Healthy Habits - Weight Loss Survey

A new nationwide survey from Trimi Health explores the financial commitment Americans are making to weight loss, from monthly budgeting and spending tradeoffs to the rising cost of treatment.

 

Here’s a look at the financial realities of weight loss:

• Americans spend an average of $116 per month ($1,392 annually) on weight-loss efforts
• Nearly 2 in 5 intentionally budget for weight-loss expenses each month
• Nearly 3 in 10 Americans have cut spending elsewhere to afford weight-loss expenses
• 34% have delayed or avoided a weight-loss treatment because of cost

 

The study also found that 52% of Americans would be more likely to consider prescription weight-loss medication if it were more affordable.

 

Take a look at the full report linked above for more insights. 

Enriching Education - America's Most Stressful School Runs Revealed in Report.

 As families across the U.S. prepare for the new school year, parents are bracing themselves for more than packed lunches, early alarms and last-minute searches for missing shoes. The return to the classroom also means the return of the school run - and, for many parents, one of the most stressful parts of the weekday routine.

What should be a relatively simple journey can quickly become a daily pressure point, with traffic, crowded drop-off zones, tight schedules and the race to arrive before the bell all adding to the strain. Throw in the pressure of getting to work afterwards, and parents can find themselves starting the day feeling stressed before it has really begun.

With the back-to-school season underway, AMFM surveyed 3,044 parents to identify where the school run causes the most stress, the factors making certain journeys particularly difficult, and how the daily rush can affect parents’ mental wellbeing.

The top 10 most stressful school runs in the country are:

#1. Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York
The most stressful school run in the country is in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Parents can find themselves navigating cyclists, pedestrians, buses, parked vehicles and drivers searching for curb space, all while trying to beat the school bell. With Flatbush Avenue adding through traffic to the local flow, even the final few blocks can become an unexpectedly tense part of the morning.

#2. Upper East Side, New York City, New York
New York also takes second place, with the Upper East Side home to the country’s next-most stressful school run. Here, the pressure comes from a succession of small delays: dense blocks, limited curb space, frequent stopping and the sheer number of people moving through the neighborhood can make even a short journey surprisingly time-consuming.

#3. Katy, Houston, Texas
Katy ranks third nationally. As families leave residential developments, school traffic mixes with the wider commuter flow toward Houston, meaning a journey that starts with plenty of time can quickly become more pressured as queues build and traffic lights eat into the morning buffer.

#4. Berkeley Hills, Berkeley, California
Berkeley Hills takes fourth place, where the school run presents a rather different challenge. Steep, winding streets mean parents may be watching for pedestrians, cyclists and approaching vehicles while also keeping one eye on the clock. When traffic slows on a hillside route, there may be few convenient alternatives.

#5. Levittown, Long Island, New York
New York claims a third place in the top five, with Levittown ranking fifth. As families move from residential streets toward larger roads, buses, commuters and other parents can converge at the same intersections, leaving little opportunity to recover lost time once traffic starts to build.

#6. Bethesda, Washington, D.C. Metro, Maryland
Bethesda has the sixth-most stressful school run in America. Parents making the daily drop-off are often joining the wider stream of commuter traffic moving through the Washington, D.C. area, meaning families, workers and buses are all competing for road space during the same narrow morning window.

#7. Summerlin, Las Vegas, Nevada
Summerlin comes in seventh. Tight work commutes, congested school zones and closely managed traffic rules can combine to make the morning journey particularly demanding, especially for parents who need to head straight to work once drop-off is complete.

#8. Kendall, Miami, Florida
Kendall ranks eighth, with bottlenecks able to form quickly around busy stretches where several schools feed traffic onto the same roads. Parents, buses and commuters may all be competing for space at once, turning a familiar journey into a race against a fixed school start time.

#9. Paramus, Bergen County, New Jersey
Paramus places ninth nationally. Heavy regional commuter traffic, busy household schedules and tightly managed school zones can all add pressure to the journey, leaving parents with little room for delays when several trips need to be completed before the working day begins.

#10. University Park/Highland Park, Dallas, Texas
Rounding out the top 10 is University Park/Highland Park in Dallas. Curb space can become part of the problem when large numbers of families arrive within the same drop-off window, with parents also having to watch for pedestrians and crossing guards while judging where they can safely stop. By the time children leave the car, what should be a short neighborhood journey can already feel like the first major challenge of the day.

