Americans are making moves. About one in four home sales (24%) now go to first-time buyers, but some are opting to buy an investment property as their first purchase.

Buying a long-term rental or a future vacation home while continuing to rent a primary residence can create an additional income stream, build wealth, or help fund a future dream home.

Retirees are relocating, too. Empower research shows that 42% expect to move to a new city or state after leaving the workforce, and 16% imagine retiring abroad.

— The Editors

💵 Digital switch: A major move is underway for Social Security recipients: Roughly 479,000 monthly payments will switch from paper checks to electronic deposits by September 30. The U.S. Treasury expects to save more than $650 million and cut down on fraud. While 73% of Americans still keep checks on hand, government agencies will stop accepting them for payments on everything from tax bills to passport fees.

💰 Gold rush: Investors are driving the price of gold to a record high of over $3,500 an ounce. With many people shifting to the precious metal as a hedge against inflation, the price has jumped 70% from $2,064 in January 2024.

🚘 Drive forward: New vehicles hit their best affordability level in nearly four years: The average monthly payment on a new car in March was $739,* down 1.3% year-over-year. But tariffs could impact prices on the road ahead.

🕺 Scaling up: Pharma company Roche’s planned $50 billion* investment to expand U.S. operations over the next five years is expected to add an estimated 12,000 jobs on top of its current 25,000. The move could boost pharmaceutical exports.

Strategic starts

The competition for college admission is prompting bold financial plays. Some families invest $5,000 to $120,000 in educational consultants, and as much as $500 an hour for test-prep tutoring. A recent legislative move lets families with overfunded 529 college savings plans roll unused savings into a Roth IRA, giving those funds a second life for retirement. Read more on The Currency^TM.

Family moves

The share of small business owners employing their adult children under 30 jumped 13%* year-over-year and has doubled since 2018. As succession plans come into focus, 28% of owners favor passing the business to a family member within five years. For both generations, this can mean wealth building and continued business legacy.

On the go

One in three Americans prioritize traveling before retirement, spurring the rise of “extreme day trips.” From sunrise to sunset, travelers are using discounted all-you-can-fly passes (like the GoWild! $599* annual pass) or booking same-day roundtrip flights for as little as $30.

For those who prefer longer stays, Airbnb’s upfront pricing, now including all taxes and fees, is prompting 40%* of hosts to cut or eliminate cleaning charges, giving guests more cost clarity.

Shoppers are reconsidering brand loyalty and opting for private labels to save money, with 54% buying branded products only when they’re on sale, and nearly 80% ranking value as the biggest driver of purchasing decisions. Read more about spending trends on The Currency.