Almost doesn't count – Though the S&P 500 Index returned an impressive 17.88% in 2025, it fell short of recording three consecutive calendar years of 20%+ returns. The last time the Index accomplished this triple feat was back in 1998, returning an eye-popping 110% from 1996–1998. (Source: Morningstar)

Big whoop – US crude prices only jumped 1.6%, and international crude prices rose 1.5% after the capture of Nicolás Maduro. Compare that to two decades ago, when oil prices rose nearly 40% after an attempted Venezuelan coup nearly forced out Maduro's predecessor, Hugo Chávez. Then, the country produced 3% of the world’s oil supply; today, it’s only about 1%. (Sources: The Wall Street Journal, Associated Press, and Lancaster Online)

Better wellness check the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Pizzerias used to be the second-most common US restaurant type, but now sales are lagging, especially as the average price of a pie approaches $20. Pizzerias are now outnumbered by coffee shops and Mexican-food eateries as food-delivery apps give consumers a wider range of options at more affordable price points. (Source: The Wall Street Journal)

Changing lanes – China's BYD has surpassed Tesla to become the world's largest electric-vehicle (EV) retailer. Tesla sales have been in a steady decline for the last two years, while BYD reported a 28% year-over-year increase in sales in December. Part of the slump in the US could be attributed to the $7,500 tax credit for a new EV purchase coming to an end in September. (Source: CNBC)

But those mortgage rates, bro – For the first time ever, more states pay $15 or more for minimum wage than those who pay the $7.25 federal minimum as of January 1. Twenty states still use the federal minimum, though Florida's minimum wage will increase to $15 as of September 30. The federal rate hasn't increased since 2009. (Source: The Wall Street Journal)

Meatless Mondays are here to stay – The cost of ground beef hit a record high last year at an average of $6.54 per pound. Ground beef prices were up about 20% in 2025 because cattle herds are the smallest they've been since 1952, despite demand remaining steady. (Sources: BLS and The New York Times)

By hook or by crook – Wage garnishment will resume for student-loan borrowers in default in 2026. More than five million federal student-loan borrowers are delinquent on their loans, and more than three million haven’t made a payment in more than 270 days, which is the usual point at which wage garnishment begins. (Source: The Wall Street Journal)

Nah, I'll just stay put – New international-student enrollment in US colleges dropped 17% in 2025. International students are a major source of revenue for higher education because, unlike domestic students, they tend to pay full tuition. (Source: The New York Times)

But the cacophony of horns and siren remains – Since congestion pricing in midtown Manhattan began one year ago, about 11% of the vehicles that once entered its central business district have disappeared. Last year, 73,000 fewer vehicles entered the district and existing traffic sped up. The program also netted an additional $500 million for the city's public transit authority. (Source: The New York Times)

New year, new vibes – With the end of the 2025 NFL regular season, a total of seven head coaches have been fired, including the surprise ouster of the Baltimore Ravens' John Harbaugh, the second-longest tenured head coach in the league. There have been at least five head-coaching changes per season for the last 16 consecutive seasons, proving it's tough to be the top dog. (Source: ESPN)