IN its August “BIA Report on Consumer Confidence,” the UNH Survey Center found that nearly half (45%) of Granite State adults feel their household is worse financially than a year ago. Low confidence is similar among income groups, with 46% of those making under $75,000 annually feeling worse, 37% of those earning between $75,000 and $149,999 and 43% of those making over $150,000.

OVERALL, Americans want businesses to stay quiet on having a stance on current events, diving from 48% in 2022 to 38% this year. The data comes from a Gallup report after a spring survey of 5,835 U.S. adults. Desire among those ages 18-29 decreased the most, from 59% to 46%. Less than half of adults said businesses should share stances on topics like racial issues, gun laws or religion. Exceptions were for climate change; mental health; and diversity, inclusion and equity (DEI) issues, which all saw 53-54% favor.

ACCORDING to a survey of over 200 college students by WalletHub, 7 in 10 college students feel overwhelmed by their financial responsibilities, with 61% sharing that they regret how much they borrowed in student loans. However, 85% of students said they would take a course in personal finance if available and if it added credits to their degree.

PROFESSIONAL resume resource ResumeTemplates.com found that, out of 1,000 business leaders surveyed, a fifth of companies reported offering lower salaries this year compared to 2023. Most common among affected fields were administrative positions (47%), customer service jobs (44%) and sales work (34%).

RESEARCHERS at Robert Half report that just over two-quarters of employed parents cited they are putting in longer working hours, or 43% out of more than 1,100. Almost two-thirds (64%) indicated wanting more flexible work schedules to better balance personal and professional duties, and the same amount wanted more time off.