WE’LL SPEND BIG ON VALENTINE’S DAY _ Americans are gearing up for another extravagant Valentine’s Day in 2026, with spending projected to hit nearly $26 billion, maintaining the levels seen in recent years. The average consumer celebrating the holiday on February 14 (a Saturday this year) plans to spend $185.81, about $8 more than the five-year average. Candy remains a favorite, appearing on 57 percent of shopping lists, while flowers are sought by 39 percent of consumers. Jewelry continues to dominate spending categories, with $6.4 billion expected to be spent. Dining out is another significant expenditure, forecasted at $4.9 billion. Pets are not left out of the celebration: Americans will spend approximately $1.5 billion on gifts for their furry friends. Men continue to outspend women significantly, with average expenditures of $249 compared to $115 for women.
REAL RESUMES, REAL STUPID _ Collected from hiring managers. All true.
• I am very detail-oreinted.
• Thank you for your consideration. Hope to hear from you shorty!
• It’s best for employers that I not work with people.
• Here are my qualifications for you to overlook.
• I am a quick leaner, dependable, and motivated.
• Please disregard the attached resume — it is terribly out of date.
• Graduated in the top 66% of my class.
• Previous experience: Self-employed. It was a fiasco.
• I have a bachelorette degree in computers.
• Referees available upon request.
MOUNT EVEREST PRICE INCREASE _ In a new move by the government of Nepal, climbers aiming to conquer Mount Everest will now have to pay $15,000 for a permit, a 36 percent increase from the previous fee of $11,000. This increase is designed to address the overwhelming demand to climb the world’s tallest mountain, which has resulted in dangerous traffic jams and life-threatening conditions near the summit. Additionally, climbers looking to tackle Everest during off-peak seasons will face reduced fees, with costs set at $7,500 for the September to November period and $3,750 for the December to February period. These changes aim to regulate the number of climbers attempting the challenging ascent and improve safety conditions on the mountain. Over last five years the Nepalese army has removed 131 tons of trash and 14 human corpses from the slopes, which is still far from the believed 200 bodies on the mountain.
