Student Debt Not Holding Back Housing Market

Having a lot of student debt doesn't greatly reduce young people's chances of homeownership, as long as they graduate, a new analysis by Zillow has found.i

The findings challenge a popular concern: that giant student loan payments are holding back people from homeownership. As it turns out, graduates' debt loads don't materially hurt their chances of homeownership – especially if they get at least a four-year degree.

"College students paying their tuition with borrowed money can rest easy this fall in their dorm rooms: the income advantage of getting a degree pays off in terms of being able to buy a home in the long run," said Zillow Chief Economist Dr. Svenja Gudell. "Student debt isn't the evil-doer it's made out to be, at least not when it comes to homeownership. As long as students stay in school and get a degree, student debt doesn't deter them from homeownership, although it is possible that student debt could delay homeownership. People in their 20s and 30s are renting longer because they're delaying marriage, paying a lot in rent, and struggling to qualify for a mortgage when they finally find an affordable home. Add to that list that they are paying off student debt."

Here are some key findings:

• Student debt has only a small negative effect on the odds of homeownership for a person with a bachelor's degree or higher. The chances of a married coupleii with no student debt owning a home are about 69.8 percent if at least one of them has a bachelor's degree. If the same couple has $30,000 in student debt, their homeownership chances drop slightly, to 67.7 percent. 
• The least likely to own homes are people who have student debt, but no degree. In fact, a couple who borrowed more than$30,000 for school but never graduated has a less than 40 percent chance of homeownership. 
• Graduates with advanced degrees are the most likely to own a home, even if they racked up a lot of student debt. For example, if a couple owes $50,000 in student loans, but one of them has a master's degree, they have a 75 percent chance of homeownership. A similar household with just $10,000 in loans and only a bachelor's degree has just a 69 percent chance of homeownership. 
• Student debt has the greatest impact on the homeownership rate of people with two-year associate's degrees. A couple with AA degrees and no debt has a 70 percent chance of owning their home. That declines significantly as debt grows. If the same couple has $50,000 in student debt, they own their home only 57 percent of the time. 
• Getting an associate's degree improves chances of homeownership until a person has borrowed $70,000. After that, their chances of homeownership would have been better without a degree and no student loan debt. 
• Getting a bachelor's, master's or doctorate degree – regardless of debt – increases the chances that people will buy a home.

157 Million Americans Will Celebrate Halloween This Year

Ready to embrace cooler weather, fall traditions and spirited celebrations, more than 157 million Americans plan to celebrate Halloween this year, according to the National Retail Federation’s Halloween Consumer Spending Survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics. The average person celebrating will spend $74.34, compared with $77.52 last year. Total spending on Halloween is expected to reach $6.9 billion.*
"Consumers are ready to take advantage of promotions on candy, decorations and costumes, and retailers are ready to serve them.”
Matthew Shay

“After a long summer, consumers are eager to embrace fall and all of the celebrations that come with it,” NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay said. “We expect those celebrating Halloween this year will look for several different activities to do with their family and friends. Consumers are ready to take advantage of promotions on candy, decorations and costumes, and retailers are ready to serve them.”

Consumers celebrating Halloween plan to spend an average of $27.33 on co

stumes for the whole family, and a total of $2.5 billion on store-bought, homemade, large and small costumes. Those celebrating will spend the most on adult costumes ($1.2 billion), and will spend a total of $950 million on children’s costumes and $350 million on fashionable and fun costumes for their furry friends. It’s estimated that 68 million Americans will dress up this Halloween and another 20 million pet owners will dress up their pet.

Nine in 10 (93.7%) Halloween shoppers will buy candy, spending a total of $2.1 billion, and an additional 33.5 percent will buy greeting cards, spending a total of $330 million. Two in five celebrants (44.8%) plan to decorate their home or yard, meaning there’s no question consumers will see their fair share of pumpkins, hay bales and even life-size Minions and black cats strewn across their neighborhoods. The average person planning to buy decorations will spend $20.34 with total spending expected to reach $1.9 billion.

When it comes to how consumers plan to celebrate, most will hand out candy (67.8%), or dress in costume (43.5%), though there will be no shortage of jack-o-lanterns lighting up windows this year with 41 percent of people planning to carve pumpkins. Nearly one-third of consumers (31.5%) plan to throw or attend a party with friends and family.