Infographic shows the most stressful school runs in each state

For Many Parents, the Stress Starts Before They Leave Home

The survey suggests the school run is not merely an occasional annoyance.

Nearly 4 in 10 parents said it leaves them stressed or overwhelmed either every school day or several times a week. Another 10% experience that feeling roughly once a week. 

Perhaps more revealing is that many parents are worrying about the journey before it has even started. 71% have dreaded the school run before leaving home. 

And the Stress Does Not Always End at Drop-Off

For some parents, reaching the school gates is enough for the tension to disappear fairly quickly. For others, the morning follows them into the rest of the day.

When asked how long it takes to calm down after a particularly stressful school run:

• 31% said less than 10 minutes.
• 34% need between 10 and 30 minutes.
• 19% said it takes between 30 minutes and an hour.
• 9% remain stressed for several hours.
• Another 8% said a bad school run can affect them for the rest of the day.

In other words, roughly one in six parents can still be feeling the effects hours after drop-off is over. 

Traffic Is the Biggest School-Run Enemy

Parents were also asked to identify the single part of the journey that causes them the most stress, and one answer stood well above the rest.

Traffic congestion was named by 39% of parents, making it easily the biggest source of school-run frustration. 

The next biggest pressures were:

• 16% - Fear of being late.
• 13% - Unsafe driving by other parents.
• 12% - Finding somewhere to park.
• 12% - Children arguing or refusing to cooperate.
• 6% - Pressure to get to work afterward.
• 3% - Pedestrians or cyclists near the school.

The Other Parents Aren’t Always Helping

There is another source of tension that parents cannot control quite so easily: everyone else behind the wheel.

Almost three-quarters of respondents (74%) said they had witnessed dangerous or inconsiderate driving during school drop-off or pickup in the past year.

Of those experiences, two behaviors stood out in particular. 30% had seen drivers speeding near their child’s school, while 25% had seen someone using a phone while driving. 

Parents also reported seeing:

• 10% - Double parking.
• 9% - Blocking driveways.
• 9% - Allowing children to exit into traffic.
• 7% - Parking on sidewalks.
• 7% - Ignoring crossing guards.
• 3% - Making illegal U-turns. 

The irony is hard to miss: parents rushing because they are worried about being late can end up creating precisely the kind of driving environment that makes the school run stressful for everyone else. 

Would Parents Rather Give Up the School Run or Cleaning?

Finally, AMFM gave parents a hypothetical offer: permanently remove one household responsibility from their lives.

The school run came remarkably close to winning. 27% said they would get rid of the school run altogether, making it the most unpopular household task in the survey.

Cleaning was not far behind, chosen by 24%, followed by yard work at 16%, cooking dinner at 13%, grocery shopping at 11% and laundry at 9%.

For parents staring down another year of traffic lights, carpool lines and frantic searches for backpacks, the result may not be particularly surprising.

Anand Meta, LMFT, Executive Director at AMFM, says:

“School mornings bring together several pressures at once - time, traffic, work responsibilities and the emotional demands of getting children ready for their day. None of those things may seem overwhelming in isolation, but when they happen repeatedly, five mornings a week, the stress can accumulate.

“What is particularly striking is how many parents told us the effects continue after drop-off, sometimes for hours. Parents cannot control the traffic or the behavior of every other driver, but creating a little more breathing room in the morning, reducing unnecessary rushing where possible, and recognizing when that stress is carrying into the rest of the day can make a meaningful difference.

“The school run may be routine, but that does not mean the stress surrounding it should simply be dismissed as part of being a parent.”

Smart Safety - Two Moments That Matter: Preventing Child Injury and Knowing What to Do Next

 by David B. Lever, Esq.

From a personal injury thought leadership perspective, most cases involving children do not begin with a dramatic accident. They begin with everyday routines. A practice after school. A weekend activity. A form signed in a hurry. Parents spend years focused on prevention, yet very few are ever told what to do in the moments immediately after an injury occurs. Both moments matter. Preparation before an injury and clear action afterward often shape outcomes far more than people realize.

