Here are a few unique traits that make babies born in this month special

Pumpkin spice lattes aren’t the only reason why September calls for celebration. Did you know that September is the most popular month of the year to be born? Yup! According to a study done by Reader’s Digest, nine of the 10 most common birthdays are in September. So get ready to party, and discover some other interesting facts about your September baby.

They’re happier.

Success is great, but nothing is more important than happiness. Time reports people born in the fall months are the least likely to suffer from depression. They are also the least likely to suffer from bipolar disorder, but studies disagree on whether it’s because there’s still a lot of fresh produce in the fall or short winter days haven’t set in yet.

People born in September are at the top of their class.

Being a September baby means higher rates of academic success, according to a study conducted by the National Bureau of Economic Research. Most September babies are the oldest kids in their class thanks to enrollment cut-off dates that often lead to these tykes getting a late start in school. That late start, also known as red-shirting, means that kids born in September are more mature, which was shown to have a significant impact on their cognitive development and test scores throughout primary school.

They probably make good co-workers.

People born in September fall under either the Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22) or Libra (Sept. 22 – Oct. 22) astrology sign. One strength of a Virgo baby is that they’re hardworking and analytical, and Libra babies are cooperative and diplomatic, all of which are good qualities in a teammate.

Related: Babies Born in June Are More Social (& Other Fun Facts)

People born in September and September babies are usually good athletes
iStock

They’re usually first-string.

Academics aren’t the only thing September babies are successful at. Babies born in the fall are more likely to succeed in athletics as well. For the same reasons that they are successful in the classroom, being the oldest often gives them an on-field advantage in size and strength.

The birthstone for September is a sapphire.

One of the world’s most precious gemstones, ancient Greek and Roman societies believed this brilliant blue stone would protect those who wore it from harm and envy. In medieval Europe, the sapphire was also thought to have healing powers.

They tend to live longer.

People born in September and November are more likely to live to be 100. According to a study from the University of Chicago that analyzed data from over 1,500 centurions, most people who live to be 100 are born during these months. The reason for this, the researchers suggest, is that this group was less likely to suffer from seasonal infections early in life, which could impact life-long health.

People born in September have strong bones.

A study conducted by Bristol University concluded that babies born in late summer and early fall had thicker bones than babies born during the rest of the year. Wider bones are thought to be stronger and less prone to breaking especially later in life, which is good news if you live to be 100.

There are lots of famous people born in September.

Every birth month can claim a celebrity or two, but September is flooded with famous faces blowing out their birthday candles. Keanu Reeves, Will Smith, and Beyonce are just some of the A-list stars born in September, but it doesn’t stop there. Some of your kid’s favorite authors and creative minds are also September babies, including Roald Dahl, Shel Silverstein, and Jim Henson.

Related: Why People Born in August Are Strong-Willed (& Other Interesting Facts)

Kids and online shopping don’t exactly go hand in hand—especially if they can buy with one click and order $2,600 worth of Spongebob popsicles, for example. But kids 11 and under have purchasing power, approximately $1.2 trillion according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

That’s why CAMP, an interactive toy store, has launched the new Present Shop, the first safe and secure e-commerce shopping platform for kids. Now kids can shop and send the perfect gift straight to parents, teachers or friends, with a few parameters set up by the resident adult, of course.

First, the parent or guardian visits camp.com/presents to choose the event, budget, shipping and payment info. From there, kids receive a unique code to enter the Present Shop and the fun begins! Budget money is converted to digital coins and kids experience a unique game-like interface to spend them. They’re guided by Scout, CAMP’s animated mascot, who provides visual and audio cues.

“Grown-ups used to give kids a little ‘walking around’ money to treat themselves every now and then,” said Ben Kaufman, CEO of CAMP. “Today, kids can’t use cash online, and there are very few real world stores that curate a kid-safe assortment of toys, gifts and treats. CAMP’s Present Shop reignites the magic we all felt as kids walking through a mall with a $10 bill.”

It’s a win win: parents save time on the shopping front and kids get take responsibility for gifts in a fun, safe environment. The Present Shop is Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) compliant and it helps your youngsters put value behind their choices. Not quite the same as visiting the local mall, but no parking headaches, either!

—Sarah Shebek

 

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On Oct. 1, 1971 Walt Disney World Resort officially opened. With the Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Resort and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground ready for guests, visitors paid a whopping $3.50, according to Allears.net.

In comparison to the opening day price, today’s Walt Disney World Tickets range from $109 to $159. So how much has the price per ticket risen each decade?

The website Go Banking Rates took Allears.com’s data, adjusted the dollar amounts for inflation using the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ calculator and came up with figures (in today’s dollars) for the decades since Walt Disney World officially opened.

