💌 May 2: quiet travel, stay at home activites, career & financial advice

TODAY IS THURSDAY, MAY 2

WHAT TO EXPECT

• stories: U.S fertility rate falls to record low, Wall Street home purchases, quiet travel is on the rise

• this week’s watch: Baby Reindeer

• quote of the day: on reinventing

• extra stories

• recent article: career & financial advice from our team

• weekly favorites: stay-at-home activities

LIFESTYLE: U.S FERTILITY RATE FALLS TO RECORD LOW
CDC data shows the total fertility rate in the U.S. fell to a record low of 1.62 births per woman in 2023, a 2% decline from 2022. This continues a long-term downward trend driven by factors like women delaying childbirth, prioritizing careers, better access to contraception, financial strains like student debt, and declining fertility rates later in life. Only ~3.59 million babies were born in 2023, the lowest number since 1979. Birthrates declined more for women under 40, while holding steady for those in their 40s.

REAL ESTATE: A CRACKDOWN ON WALL STREET HOME PURCHASES
Lawmakers across the political spectrum are proposing new legislation to rein in large investment firms that have purchased thousands of single-family homes to rent out in the past few years, with consideration to Wall Street's growing presence in residential real estate markets. These bills would force major corporate landlords to sell off most rental homes above caps like 50 properties. While still a small overall percentage nationally, corporate landlords own over 20% of rental houses in some metro areas like Atlanta.

TRAVEL: QUIET TRAVEL IS ON THE RISE
According to Pinterest's 2024 travel trends report, the desire for “quiet travel” is on the to get away from busy cities, crowds, and constant digital connectivity. The longing for simplicity, nature, and self-discovery away from urban distractions is what’s been popular. This has fueled interest in off-the-beaten-path destinations like countryside villages, remote beaches, mountain cabins, and luxury farm/ranch stays that allow digital detoxing. Rather than overcrowded hot spots, these serene, nature-based "quiet life" getaways promise tranquility and a chance to reset away from the hustle.

Baby Reindeer is a true story from writer and creator Richard Gadd in which he shares how one kind gesture went on to cause extreme ramifications in his own life, and what drove him to create the drama Baby Reindeer. The true story behind it may give you chills when you get what one cup of tea got him. You can watch it on Netflix.

ON REINVENTING: My biggest discovery was that you can literally re-create your life. You can redefine it. You don’t have to live in the past - Viola Davis

You truly have the power to redefine your life and break free from the constraints of your past experiences. You can embrace change, seize control of your narrative, and reshape your futures through certain choices and actions. Reinventing yourself can be tough but extremely fruitful.

👗 a flirty dress in a romantic color, looks like summer is around the corner

👂🏼did you know hearing loss is an accumulation over the years? Protect your ears by muffling sounds when they’re unnecessarily loud and overstimulating.

😷 is the covid era coming to an end?

One of the hardest things you may navigate is how to manage finances and assert a career trajectory. It’s simultaneously freeing and terrifying: there isn’t one way to find a job, make money, pursue passions, and maintain work-life balance. These are some tried-and-true hacks from the Gazette Gal team — all of whom are at different stages in their financial and professional journeys.

stay-at-home activities