Current Events in March 2025

Look no further than the housing market for evidence of income inequality.

The richest 1% of Americans have enough wealth to buy 99% of the the homes in the country, according to a report from real-estate website Redfin, citing the company's own housing data and the Federal Reserve.

Redfin said that the combined value of nearly 100 million U.S. homes reached $49.7 trillion at the end of 2024, compared with the richest 1%'s combined wealth that grew to a record $49.2 trillion.

“It is a striking example of the concentration of wealth in America that the top 1% could hypothetically afford to buy every home in the country — without going into debt — while millions of households struggle to buy or hold onto just one," Redfin Economics Research Lead Chen Zhao said in the report. "Asset growth, including real estate, has consistently outpaced wage growth in recent decades, increasing the gap between the top and bottom wealth brackets.”

Zhao said the wealthiest 1% already own a disproportionate 13.4% share of real estate in the U.S.

“This group is able to watch their real estate assets appreciate without facing mortgage interest payments, as they mainly buy homes with cash,” she said.

The gap is even starker among the richest top tenth of one percent of Americans.

The top 0.1% wealthiest Americans have a combined net worth of $22.2 trillion, which is enough to buy every home in the 25 most populous metropolitan areas in the U.S, including New York City and Los Angeles, Redfin said.

President Trump promised to shake things up and that's at least one promise he's delivered on. His tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico and China have shaken up Wall Street and put stocks in a steep dive.

So is this the time to dump stocks and buy gold? Well, it might be if you like to sell low and buy high. On the other hand, no one ever knows how low stocks will go, so both gold and cash can be a good way to hedge your bets. Be sure to calculate the tax consequences of selling stock. You don't want to incur a big capital gains tab.

The advantage of gold is that it's considered a safe-haven asset, historically attracting investors during times of economic uncertainty, which is what we're living through right now. Gold is trading around $2,916 per troy ounce as of March 11, according to GoldPrice.org, reflecting a significant rise from previous years.

Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average is down more than 450 points Tuesday afternoon, prompting an outbreak of angina in many households. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite index also fell into correction territory, meaning it fell from 10% from its most recent high, and the S&P 500 is nearing a correction.

Historically, economic uncertainty drives many investors toward gold, seeking stability amid market volatility.​ Investors who are well-diversified nearly always have some gold in their portfolio and there's no reason smaller investors shouldn't do the same, even if they don't unload all their equities.

These days, it is typical for investors to buy gold through exchange-traded funds, such as the iShares Gold Trust Micro and SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust.

Gold's performance and forecasts

Gold's price trajectory has been notably bullish.In early 2025, prices reached a new high of $2,915 per ounce, marking a 100% increase from the March 2020 low of $1,451 per ounce. This upward trend is anticipated to continue, with Goldman Sachs revising its year-end 2025 forecast to $3,100 per ounce, up from the previous $2,890.

Similarly, J.P. Morgan predicts an average gold price of $2,950 in 2025, potentially reaching $3,000 per ounce. These projections are underpinned by factors such as sustained inflation, geopolitical risks, and robust demand from central banks.​

Still, the World Gold Council has cautioned the rally may cool in 2025 after gold's stellar performance in 2024.

Investment considerations

While gold's recent performance and optimistic forecasts are compelling, potential investors should approach with caution, as they would with any investment.

David Rosenberg, founder of Rosenberg Research, advises following Warren Buffett's prudent investment strategy, emphasizing the importance of "de-risking" portfolios during uncertain economic times.

Rosenberg, in a Marketwatch report, highlights the necessity of increasing cash reserves and investing in defensive sectors, including assets like gold that traditionally perform well during periods of instability.

Keep in mind that market corrections can occur, and gold is not immune to price fluctuations.Factors such as changes in interest rates, currency strength, and shifts in investor sentiment can influence gold's value. Therefore, diversification remains a key principle in investment strategies, ensuring that portfolios are balanced across various asset classes to mitigate potential risks.​

Newcomers considering exposure to gold without directly purchasing the physical metal, investing in gold mining companies presents an alternative. Others argue that, although it's a little bulky and needs careful handling, actual, physical gold is still king. ConsumerAffairs reviews gold dealers​ here.