More consumers have decided to head to stores or shop online early to pick out costumes and decorations. More than one-third of consumers (34.1%) will start their Halloween shopping before the first of October, up slightly from 32.1 percent last year, while 40.9 percent will get started in the first half of the month and one-quarter (25%) of celebrants will wait for the final weeks of October.

“People shouldn’t be too surprised when they see Halloween candy and decorations available in stores as early as September first,” Prosper Insights Principal Analyst Pam Goodfellow said. “Given that more than a third of Americans enjoy taking advantage of early-bird deals to kick off their fall celebrations, it seems there’s plenty of appetite among consumers to enjoy a perfectly ‘frightful’ Halloween.”

Similar to past years, the majority of consumers will find inspiration for their co

stumes online (31.4%) or will head to costume shops and retail stores (26.8%) before they make a final decision.. Pinterest continues to grow in popularity among those looking for costume inspiration (13.3%), as this year’s percentage is nearly double the amount who used the site for inspiration just three years ago (7.1%).

Millennials remain the drivers of Pinterest traffic around Halloween though with 24.9 percent of 18-24 year olds and 23.7 percent of 25-34 year olds using the site for costume inspiration.

About the survey
NRF’s 2015 Halloween Consumer Spending Survey was designed to gauge consumer behavior and shopping trends related to Halloween spending. The survey was conducted for NRF by Prosper Insights & Analytics. The poll of 6,754 consumers was conducted September 1-8, 2015. The consumer poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.3 percentage points.

Villages of Melissa - Open House Saturday & Sunday

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Spice Up Game Day with These Yummy Recipes

It's "game on" this tailgate season with taste sensations that add an extra kick of flavor and spice, without having to go into overtime in the kitchen. The perfect sauce is key to executing an effortless game day menu with a distinctive zing.

The winning combination of flavor and heat to quickly whip standard tailgate foods into shape can be found in Frank's RedHot sauces, and the newest varieties – Rajili Sweet Ginger Sauce and Slammin' Sriracha Chili Sauce – are the secret ingredient to victory. Leave a lasting impression on fellow football fans with two simple yet savory recipes – wings and pizza – which are amplified by powerful sauces.

Chicken wings coated with Rajili Sweet Ginger Sauce are sure to keep everyone's hands in the game. This crowd favorite packs a sizzling punch with exotic spices that make taste buds come alive.

Ditch the delivery and serve Sriracha Pizza. This homemade twist on a classic is covered with a blend of sun-kissed chili pepper and jalapeno, balanced by a slight tanginess and hint of smoke. Even meat lovers will crave this spicy vegetarian pizza.

The entire huddle will rave about these recipes long after the final whistle blows, but for more tailgate and game day refreshments that turn up the heat, check out FranksRedHot.com.

Rajili Chicken Wings
2 1/2	pounds chicken wing pieces
3/4	cup Frank's RedHot Rajili Sweet Ginger Sauce

On foil-lined pan, bake wings on lowest oven rack at 450 F for 30 minutes or until crispy, turning once.

Toss wings in sauce to coat.

Sriracha Pizza
1/4	cup Frank's RedHot Slammin' Sriracha Chili Sauce
1/4	cup marinara sauce
1	prebaked pizza crust (12-inch)
1 3/4	cups shredded mozzarella cheese
3/4	cup roasted vegetables (eggplant, zucchini and yellow squash), cut in 1/2 inch slices
1/4	cup sliced mushrooms
12	slices red onion
1	tablespoon pepperoncini, thinly sliced

Heat oven to 400 F.

Combine Sriracha and marinara sauce.

Spread crust with sauce, leaving 1/2 inch border along the edges. Cover with cheese, roasted vegetables, mushrooms, red onion slivers and pepperoncini.

Bake 8-9 minutes until cheese is melted and crust is crisp. Cut into 8 wedges.

Ice Cream Recipes for Special Occasions

Crowding around a table eating ice cream is one of the tastiest ways to enjoy family time. Parent, chef and cookbook author Antonia Lofaso knows this very well and has created delectable ice cream desserts, such as her Pound Cake and Peaches Sundae, that bring back fond childhood memories to inspire families to take a step back and appreciate every moment.

