ability to ease tension without overwhelming the mind. When stress levels drop, energy often returns naturally.
Older adults, on the other hand, tend to describe the post-holiday slump as physical fatigue rather than mental overload. Late nights, rich foods, long drives, and packed schedules can leave the body feeling stiff and depleted. Many older consumers gravitate toward cannabis varieties associated with gentle stimulation and body comfort. By easing aches, supporting relaxation, and improving sleep quality, marijuana can help the body recover—making mornings feel lighter and days more manageable.
Terpenes play an important role in this experience. Compounds such as limonene and pinene are often linked to uplifting, clear-headed effects, while others like caryophyllene may help take the edge off physical discomfort. When people feel less tense and better rested, energy follows.
Importantly, moderation matters. The goal is not escape, but restoration. Microdosing—using small, controlled amounts—has become especially popular among professionals and older consumers who want subtle benefits without impairment. This approach aligns well with New Year intentions focused on balance, wellness, and productivity.
As the holiday season fades, marijuana is increasingly viewed not as a party indulgence, but as part of a thoughtful reset. For stressed Gen Zers seeking calm and clarity, and for worn-down older adults looking to recharge their bodies, cannabis may offer a way to step into the new year feeling refreshed, focused, and energized—rather than exhausted.
Festivus grew from a quirky holiday to a meaningful celebration for people who want humor honesty and less holiday pressure.
Every December, amid the glitter of Christmas trees and the glow of menorahs, a quieter—but far more opinionated—holiday makes its annual return. Festivus, often dubbed “a holiday for the rest of us,” has evolved from a sitcom joke into a genuine cultural tradition celebrated by millions who crave humor, honesty, and a break from seasonal perfection. Who would guess how Festivus grew from a quirky holiday to a meaningful celebration.
Festivus first entered the public consciousness in 1997 through the iconic TV series Seinfeld. In the episode “The Strike,”viewers learned Festivus was created decades earlier by the father of George Costanza as an alternative to the commercial pressures and emotional expectations of traditional holidays. Its symbols were refreshingly minimal: a plain aluminum pole instead of a tree, a Festivus dinner, the “Airing of Grievances,” and the climactic “Feats of Strength.”
What began as satire struck a nerve. Audiences instantly recognized the underlying truth: the holidays can be stressful, expensive, and emotionally loaded. Festivus offered something radical—permission to opt out.
In the years since the episode aired, Festivus has grown steadily in popularity. Office parties, family dinners, bars, and even corporate Slack channels now mark December 23 as a day for candor and comedy. Social media has amplified its reach, with aluminum poles proudly displayed and grievances humorously aired in posts and memes.
Part of Festivus’ appeal lies in its flexibility. There are no religious requirements, no gifts required (or even encouraged), and no pressure to perform cheer. It’s anti-commercial, anti-pretentious, and proudly self-aware—qualities resonating deeply in a hyper-curated world.
Festivus has strong multigenerational appeal. Gen Xers and older Millennials who grew up watching Seinfeld enjoy the nostalgia and irony. Younger Millennials and Gen Z, meanwhile, embrace Festivus as a countercultural statement—a holiday which values authenticity over aesthetics and humor over obligation.
It also resonates with people who feel excluded or overwhelmed by traditional celebrations. Singles, blended families, introverts, skeptics, and anyone burned out on forced merriment often find Festivus refreshingly inclusive. You don’t have to believe in anything—except maybe telling the truth with a smile.
Beneath the jokes and grievances, Festivus carries a few surprisingly timeless lessons. First, it reminds us the celebration doesn’t have to be expensive or elaborate to be meaningful. A simple meal and honest conversation can be enough.
Second, Festivus encourages emotional transparency. The “Airing of Grievances,” while exaggerated for comedy, reflects a real human need to be heard. When practiced with kindness and humor, it can foster connection rather than conflict.
Finally, Festivus teaches us traditions are allowed to evolve. You can honor the season in ways which suit your values, your energy level, and your sense of humor. Celebrating doesn’t have to mean conforming—it can mean choosing joy on your own terms.
In a season often defined by excess and expectation, the magic behind Festivus lies in its simplicity. It’s a reminder sometimes the best holiday gift is permission to be real—and maybe to wrestle a loved one before dessert.
Big liquor companies are worried – but is marijuana the cause?
From the James Bond martini to the AndJust Like That cosmopolitan drinking has been part of our culture, but is it about to change? Alcohol consumption in the United States has hit its lowest level in nearly a century, with just 54% of adults saying they drink compared to 62% in 2023. This dramatic shift is raising a big question: Is cannabis behind the big drop in drinking?
According to new Gallup polling, the decline is most pronounced among Gen Z and younger millennials, who are drinking far less than previous generations at their age. For many, the choice is deliberate—rooted in health consciousness, cost, and evolving cultural values.
Generation Z is rewriting the rules of socializing. Surveys show they are less likely to drink regularly than Gen X or Baby Boomers were at the same stage in life. The “sober curious” and “mindful drinking” movements are thriving on social media, where hashtags like #sobercurious and #hangoverfree highlight a lifestyle which prioritizes wellness, mental health, and productivity.
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For many young adults, alcohol’s image has shifted—from a symbol of fun to a potential risk factor for anxiety, cancer, and poor sleep. A record 53% of Americans now believe moderate drinking is harmful, a massive leap from just a quarter of the population a few decades ago.