As someone who works closely with injury cases affecting families, I have seen how quickly confusion can take hold after a child is hurt. Parents are understandably focused on care and comfort, but important details can be lost. Documentation gets delayed. Conversations go unrecorded. Decisions are made under pressure. The result is stress layered on top of an already emotional situation. Thinking ahead can significantly reduce that burden.

There are two moments that matter.



The first is prevention. This does not require fear or constant vigilance. It requires awareness. Children move through many environments every week, including schools, sports programs, camps, and organized activities. Each has its own approach to safety and supervision. Parents benefit from having a general understanding of those practices, even without becoming experts. Knowing who supervises, how injuries are handled, and what protocols exist can surface concerns before they turn into harm.

Paperwork also plays a role in prevention. Forms and waivers are often treated as routine, signed quickly and forgotten. Taking time to read what you are agreeing to and asking questions when something is unclear helps parents make informed choices. No document excuses unsafe behavior, but understanding expectations and procedures provides clarity if something goes wrong.

Communication with children is one of the most overlooked safety tools. Children often recognize unsafe situations before adults do, but they may not know how to express that discomfort. Talking with children about everyday safety and encouraging them to speak up builds awareness and trust. Many injuries are prevented because a child felt comfortable saying something felt wrong.

Organization matters as well. Keeping emergency contacts, medical details, and permissions current and easy to access reduces confusion in stressful moments. When injuries happen, delays often stem from missing or outdated information. Preparation supports calm decision making.

Small warning signs should never be ignored. Minor pain complaints, recurring issues with supervision, or equipment that does not seem right deserve attention. Addressing small concerns early can prevent larger problems later. Prevention is rarely about one dramatic decision. It is about consistent, thoughtful attention.

The second moment that matters comes after an injury occurs. At that point, priorities shift. A parent’s first responsibility is care. Following medical guidance is essential, even if an injury appears minor at first. Some injuries evolve over time, and early follow through protects both health and recovery.

Once care is underway, clarity becomes critical. Writing down what happened while details are fresh helps preserve accuracy. Dates, locations, and names matter. Photos or video, messages, and witness information should be gathered when possible. Even parents who do not anticipate legal action benefit from having clear records.

Communication with schools, teams, or programs should be prompt and documented. Letting them know what occurred and keeping notes of follow up conversations creates a timeline. This is not about blame. It is about ensuring accountability and understanding.

Parents should also watch for emotional effects. Children may experience fear, anxiety, or behavioral changes after an injury. Healing is not only physical. Checking in during the weeks that follow supports full recovery.

Finally, parents should give themselves permission to slow down. There is rarely a need to rush decisions after an injury. Taking time to understand options and seek guidance leads to better outcomes.

From a personal injury standpoint, the most challenging cases are not those caused by unavoidable accidents. They are the ones where preparation or early documentation could have reduced stress and uncertainty. Parents do not need to live in fear. They need practical tools.

Focusing on prevention before injury and clarity afterward helps families protect their children and their peace of mind. These two moments truly matter.



David B. Lever is the Founder and Senior Partner of Lever & Ecker, PLLC, a leading personal injury law firm in White Plains, New York. For more than 30 years, he has represented accident victims and their families, recovering millions in verdicts and settlements, including a $12 million motor vehicle case. Recognized as a New York Metro Super Lawyer and one of Westchester’s Top 25 Lawyers, Lever is known for his integrity, compassion, and unwavering advocacy for justice. He may be reached at https://www.leverecker.com.

Money Matters - Why States Are Warning Homeowners About Misleading Solar Sales

By Josie Garcia, Chief Operating Officer & Vice President of Client Services – Solar Equity Solutions

With electricity prices rising nationwide, the savings promised by solar energy systems have become very attractive to US homeowners. But government officials in a number of states are now warning homeowners that some of the companies offering solar systems aren’t making good on their promises.

In late 2025, the Attorney General of the District of Columbia issued a consumer alert that warned of “predatory practices in the home solar system sales and loan industry.” In April 2026, the Attorney General of Texas launched a major initiative targeting solar energy scams, including investigations into violations of the Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act. And in Florida, the Attorney General recently issued a guide for homeowners called “Scams at a Glance: The Dark Side of Solar.”