"My mom would have 'ice cream parties' in her bedroom when my dad had to work the graveyard shift," Lofaso said. "She would snuggle us in her bed and give us toasted pound cake with ice cream and fresh fruit. My dad would come home to find us all asleep in one bed with scattered bowls and spoons everywhere."

Special family moments are even sweeter when the recipes are served with real, high-quality ingredients everyone can feel good about.

"On top of the great taste of Breyers Natural Vanilla, families can feel good about enjoying a scoop of Breyers," said Lofaso, who partnered with Breyers to create these recipes. "The brand is now only using milk and cream from cows not treated with artificial growth hormones*, and sustainably farmed vanilla beans."

Here are three of Lofaso's favorite new ice cream creations. Start sharing delicious moments together with your family with these recipes. For more recipe inspiration and nutritional information, visit www.Breyers.com/recipes.

*Suppliers of other ingredients such as cookies, candies and sauces may not be able to make this pledge. The FDA states that no significant difference has been shown between dairy derived from rBST-treated and non-rBST-treated cows. Find out more information about the Breyers pledge at www.breyers.com.

Pound Cake and Peaches SundaePrep time: 10 minutes
Serves: 4

            2          fresh summer peaches, diced
            1          tablespoon granulated sugar
            2          tablespoons lemon juice 
            2          teaspoons thinly sliced basil
            4          (1/4-inch-thick) slices plain pound cake, toasted until golden 
            1          cup Breyers Natural Vanilla Ice Cream (1/4 cup per scoop)

In small bowl, mix peaches, sugar, lemon juice and basil.

To make each sundae, place a slice of toasted pound cake on a plate, then top with a scoop of ice cream and cover generously with macerated peaches.

Tropical Ice Cream SandwichPrep time: 10-12 minutes
Serves: 2

            2          (1/4-inch-thick) slices fresh pineapple 
            1          cup Breyers Natural Vanilla Ice Cream, lightly softened 
            2          tablespoons toasted coconut shavings

Grill pineapple slices over low to medium heat for 90 seconds per side. Allow to cool briefly.

Sandwich softened ice cream between pineapple slices. Coat sides in toasted coconut. Slice in half and serve.

Toasted Almond and Vanilla AranciniPrep time: 20 minutes (including freezing)
Serves: 2

            4          tablespoons mixed, chopped, toasted whole unsalted almonds and hazelnuts 
            1          tablespoon toasted and crushed amoretti cookies
            1/2       cup Breyers Natural Vanilla Ice Cream (1/4 cup per scoop)

Place ice cream on baking sheet in freezer for 10 minutes to harden.

In bowl, mix nuts and amoretti cookies.

Dredge frozen ice cream balls in nut/cookie mixture and refreeze 5 minutes before serving.

Note: May be made and stored in advance.

Uncommonly VanillaVanilla ice cream has always been a great foundation for family desserts and Breyers believes vanilla is anything but plain and boring. With four different varieties of vanilla to choose from, you're sure to find a flavor that pairs perfectly with your favorite treats. Here's what you need to know about each variety.

Natural: Its distinctive taste brings out the natural goodness of your favorite fresh fruit recipes, like classic apple pie a la mode or peach cobbler.

French: Inspired by the traditional French custard, it's the perfect complement to delicious breakfast-style desserts, like French vanilla puff pancakes or a fruit salad parfait.

Homemade: Thick and smooth like it was just churned, Homemade Vanilla is the perfect pairing to your favorite homemade treats, such as ice cream sandwiches, pies and cakes.

Extra Creamy: Fresh cream and sweet vanilla come together to make your favorite frozen treats, such as sundaes and shakes, velvety smooth.

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Great Investment Opportunity in Nevada, Texas

Unique Investment Opportunity In Growing Community with Emerging Need for Rental Properties

Coldwell Banker Real Estate Announces Official Sponsorship of the Smart Home Marketplace at CES 2016 and Initiatives with Best in Techv

Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC kicked off its 2015 Generation Blue Experience event last night in Chicago with two exciting announcements establishing the brand as a real estate leader in home technology. Coldwell Banker chief marketing officer Sean Blankenship revealed the brand will be one of two official sponsors of the Smart Home Marketplace at CES 2016 in Las Vegas from Jan. 6-9, 2016.