Be bold but careful

Given the current economic landscape, characterized by trade tensions and inflationary pressures, gold continues to serve as a viable hedge against uncertainty.The metal's strong performance and favorable forecasts suggest potential for further appreciation.However, investors should consider a diversified approach to their portfolios.

Consulting with financial advisors and conducting thorough research are prudent steps to ensure alignment with individual financial goals and risk tolerance.​

Losing weight is something nearly every American wants to do but, like a lot of things, it's not always good for your health. Case in point: xylitol, the sugar substitute that's used in a lot of low-calorie foods.

Consumers with diabetes and those trying to lose weight choose artificial sweeteners to safeguard their health. But now, a new study by Cleveland Clinic researchers published in the European Heart Journal finds that xylitol carries an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.  

The study, published this week, examined the effects of xylitol on blood clotting and cardiovascular events. While researchers caution that their findings do not prove cause-and-effect, the results indicate a strong association between xylitol levels and cardiovascular risk.

Xylitol and cardiovascular events

The first part of the study analyzed blood plasma samples from over 3,000 fasting individuals who had participated in an earlier study. These individuals had been followed for three years, and some had experienced major cardiovascular events such as heart attacks or strokes.

When comparing their blood samples, researchers found that those who suffered a cardiovascular event had significantly higher blood levels of xylitol than those who did not.

How Xylitol affects blood clotting

To further explore the potential risks, researchers conducted lab tests on human blood and mice models.

• In human blood samples, they found that xylitol increased platelet activity, causing the blood to clot more easily.
• In mice, they injured the carotid artery and observed an accelerated rate of clot formation in those exposed to xylitol.

Since blood clots can travel to arteries and veins in major organs, they can increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and even death.

Testing on volunteers

The researchers also conducted a small human trial to test how quickly xylitol could affect blood clotting. They gave 10 healthy volunteers a drink sweetened with xylitol and measured their blood clotting ability before and 30 minutes after consumption.

• Results showed a rapid increase in clotting ability in those who consumed the xylitol drink.
• In contrast, volunteers who drank glucose or other sugar-sweetened beverages showed no changes in blood clotting.

What it means for consumers

While the findings are concerning, researchers stress that the study does not prove xylitol directly causes heart attacks or strokes.

“We need to determine whether this effect is unique to xylitol or common among all sugar alcohols,” said Dr. Stanley Hazen, a cardiologist and lead researcher of the study.

Until more research is done, experts advise consumers to be mindful of sugar substitutes and their potential health risks.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is sending more than $25.5 million in refunds to consumers who were misled into purchasing computer repair services through deceptive marketing tactics by two Cyprus-based companies.

The affected consumers were tricked by Restoro Cyprus Limited and Reimage Cyprus Limited, which falsely claimed that computers had security or performance issues to pressure users into buying unnecessary repair services.

In March 2024, the FTC sued the two companies, alleging that they violated the FTC Act and the Telemarketing Sales Rule by misleading consumers. The case resulted in a settlement order, which:

• Prohibited Restoro and Reimage from making false claims about security or performance issues.
• Banned them from engaging in deceptive telemarketing practices.
• Allowed the FTC to return funds to affected consumers.

Refund details

The FTC will distribute 736,375 PayPal payments on March 13 and 14 to consumers who were charged for these fraudulent repair services. Eligible consumers will receive an email about their refund before March 13.

Recipients should redeem their PayPal payments within 30 days to claim their funds.

How to get help

Consumers with questions can:
📞 Call the refund administrator: Rust Consulting, Inc. at 844-590-1102
💻 Visit the FTC’s website to view FAQs on the refund process.

The FTC reminds consumers that it never requires payment or personal account details to process refunds.

This case is part of ongoing FTC efforts to protect consumers from scams. In 2024 alone, the agency secured more than $337 million in refunds for victims of fraudulent businesses.

Consumers are encouraged to report scams and learn more about fraud prevention at consumer.ftc.gov.

Challenged by high home prices and overall living costs, many renters are exploring new housing options in early 2025 to better meet their needs. 