While some speculate legal marijuana is driving alcohol’s decline, experts say cannabis is only a small part of the story. Gallup’s data shows no strong evidence legalization alone caused the drop in drinking.
Research does point to a substitution effect for certain individuals. In Colorado, heavy drinkers consumed 28% fewer alcoholic drinks on days they used cannabis. Nationwide, some cannabis users report drinking less because they prefer the “cleaner high” and reduced risk of hangovers.
Yet cannabis hasn’t replaced alcohol wholesale. In fact, some studies suggest legalization has slightly increased casual drinking among certain demographics, especially young men. The relationship between the two substances is complex—not a simple one-for-one swap.
The other drivers behind the historic decline in drinking appear to be:
Health awareness: Growing public knowledge about alcohol’s link to cancer, mental health issues, and sleep disruption
Cultural change: Gen Z’s preference for control, wellness, and authenticity over intoxication
Economic realities: Rising costs make alcohol a less frequent indulgence
Alternative choices: From cannabis to non-alcoholic craft beverages, young adults have more options than ever
Cannabis may influence drinking habits for some, but the nationwide decline is far bigger than any single factor. Gen Z and millennials are reshaping nightlife, prioritizing health, and proving you don’t need a drink in hand to have a good time. If this trend continues, the 2020s might be remembered as the decade America’s love affair with alcohol began to cool—by choice.
A quick Google search reveals that millennials are often characterized as entitled whiners who are quick to complain about their financial struggles — but it’s not a fair assessment.
There’s a reason why millennials — typically defined as between the age of 28 and 43 — are on shakier financial ground compared to previous generations.
Recent data from Allianz highlights the difference between millennials and boomers from an economic standpoint.
It shows that, while boomers have been able to benefit from periods of strong economic growth, millennials have been hit with one financial crisis after another since reaching an age when it was finally possible to start saving and growing their wealth.
According to a study from the American Journal of Sociology, the average millennial has 30% less wealth at the age of 35 than boomers did at the same age.
Here’s how society’s “biggest losers” can get ahead after multiple setbacks.
Millennials have had a number of economic factors working against them over the years.
During the Great Recession, which lasted from 2007 to 2009, millennials — many of whom were in their 20s at the time — were impacted by high levels of unemployment, making it harder to not only build careers, but set aside savings and keep up with student loan payments.
With student debt, millennials weren’t helped by the fact that college costs rose exponentially in the years leading up to their postsecondary education.
The Education Data Initiative reports that the average annual cost of a public four-year institution was $514 in 1973-1974, when many boomers were in attendance.
However, by the 2003-2004 academic year, when many millennials attended, that cost had increased to $4,587. This left millennials with high levels of student debt, a struggling economy, and a slow economic recovery that would ultimately last years.
In October 2009, the national unemployment rate reached 10%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Three years later, though, it was still at 7.8%. By contrast, boomers who entered the workforce in January 1970 enjoyed an unemployment rate of only 3.9%, according to the Federal Reserve.
Following the Great Recession, millennials found themselves trapped in a low interest rate environment.
Not only did the Federal Reserve’s benchmark interest rate fall to record lows during that crisis, but it remained stagnant for more than five years afterward, making it harder for millennials to grow their savings.
Interest rates were far more conducive to savings during the 1970s, allowing boomers to build up cash reserves, data from the Federal Reserve shows.
Although the pandemic impacted people of all ages, millennials had been slowly digging themselves out of debt and furthering their careers when they once again found themselves plagued by rampant unemployment and sky-high inflation.
It’s not all doom and gloom for millennials. The good news is that, at this point, they’re likely further along in their careers, giving them an opportunity to boost their earnings and savings.
Even the eldest millennials today may still have another 20-25 years in the workforce, giving them an opportunity to ramp up IRA or 401(k) contributions and invest their money so they’re able to accumulate robust nest eggs in time for retirement.
Personal finance celebrity Suze Orman said there’s one simple way younger generations can grow their wealth.
“Their priority is their youth, their priority is time,” Orman told Moneywise last year. “If there’s anything the younger generation needs to understand, it’s that the key ingredient to any financial freedom recipe is compounding.”
For example, if you start saving $100 every month at the age of 35 — with a 12% annual average rate of return — you’d have $300,000 by the age of 65, Orman explained.
While this far below the estimated $1.46 million Americans need saved in order to retire comfortably, according to Northwestern Mutual, it’s still a significant chunk of money that can help millennials make up lost time during the times of financial crises they’ve lived through.
Another way American millennials can make up for lost time is through real estate. This powerful tool can be used whether you’re a homeowner or choose to invest in real estate investment trusts (REITs).
The latter is a popular investment tool that acts as an alternative to buying real estate directly. It’s beginner-friendly because it’s possible to invest in REITs with small amounts of money.
While millennials have had a tough economic run, their situation isn’t entirely hopeless. If economic conditions can turn around in their favor, they have a prime opportunity to make the most of their next couple decades in the workforce.
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Cannabis is legal to more than 50% of the population and more people are consuming. As additional states consider legalizing, what about the famous smell? Governor Ron DeSantis has made it a point talking about how cities will stink if weed is legal. Well, marijuana does have some stink, but most smoke outside or in their own home. And Florida is a state of cars and indoor spaces. Smoking cannabis, like tobacco, will be not be allowed indoors except in homes. But occasionally, you are in someone else’s space and, well, things happen. What to do? Can an air purifier get rid of the marijuana smell?