A growing number of state officials are warning homeowners about misleading solar sales practices, as the industry has developed a bad reputation for bait-and-switch financing and systems that often fall short of consumer expectations. As NPR recently reported, prosecutors across the US are investigating misleading financing structures and high-pressure sales tactics used by companies to convince consumers to commit to costly solar energy contracts.

The must-have elements that all solar contracts should include

It’s easy to get caught up in a solar energy system sales pitch, especially when salespeople are promising huge savings from a system that can be completely paid for by government tax credits. But homeowners must carefully review contracts to make sure they include certain key elements.

A system overview with detailed specifications is one element that should be included in the contract. Look for information on the panel and inverter brands, size in kilowatts, and expected output. Contracts should also explain the warranties and guarantees for equipment, including performance coverage, installation coverage, and maintenance responsibilities.

Financial responsibilities are another key element homeowners should fully understand before signing a solar contract. Total cost after incentives, escalator clauses, and monthly payments for financed or leased systems are factors that should be included. Contracts should also clearly spell out the financial implications of what-ifs, such as fees charged for early termination or transferability options when the house is sold.

It’s critical not to rush into a solar energy system contract, no matter how immediate the deadline or enticing the deal. Make sure everything is in writing and every line of the contract is understood before anything is signed.

The red flags that typically lead to contract disputes

In addition to looking for must-have elements, homeowners should also scour solar energy system contracts for elements that could lead to contract disputes. As the growing number of legal settlements against solar companies reveals, many contracts include language designed to protect the solar company and not the homeowner.

Vague “savings estimates” with no baseline measurement are one element that can clearly reveal a sketchy contract. Guidance provided by the Attorney General’s Office for the District of Columbia advises consumers to ask salespeople for “a written explanation that describes the total cost of the loan compared to the projected energy savings.” It also recommends that consumers receive a written explanation before signing a contract.

Consumers should watch for performance guarantees that don’t include enforcement mechanisms. If a contract states homeowners will experience 40% savings on their electric bill, for example, it should also include financial recourse for the homeowner if that level of savings is not achieved.

Other contract red flags include:

• Annual escalators, which can commit homeowners to a 3% to 5% yearly price increase.

• Early termination fees, which can exceed $15,000.

• Transfer penalties that affect homeowners or trap them in contracts if they sell their home.

It’s common for homeowners who aren’t on the lookout for problems to be surprised by these issues two to three years in, when they realize the savings they were promised haven’t materialized and their payments keep climbing. At that point, homeowners often learn that cancelling their contract will cost them more than sticking with it.

Key steps to take if you feel you were misled by a solar energy company

While there are steps you can take to exit a solar lease legally, it will require proving that the company that sold you the system failed to meet their obligations. To start the process, gather records that will back up your case, including the original lease contract, payment history, output records, sales papers, marketing materials, and emails and texts exchanged with the company during the sales process.

Your records will allow you to compare the actual benefits of the system with what you were promised. If the savings were overstated or the system produces less power than promised, show the gap with real numbers. You may also be able to get contracts cancelled if the system installation caused roof damage, the tax credits were not what they were promised to be, or key facts were left out of the contract.

The fact that law enforcement officials around the country are drawing attention to problems with solar contracts is encouraging for victims of misrepresentation or predatory practices, but it still doesn’t guarantee that consumer costs will be recovered. If you think you were misled, act fast by gathering proof and starting a conversation with the solar company. If you get resistance, you may need to involve a company that specializes in cancelling unfair solar contracts.

If you’re shopping for a solar contract, carefully review the details of the contract before signing anything. Make sure that must-haves are included and red flags are avoided, or you could find yourself trapped in a contract that costs you more than it saves.

– Josie Garcia is the Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Client Services at Solar Equity Solutions, where she leads operations and client experience with a strong focus on accountability, collaboration, and homeowner advocacy. Originally from San Jose, California, and now based in Houston, she brings a resilient, solutions-driven approach to helping clients navigate complex and often stressful solar contract issues. Josie is known for prioritizing clear communication, transparency, and trust, and she is committed to building client-first systems that deliver clarity, professionalism, and meaningful results in a legally sensitive industry.