CES is the world's gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technologies and has been showcasing innovation and breakthrough technologies for more than 45 years. The Smart Home Marketplace has nearly doubled in size since 2015, when the Coldwell Banker® brand began its campaign to be the smart home leader in real estate. With attendance expected to reach 150,000 people, the event provides the global stage where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace.

"The connected home is here, and its influence on everything from home pricing to curb appeal to how we move through our daily lives is transforming right before our eyes," said Blankenship. "There is no one in real estate better suited to be the conduit between the technology industry and the connected home than Coldwell Banker affiliated agents. By being at the forefront of this shift, we are ensuring the Coldwell Banker network has a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Sales associates affiliated with the Coldwell Banker network work with hundreds of thousands of home buyers and sellers every year. The brand's position in the smart home space ensures they are equipped to help their buyers and sellers understand the current trends and benefits of smart home technology, including time and money savings as well as security."

According to CEA's U.S. Consumer Electronics Sales and Forecasts, the booming connected home technology industry is expected to reach $967 million in revenue in 2015, jumping 32 percent over last year.

During CES, Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC will lead and produce an educational session on smart homes and real estate. Along with the Smart Home Marketplace, the brand will sponsor various events throughout the week including VIP tours.

In addition, Blankenship announced the brand is joining the CEA TechHome Division as the organization's first real estate brand. This division helps consumers make the best decisions as they select systems for today's digital home, representing the entire channel for home control, entertainment and networking products.

"As the first real estate brand to ever sponsor CES or join CEA, it is clear that the Coldwell Banker organization is serious about leading the real estate industry in smart home adoption," said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CEA. "Working together with the Coldwell Banker network will help deepen our understanding of what technology consumers are demanding when buying or selling a home."

Coldwell Banker Real Estate is also announcing a major, multi-faceted sponsorship with CNET, the world's largest and most trusted online source of consumer technology news and reviews. The brand will be the first real estate company to have dedicated branded content on CNET.com, which attracts more than 32 million consumers in the U.S. each month. Branded content will feature ways by which smart technology can make a home more connected, comfortable, convenient and cost efficient, and will begin rolling out in Q4 2015. In addition, Coldwell Banker Real Estate will be the official and exclusive real estate sponsor of the CNET Smart Home inLouisville, Kentucky, a "living laboratory" where the CNET editorial team will explore how smart home products behave, interact and test in everyday environments. The brand will also co-sponsor the smart home section on CNET.com and the website's Tech West updates during CES 2016.

In August, Coldwell Banker produced a joint consumer survey with CNET, which found that 81 percent of people with smart home products would be more likely to buy a home if smart technology was already installed. With more than one in four Americans owning a smart home device and nearly half of millennials already adopting the technology, Coldwell Banker is seeing firsthand how the trend is changing the way people live in their homes.

The annual Generation Blue Experience event draws major speakers both inside and outside the real estate industry. This year's event fully kicks off today at Chicago's AMC Theaters, featuring panel discussions on the role technology is playing in our homes with some of the biggest names in smart home innovation including Alarm.com, August, CNET, LG, Lutron and Nest. Coldwell Banker Real Estate plans to expand its relationship with these brands, through pilot programs and promotions, while continuing to grow its network-education initiatives covering smart home technology. Last week, the brand also unveiled a smart home section on coldwellbanker.com with room-by-room advice on smart home products to consider when staging a home. 

About Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC

Since 1906, the Coldwell Banker® organization has been a premier provider of full-service residential and commercial real estate brokerage services.   Coldwell Banker Real Estate is the oldest national real estate brand and franchisor in the United States, and today has a global network of approximately 3,000 independently owned and operated franchised broker offices in 43 countries and territories with more than 88,000 affiliated sales professionals.  The Coldwell Banker brand is known for creating innovative consumer services as recently seen by being the first national real estate brand with an iPad app, the first to augment its websitewww.coldwellbanker.com for smart phones, the first to create a iPhone application with international listings and the first to fully harness the power of video in real estate listings, news and information through its Coldwell Banker On LocationSM YouTube channel.  The Coldwell Banker System is a leader in niche markets such as resort, new homes and luxury properties through its Coldwell Banker Previews International® marketing program delivering exceptional experiences for all consumers served.

Approximately 32 Million Consumers Have Already Started Their Holiday Shopping

Summer hasn't even officially ended and yet the holiday shopping season is already well underway for millions of Americans, according to a new survey by CreditCards.com.  

