A 28-year-old social worker from South Jersey says they paid off a $225,000 mortgage in just a year and a half. The home, purchased in July 2024 for $475,000, came with a 30-year mortgage at a 7.125% interest rate. “I am MORTGAGE-FREE!!!” they wrote on Reddit’s r/Mortgages recently, celebrating the payoff just three days after sending the final check. How It Happened The social worker explained that while their current income is about $80,000 a year, the real financial engine came from a years-long side ...

Market Overview - The global watches market size was estimated at $66.38 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $96.81 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 4.3% from 2025 to 2033, driven by rising demand for premium and mid-range quartz and mechanical watches [2] - Another estimate indicates the global watch market will start at $85.33 billion in 2025, rise to $92.51 billion in 2026, and reach $191.24 billion by 2033, with a CAGR of 8.41% from 2025 to 2035 [3] Market Trends - Quartz and mechanical watches held 68.46% of total market share in 2024, indicating a strong demand for traditional craftsmanship [3] - By region, Asia Pacific held a market share of 49.14% in 2024, while the U.S. watch market is expected to see a CAGR of 4.2% from 2025 to 2033 [8] - Analog watches led the market with a revenue share of 91.69% in 2024, and men accounted for the largest revenue share of 76.05% in the same year [8] - Offline sales held the highest market share in 2024, reflecting consumer preferences for traditional retail channels [8] Company Insights - E. Gluck, which owns the Armitron and Torgoen brands, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, citing a shift in consumer preferences away from traditional watches towards smartwatches and other devices [5][6] - Founded in 1956 by Eugen Gluck, the company has a notable history, having been established by a Holocaust survivor [6][7]