Additionally, lots of people are traveling and being in mew spaces, especially in legal states. Friends, guests, clients all have different habits. In fact, Gen Z and millennials took, on average, nearly five trips in 2023. Gen Xers and Boomers to four. Millennials and Gen Zers also say they devote, on average, 29 percent of their incomes to travel, compared with 26 percent for Gen Zers and 25 percent for baby boomers. So this a variety of AirBnBs, friend’s couches, and more. Air purifiers can be highly effective at eliminating cannabis odors from indoor spaces. The key to success lies in choosing the right type of air purifier withappropriate filtration technology.
Photo by Flickr user boviate
The most effective air purifiers for cannabis odor utilize a combination of HEPA filtration and activated carbon filters. Here’s how they work.
HEPA Filtration: High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters remove tiny particles from the air, including smoke particles that carry odor molecules. This helps reduce the overall concentration of cannabis smoke in the air.
Activated Carbon: The real workhorse for odor elimination is activated carbon. These filters are highly porous and adsorb odor-causing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and gases, effectively trapping the molecules responsible for cannabis smell.
When selecting an air purifier for cannabis odor, here is what to consider. Look for units with large activated carbon filters, ideally containing several pounds of carbon for maximum odor absorption. Choose a purifier powerful enough to cycle the air in your space multiple times per hour for best results. And ensure the purifier is rated for the size of the room where it will be used.
While air purifiers are effective, combining them with other strategies can enhance odor elimination. Designate a specific smoking area to contain odors. Smoke near an open window when possible. Use lower-odor cannabis strains. And lastly clean surfaces regularly to prevent odor buildup.
By using a high-quality air purifier with both HEPA and activated carbon filtration, along with these additional measures,
The Court in Illinois, a legal state, makes a key ruling about cannabis
With over 50% of the population in the US and 100% in Canada having access to legal cannabis, there has been some changes. All age groups are embracing it, including Boomers who are using it in bigger numbers for its medical benefits. Beer sales are down as people are embracing vapes and gummies over calorie filled and hangover inducing beer. And the are figuring out how to keep people from driving under the influence. Now, a state court makes key ruling about marijuana which differentiates it again from alcohol.
Law enforcement has treated cannabis like alcohol regarding driving under the influence. The smell of either gives probable cause, but now, for marijuana it is under doubt. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is very slow walking a decision about rescheduling cannabis. Part of the reason for the DEA is to combat marijuana and rescheduling would change a focus. Several sources say the agency is not keen on the change and hopes by delaying action until after the election, they may be given a pass. But this court ruling adds more pressure.
The ruling stemmed from a 2020 case in which Ryan Redmond was pulled over by Illinois State Police on Interstate 80 in Henry County. According to court records, Redmond’s license place was not properly secured to the vehicle and he was driving 3 miles over the speed limit.
The trooper allegedly smelled marijuana coming from inside the car, and subsequently found a small amount of cannabis inside. Redmond was charged with a misdemeanor for transport of cannabis.
Redmond exhibited no signs of impairment, leading Neville to opine that the trooper’s “reasonable suspicion” would not have advanced to a “probable cause search.”
The court ruled the smell of cannabis doesn’t provide probably cause, unlike the smell of alcohol on the breath.
This court’s ruling could have an impact on federal law. Currently, there isn’t a fully reliable way to test people with data, like an alcohol breath analyzer. The next step in how the state adjusts will likely by copied by other states to avoid lawsuits. This will have an impact on federal policy…and maybe nudge the DEA.
With cannabis legal, more people are consuming. But the surprise it isn’t always about getting high and chilling out, a surprising number are using it for medical reasons. Gen Z, who is struggling with anxiety, use it to relax and also as an alternative to alcohol. Boomers are using it for medical reasons at increasing number. But a concern is they don’t users for these reasons don’t want to be too stoned. Here are the 4 differences between a mind vs. body high. This is a key part in consuming for medical reasons or just a relaxing evening.
According to data, most medical cannabis patients report enjoying the hyper-sensory experience of feeling high. Sativa strains can induce a head high, which may empower you to think faster, act more quickly, and feel less inhibited at social gatherings. Indica is associated with more of a ‘bedtime buzz’, or what we call a body high, leaving you feeling relaxed, calm, and ready to catch up on some sleep.Indica strains may be well known for their ability to provide body-numbing effects that can help make chronic pain more manageable. cerebral strains can help alleviate chronic pain by reducing pain perception, or how acutely you feel pain and discomfort.
So marijuana can have two effects: body highs and head highs. While it’s very difficult to predict always predict the type of high, it’s slightly easier to differentiate a head high from a body high. So whether you use it for medical or just for fun, it is good to know which trip you are choosing.
Body highs heighten your physical sensations
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Body highs are known for their powerful relaxing effects. This makes tend to leave the user less functional and more impaired. These highs are great for watching silly movies or enjoying a delicious meal. You’ll be less talkative but might be having a better time.
Mind highs alter your mood
Mind highs result in a brighter mood, with less laziness involved. They’re perfect for day use, since people remain functional with an added sheen of optimism and energy. Controlled mind highs are great for working out or carrying out day to day activities with an exciting twist.
Body highs tend to help treat pain and provide relaxation
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Since body highs are so focused on the body, they tend to be an amazing option for people who are struggling with some form of pain. They also enhance sexual awareness and bodily sensations.
