Q1 2026 DYK
US Postal Service- USPS changing how they postmark mail. No longer when you drop it off, but rather when its processed. Could make mail late - ie. tax returns, mail in votes, etc. that are time sensitive.
Not Your Parents S&P 500- Only 188 stocks in the S&P 500 today were also in the index at the end of 1999. Six of the largest 25 index members at the end of 1999 are no longer in the index at all today, and only six — Microsoft, Walmart, Exxon Mobil, Oracle, Home Depot and Johnson & Johnson — still rank in the top 25.
Large Cap>Small Cap-The large-cap S&P 500 has outperformed the small-cap Russell 2000 for five consecutive years, from 2021 to 2025. The only other five-year streak of large-cap outperformance was from 1994 to 1998. In 1999, the Russell 2000 gained 19.6%, versus a 19.5 for the S&P Source: Bespoke)
Index-The Dow Jones Industrials, S&P 500 and Nasdaq all gained at least 10% in 2025, which has occurred 25 times since the Nasdaq’s inception in 1972. 2025 was the third straight year of double-digit gains for all three indices. The only streak lasting as long or longer was the five years from 1995 through 1999.
Student Debt Crackdown-The Department of Education (DOE) will start notifying defaulted student loan borrowers in early January that up to 15% of their wages (maximum allowed) may be garnished. According to the DOE, over 5 million borrowers are seriously delinquent, with 3 million having missed payments for nine months or more.
Tarriff's Working-The US trade deficit for October fell to $29.4 billion — the smallest since May 2009 — driven by both an increase in exports and a decline in imports. Exports increased 2.6%, marking the first back-to-back months of 2.5%+ increases since April 2022. Imports declined 3.2% to the lowest level since January 2024. (Source: US Census)
Paychecks-49.8% of consumers said they were living paycheck to paycheck in December; the lowest level since late 2022. 61.9% of consumers without investments said they’re living paycheck to paycheck, compared to just 37.5% for consumers with investments. (Source: Bespoke Consumer Pulse)
Ohio 529 Sweepstakes-Sweepstakes to win 10K for an Ohio 529 Account.
The $1 Bill-The $1 bill hasn't been redesigned in over 50 years. In 1996, the government redesigned the $100 bill, as well as other notes in the following years, to help protect against counterfeiting. This was the first major change in 67 years. The $1 bill, on the other hand, is so rarely counterfeited that there are no plans to redesign it. In fact, it the 2015 omnibus spending bill makes it illegal—as the vending machine industry would require a costly overhaul if the $1 bill is redesigned.
Counterfeit Money-Secret Service-You can talk to the Secret Service if you think your money is counterfeit. Strange but true. If you suspect someone is using a counterfeit note, you are asked to report it and hand it over to the Secret Service.
Strawberries & Bananas-Did you know that Bananas are technically berries but strawberries aren't?
Jellyfish-Turritopsis dohrnii (a type of jellyfish) can revert its cells back to a juvenile state after it becomes an adult, letting it restart its life cycle again instead of dying from old age.
Iphone SOS-Did you know that iPhone 14's and newer have 911 Satellite access so that if you're "off the grid" you can still get help? For iPhone 14 and newer (Emergency SOS via Satellite) Dial 911 (or your local emergency number). If no signal, your iPhone will offer "Emergency Text via Satellite". Tap it, answer the questionnaire about your situation, and follow on-screen prompts to point your phone toward a satellite for a clear connection. You'll exchange text messages with emergency responders, sharing your location and Medical ID. For older iPhones (Standard SOS)
Banging Head-Banging your head against a wall for one hour burns 150 calories
Bananas-Bananas are curved because they grow towards the sun.
Octupuses-octopuses have three hearts and blue blood
Roman History-Did you know ancient Romans used urine as laundry detergent because of its ammonia content
Scotland & Snow-Did you know Scotland has 421 words for snow