Money Matters - How much should you spend on a car? Follow the 10% rule

By Ray Shefska, CarEdge Co-Founder

If you’ve ever been anxious about car buying, you’re not alone. Vehicle ownership is a major financial commitment. With this in mind, how much of your monthly budget should you spend on a car? Today, we’re going to answer that question with the 10% rule.

You’re likely to find many different opinions on how much you should spend on a car. Truthfully, there is no perfect answer. At the end of the day, you have to make a decision that you feel comfortable with.

That being said, we do have some advice we’d recommend you follow. We’re here to help you learn about the 10% rule, and how it helps you determine how much you should spend on your next car.

Assess your financial situation

First things first, to determine how much you should spend on a car, you need to assess your financial situation. This means auditing your monthly gross income. How much gross (before taxes) income do you make each month?

I say monthly income on purpose, because most car buyers are shopping for a monthly payment that meets their budget. This is as good a time as ever to mention that if you can afford to buy a car in cash, and you intend to keep it for decades, please do that. However, make sure to do it the right way (we go over the details here). Paying cash is the most financially responsible car buying decision you can make.

Having said that, most of us aren’t in a position to pay for a car in cash upfront. If that’s you, then start this exercise by analyzing your monthly gross income.

Write that number down, we’re going to come back to it.

First, ask yourself “why” you need a car

Are you buying a car because you need transport from point “a” to point “b,” or are you getting a car to make a statement?

When I worked at an Acura dealership in the early 2000’s, a customer came in and purchased an Acura RL in the top trim. This was an expensive and luxurious car. The same day this customer took home his new car he came back. Why? Because his wife wanted him to buy a Lexus instead. To her, the Acura didn’t portray the image she wanted to her neighbors.

In this case, the “why” behind purchasing a car was to make a material statement, not to simply get from point “a” to point “b.”

If you’re trying to make a statement, it’s my strong recommendation you figure out a cheaper, more fiscally responsible way to make that statement. Consider buying a watch, a house, a painting … literally anything other than a car. Cars simply lose value too quickly.

Factor in all cost of ownership expenses

Buying a car entails a lot more than making a monthly car payment. Insurance, gas, maintenance, depreciation, the list goes on and on. If you’ve ever owned a car before, you know just how expensive it is. Plus, insurance costs are rising quickly.

That being said, it’s critically important to consider the total cost of ownership when thinking, “How much should I spend on a car?” Your monthly car payment should include:

• The lease or loan payment

• Insurance

• Maintenance

• Wear and tear

When you factor each of these items into your monthly car payment you see that a $500/mo car payment is actually $1,000/mo. And this is where the 10% comes in. I’ve always advised all of my customers to spend no more than 10% of their gross income on their car.

That means that if you make $60,000 per year ($5,000 per month), you can aim for up to $500 per month to go towards your car payment. That doesn’t mean you can afford any car that has a monthly payment of $500, it means the combined cost of the payment, the insurance, and maintenance all needs to be under 10% of your gross income, or in this example, under $500.

Some personal finance gurus suggest that you can afford to spend much more than 10% of your gross income on a car, and banks will even loan you the money you need to purchase a car so long as your debt to income ratio is below 40%.

The 10% rule isn’t a commandment, it’s simply a suggestion. Spending more than 10% of your monthly gross income on a depreciating asset is a tough pill to swallow, but for some it’s worth it.

Consider leasing instead

If you drive less than the average driver each year, I highly recommend you consider leasing a car instead of buying. This is especially advised for those who prefer to upgrade to a new car every few years or so.

Leasing has some distinct advantages compared to purchasing; mainly, you know exactly what you are signing up for. The cost of depreciation and maintenance are built into the lease, whereas when you buy a car outright neither of those factors are known.

The 10% rule also applies to leasing. For example, if my monthly income is $4,000, then my next Mini Cooper lease should be under $400/month since I’ll have to factor in insurance and gas costs.

Leasing allows for a certain level of cost certainty since most lease terms are in the 24 to 36 month range, and cars are under warranty for most (or all) of that time. Some brands even include free scheduled maintenance during your lease term, essentially making the monthly payment and the cost of fuel and your insurance premium your total car expenses.

Trust me, cost certainty is a huge advantage for drivers. Once you experience it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

A car is NOT an investment!