Mind highs are great for social or creative situations. They result in talky or giggly highs, easing social anxiety and making every situation fun and different. Creative activities like painting, writing, and more, come easily to people who know how to handle these type of highs.
The speed of cannabis mainstreaming is setting records.
Since the first state went legal in 2016, consumers have moved to legal marijuana. Now, with over 50% of the country having access to it, things are starting to change. And consumer use sets records on cannabis as all ages are starting to consume and consume more. States who have full legal cannabis are bringing in more revenue from marijuana than alcohol. All fueled by consumers.
The newest record is Michigan, a solid mid-western state. In the first year of it being available to the public, the state had $1 billion in sales. Now, the Great Lakes State sets record with $295+ million in monthly marijuana sales. And it isn’t what you think, while it is being used to relax, it is also being used for its medical benefits. Boomers, the generation who helped promote the War on Drugs, has turned to it for the medical benefits of managing inflammation, chronic pain, insomnia, and more. And their grandchildren in Gen z are using it to combat anxiety. There generation has the highest amount of any other generation.
Photo by Hans via Pixabay
The other record is cannabis is taking a bit out of beer. Beer sales are down, especially earlier in the week as people are turning to vaping and gummies for a quick, low calorie and dose to relax after a busy start to the week. Year over year growth isstrong. In 2022, sales were $30 million and in 2024, it is on track to be $38 million. While beer sales still far outpace cannabis at $117 billion, sales dropped again in 2023 by 5.1%. Another reason big liquor companies are wading into the cannabis market.
But the industry is still struggling and the Biden/Harris administration has failed to follow through on their 2020 promise to help the industry. Biden is one of the most seasoned policymakers in DC with 50 years of service, so it seems the failure of the DEA to make a move before the election could be planned. The DEA rescheduling move premiered at time to provide zero relief for the industry in 2024 as the DEA is not making an announcement until December. Being post December, it could provide cover to the current administration to make make a move. Or if the GOP wins the presidency, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-KY) has made it clear he will move to reduce the industr
Cannabis has become popular for every adult age group- but the surprise is Gen Z and Boomers are using it for similar reasons.
Cannabis is fully legal to over 50% of the population and all groups are embracing its use. Proven healthier than alcohol, it has become much more common in all sets. Even Florida looks like it is going to vote for recreational cannabis. Long stigmatized as a way to get high, be lazy and lay about on the couch, it turns out it is become part of every day life…and part of a health regime. An example of how it is being used, Boomer and Gen Z consume marijuana for similar reasons.
It is become so accepted, AARP did a study about use among Boomers. AARP is the largest print magazine with 38 million readers…and their bulletin has 33 million. A huge validator for the demographic. It also shows they are more open to more mainstream cannabis. This falls in line by the positions of the American Medical Association and the American College of Physicians.
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The AARP study revealed 21 percent ages 50-plus used some form of cannabis — be it food, drink, flower or another type— at least once in the last year, a report from the University of Michigan’s National Poll on Healthy Aging found. That’s up from 1 in 8 (12 percent) in 2021. In 2015 and 2016, roughly 3 percent of adults 65 and older used cannabis, according to research published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Roughly 68% of poll respondents who used cannabis products did so for help with sleep, the researchers found. Many also cited pain relief (63 percent), mental health, anxiety, and mood (53 percent) and relaxation (81 percent) as reasons for using cannabis.
What is interesting is Gen Z, the youngest adult generation, Gen Z, is an also a big fan of marijuana. They helped fuel the California Sober trend where you reduce or stop drinking and use weed instead. One reason Gen Z has embraced weed is it helps with anxiety and mood. They also use it for relaxation, way more so than other generation who tend to lean into alcohol.
What is interesting is some Boomers and Gen X are consume marijuana in a more traditional way by smoking. Gen X and Boomers new to consuming tend to vape and use gummies. The later two are more “on the go” and discreet and doesn’t have the smell. It is interesting the marijuana is bonding together two generations.
Most people follow the law without even thinking – which has been good for people and marijuana
Over 50% of the country has access to legal cannabis. Veterans, patients, and everyday people have access to a product which helps medical or provide for some fun. The mood and perception of the country has changed dramatically since legalization and now some 85+% of the country believe it should be legal in some form. It is no longer a taboo in most of the US and definitely not in Canada. And there is some interesting research about how people are reacting to legal weed.
Prohibition was a great experiment which not only annoyed the general population, but also taught people how to break the laws. The US, Canada, Finland and Iceland all made alcohol illegal and they had a portion of the population set aside the law and try to figure out how to get booze. The experiment ended, just as the marijuana prohibition will end at some point. And already you are seeing a BIG change of behavior with average consumers.
Summer Lifestyle Photos 2023
As legal dispensaries take root, the public seeings them as another legitimate retailers, except in New York where illicit stores have outnumber legal ones 10 to 1. NuggMD< According to according to a new poll conducted by the cannabis telehealth platform NuggMD, a cannabis Telehealth platform funded a study about purchasing habit. In legal market 77% of people buy all or most of their cannabis from regulated stores. And, important for law enforcement, only 6% said they get none of their marijuana from legal stores.
From a consumer standpoint, this is important because the product have gone through testing and are also legal and, most, have exactly what is on the the label. Wana Brands, one of the largest products companies held off entering the NYC market until they began correcting the mess. The public is more comfortable in a proper setting where there is little worry or surprise.
