Latest news with #Drazen
New York Post
5 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
Nearly a quarter of young homebuyers receive family help for down payments
When it comes to buying their first homes, some young Americans are working hard to buy them — while others are leaning on their families. Faced with steep prices and high interest rates, nearly a quarter of Gen Z and millennial homebuyers are turning to family for help with down payments, according to a new report from Redfin. Roughly 24% of recent buyers in these age groups used gifted money or inheritance to bridge the affordability gap — often in combination with other creative funding sources. Advertisement 4 A new Redfin report shows that nearly 24% of recent young buyers used family money or inheritance to land their homes. Drazen – 4 Others are tapping unconventional sources: over 20% sold stocks, 13% cashed out crypto and another 12% even dipped into their retirement accounts. luisrojasstock – The findings, based on a survey of 700 recent Gen Z and millennial homebuyers, reveal a generation cobbling together down payments from a patchwork of personal and family assets. Advertisement About 20% sold off stocks, while 13% cashed in on cryptocurrency earnings. Another 12% drew from retirement savings — despite penalties for early withdrawals. The trend highlights a growing willingness among younger buyers to prioritize homeownership over long-term financial vehicles once considered untouchable. 4 While boomers and Gen Xers mostly relied on equity from prior homes, some Gen Z and millennial buyers are already leveraging home equity themselves — suggesting that multi-home ownership isn't just for older generations anymore. Drazen – While older generations have typically used proceeds from a prior home sale to fund the next — 36% of Gen Xers and 25% of boomers cited that strategy — today's young buyers are often first-timers with no such cushion. Advertisement Still, some have managed to pull equity from other properties, indicating that a surprising number already own more than one home or have leveraged ownership creatively. Cutting expenses remains a common strategy: 18% lived with family or friends to save up, 17.6% took second jobs and over 12% reduced their retirement contributions. 4 Despite pandemic-era gains, progress has plateaued: Homeownership for older Gen Zers stands at 26% and 55% for millennials, still lagging behind where their parents were at their age. Makaron – Advertisement Yet even with these efforts, overall homeownership rates among young Americans remain below historical levels. As of 2024, just 26% of older Gen Zers and 55% of millennials owned homes — trailing their Gen X and boomer predecessors at similar ages. The data paints a picture of a generation willing to sacrifice — and improvise — to get a foot in the door. Whether those bets pay off in the long run remains to be seen.
New York Post
13-07-2025
- General
- New York Post
Gym bans women over the age of 24 from working out during peak hours
A 36-year-old woman has caused a stir after revealing her gym has started banning women over the age of 24 from working out during peak hours. She shared her story on the popular UK-based forum Mumsnet, where women often seek advice on various topics related to women and parenting. In her post titled 'Am I being unreasonable to think this is unfair?', she explained that she recently received a text from her gym about a new policy. She shared a screenshot of the message, which said that the gym would be 'reserved exclusively for females aged 12 to 24' from '4pm to 7pm' Monday to Friday. 'This update has been made in response to feedback and to better cater to our younger female members who require a dedicated, comfortable space during peak after-school and early evening hours,' the text continued. 'Please note that outside of these hours, our Ladies Gym will continue to be available for all female members as usual. 3 A gym banned women over 24 from working out during peak hours on weekdays. AFP via Getty Images 'We appreciate your understanding and support as we continue to improve the experience for all our members.' The original poster (OP) mentioned that one of her main reasons for joining the gym was because it offered 'ladies hours' from 9am to 7am on weekdays. She then said she would cancel her membership because it no longer fits her schedule, asking the forum, 'But this is ridiculous, right?' 3 The gym claimed it wanted to 'cater to our younger female members who require a dedicated, comfortable space' to work out. Drazen – Most commenters said the OP was justified in feeling outraged by the new policy, with 93 per cent voting that the gym was being unreasonable. 'That's absolutely ridiculous! Why women of a certain age!? I'd feel furious, OP,' one person responded. 'That's wild,' another echoed, as someone else admitted, 'Once a week, fine. One hour a day (outside of peak times), fine. Three hours every weekday is mental. I'd cancel, too'. Others called it 'wild,' while a different user said they would understand if it was strictly for school-aged children, but including those up to 24, who would be in university, feels 'strange'. 3 Social media users slammed the gym and accused the policy of being unreasonable. AP Meanwhile, others were confused about the rationale behind the decision. 'I wonder if they're trying to attract the influencer-type crowd for some free marketing,' one wrote. 'I suspect there is some insufferable person in charge who wants a young, hip and happening vibe, so isn't bothered about losing boring old middle-aged women,' suggested another. 'Is it because that age group can't exercise at the same time as men without being hit on?' someone else asked. But another member replied pointing out, 'But they're not being hit on by 25+ women, I'm sure.' However, a few said they understood the logic behind the decision and that businesses have every right to change their policies however they see fit. 'Not ridiculous at all,' one person said. 'Teenage girls collectively are a group highly at risk of stopping exercise. There's a purpose in providing a space just for them, just as there is a purpose in women-only gym sessions in the first place. If the gym managers think there's a workable business case for making it work, good luck to them. If it doesn't, then they'll go bust.'
