The Tooth Fairy Predicts the Economy
And the tooth – sorry, the truth – is, things are getting better.
Dental coverage network Delta Dental has run something called the Tooth Fairy Poll since 1998. They survey over 1,200 parents about visits from the Tooth Fairy: specifically, how much she pays.
Then they compare it to the stock market and call it an economic indicator.
Sound crazy? In the past decade, the two have aligned nine times out of 10. Last year, the S&P 500 gained 13.4 percent, and gifts from the Tooth Fairy increase 15.2. percent.
The obvious conclusion? Get your investment advice from the Tooth Fairy.
Other findings from the annual poll indicate the average amount given for the first tooth is $3.49. For all teeth, it was $2.42 (up from $2.10 in 2011). The most common amount, however, was $1. That was the amount given more than half the time. One in five kids gets $5 per tooth.
In two percent of homes, the Tooth Fairy leaves behind toys, candy, or gum instead of money. Since you can’t really buy a toy or candy for less than $1 these days, I’d say those kids are coming out ahead.
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