Walt Disney World’s 1971 price equates to just under $22 in today’s terms. The rates rose to $3.75 (or $23.26 today) by the following year. Ticket prices jumped to $9.50 (or $26.05 today) a decade after the opening year, in 1981.

By 1991 the ticket price skyrocketed to $33, or just under $63 in today’s prices. With the ever-increasing cost of admission, the 2001 price was $48 (or $70.22 today) and the 2011 price was $85 (or $96.46 today)! How times have changed.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Thomas Kelley via Unsplash 

 

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The economy is looking pretty good… if you happen to be a kid. A new study reveals that kids allowance is increasing at a faster rate than wages in America.

A recent survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) polled 1,002 U.S. adults on the subject of kids’ allowance. What exactly did it find?

The survey found that kids are taking in an average of $30 per week, which adds up to $1,500 a year. The average rate for hourly chores is $6.11, up 38 percent from 2016. Meanwhile, the average hourly pay rate for all Americans increased by just 10.5 percent ($25.43 in 2016 vs. $28.11 in 2019) according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

More than 4 in 5 Americans believe kids should receive an allowance, with 52 percent agreeing that every cent should be earned and linked to chores. While a quarter (27 percent) believes it should be partially earned and partially gifted. Two-thirds of American parents give their kids an allowance of some sort, while 75 percent said the most important purpose of providing an allowance to kids is to teach them about the value of money and financial responsibility. Unfortunately, the survey found that allowance money is rarely saved.

photo: Rawpixel via Pexels 

Luckily the AICPA has some advice for parents looking to teach their kids about the importance of savings. “Rather than giving your child money to spend freely, consider an allocation process that rewards them for both short- and long-term thinking. Encourage them to set aside a percentage of the money they earn each week for certain spending categories like outings with friends, short-term savings, and long-term savings such as a college fund. Encourage even more savings by offering to match their long-term savings stockpile dollar for dollar,” says David Almonte, CPA member of the AICPA Financial Literacy Commission.

It’s important to have an open dialogue with your kids about money as well. The more often you engage your kids in financial discussions, the more likely they are to learn.

“Let your child set their own goals and help guide them towards them. Along the way, teach the principles of saving and budgeting. If a new game console is on their want list, show them how to calculate the amount that needs to be saved each week to reach that goal. For instance, if they receive $30 a week, but want a $240 gaming system, remind them that their goal equals eight weeks of allowance. Then, if there is temptation to splurge on a spontaneous item, like candy in the check-out aisle, ask whether it fits into their budget. This will help teach how skipping short-term wants can help them reach their long-term goals,” advises Monica Sonnier, CPA member of the AICPA Financial Literacy Commission.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

 

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Recent research may have found a connection between dad’s ability to stay home, following the birth of a baby, and mom’s physical and mental health.

The study, which was released by the National Bureau of Economic Research, looked at the effects of parental leave reform in Sweden. In 2012 Swedish law changed, giving dads the option of taking up to 30 days of paid leave following a baby’s birth.

photo: Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash

So what did the researchers find? Not surprisingly, letting dad stay home (and still get paid!) after a baby’s birth reduced the risks of maternal health issues and helped to improve mental health.

Study researchers noted that mothers were 11 percent less likely to get an antibiotic prescription and 26 percent less likely to need an anti-anxiety prescription in the first half-year following childbirth. That is, when dad was given the flexibility to stay home. And as it turns out, dad didn’t actually need all 30 days to make an impact. The researchers found that the average dad only took a few days of paid leave—but still had a positive impact on mom!

—Erica Loop

 

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Working for a big box retailer might just pay off. Walmart recently released some pretty impressive stats in the company’s annual Environmental, Social and Governance Report. And when it comes to compensation, management is where it’s at.

So how much do Walmart’s store managers make? According to the report, leaders in this position make an average of $175,000 per year!

 

Before you start thinking that these highly-paid managers came from fancy business schools, take a look at some more of Walmart’s statistics. The report also notes that over 75 percent of the company’s management team members started as hourly employees. These motivated managers worked their way up, using the retailer as their own personal training ground.

The average Walmart manager salary well outranks other jobs that you might expect to pay more. Accountants make an average of $70,500 per year, lawyers make an average of $120,910 annually and advertising execs make an average of $132,620, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Mike Mozart via Flickr

 

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Juggling parenthood and a career is never easy especially for moms who face obstacles, like gender pay gaps and difficulty returning to work after taking time off. According to a new study, where you live can make a big difference in how these factors impact your career. Find out if your state ranks in the top ten best states for working moms below.

