In 2024, travel transformed with AI-assisted trip planning, a resurgence of luxury train journeys, and a growing emphasis on wellness through solitude and stargazing. Urban explorers embraced green spaces and foraged dining, while music enthusiasts traveled extensively for live performances. 

As 2025 approaches, the focus will shift toward deeper, experience-driven adventures. Literature-inspired tourism is on the rise, with book festivals attracting larger crowds and hotels celebrating their literary connections. 

Astrocartography is gaining traction, guiding travelers to destinations aligned with their personal astrological charts. Meanwhile, honeymoons are becoming more immersive, with newlyweds favoring extended, meaningful getaways over traditional weeklong retreats.

Finsum: While everyone is implementing AI to improve efficiency, don’t forget to leverage it for personal matters such as gift and vacation ideas. 

The debate over custodial pricing continues, with many questioning whether bundling all revenue sources into a single fee is fair. Since custodians don’t face significantly higher costs for a $10 million account versus a $100,000 one, a pay-for-services-used model may be more equitable. 

Another pressing issue is the slow adoption of automated onboarding, as many custodians still require paper forms and wet signatures despite available digital alternatives. Some speculate that firms hesitate to streamline transfers because it would make it easier for advisors to switch custodians, reducing client stickiness. 

Beyond pricing and onboarding, factors like service quality, cost, and additional features—such as dedicated support teams or integrated technology—shape custodian selection. 

Finsum: As the industry evolves, understanding these priorities will be key to creating a more efficient and competitive custodial marketplace.

Americans today allocate a larger share of their wealth to the stock market than in previous decades, a shift largely driven by the rise of target date funds (TDFs). These funds, which automatically adjust their asset mix as investors age, have become the default option in many workplace retirement plans since the mid-2000s. 

Research from MIT Sloan suggests that the widespread adoption of TDFs has led younger investors to hold more equities than they might have otherwise. The 2006 Pension Protection Act played a key role in this trend by allowing employers to use TDFs as default retirement investments, increasing participation in equity-heavy portfolios. 

While the impact of TDFs is strongest in the early years of enrollment, many older investors have also gradually shifted toward similar investment strategies. As TDFs continue gaining popularity, they could contribute to market stability by influencing stock price movements and reducing volatility over time.

Finsum: The default 60/40 portfolio is too passive for many young investors and holding larger equity younger, could accelerate their savings.