New York Post
08-07-2025
- Health
- New York Post
These 5 personality traits can predict what kind of exercise you prefer — including the best workout for anxious people
So much for nama-staying in bed. Exercise is said to be the best habit for aging well — even a lazy, five-minute workout can improve muscle strength and heart health. But if you're struggling to get going, a new study suggests that aligning your fitness routine with your personality type can significantly improve the odds that you'll stick with it. A new study suggests the secret to sticking to a fitness regime could be your personality type. Drazen – 'We know that the global population is becoming increasingly sedentary. You often hear about people trying to become more active, but struggling to make lasting changes,' said Flaminia Ronca, a researcher at the Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health (ISEH) in the UK. 'In this study, we wanted to understand how personality can influence this to support the development of effective interventions for changes in health behavior.' The research team assessed 132 volunteers randomly assigned to an eight-week cycling and strength-training program or a resting control group. Participants completed detailed questionnaires measuring the 'Big Five' personality traits: extraversion, openness, conscientiousness, agreeableness and neuroticism. While everyone who finished the program — 86 people — got fitter, how much they enjoyed the workouts depended on who they were on the inside. 'We found some clear links between personality traits and the type of exercise the participants enjoyed most, which I think is important because we could potentially use this knowledge to tailor physical activity recommendations to the individual — and hopefully help them to become and remain more active,' Ronca said. Conscientious types tended to have better all-around fitness levels, but they didn't necessarily enjoy one style versus another. twinsterphoto – We're Tracking Prime Day Live! Unlock exclusive NYP codes and real-time deals on everyday must-haves. See Your Deals Extroverts preferred exercise that puts their big energy to good use, such as high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and the type of all-out cycling sprints that can wreck you in spin class. They were, however, less likely to follow through. Neurotic, anxious types favored more low-key workouts — and, unsurprisingly, they disliked being monitored, making them perhaps a better fit for solo, at-home programs. They did, however, experience the biggest reduction in stress, implying people prone to anxiety might reap the biggest mental health benefits from exercise. Conscientious types tended to have better all-around fitness levels, but they didn't necessarily enjoy one style versus another — probably because they viewed exercise as something good for them, not something designed to be fun. 'Extroverts often prefer team sports or group fitness classes, and they get energy from fellow exercisers,' Dr. Blaise Aguirre, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at McLean Hospital in Arlington, Massachusetts, who wasn't involved with the study, told NBC News. 'On the other hand, others who are more conscientious would be drawn to structured, schedule-based activities — say, a specific class at a gym where a specific and predictable routine is followed — and this is because this fits their organized, goal-oriented nature.' Meanwhile, people with an open spirit may gravitate toward varied or unconventional workouts, while those with agreeable personalities are more likely to enjoy a relaxed, steady-paced bike ride, the study found. The findings were published Tuesday in the journal Frontiers in Psychology. One thing's for sure: if you want to work out more, find something that brings you joy.