The study conducted by WalletHub used three main factors to determine the best states for working moms, including child care, professional opportunities and work-life balance. Within those categories they assessed each state based on 16 specific metrics, like gender pay gap, pediatricians per capita, school ratings, median women’s salary, and child care costs among others. With data collected from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Partnership for Women & Families, and several other studies and research organizations, WalletHub ranked each state based on the metrics.

Based on WalletHub’s findings here are the top 10 states for working women:

  1. Massachussets
  2. Rhode Island
  3. Connecticut
  4. Vermont
  5. District of Columbia
  6. New Jersey
  7. Minnesota
  8. Wisconsin
  9. New Hampshire
  10. Washington

“Given that we still lack federal paid family leave in the United States and it is unlikely to materialize in at least the short term, firms should provide paid leave so all workers – not just professionals – have the financial ability to take time off after the birth of a child,” said One E. Winkler Ph.D. a Professor of Economics & Public Policy Administration at the University of Missouri at St. Louis who was part of a panel of experts on the study.

Winkler continued, “Such policies benefit firms as well as parents by improving worker morale and attachment to the firm. Other policies that support families include on-site high-quality, affordable day care or subsidies to help workers purchase this care. Flextime is also important so that parents can adjust their schedules for doctor’s visits, etc.”

You can check out the full list if rankings for all 50 states here.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Christina Morillo via Pexels

 

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The federal government has hundreds of thousands of temporary U.S. Census jobs open. And we’ve got the scoop on how to score one for yourself.

Preparations for the 2020 U.S. Census are already under way. Even though preliminary operations don’t start until August, the government agency in charge of tallying up the nation is gearing up to scout specific locations, identifying where people do or could live. Following this Address Canvassing stage (which is set to conclude in October 2019), the Bureau will mail out 2020 Census invitations. To accomplish this stage, the Census Bureau needs temporary workers.

photo: Tim Gouw via Pexels

The Census Bureau’s hiring phase will last throughout the next year. New hires will start canvassing in the spring and summer of 2020, knocking on the doors of those who didn’t reply to the initial invitation. Along with these field jobs, the government is also hiring a limited number of Census office positions.

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that as of Mar. 4 over 170,000 potential hires have already filled out job applications. So far, the government has hired more than 800 new employees. If landing a 2020 Census job sounds good to you, visit 2020census.gov/jobs to apply. You can also call 855-JOB-2020 and select option 3 for more job-related information. Find local area Census office locations and pay rates for both field and office employees here.

—Erica Loop

 

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STEM careers are rapidly growing and yet the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that there won’t be enough computer science graduates to fill the demand. Amazon is looking to change that with a pivotal investment in students through its Amazon Future Engineer program.

Amazon announced it will fund computer science courses in more than 1,000 high schools across the country. This investment is part of the $50 million the company has pledged towards computer science and STEM education in the United States. More than 700 of those high schools are classified as Title I, meaning they primarily serve students from low-income communities.

photo: Courtesy of Amazon

“We want to ensure that every child, especially those from underprivileged communities, has an opportunity to study computer science,” said Jeff Wilke, CEO Worldwide Consumer for Amazon. “We are excited more than 1,000 schools will now provide these courses, and look forward to adding 1,000 more schools over the coming months.”

The funding will provide for Intro to Computer Science and AP Computer Science classes through curriculum provider, Edhesive. This will include preparatory lessons, tutorials, professional development for teachers, curriculum for students and live online support for teachers and students. All students participating in the program will receive a free membership to AWS Educate, which provides them with free access to the AWS Cloud for their coding projects and tutorials on cloud computing.

“Our students are hungry for computer science education, but we could not get the funding to bring this class to our school,” said Chad Bobb, a teacher at Pike High School, a Title I school in Indianapolis, Indiana. “Amazon Future Engineer allows us to open our students’ eyes to something that is both interesting and can lead them into rewarding, thriving careers.”

—Shahrzad Warkentin

 

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While fertility rate in the United States is in an overall decline, an increase in moms-to-be is happening in a surprising demographic, as more women aged 30 to 34 are having babies.

According to a recent study by the National Bureau of Economic Research, pregnancies among women ages 30 to 34 are on the rise. This signals a shift for the United States as in past decades, women ages 25 to 29 have typically had the highest birth rates, followed by those 20 to 24. So why are younger women forgoing becoming parents?

photo: Rawpixel

There is no single reason to explain why younger women are bypassing having kids until later in life, but the researchers have theories that explain the decline. Lack of federally-mandated paid leave, skyrocketing student debt and rising housing costs definitely factor in as to why Millennials might be waiting to have kids.

Add to that the influence of technology—or what Kasey Buckles, economist at the University of Notre Dame, refers to as “Netflix and no chill”—and the decline in births among younger women starts to make a lot more sense.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

 

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