About 1 in 7 American adults (14%) said in a survey done over Labor Day weekend that they had already begun their holiday shopping. That means that about 32 million American adults started crossing gifts off their holiday shopping list before many kids around the country even finished their summer break.

Holiday shopping early birds include:

• Parents: Parents are about twice as likely (20% to 11%) as those without kids to have started holiday shopping already.
• Whites: 16% of whites have begun holiday shopping, compared to just 9% of non-whites. 
• Online shoppers: 18% of those who said they'd primarily do their holiday shopping online said they'd already started.

Fifteen percent of Americans said they plan to start shopping earlier this year compared to last year, particularly millennials.  Over one-fifth (22%) of 18-29 year olds say they are more likely to start their holiday shopping earlier this year than last year.  Only 9% of people aged 50+ are eager to do the same.

"We love to complain about stores putting up holiday displays earlier and earlier each year," said Matt Schulz, senior industry analyst at CreditCards.com, "but the truth is that millions of Americans start holiday shopping long before the first Christmas tree appears in a store."

Amazingly, 2% of all consumers – or about 4.6 million people – have already finished their holiday shopping. Grandma and Grandpa are most likely to be ahead of the game: 7% of those over 65 years old have finished shopping, compared to 1% or fewer of those 64 or younger.

About 1 in 4 holiday shoppers (23%) expect to finish shopping by the end of November. The less money you make, the more likely you are to aim to finish your shopping early. Just 19 percent of those who make $75,000 or more per year expected to finish their holiday shopping before December 1, compared to 30% of folks making $30,000 per year.

"If you're on a budget, getting an early start on holiday shopping can be a great idea," Schulz said. "For example, it can make it easier to take advantage of layaway programs, which can allow you to make bigger purchases without worrying about running up credit card debt."

National Grandparents Day is celebrated annually on the first Sunday after Labor Day. In recognition of the holiday, which falls this year on Sept. 13, Kids 'R' Kids Learning Academies, a national early childhood education franchise with three decades of experience, is sharing ideas to help make National Grandparents Day a meaningful time for families. It is important for parents to help their children understand the special role of grandparents in the family; a great way can be through fun, light-hearted activities that show gratitude and appreciation.

1. Stay in Touch. Carve some time out of jam-packed school and work schedules to give Grandparents a call on National Grandparents Day, especially if they don't live nearby. Encourage your kids to tell Grandma and Grandpa why they love them. Inspire them to ask questions. We have much to learn from our grandparents and their unique childhoods. There's also much we can share with them about our youth. Schedule regular phone calls to help your child establish a strong bond. Grandparents encourage a child's healthy development, and staying in touch can benefit kids in many ways.
2. Record a Personalized Video or Voice Note. Today, technology has made it easier than ever to capture and share the moments we love. Grab a smartphone or iPad, and document a few minutes of your child explaining why he or she finds Grandma and Grandpa special. Kids can often put on a show for the camera, so if you are looking for a more genuine response, don't mention you are filming. Every grandchild has his or her own special qualities worth capturing for posterity. Share these moments with Grandparents on National Grandparents Day or the next time the family is together.  
3. Share a Gift. Though not expected, gifts for grandparents are a heartfelt gesture. They can be as simple and inexpensive as a favorite flower, a handwritten letter or a small collage. Suggest ideas to your child and see what he or she comes up with. Grandma and Grandpa will appreciate the effort and love that goes into these special keepsakes.
4. Bake a Treat. Grandparents are grateful for the time they get to spend with their grandchildren. Baking yummy treats are a fun project everyone can be a part of. Hold a baking day for your child and parents. Kids can practice planning, preparing and serving their goodies while spending quality time with family.
5. Check in with your Local School. Kids 'R' Kids is encouraging parents and Grandparents to check in with their child's school in advance of National Grandparents Day. Many schools are hosting fun-filled activities that children and grandparents can enjoy together. Give your school a call to find out what they are doing.

Kids 'R' Kids Learning Academies have begun fall enrollment at their nearly 160 schools nationwide. With a nationally awarded curriculum, Kids 'R' Kids provides early education and care for children from six weeks through 12 years of age at its nearly 160 schools located in 16 states across the country. Programs offered to children include infant care, toddler and preschool care, private pre-K and kindergarten, before-and-afterschool care and summer camp. In order to provide even more convenience for families with busy schedules, every Kids 'R' Kids academy remains open during all major school breaks and holidays year-round.