New York Post
06-07-2025
- New York Post
Travelers confess to ‘being a different person' when they take off work and go away
Let that alter-ego shine. According to a survey conducted by Faye Travel Insurance, most people become a different version of themselves when they are on vacation — and rightfully so. The insurance company surveyed 3,000 US travelers and nearly half of them said they learn different parts of themselves when they have a change of scenery. Advertisement The survey revealed that 45% of Americans let their adventurous, fun side come out on vacay. Some of these unexpected behaviors include, spending time more freely (52%), trying unfamliar foods (40%) and being open to more risk taking (45%) — perhaps like telling white lies about their identity when away from home, since nearly half of participants admitted to doing that. A little change of scenery can cause a traveler to learn a lot about themselves. Valerii Honcharuk – Advertisement One of the least surprising revelations from the survey is that 42% of people are more friendly — and why wouldn't they be when they're lounging poolside with a piña colada in hand without a care in the world. The Faye team also pointed out that 40% feel like a different person entirely and 60% of those surveyed believe that the travel alter-ego that comes out when they're away is their truest self. Some of these travel personas include: the explorer (19%), the quiet observer (12%), the solo wanderer (8%), the luxury lover (8%) and the foodie (8%). In addition to this, it turns out there are many health benefits to jetsetting. Advertisement The survey revealed that people participate in unexpected behaviors while away. Drazen – One study found that people who traveled once a year for nine consecutive years increased their longevity by approximately 20%. Those same people also reduce their risk of dying from heart-related conditions by 30%. Yearly trips also reduce high blood pressure, lower blood sugar levels and help a person maintain cholesterol and triglycerides levels — all things that can lead to serious heart conditions if ignored. If a week-long yearly trip isn't your style, travelers can also benefit from shorter trips. Advertisement According to research, those who get out of town for a long weekend don't feel as stressed, tired or depressed compared to those who barely use their PTO. 'Vacations provide a buffer against chronic stress and inflammation — both of which wreak havoc on the body,' Brooks B. Gump, a professor of public health at Syracuse University told the Washington Post in an interview. Take this as a sign to put in your PTO and book your next vacation — it does a person good.
New York Post
02-07-2025
- Health
- New York Post
People who go to bed at this time get the most exercise — it's not about how much they sleep but when
The early bird gets the workout. It's bad enough that night owls are more at risk for dementia, depression and diabetes. Now, a new study — published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) — suggests they can also forget about that sunrise jog they keep promising to take. Advertisement A new study clearly suggests your bedtime — not your sleep duration — significantly impacts how much moderate-to-vigorous physical activity you get the next day. Syda Productions – Researchers assessed the sleep habits and exercise levels of almost 20,000 people who wore the health and fitness tracker WHOOP for one year, taking into account how long they slept and when they went to bed. You might assume that sleep duration matters more than bedtime since getting those six to eight hours of quality rest increases your probability of feeling motivated and energized enough to hit the ground running when you wake up. Advertisement But, surprisingly, researchers found that wasn't the case. People who went to bed around 9 p.m. did about 30 more minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity the following day than those who hit the hay at 1 a.m. The early birds pumped out 15 more workout minutes compared to those who tucked in at 11 p.m. — the average bedtime for participants — even when the total sleep duration was the same. Why? Experts believe societal norms can put night owls at a disadvantage when it comes to mental — and, as it turns out, physical — health. Advertisement 9 p.m. seems to be the sweet spot if you're looking to work out longer the next day, the study revealed. Drazen – 'Standard 9-to-5 routines can clash with the natural sleep preferences of evening types, leading to social jetlag, poorer sleep quality and increased daytime sleepiness — which can all reduce motivation and opportunity for physical activity the next day,' Josh Leota, a research fellow at Monash University's School of Psychological Sciences, said in a statement. Sleep specialist Dr. Dylan Petkus previously told The Post that 'although early birds do better with societal norms like traditional 9-to-5 jobs, health-wise, both can be equally healthy as long as they get enough sleep and stick to a consistent schedule.' Advertisement That being said, he noted that people who go to bed between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. tend to have the best sleep quality. If that's not you — experts recommend gradually dragging up your bedtime by 15 minutes until you hit your sweet spot. Meanwhile, Leota believes the study's findings have 'meaningful implications for public health.' 'Rather than just promoting sleep and physical activity independently, health campaigns could encourage earlier bedtimes to naturally foster more active lifestyles,' he said. 'A holistic approach that recognizes how these two essential behaviors interact may lead to better outcomes for individual and community health.' And don't forget that while doing a few quick exercises before bed can help you sleep longer, working out within four hours of bedtime can mess with your sleep.