Another change due to legalization is with Boomers. The generation which first embraced marijuana has begun reconnecting. Having be frightened by the zealous War on Drugs, most moved away out of fear of breaking the law. But with the changes, they have started consuming again. And the surprise is Boomer are using it for health benefits. They state it is good for inflammation, chronic pain, difficulty sleeping and more.
And, as Gen Z has entered adult, they have been in an era where marijuana has been legal. They have also helped lead the trend of California Sober where people have quit alcohol and only use weed. Science has shown marijuana is a much better alternative them alcohol which can have some serious impact on the body.
The first part of the is filled with work, to-do things and prepping for 5 days of jobs stuff. Going into the work week, some people experience sadness, anxiety, or lack of motivation which can be a routine, which is not healthy. While Boomers and Gen X were raised in a world with fewer life options and work was just a thing you had to do, younger Millennials and Gen Z’ers were given a somewhat different take. Gap Years, working abroad, flex schedules and work at home gave them an option to craft a work environment suited to their needs. But as that falls away, stress and anxiety have increased. Some 39% of Gen Z feel regular anxiety. And roughly half of Gen Zs (52%) and millennials (49%) feel burned out by their job. So what are the best ways to make the first part of the week positive?
Weekends are made for fun, indulgences and treats. Each week decide Monday or Tuesday will be fun or favorite food night. It can be something easy like Sloppy Joes, a speciality salad, a great steak, but something to look forward to and enjoy. Also, make it something easy but transforms Tuesday into something special. Food also releases mood-boosting serotonin and dopamine, which can brighten the earlier part of the week. Food especially rich in those two include fish, grains, lean meats, olive oil and fruits and vegetables.
Summer Lifestyle Photos 2023
Swap beer for marijuana
All studies show marijuana is healthier for the body than beer. Fewer calories, less boating, no hangover. While California Sober has become a thing, more people are drinking less beer Monday-Wednesday and just having a couple of hits of a vape or a gummy. They get the chill without the extra weight or hangover. Canada did a study on the trend, but ultimately it helps you maintain energy for the rest of the week.
Plan something fun
Everyone looks forward to the weekend as a chance to relax and do fun things. Why not put Monday or Tuesday night as a special activity night. Anything from bing watch 3 favorite shows, trying a new video game, a long soak in the tub, or an early dinner with friend. Transform Monday or Tuesday into “Fun Day” by either planning or spontaneously doing something enjoyable for 1-3 hours?
Think about reversing the weekend sleeping in to sleeping early. Think about listening to calming music, read a book and just soak up snuggling in the bed. Avoid your phone and just relax and allow your body to unwind for a solid night’s rest.
Hopefully these tips will transform the first part of the week into a self care enjoyable time…and give you the energy and a positive outlook for the rest of the week.
Like wine with dinner or a beer in the backyard, marijuana is becoming very common.
With almost 60% of adults drinking alcohol, it has been a staple of family events. Relatives including grandparents, cousins, adult grandkids and more have sat at a table and toasted with beer, wine or booze….and now cannabis may be in the mix. As legalization has grown, cannabis is being embraced by more people and is popping at all sorts of family gatherings. And, it seems, marijuana can bond grandparents to family.
In a third party survey sponsored by Sanctuary Wellness, some interesting data has given hope about intergenerational bonding. There are all sorts of concerns about boomers and Gen Z not relating, but marijuana like music is showing a positive trend. Nearly one in three have tried cannabis, far less than alcohol, but still a significant number. In the survey, Millennials use the most followed closely by Gen X then Gen Z and finally Baby Boomers. And while a whopping 86% of Gen Z and Millennials support the legaization of weed…a full 71% of Baby Boomers do also.
Gen Z is slowly turning away from alcohol and feel they have way more stress than their grandparents. Due to the embrace from the medical community, Boomers are starting to see cannabis as aid in dealing with chronic pain and sleep issues. The plant can be very effective without as many harsh side effects.
Once interesting factor in the survey is the use of gummies. Microdosing has become huge and Gen Z sees it as a way to manage anxiety. With gummies, you see 76% use of Baby Boomers and 72% with Gen Z….far higher than Millennials and Gen X.
For many Europeans, alcohol is a part of their culture and viewed as a social activity. In Italy for example, children are eased into drinking with a bit of wine at dinner. They’re taught from an early age that alcohol is something to drink casually and in moderation. Alcohol abuse is less coming in Italy and France due to the generation training. Maybe marijuana, which has clear medical benefits, could be another thing which generations share to make for a better life.
All of Canada and over 50% of the US have access to legal cannabis, and people seem to have changed their opinion about it. Fox News covers it as a legit business and 85+% of the population think it should be legal. From Gen Z to Boomers, people are headed to dispensaries to try it out. So what about experimenting with marijuana? Will you get addicted the first time? Is it life changing?
The old myth is marijuana is addictive and a gateway drug. Addiction is more common in alcohol or cocaine. But it’s possible to get hooked on marijuana, also known as cannabis. Studies show about 1 in 10 adults who use marijuana can get addicted.
Healthwise, marijuana is easier on the body than alcohol. Used in moderation, marijuana allows you to avoid weight gain, hangovers and body damage. Alcohol can be rough on the body. Also, there is zero cases of someone overdosing on marijuana, the worst case is they fall asleep. Gen Z is drifting away from alcohol and heading over to the marijuana camp.