Whether they’re chasing career growth in major urban hubs, seeking a quieter lifestyle in smaller locations, or simply looking for a fresh start in a new neighborhood in their current area, apartment hunters need to plan ahead and weigh their options well before the peak rental season begins.

Rent Cafe, an apartment search website, recently identified the nation’s “hottest” rental markets, meaning rents are higher than normal and vacant apartments are sometimes hard to find. It found that Miami was the most competitive rental market, followed by suburban Chicago.

In Miami, for example, the average apartment is only vacant for 35 days before being occupied and 14 renters are competing for it. That’s great for landlords but not so good for renters.

Where rents are most affordable

On the flip side, many cities in the Midwest and South are much less competitive and more affordable. Cities in states like Kansas, Ohio, and Texas consistently appear on affordability lists.

Apartments.com recently reported the average rent in Wichita, Kan., is just under $800 a month. Zillow recently placed the average rent in Toledo, Ohio at $869.

At the same time, it can be tricky to provide a single, definitive "most affordable" list, as affordability depends on various factors. Even in low-rent markets, the price of rent can vary widely, depending on the neighborhood.

When comparing rental markets, Rent Cafe found these factors provide strong clues to the competitiveness of a market, indicating whether rents will be higher or lower than normal.

• the number of days apartments were vacant

• the percentage of apartments that were occupied by renters

• the number of prospective renters competing for an apartment

• the percentage of renters who renewed their leases

• the share of new apartments completed recently

In 2024, Realtor.com listed these markets as the 10 best for renters:

Losses from fraud, such as imposter scams and identity theft, reached record amounts last year.

Consumers reported losing more than $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a 25% increase from more than $10 billion in 2023, according to a yearly report by the Federal Trade Commission.

Victims filed the reports to the FTC, other government agencies and organizations such as the Better Business Bureau, but the reports don't capture all fraud in the U.S.

If you're a victim of fraud or identity theft, you can report it via the website ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

The FTC said the higher losses are because more people said they lost money since reports on fraud and identity theft have stayed stable at around 3.7 million over the last three years.

In 2024, around 38% of the reports involved a loss, up from 27% in 2023 and the highest share on record.

Median losses have also trended higher, reaching $497 in 2024 versus $311 in 2020.

What are the most common types of fraud?

Imposter scams, when fraudsters pretend to be businesses, governments or other organizations, was the most common scam.

The FTC said losses from government imposter scams in particular rose by $171 million in 2024 from 2023.

Imposter scams were followed by online shopping scams and business and job scams.

Employment-agency scams saw major growth, with reports tripling between 2024 and 2024 and losses jumping to $501 million from $90 million.

For the second year in a row, email was the most common way scammers reached people, accounting for a quarter of the fraud reports and $502 million in losses.

It was followed by phone calls, accounting for 19% of the reports, and text messages, accounting for 16%.

Younger people were more likely to lose money than older people: 44% of people aged 20 to 29 reported losing money, versus 24% among people aged 70 to 79.

Still, losses for older people was higher: People aged 70 to 79 reported a median loss of $1,000, compared with $417 for people aged 20 to 29.

Where is fraud happening more in the U.S.?

Fraud is more rampant in scattered parts of the U.S.

Florida had the highest rate of fraud with a rate of 2,163 reports per 100,000 peoople in 2024, followed by Georgia (2,108), Delaware (1,876), Nevada (1,867) and Maryland (1,799).

South Dakota had the lowest rate of fraud reports with 676 reports per 100,000 people, followed by North Dakota (696), Iowa (715), West Virginia (836) and Kansas (848).

Cognitive decline may have many causes but new research suggests environmental factors may play a significant role in development of dementia.

A study from the University of Georgia’s College of Public Health has found that certain surroundings, such as air pollution, proximity to green spaces, and walkability, significantly influence the risk of developing dementia. 

The study, a meta-analysis compiling data from 54 research papers, highlights the dangers of environmental pollutants while emphasizing the benefits of accessible green and blue spaces, such as parks and bodies of water.

