Number of billionaires on the planet in 2008, according to Forbes' list: 1,125

Number of billionaires on the list this year: 793

Total net worth of these billionaires last year: $4.4 trillion

Total net worth this year: $2.4 trillion

UNPAID AS PREZ

Number of American presidents who turned down their salaries, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless: 2 (George Washington donated his earnings back to the state; John F. Kennedy donated the money to private organizations)

CLOSE TO HOME

Percentage of adults born in Alaska who still live there, the lowest percentage among the 50 states, according to the Pew Research Center's Social Demographic Trends: 28.2%

Texas, by contrast, knows how to hold 'em — percentage of adults born in that state who still live there, making the Lone Star state the nation's stickiest: 75.8%

CAR REPAIR COSTS

Average percentage more that vehicle repairs cost at new car dealerships than at independent repair shops, according to the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association: 34.3%

Resulting excess costs annually to consumers: $11.7 billion

FEELING DOWN

Percentage of Americans who say their personal financial situation is poor, according to a Zogby poll: 20%

Percentage who have little or no confidence their children will have a better life than they had: 42%

BULLISH ON PETS

Value of the pet business in 2008, according to the report U.S. Pet Market Outlook 2009-2010: Surviving and Thriving in Challenging Economic Times: $51 billion

Projected value by 2010: $57 billion

RICH GET POORER

Percentage drop in the number of U.S. households with a net worth of $1 million or more, not including primary residence, according to a report by Spectrem Group: 27%

Percentage drop in the number of ultra-high net worth households (net worth of $5 million or more): 28%

Percentage drop in affluent households, a broader group defined as those with $500,000 or more in net worth: 28%

IDLE THOUGHT

"There is only one difference between a madman and me. The madman thinks he is sane. I know I am mad."

— Salvador Dali, painter