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How you experiment is also a consideration. If you are passed a joint, a bong, or a vape, you are likely to have a high fairly quickly. As it fades, you can make a decision on whether to continue in the moment or reflect if you would try it again. One hit doesn’t really make you a consumer or stoner. If you use an edible, start low and slow, a gummy might relax you, but don’t expect to buzzing like two martinis. Give it 45 minutes and then see how it goes.
Why are experiments, are you moving away from alcohol? Are you feeling stressed? Or just curious? All are ok reasons, but it good to know why so you can see if it accomplishes your goal. A study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that marijuana reduces symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. Researchers found those hoping to reduce stress should use high-CBD/high-THC strains while high-CBD/low-THC varieties best help limit depression.
“Cannabis reduces perceived symptoms of negative affect in the short-term, but continued use may exacerbate baseline symptoms of depression over time,” researchers concluded.
If you have a condition like IBS, anxiety, or another medical condition is helps, it can be life-changing. Otherwise it could just make you happy and open your mind – and you can decide if it is life-changing.
Younger generations in the U.S., including millennials and Gen Zers, are much more likely to believe that the Social Security system needs reforming than those in their 60s and 70s, according to a recent survey conducted by Redfield & Wilton Strategies on behalf of Newsweek.
A majority of 63 percent of Americans “strongly agreed” (28 percent) or “agreed” (35 percent) that the Social Security system needs to be reformed, according to the Redfield & Wilton Strategies/Newsweek poll. Only 10 percent “strongly disagreed” (5 percent) or “disagreed” (another 5 percent).
The poll was conducted on December 8 among a sample population of 1,500 eligible voters in the U.S.
Some 40 percent of respondents said they believe that the Social Security program currently pays out more to retirees than it is receiving in Social Security tax payments, while 26 percent disagreed with this statement.
Shoppers walk around Twelve Oaks Mall on November 24, 2023 in Novi, Michigan. A majority of millennials think that the Social Security program is making more payments than it receives taxes, according to an exclusive Newsweek poll. Emily Elconin/Getty Images
Millennials (those aged between 27 and 42), Gen Zers (those aged between 18 and 26), and Gen Xers (those aged between 43 and 58) were more likely than boomers (those older than 59 years old) to think that Social Security should be reformed.
According to the poll, 56 percent of Gen Zers, 76 percent of millennials and 69 percent of Gen Xers believed the system should be reformed, against 50 percent of boomers.
There were also overwhelmingly more millennials (52 percent) thinking that the system isn’t getting as many tax payments as it was handing out benefits to retirees than any other generations, including Gen Z (39 percent), Gen X (25 percent) and boomers (39 percent).
“In general, millennials and plurals—our name for Gen Z—are skeptical that Social Security benefits as robust as those retirees like me currently enjoy will be available to them when they retire,” Morley Winograd, author of three books on the millennial generation, told Newsweek.
“They have been told by Republicans in Congress, seconded by deficit hawks in think tanks, that the money will run out before they can claim it,” he said. “None of that is true. But, luckily, the younger generation’s skepticism of experts and politicians will help prevent the kind of unnecessary tinkering with future, never present, Social Security payments that some older folks advocate.”
While boomers are the richest generations on the planet, millennials remain burdened by the debt “many of them incurred by paying excessive and economically unjustified tuition prices when we decided to make them the first generation in American history to have the majority of the burden of paying for higher education fall on them and their parents,” Winograd said.
Social Security is currently facing an uncertain future as it is expected to face a 23 percent across-the-board benefit cut in 2033, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, unless something changes until then. For an average newly retired couple, that means $17,400 less.
Fixing the Social Security system is becoming an increasingly urgent issue, according to Richard Johnson, director of the Program on Retirement Policy at the Urban Institute, a Washington-based think tank, told Newsweek.
“By law, Social Security payments cannot exceed the program’s resources. The program now pays out more in benefits than it collects in revenue,” the expert said.
While the Social Security’s trust fund is currently making up the difference, this trust fund is widely expected to run out by 2034. “When that happens, Social Security will be able to pay less than 80 percent of promised benefits,” Johnson said, citing the conclusion reached by several experts.
“Unless policymakers fix Social Security’s finances in the next 10 years, millions of retirees and people with disabilities would plunge into poverty.”
For Johnson, the solution might involve cutting benefits or increasing taxes—a change that would be unpopular among retirees, but necessary. “Fixing Social Security sooner rather than later would share the pain of any benefit cuts or tax increases among more people, reducing the pain for later generations,” Johnson said.
Winograd is a little more positive on the outlook of the program, saying that a resilient U.S. economy could keep Social Security afloat.
“Whether or not Social Security is able to maintain its current levels of payments or not depends on what assumptions you make about the performance of the U.S. economy in the future—an impossible thing to predict with any degree of accuracy,” Winograd said.
“But, for instance, if the economy were to grow at the 5.2 percent rate GDP grew in the third quarter of this year, there would be no problem with Social Security benefits in the foreseeable future,” he said.
“Of course, this is a difficult rate to sustain, but with disruptors like AI now starting to change the productivity rates of the U.S. economy in ways as profound as the internet and personal computing did in the go-go 1990s, there is no reason to believe that the U.S. economy won’t continue to outperform the expectations of most economists, who are still waiting to see if the recession they forecasted for last year and the year before arrives,” he added.
