Happy Saturday, Besties.

Everyone’s asking: are we heading into a recession? Economists check jobs, inflation, and GDP data (which signal “no recession”. At least not yet). But the faster indicator might be your blonde bestie’s hair.

If she’s becoming brunette, you’re seeing the newest economic signal: the Recession Brunette.

• In 2008, it was “Recession Hair”—people skipped trims to save money.

• In 2025, it’s “Recession Roots”—when your blondest friend starts showing up brunette because toner’s expensive. And a balayage cost more than your car payment.

If your friend arrives at brunch with dark roots and a tight smile? Don’t ask about her portfolio. She is the portfolio.

 💅 Boy Sober: The New Lifestyle Trend

"It is a truth universally acknowledged," Jane Austen once wrote, "that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." But what if the single woman isn’t in want of a husband?

Enter Boy Sober—the rising trend where a record number of young American women are choosing to not look for Mr. Right. In 2023, 51% of women ages 18–40 were single (up from 42% in 2000). And just 52% now say marriage is key to a fulfilling life—down from 70% in 2019.

Why the ghosting of grooms? Four fascinating forces:

1. 💰 Money moves: Women are wealthier—no man, no mortgage problem.

2. 🎓 Education gap: 47% of women age 25-34 have college degrees vs. just 37% of men.

3. 🗳️ Politics: The left-right divide by gender has never been wider…and it’s getting real awkward on dates.

And finally…the Takeaway:

4. 📱 Dating app fatigue: Women devote all that time on Hinge… for what?

In this WSJ article, there was one common theme that didn’t have a data point attached to it—Tinder fatigue. After 10,000 hours of swiping, matching, ghosting, and getting ghosted, many women are just... over it.

• As one put it: “Dating apps are the only thing you can invest 10,000 hours into and still be single.” This quote was the reason we covered this story. She literally could have learned Mandarin in that amount of time.

Boy Sober isn’t just a lifestyle. It’s a swipe detox. (And check out this 🔥 clip about it)

🤰 “Car Bloat”: Why Your Commute Feels Like

Tetris

The car industry doesn’t know if EVs will win, or if autonomous cars will take over, or when the trade war will end (new 25% tariffs hit this week). But one thing is certain: Americans want big cars. SUVs, trucks, tanks on wheels—we’ want ‘em.

It’s called Car Bloat: Today’s Ford F-150 weighs 800 pounds more than it did in 1991. And trucks'/SUVs now make up 80% of new car sales (up from 25% in the '70s). Recap: We’re buying more big cars, and those big cars are getting bigger. Whether you’re single, a DINK, or a parent who prioritizes cupholders, you want big.

That’s great for Detroit profits. But it’s bad for the roads: Bloomberg reports “Car Bloat” makes traffic 10% worse—because our cars now physically take up 10% more space.

The Takeaway: This is the Panamax Effect—When consumers choose the biggest possible thing… as long as it still fits.

• 📲 Steve Jobs once said no one wanted a big phone. But Steve was (shockingly) wrong: The iPhone 16 is now 76% bigger than the original. Because we always want bigger—until infrastructure says no (in this case our hands/pockets).

• 🚢 Cargo ships max out at 1,200 feet. Why? Because that’s the max size to fit through the Panama Canal (hence the term “Panamax”).

• 🚗 Cars can only be as wide as the lane. Because we want the biggest thing… as long as it still fits. The only reason Chevy’s Suburban doesn’t have 4 seats across? The Panamax Effect.

And yes, that Rivian is in your lane.

👯‍♀️ Tell a Bestie:

These are the headlines from our “Headline Hammer” of potential stories for the show each morning that we just couldn’t fit on the pod:

• 💍 Bezos wedding invites are out – rsvp for Venice’s $32K/night Aman hotel.

• 🛒 Dollar Tree sells Family Dollar… at a 90% discount – Ironic.

• 🐸 Kermit the Frog to speak at U Maryland commencement – Called it.

• 🔥 KB Home debuts “fire-resilient” community in SoCal – Built for the new normal.

• 🗺️ Google Maps launches “Vacation Planner” concierge to plan trips based on your screenshots – Because spreadsheets kill the vibe.

• 💰 OpenAI expects $12.7B in revenue this year – That’s more than Snapchat and X combined.

• 🏦 Wall Street bonuses hit $47.5B this year, an #ATH – That’s $244,700 per NYC banker. And it’s bigger than the GDP of Vermont (by a lot).

• 🎥 Sundance Film Festival moves to Boulder – More space, same snow.

The Best Idea Yet 🐟

Goldfish started as a romantic snack — literally. Invented by a Swiss baker as a gift for his (Pisces) wife… but the female entrepreneur who brought it state-side is the most impressive dealmaker you’ve never heard of…

And that wild origin story of Goldfish Crackers is the newest episode of our weekly podcast The Best Idea Yet.

PS: Jack opens the episode by telling the story of how he won his wife’s heart. Spoiler: It happened during the 7th Inning Stretch. Listen to The Best Idea Yet for more.

And one more thing. Hope your SUV still fits in the garage, your dating apps stay deleted, and your Goldfish remain full of love (& cheddar).

We’re heading to Chicago next week for a podcasting award ceremony… The Best Idea Yet is nominated for Best Business Podcast 😃😃 (and we’re up against How I Built This) - thank you for always pushing play & getting us to this wild moment.

Celebrate the wins ✨

— Nick & Jack