Ultimately, how much you spend on a car comes down to how much money you are willing to set aside on a monthly basis. Additionally, always remember that when you buy a car, it will lose value. Vehicles are not investments.

How do you play it smart then? My recommendation is that you follow the 10% rule. It’s fair, it’s reasonable, and it’s not overly constrictive. Plus, when you drive somewhere in your new car, if you follow the 10% rule, you’ll still have some money in your pocket to pay for things when you get there!

Ray Shefska is Co-Founder of CarEdge, a leading consumer platform founded by father-and-son team Ray and Zach Shefska that is dedicated to empowering car shoppers to make confident, informed and financially savvy decisions. The company’s CarEdge Pro subscription service gives car shoppers real-time market insights and an expert AI Car Negotiator agent to make the process simple, easy and fair. It’s premium-level CarEdge Concierge offers buyers a white-glove experience with a dedicated automotive expert who locates, negotiates and secures the best possible deal on your behalf. Both CarEdge tiers help consumers save money, time and hassle. Also with trusted resources that includes hundreds of guides on YouTube, CarEdge is redefining transparency, fairness and value in the automotive industry. Connect with Shefska at www.CarEdge.com or on social media on YouTube, TikTok, X, Facebook, and Instagram.

Enriching Education - ParentSquare Updates

ParentSquare, the leading family engagement infrastructure for K-12 districts, today announced two ParentSquare Intelligence capabilities arriving for back to school: AI Assistant for Smart Sites and Conversation Starters. Both continue the expansion of ParentSquare Intelligence, the AI and data intelligence layer introduced in March that embeds actionable insights and automation across the company's unified school-home engagement platform.

AI Assistant gives families, staff, and community members instant, self-serve answers directly on a district's website. The assistant lets visitors type a question and receive a direct answer pulled from the district's own site content, including information in PDFs and images that standard search tools cannot see. It supports 190+ languages, so nearly everyone can get answers in their home language. Whether someone is new to the district or just looking for important dates at 9 p.m., they get a fast, accurate answer on the spot instead of waiting until the next morning to call the front office.

Built-in analytics show districts what visitors are actually asking, surfacing content gaps and helping communications teams keep improving the website for both their current community and prospective families. Districts can customize the AI Assistant's name and avatar, or use the default branding out of the box and personalize it later with zero extra lift required.

Conversation Starters help connect school and home by turning everyday classroom updates into meaningful conversations at the dinner table or on the ride home. When a teacher shares a post, ParentSquare Intelligence automatically generates relevant questions based on the content, turning a school update into a real discussion. For a post about a class science experiment, a family might see "What did your class test in the experiment today?" followed by "What surprised you about the results?"

Teachers review the suggested prompts and can edit or remove them before publishing, and families receive them in their preferred language. The questions are open-ended, not quiz questions: a specific starting point for the kind of everyday moment research links to stronger attendance, motivation, and academic outcomes.

"Back to school is when families form their first impression of their school district. These capabilities help districts start the year strong, with clear answers for every family and simple ways to keep the conversation going at home. That is the promise of ParentSquare Intelligence: practical intelligence embedded in the tools schools already use every day," said Anupama Vaid, President and Founder of ParentSquare.

AI Assistant and Conversation Starters join Contactability™ Benchmark, AI Rewrite, and AI Alt Text as part of ParentSquare Intelligence, with additional capabilities across communication, attendance, payments, and websites planned throughout the 2026-2027 school year.

About ParentSquare
ParentSquare is the leading family engagement infrastructure helping K-12 districts nationwide reach every family with an award-winning, all-in-one communication platform. Reaching over 22 million students, ParentSquare helps districts consolidate disconnected tools and outdated communication systems with personalized messaging, websites, forms, payments, attendance solutions, and more, in one easy-to-use platform. With powerful features for achieving 100% contactability, two-way translation into 190+ languages, and purpose-built AI enhancements, ParentSquare empowers districts to invite every family to be involved in their student's education, no matter their home language or the device they use.

Recognized for growth and innovation by Inc. 5000, GSV 150, and more, ParentSquare was founded in 2011 in Santa Barbara, California. Learn more at parentsquare.com

House & Home - Moving Stress Survey

 The housing market has no shortage of hurdles, but new data reveals that the stress of moving may be one of the biggest reasons Americans aren't buying.

