Financial Surveys & Statistics

Here are some random, but relevant statistics that I’ve collected the past week.

1,905,723 – The number of housing foreclosures filed through the first six months this year. (Source: Realty Trac, Inc.)

2139 – The year convicted swindler Bernard L. Madoff will be released from prison in Butner, North Carolina, 130 years from now, assuming he receives 20 years off his sentence for good behavior. (Source: BFG Research)

Government Spending:
- $10 Billion: The amount of money that the proposed Water Protection and Reinvestment Act would spend to upgrade water and sewer systems. (Source: Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D.-Ore.)
- $20 Billion: the funding the House has proposed to spend of high speed-train projects by 2014. (Source: Federal Railroad Administration)

175,000 – The number of automobiles estimated to be purchased through the federal governments Car Allowance Rebate System this year. (Source: HIS Global Insight)

Grandparents helping Grandchildren — A recent online poll of 1,077 adults over age 45 found that 63% of respondents have provided financial assistance or monetary gifts to their grandchildren in the past 5 years. (Source: Investment News)