Some lucky streaks come from hard work. Others show up in unexpected places — like under a pillow.

The tooth fairy’s average payout is now $5.01,* up 285% since 1998, according to a Delta Dental poll. Kids in the South cash in the most, averaging $5.71 per tooth, while their Midwest counterparts get $3.46.

But when it comes to money, luck is just one piece of the puzzle. Empower research shows that factors like talent, connections, and strategic choices can make all the difference in financial success — although a little luck never hurts.

— The Editors 

💰 Gold rush: In folklore, some search for a pot of gold, but investors have been piling onto the real thing. Gold prices have surged* more than 40% in the past year, nearing $3,000 per ounce. Inflation, economic uncertainty, and rising industrial demand* have helped push prices to record highs. Read more about investing in gold on The Currency^TM.

🛍️ High rollers: It turns out that the top 10%* of U.S. earners, or households making $250,000 or more annually, account for nearly half of all consumer spending. Americans say that on average, it takes a salary of $270,000 a year to be financially successful.

⛏️ Buried fortune: Not all lucky streaks last forever. An IT engineer accidentally tossed out a hard drive containing 8,000* Bitcoins — now worth nearly $800 million. He has spent years trying to convince the local government to let him dig through the landfill, even offering* $70 million for access. Some investors are now buying Bitcoin ETFs as a gateway into cryptocurrency.

👨‍💻 Winning chips: Nvidia is scoring with its latest Blackwell* artificial intelligence (AI) chips, now in full production and exceeding expectations. The company’s fourth-quarter revenue hit $39 billion, with Blackwell sales tripling* some analysts’ predictions. Empower research shows that 52% of Americans plan to increase their investment in AI over the next year.

Silicon stakes

Apple is going all in with a $500 billion investment over the next four years, hiring 20,000* people and opening a new factory in Texas, all with a focus on AI. It's also launching a manufacturing academy in Detroit.* In addition, TSMC, the world’s largest contract chip maker, is putting $100 billion* into U.S. semiconductor manufacturing to keep up with demand.

The Labor Department predicts a nearly 20%* jump in computer systems design jobs by 2033, and median IT salaries hit $104,000* in 2023.

Jackpot

Studies* from the London School of Economics and others suggest that most lottery winners manage their funds wisely. While some splurging is inevitable, many take a slow, steady approach — and some even keep working, though leisure time gets a well-deserved boost.

But hitting the whole jackpot isn’t the only way to feel financially lucky. According to Empower research, nearly 75% of Americans say an unexpected $50,000 would improve their financial outlook for more than a year. 

Lost & found 

One Texas woman’s search for an antique Louis XVI buffet led to an unexpected find — a hidden set of rare Hermès wedding china. The buyer promptly returned the expensive plates to their rightful owner but still considers the $3,200* cabinet a steal after hunting for that exact piece for over a year.

Luckily inflation hasn’t appeared to impact the price of new furniture, dropping 2.6%* from January 2024 to January 2025 according to the Consumer Price Index.

Landing on the moon takes more than good fortune — but it certainly doesn’t hurt. Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lunar lander successfully* touched down this month, marking a major milestone for private spaceflight. Part of a NASA program relying on commercial partners, the craft traveled 2.8 million miles over 45 days to reach its destination.

Lunar landings remain risky* and often require backup plans, similar to how individuals need an emergency fund for unexpected challenges. Most Americans are not prepared for a financial crisis, however, with 21% reporting having no money set aside for a rainy day.