A new survey from BPG Inspections takes a closer look at how Americans really feel about the moving process and the hidden pitfalls that come with it.

Key findings include:

• 38% say moving stress alone deters them from buying a new home

• 13% consider moving the most stressful life event, ranking it above divorce, job loss, and having children

• 44% have experienced a moving issue or scam

• 54% have discovered a major issue with their home after moving in

The survey also found that Americans' top anxieties when moving are issues with neighbors (46%), landlord disputes (37%), and noise problems (34%).

View the full report for additional insights.

Fun Freetime - Delta Dental poll: More kids are heading to bed early for the Tooth Fairy

 The Tooth Fairy is winning the bedtime battle—one lost tooth at a time.

In celebration of National Tooth Fairy Day on August 22, Delta Dental released additional findings from its 2026 Original Tooth Fairy Poll^®, revealing growing anticipation and curiosity among children as they await a visit from the Tooth Fairy.

One-third of children (33%) go to bed early when expecting a visit from the Tooth Fairy, up significantly from 23% last year. Children's curiosity is also on the rise, with 30% asking to learn more about the Tooth Fairy, compared to 24% in 2025.

Further, the Tooth Fairy sparks positive emotions in children, with half of parents (50%) saying the visit gives their child something to be excited about and 42% reporting that it makes their child feel special.

"A child's first lost tooth is more than a milestone — it's an opportunity to celebrate healthy oral care habits that can last a lifetime," said Gabriella Ferroni, Senior Director, Strategic Communications, Delta Dental Plans Association. "For 28 years, the Delta Dental Original Tooth Fairy Poll^® has tracked Tooth Fairy giving trends to highlight how this enduring tradition can spark conversations with children about caring for their smiles."

Additional key findings from the 2026 poll include:

The Tooth Fairy creates meaningful family moments

• Nearly half of parents (47%) say a Tooth Fairy visit helps maintain family traditions.
• Approximately 4 in 10 parents (39%) say it creates a memorable bonding moment with their child.

The Tooth Fairy encourages sound oral health habits

• More than 1 in 3 parents (35%) say the tradition encourages better oral care in their children.
• Nearly one-third of parents (30%) say good oral health habits influence how much the Tooth Fairy leaves behind.

The Tooth Fairy gives kids a raise

• The average value of a single lost tooth during the past year increased by 17% from $5.01 to $5.84—marking the first year-over-year increase in Tooth Fairy giving since 2023.
• About 1 in 3 children (32%) received a physical gift this year, up from 19% in 2025.
• Since the poll's inception in 1998, the average cash gift left by the Tooth Fairy has surged 349% from $1.30 to $5.84 per tooth.

The value of a lost tooth and the economy
Historically, the Original Tooth Fairy Poll^® has typically mirrored the economy's overall direction, tracking with the trends of Standard & Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500). In recent years, however, the value of a lost tooth diverged from this pattern. For the first time since 2022, the poll has realigned with market trends. Over the past year, the average value of a single lost tooth increased 17%, in line with a similar 16% increase in the S&P 500 during the same period.

About the poll
The Original Tooth Fairy Poll^® was conducted between Jan. 5, 2026 and Jan. 15, 2026, among 1,000 parents of children ages 6 to 12. The margin of error is +/- 3%.

The January 2025 S&P 500 average was 5,960 and increased to an average of 6,941 for January 2026, consistent with the timing of the Original Tooth Fairy Poll^®.

For more information about the Delta Dental-sponsored survey and oral health tips for infants to pre-teen, visit the Original Tooth Fairy Poll^®.

About Delta Dental Plans Association
Based in Chicago, Illinois, Delta Dental Plans Association is the not-for-profit national association of the 39 independent Delta Dental companies. Through these companies, Delta Dental is the nation's largest dental benefits provider and offers the country's largest dental network with approximately 151,000 participating dentists. Over the last 16 years, Delta Dental companies and their foundations invested over $2.4 billion to improve the oral and overall health of our communities.

Visit deltadental.com for information on individual dental insurance plans and group dental insurance plans.

SOURCE Delta Dental Plans Association