For example, the analysis found that living near major roadways increased dementia risk by approximately 10%, while exposure to fine particulate matter—a byproduct of vehicle and industrial emissions—was linked to a 9% increase. Similarly, nitrous oxide exposure and noise pollution were each associated with a roughly 10% and 9% rise in risk, respectively.

But living in greener environments was found to be protective. Communities with ample green or blue spaces reduced dementia risk by about 6%. Neighborhoods with higher walkability and access to essential amenities like healthcare centers and food stores contributed to better cognitive health.

Based on their findings, the researchers suggest that people visit parks or forests more often and also live further from major roads.  

Implications for Urban Planning

The study’s findings have far-reaching implications for city planning and public health policy. The study’s authors conclude that data-driven urban planning could help create communities that support cognitive well-being.

By using objective environmental measurements rather than subjective reports, the study may provide a more reliable foundation for future research on how living conditions impact dementia risk.

The highest risk factor for dementia is age. There are several types of dementia but Alzheimer’s disease is among the most common.

As of 2023, the Alzheimer’s Association estimated 6.7 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's dementia. This number is expected to increase to 13.8 million by 2060.

Residents of the Dockside condominium complex in Charleston, S.C., have been ordered to evacuate after city officials cited structural concerns reminiscent of the deadly 2021 Champlain Towers South collapse in Surfside, Florida. The decision follows an engineering report warning of potential failures in the 19-story building’s concrete columns.

The order came on February 27, when Charleston’s chief building official issued an urgent evacuation directive to all residents. According to reports from the Post and Courier and other news outlets, engineers are now assessing the building’s integrity to determine if it is at risk of collapse. The situation is only now gaining national attention.

Engineering firm raises red flags

Two days prior to the evacuation, an engineering firm hired by the Dockside condo board raised alarms about the building’s stability. The firm is the same one that had been consulted by the Champlain Towers condo association after the Surfside disaster, which killed 98 people.

Engineers warned that the building’s concrete columns could be at risk of punching through the concrete slabs—one of the primary triggers of the 2021 Surfside collapse, according to a report in Insurance Journal.

Concerns about the Charleston condo’s structural integrity were not new. Reports indicate that warnings about the building’s condition had been raised two years ago. In the wake of the Florida tragedy, several high-rise buildings across the U.S. underwent inspections, including structures in Charleston. In August 2024, another Charleston property, the Peoples Building, was evacuated due to similar concerns over water intrusion and structural weaknesses.

Next steps and safety assessments

Charleston officials have given the engineering firm until March 14 to complete a full structural analysis of the Dockside building. Until then, residents remain displaced, awaiting clarity on whether they will be able to return or if the building will require major repairs or even demolition.

The sudden evacuation has left many residents scrambling for temporary housing while officials work to ensure public safety. The incident serves as another reminder of the ongoing risks posed by aging high-rise structures, particularly in coastal cities where water intrusion and salt corrosion contribute to accelerated structural deterioration.

As Charleston authorities and engineers work against the clock, residents of Dockside—and beyond—are left grappling with questions about the safety of their homes and the adequacy of building inspections and maintenance protocols in the face of such risks.

Another Champlain Towers?

he Champlain Towers South collapse was one of the deadliest building failures in U.S. history, occurring in Surfside, Florida, on June 24, 2021. The tragedy resulted in 98 deaths and widespread scrutiny of building safety regulations, particularly in coastal areas.

What Happened?

• Around 1:22 a.m., a large portion of the 12-story beachfront condominium suddenly collapsed, leaving residents trapped under tons of rubble.
• Search and rescue efforts lasted for two weeks, but after no survivors were found beyond the initial hours, the operation transitioned to a recovery mission.
• The remaining part of the structure was demolished on July 4, 2021, for safety reasons.

Possible Causes

• Engineers and investigators found signs of long-term structural damage, particularly in the pool deck and underground parking garage.
• A 2018 structural report warned of major concrete deterioration and waterproofing issues, especially in areas supporting the building’s foundation.
• Water intrusion and corrosion from salt air may have weakened key structural components over time.
• Investigators suggested "punching shear failure", where concrete columns effectively broke through the slabs they supported.