Kids 'R' Kids was the first preschool accredited by AdvancED in America, the world's largest education community. This accreditation ensures its schools are meeting and exceeding the highest accreditation standards and providing excellence in education beyond most daycare and childcare providers.

Coldwell Banker Real Estate Announces Master Franchise Agreement for Great Britain

 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC announced the signing of a master franchise agreement with GBRE Limited with immediate plans to affiliate and service Coldwell Banker® residential real estate franchises in Great Britain.  The Coldwell Banker brand will now have a presence in 44 countries/territories around the world.   

GBRE Limited will operate Coldwell Banker Great Britain, which will be led by Managing Director Vic Pegna.  Pegna is a seasoned industry professional with over 20 years experience in senior management positions within estate agency and financial service businesses. He has held senior positions with both of the U.K.'s largest corporate agency groups and has extensive experience with the estate agency marketplace and its changing practices since 1994. 

Coldwell Banker Great Britain will initially focus on growing the Coldwell Banker brand in London with plans to expand into the rest ofEngland, Wales and Scotland.

"There is no doubt that expansion into Great Britain was paramount to our continued international growth," said Budge Huskey, president and chief executive officer of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.  "The region reflects similarly to the U.S. housing market with approximately 65% home ownership rate and an improving economy.  London itself ranks as one of the world's top financial centers and therefore is critically important for us.  Vic and his management team, with almost 100 years of combined experience with operating real estate firms in Great Britain, are equipped to navigate the competitive landscape with a focus on growth."

"We are incredibly excited to bring the Coldwell Banker system into Great Britain and recognize that the brand's rich history and industry leadership will play strongly here," Pegna said.  "London has become one of the most prestigious markets in the world with an influx of foreign buyers and investors. We are looking forward to working closely with Coldwell Banker companies in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia to take advantage of this shift.  We believe there is a real opportunity in the prestigious property market for a credible international brand.  Market conditions are good and we are confident that our ability and experience will allow us to effectively service our local communities as we introduce them to the Coldwell Banker brand."

For more information of franchising opportunities with Coldwell Banker Real Estate visit www.coldwellbanker.com/franchising.

About Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC

Since 1906, the Coldwell Banker® organization has been a premier provider of full-service residential and commercial real estate brokerage services.   Coldwell Banker Real Estate is the oldest national real estate brand and franchisor in the United States, and today has a global network of approximately 3,000 independently owned and operated franchised broker offices in 44 countries and territories with more than 88,000 affiliated sales professionals.  The Coldwell Banker brand is known for creating innovative consumer services as recently seen by being the first national real estate brand with an iPad app, the first to augment its websitewww.coldwellbanker.com for smart phones, the first to create a iPhone application with international listings and the first to fully harness the power of video in real estate listings, news and information through its Coldwell Banker On LocationSM YouTube channel.  The Coldwell Banker System is a leader in niche markets such as resort, new homes and luxury properties through its Coldwell Banker Previews International® marketing program delivering exceptional experiences for all consumers served.

Summertime is winding down and vacations are coming to an end, signaling that back-to-school time is here. It's a time that many children eagerly anticipate — catching up with old friends and making new ones, and settling into a new daily routine. Parents and children alike scan newspapers and websites looking for sales on a multitude of school supplies and the latest clothing fads and essentials. This edition of Facts for Features highlights the many statistics associated with the return to classrooms by our nation's students and teachers.

Back-to-School Shopping

 
 
 

Summertime is winding down and vacations are ending, signaling back-to-school time. It's a time that many children eagerly anticipate - catching...

$8.2 billion  
The estimated amount of money spent at family clothing stores inAugust 2014. Sales at bookstores in August 2014 were estimated at$1.6 billion.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Monthly Retail Trade and Food Services
http://www.census.gov/retail/mrts/www/data/excel/mrtssales92-present.xls

For back-to-school shopping, choices of retail establishments abound: In 2013, there were 27,340 family clothing stores, 7,047 children and infants clothing stores, 25,100 shoe stores 6,998 office supply and stationery stores, 7,064 bookstores and 8,102 department stores. 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013 County Business Patterns, NAICS: 448140, 448130, 448210, 453210, 451211, 45211
http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/BP/2013/00A1//naics~44813|44814|448210|451211|4521|453210

