From the market rally to affordability, here are the forces shaping your financial future

As the labor market continues to be in flux, we're seeing a fascinating trend: Younger workers are rethinking the traditional career playbook.

While past generations often sought decades of stability with a single employer, today's professionals are leaning into portfolio careers – balancing freelance gigs, entrepreneurial side hustles and office jobs to mitigate risk in a challenging economy.

Yes, artificial intelligence is part of the equation disrupting the job market. But there are ​other factors shaping the world at work, which I discuss below.

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The reverse-career pivot

Younger workers are more likely than previous generations to change jobs.

Indeed, the median tenure with an employer for workers ages 25 to 34 was 2.7 years in January 2024, compared with 9.6 years for workers ages 55 to 64, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. And Pew Research Center finds that younger workers are less satisfied with their jobs than older workers, even ​as overall job satisfaction rose in 2024.

When I met Janel Abrahami at a LinkedIn event a few months ago, and she told me about her reverse-career pivot, I knew she would be a ​perfect person to profile for the Reuters Emotional Currency series.

On a related topic, do you know a younger person who is juggling ⁠several jobs? Chances are you might: Polyemployment hit a decade high last year, with Gen Z making up 55% of the polyemployed workforce in the U.S., according to a recent report, opens new tab by global workforce management platform Deputy. (Polyemployment ​is defined as having multiple jobs.)

But holding down several gigs at once comes with plenty of challenges. Check out this story on why one job no longer cuts it for millennials, Gen Z.

Are prediction markets the future ​of finance? More than a billion dollars a week is being staked on prediction markets Polymarket and Kalshi, on everything from the World Cup winner to whether President Donald Trump will put boots on the ground in Iran. But ​a handful of big winners have sparked concerns.

The luxury shift

More than half of Gen Zers and millennials say they view spending on their hobbies and interests as a necessity rather than a luxury, according to a recent study, opens new tab ‌conducted by the ⁠Harris Poll on behalf of personal finance firm Intuit Credit Karma.

Just over half of millennials and 45% of Gen Z say they would rather reduce long-term savings than give up certain lifestyle experiences, such as going out to eat, traveling and gym memberships.

As traditional milestones feel further out of reach, young people are expanding the definition of necessities to include convenience.

Here is why they are treating luxuries like necessities.

The "pet inflation" reality

Careful readers of this newsletter know I am a big proponent of pet insurance. So here is a fun fact: There are about 163.5 million dogs and cats in the U.S., yet fewer than 4% are insured, according to North American Pet Health Insurance Association, opens new tab.

"If anything, it's a ​peace-of-mind factor. In the majority of emergency situations, the ​cost ends up being less than if you have ⁠pet insurance," says Dr. Zac Pilossoph, a consulting veterinarian at Healthy Paws pet insurance. "It's a long-term play in most situations."

I was quite surprised when I recently received a policy renewal for my dog CJ, a 9-year-old toy poodle. The co-insurance dropped quite substantially – from 90% in our Whole Pet with Wellness plan to just 50% co-insurance.

My ​premiums are not cheap, either. I'll spend almost $3,000 next year for pet insurance, which is almost more than I pay for my own corporate healthcare coverage.

There ​was no explanation or information ⁠why the change occurred, so I reached out to our insurer, Nationwide. I identified myself as a customer as well as a Reuters journalist. Through a spokesman, Nationwide says it does not comment on individual policies.

"Across the country, the cost of veterinary care continues to rise, and many pets are living longer and require more complex and ongoing medical treatment," Nationwide said. "During renewal, we may adjust benefits or premiums to better reflect current treatment costs and the level of care ⁠pets need today ​and over time. … Our priority is to keep coverage affordable now while supporting pet health needs in the years ahead."

Due to CJ's ​age, it is unlikely we will be able to get a new, comprehensive policy. I considered putting the money I'd spend on premiums into a bank account and hope for the best, but my husband put the kibosh on that plan. So, we are sticking with ​Nationwide, for now.

Are you seeing a spike in your pet insurance premiums or a cut in what's covered? I'd love to hear your story. Reach out via the link in my bio.