“And, besides, if the system does turn out to need more money, it can be quickly and equitably raised by simply removing the income cap on paying Social Security taxes, which is one of the more egregious regressive elements of our current tax laws and very unpopular with young voters now flooding the electorate.”
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
If you’re a retiree and you’re trying to square the circle of rising costs, longer lifespans, more expensive medical care and turbulent markets, don’t be afraid to run the numbers on your biggest investment.
That would be your home — if you own it.
U.S. house prices are now so high that it is almost impossible for seniors not to ask themselves the obvious question: “Should we cash in, invest the money, and rent?”
Right now the average U.S. house price is nearly $360,000. That’s about a third higher than just a few years ago, before the COVID-19 pandemic. The lockdowns, the panic, the stimulus checks and 2.5% mortgage rates have all passed into history. But the sky-high prices remain — for now.
After several years of double-digit percentage increases, apartment-rent growth is falling for only the second time since the 2008 financial crisis. WSJ’s Will Parker joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss.
There is a similar story for seniors. Federal data show that the average U.S. house price is now nearly 17 times the average annual Social Security benefit — an even higher ratio than it was in August 2008, just before Lehman Brothers collapsed. At that juncture, the average house price was 15 times higher.
U.S. National Home Price Index vs. average rent of primary residence in U.S. city, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Indexed: January 1987=100.
S&P/Case-Shiller
Our simple chart, above, compares average U.S. home prices with average U.S. rents, going back to 1987. (The chart simply shows the ratio, indexed to 100.) The bottom line? House prices are very high at the moment compared with rents — again, prices are about where they were in 2006-07.
And the two must run in tandem over the long term, because the economic value of owning a house is not having to pay rent to live there.
If there are times when, in general, it makes more financial sense for seniors to rent than to own, this has to be one of those.
Seniors who own their own homes may think high interest rates on new mortgages don’t affect them. They most likely either already have a mortgage at a lower, older rate or they’ve paid off their home loan. But if you want to sell, you’ll almost certainly be selling to someone who needs a mortgage.
If borrowing costs drive down real-estate prices, seniors who hold off on selling may miss out on gains they may never see again. After the last housing peak, in 2006, it took a full decade for prices to recover fully. Those who sold when the going was good had the chance to buy lifetime annuities at excellent rates or to invest in stocks and bonds that overall rose about 80% over the same period.
Incidentally, there is also an exchange-traded fund that invests in residential REITs, Armada’s Residential REIT ETF HAUS, -0.53%,
though in addition to single-family homes and apartment-complex operators, about 25% of the fund is invested in companies involved in manufactured-home parks and senior-living facilities.
For each person, the math will be different, and there are a number of questions you need to ask. Where do you want to live? How much would you get if you sold your house? How much would you pay in taxes? How much would it cost to rent the right place? Do you want to leave a property to your heirs? And what would be the costs of moving — both financial and emotional?
The conventional wisdom is that you should own your home in retirement.
“I would advise any and all retirees against renting if at all possible,” says Malcolm Ethridge, a financial planner at CIC Wealth in Rockville, Md. “You need your costs to be as fixed as possible during retirement, to match your income being fixed as well. If you choose to rent, you’re leaving it up to your landlord to determine whether and by how much your No. 1 expense will increase each year. And that makes it very tough to determine how much you are able to allocate toward everything else in your budget for the month.”
A key point here, from federal data, is that nationwide rents have risen year after year, almost without a break, at least since the early 1980s. They even rose during the global financial crisis, with just one 12-month period where they fell — and then by only 0.1%.
“My general advice for clients is that owning a home with no mortgage in retirement is the best scenario, as housing is typically the highest cost we pay monthly,” says Adam Wojtkowski, an adviser at Copper Beech Wealth Management in Mansfield, Mass. “It’s not always the case that it works out this way, but if you can enter retirement with no mortgage, it makes it a lot easier for everything to fall into place, so to speak, when it comes to retirement-income planning.”
“Renting comes with a lot of risk,” says Brian Schmehil, a planner with the Mather Group in Chicago. “If you rent, you are subject to the whims of your landlord, and a high inflationary environment could put pressure on your finances as you get older.”
But it’s not always that simple.
“With housing costs as high as they are now though, renting may be a viable solution, at least for the moment,” says Wojtkowski. “We don’t know what the housing-market trends will be going forward, but if someone is waiting for a housing-market crash before they move, they could very likely be waiting for a long time. We just don’t know.”
“Any decision comes with pros and cons,” says Schmehil. “Selling when your home values are historically high and renting allows you to capture the equity in your home, which is usually a retiree’s largest or second-largest financial asset. These extra funds allow you to spend more money on yourself in retirement without having to worry about doing a reverse mortgage or selling later in retirement, when it may be harder for you to do so.”
Renting also allows you to be more flexible about where you live, for example nearer your children or grandchildren, he adds.
And as any experienced property owner knows, renting also brings another benefit: You no longer have to do as much work around the house.
“Renting is great in that you don’t need to maintain a residence,” says Ann Covington Alsina, a financial planner running her own firm in Annapolis, Md. “If the dishwasher breaks or the roof leaks, the landlord is responsible.”
Wojtkowski agrees, noting that many people no longer want to spend time mowing the lawn or shoveling snow in retirement. “Ultimately, one of the things that I’ve seen most retirees most concerned with is eliminating the general upkeep [and] maintenance of homeownership in retirement,” he says.