Students

78 million The number of children and adults enrolled in school throughout the country in October 2013 — from nursery school to college. They comprised 25.9 percent of the entire population age 3 and older.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, School Enrollment – Social and Economic Characteristics of Students: October 2013, Table 1
http://www.census.gov/hhes/school/data/cps/2013/tables.html

Pre-K through 12 Enrollment

48,299,727Fall enrollment for elementary and secondary public school systems in 2012. 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Public Elementary-Secondary School System Finances by Enrollment-Size Groups: Fiscal Year 2013- 2013 Annual Survey of School System Finances  
http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/SSF/2013/SSF013

$10,700 The amount of current spending per pupil for elementary and secondary public school systems in the United States in 2013. 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Per Pupil Amounts for Current Spending of Public Elementary-Secondary School Systems by State: Fiscal Year 2013 – United States – States – 2013 Annual Survey of School System Finances  
http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/SSF/2013/SSF008.US01

75% Percentage of children 3 to 6 years old who were enrolled in school as of October 2013.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, School Enrollment – Social and Economic Characteristics of Students: October 2013, Table 3
http://www.census.gov/hhes/school/data/cps/2013/tables.html

77%  
Percentage of children ages 3 to 6 enrolled in kindergarten who attended all day, as of October 2013. 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, School Enrollment – Social and Economic Characteristics of Students: October 2013, Table 3
http://www.census.gov/hhes/school/data/cps/2013/tables.html

25%   
Percentage of elementary through high school students who had at least one foreign-born parent in October 2013. 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, School Enrollment – Social and Economic Characteristics of Students: October 2013, Table 1 
http://www.census.gov/hhes/school/data/cps/2013/tables.html

Languages

12 million Number of school-age children (5 to 17) who spoke a language other than English at home; 8.5 million of these children spoke Spanish at home. 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013 American Community Survey 
http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/13_1YR/B16004

Colleges

4,605The number of colleges, universities and professional schools in the United States in 2013. There were 1,006 junior colleges.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013 County Business Patterns
http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/BP/2013/00A1//naics~ALL-6112|ALL-6113

15% Percentage of college and graduate school students 35 and older in October 2013. They made up 33 percent of those attending school part time. 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, School Enrollment – Social and Economic Characteristics of Students: October 2013, Table 5
http://www.census.gov/hhes/school/data/cps/2013/tables.html

40% Percentage of 18- to 24-year-olds enrolled in college or graduate school in 2013. 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, School Enrollment – Social and Economic Characteristics of Students: October 2013, Table 1
http://www.census.gov/hhes/school/data/cps/2013/tables.html

Work Status

52% Percentage of students enrolled in college who worked less than full time, year-round in 2011; 20 percent worked full time, year-round.
Source: School Enrollment and Work Status: 2011, Appendix Table 1-A http://www.census.gov/prod/2013pubs/acsbr11-14.pdf

3.1 million Number of enrolled high school students who worked less than full time, year-round in 2011; 146,000 students in high school worked full time, year-round.
Source: School Enrollment and Work Status: 2011, Appendix Table 1-A http://www.census.gov/prod/2013pubs/acsbr11-14.pdf

Field of Degree

12.8 million Number of people age 25 and over who held a bachelor's degree in business in 2013. Business degrees were reported by 20.5 percent of the population with a bachelor's degree, followed by education (13.2 percent); science and engineering related fields (9.1 percent); engineering (7.8 percent); social sciences (7.7 percent); biological, agricultural and environmental sciences (6.1 percent); and liberal arts and history (5.1 percent). 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013 American Community Survey
http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/13_1YR/B15010

74% Percentage of those in 2012 who had a bachelor's degree in science, technology, engineering or math — commonly referred to as STEM — and were not employed in STEM occupations.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 American Community Survey
http://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2014/cb14-130.html

Rewards of Staying in School

$82,720 Average earnings of full-time, year-round workers 18 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher in 2012. Workers whose highest degree was a bachelor's had mean earnings of $70,432. Mean earnings for full-time, year-round workers with a high school diploma (includes GED certificate) was $41,248, while workers with less than a ninth grade education had $26,679 average earnings.
Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2013, Series 
P60-245 http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/cpstables/032013/perinc/pinc04_000.htm