Several planners — including Covington Alsina and Wojtkowski — note that one alternative to selling and renting is simply downsizing. This can free up capital, especially when home prices are high, like now, without leaving you exposed to rising rents.
Many baby boomers have been doing exactly that.
Meanwhile, I am reminded of my late friend Vincent Nobile, who — after a long and fruitful life owning homes and raising a family — found himself widowed and alone in his 80s. He rented a small cottage on a New England sound and said how glad he was that he never had to worry about maintaining the roof or the appliances, or fixing the plumbing or the heating, or any one of a thousand other irritations. Or paying property taxes — which go down even more rarely than rents.
When the regular drives to Boston got too onerous, he moved into the city and rented there. And he was glad to do it. The money he had made was all in investments — a lot less hassle both for him and his heirs.
I once asked him if he would prefer to own his own home. He shook his head and laughed.
This is an opinion editorial by Trey Walsh, the senior director for youth programs at the MassHire Metro North Workforce Board of Somerville, Massachusetts.
Our world has seen dramatic shifts and changes over the past several years: a global pandemic, war, political unrest and a growing sense of pessimism toward governments, the future health of our planet and our global financial system. And there is one group, particularly in the Western world and United States, that has grown increasingly dissatisfied and, in some cases, hopeless above the rest: Gen Z.
But I believe there is one big reason for hope that this generation hasn’t fully realized yet: Bitcoin.
There are countless studies and articles discussing Gen Z and the mental health crises that this generation faces in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, inequality, politics, socio-economic and labor market conditions and more. Understandably so, these factors have taken a toll on this generation, and there continues to be an overarching narrative of hopelessness, from environmentalist groups that have, in many instances, placed the burden of future climate catastrophe on this younger generation that now faces “climate anxiety,” to politicians labeling each election as a fight for our democracy/nation. Previous generations were offered more reasons for optimism — including relative affordability of the middle-class American dream — than my generation of millennials being encouraged to be what we wanted to be and to see innovation and creativity at every turn. While my generation has also seen the crushing reality of the great financial crises, student debt and some similar anxieties to those faced by Gen Z, we still have the benefit of having grown up in an age of limitless possibility through the advent of the internet, which has better prepared us for the state of the world today.
I have seen firsthand the effects of these issues on the younger generation. In my role as the senior director of youth programs for a Somerville, Massachusetts-based nonprofit working with high school partners in our region, it’s clear to me that our youth are facing grim outlooks, from trying to get through school during COVID-19 and the dismal state of virtual learning at the time, to trying to prepare for the future and navigating work, college and mental health challenges, all while many of these students also work to assist with their own families’ basic needs.
Teachers are overworked and underpaid and students lack the support needed to navigate these issues. Families are burdened with rising inflation, lack of savings and college has yet (if ever) to become more affordable. Hope, if ever it is to be found, has not been the dominant narrative over these past few years. However, there is much to be hopeful for with Bitcoin.
Bitcoin, just like the internet, increases its use cases and possibilities each year. Since Satoshi Nakamoto’s white paper dropped on October 31, 2008 in the wake of a great financial crisis, hope has increasingly been found in the possibilities and use cases of Bitcoin.
Bitcoin Is Hope For The Environment
A popular narrative from mainstream media, politicians (particularly from the Democratic party, of which I am a registered voter), and large environmentalist groups is that Bitcoin is bad for the environment. End of discussion.
Unfortunately, many in Gen Z have been presented with this as fact, whereas the reality is that the possibilities of Bitcoin, particularly through mining and the positive effects it can have on our environment, are quite limitless and just being realized. Bitcoin incentivizes further build out of renewable energy and can off-set carbon emissions, stabilize energy grids, bring energy to remote destinations around the world via financial incentives and do so much more. Young people facing climate anxiety should be taught the benefits of Bitcoin on our environment and see all of the great potential in tackling climate change while also spreading prosperity and stability to those most in need.
Bitcoin Is Hope For A More Socially-Just Economic System
Gen Z is greatly concerned about injustice, inequality and corporate greed and it is increasingly skeptical of “capitalism.” Bitcoin offers equal access — a transparent system that cannot be manipulated or controlled. We are doing a disservice to this younger generation by not sharing with them the progressive ideas inherent in Bitcoin that promote financial freedom and greater equality. Shall we let banks and the rich be the early adopters of Bitcoin, or should we frame Bitcoin as something that incentivizes Gen Z to hold this freedom technology?
Bitcoin Is Hope For Democracy
Gen Z is increasingly skeptical of politicians and our political process in the United States. With Bitcoin, and on a bitcoin standard, fiat incentives in politics are more drastically limited.
Regardless of intention, Bitcoin is a system based on “don’t trust, verify,” which means more accountability in our politics, and less manipulation and trust needed. Now, this by no means completely fixes politics or guarantees a perfect utopian democracy, but it can give hope to this generation that wants their voices to be heard, and wants freedom and agency to control their narrative and see a better world. I think this is a much greater selling point than what the World Economic Forum will offer.
This list of hope via Bitcoin is just the beginning. Gen Z deserves the opportunity to be presented with the stories of hope in Bitcoin, rather than beaten down with the future hellscape that has increasingly taken a devastating toll on this generation. While Gen Z fights for a better future, Bitcoin must play a central role in this fight for the outcomes they hope to achieve to become a reality.
This is a guest post by Trey Walsh. Opinions expressed are entirely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of BTC Inc or Bitcoin Magazine.
