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It’s a 21st Century internet truism: millennials ruin everything. So far, they’ve ruined everything from marriage and the diamond industry to the workforce and vacations.

However, there are a few things that have only been revised due to millennial trends. Automotive financing, for example, is one of them.

Auto financing hasn’t gotten a facelift since, well, its inception. While auto financing is common among car buyers — 43% of people do it in order to help pay for their new vehicles — the process remains very antiquated. It is still largely paper-driven, after all. It’s also a relatively slow process and a confusing one at that. Why some potential buyers aren’t approved for loans often remains a mystery.

Millennials have already disrupted the car buying experience with their digital fixations and e-commerce preferences. Thanks to the millennial buying experience, which is largely centered on Amazon-like services that deliver products to your doorstep with a click of a button, the overall American buying experience for all products, including cars, has changed.

The days of walking into a dealership to go car shopping with the help of a salesman are largely gone. When a buyer does walk into a dealership, they have likely already done research and know what they want. It was only a matter of time that dealership financing and insurance shopping saw the same changes.

Now, JPMorgan Chase has developed a new financing option: Chase Auto Direct. This Chase service, in partnership with TrueCar, an online car-buying service, streamlines the process of financing.

It works like this: pre-approved borrowers who apply with Chase are directed to one of Chase’s more than 14,000 affiliated dealerships. When the cars hit the lot, they will come with their financing paperwork already figured out, so the buyer can just show up to the showroom, sign, and drive.

It’s as instant as possible, as long as the app is as seamless and user-friendly as Chase promises it will be. Currently, Chase Auto Direct is available in 30 states. Chase is expected to expand its availability to all 50 states sometime next year.

Hurricane Matthew had many southeast coast residents worrying about their safety, and the safety of their homes, last week. Of course, the damage from this particular storm could have been much worse, but 2016’s hurricane season is far from over.

Most of the people who live in the Southeastern United States are well aware of the financial cost of hurricanes, tropical storms and other extreme weather events — water damages cost an average of $2,386 alone to fix, while wind damages can cost up to $10,000 — and they take steps to safeguard their property against the worst of the damage. And of course everyone who lives in the path of a hurricane knows the importance of stocking up on bottled water, shelf-stable snacks, flashlights, batteries and other emergency preparedness items.

Unfortunately, one thing that can slip the minds of many homeowners when it comes to preparing for impending storms is the welfare of their pets. Since 37%-47% of households have least one dog, and even more have cats or other animals, it’s hard to imagine that they would be left out of the equation.

“We often find that residents simply do not think that a storm will impact them,” said Dil Luther, the Orange County Animal Services Division Manager. “Therefore, [they] do not have a disaster plan, or do not include their pets in those plans.”

Orange County Animal Services says that all pet owners in the area should buy at least two pounds of food per pet when putting together their storm preparations. They also recommend visiting the vet for last-minute vaccinations and microchip enabling, just in case these pets become lost. Having a photo of your pet will also help during search efforts.

When you prepare a disaster kit for yourself and family, consider your pets’ needs as well. In addition to food and water, pet carriers, blankets, and a waterproof container to hold your pet’s medical records are necessary items to include. Newspaper or litter, cleaning supplies, and plastic bags for animal waste, as well as favorite toys or other comforting items, are also recommended.

Pets, especially those who are scared by occasional thunder or lightning, will most likely become nervous or upset during the storm. Adding a cotton sheet or blanket to the disaster kit to put over the carrier will help pets relax during the storm.

“A lot of our customers actually use thunder coats,” said April Godsey, assistant manager at Preppy Pet Boarding and Daycare in south Orlando. “[It] holds the dogs tight, and there’s a lavender smell that sends off to help keep [dogs] at ease.”

In case of evacuation, pet owners should realize that many shelters will not allow them to bring their four-legged friends. All American Red Cross-sponsored shelter sites prohibit animals, and many others do as well. Godsey reports that more than two dozen animals had been booked to stay at her pet boarding facility during Hurricane Matthew.

Before the storm hits, research hotels and shelters outside of the hurricane zones that allow dogs. The Humane Society of the United States recommends Bring Fido, DogFriendly.com, Dog In My Suitcase, Pet Friendly Hotels, Pets Allowed Hotels, Pets Welcome, and Trips With Pets for finding safe, pet-friendly accommodations in your area. Hotels may also be willing to waive their pet fees or policies during the hurricane. Before the storm hits, make calls to hotels, predetermined shelters, or even family members that may be willing to allow your animal to stay during the harsh conditions.

Tropical Storm Nicole, currently located 900 miles east of Miami, is expected to strengthen into a Category 2 hurricane with 100-mph winds, potentially threatening Bermuda by the end of the week.

Millennials. The generation known to be connected to their mobile phones, obsessed with social media, and still living at home with their parents long after graduating college.

However, this generation is changing things up. Over the past couple of years, they have squashed all previously conceived notions about living a lavish lifestyle. In fact, everything people thought they knew about Millennial spending is changing.

First off, buying homes. A few years ago, Millennials were notorious for renting homes instead of buying them. But in 2014, one-third of home buyers were first-time buyers, a number that’s set to steadily increase. Only a little later than the generations before.

This is because Millennials are having children later than any other generation. But research shows that this doesn’t mean they still want to fulfill their American Dream of purchasing a home and settling down.

“The traditional white picket fence with 2.5 children may no longer be the gold-standard, but the notion of being able to take control of your destiny and create your own success is strong in the millennial generation,” says Erin Lowry, founder of financial advice site Broke Millennial.

Millennials have also toppled another pillar of the American dream — the notion of staying with the same company for years. Millennials are proud to change jobs regularly, and a report from State Street Global Advisors found that 60% of all Millennials have changed jobs between one and four times in the last five years.

This just adds to the phenomena of Millennials not wanting to buy a home until they are established with a job and a family within one location. After all, what is the point for this transient generation to apply for a mortgage if they just want to keep moving around?

All in all, Millennials are trying to be different and it is working. Lowry explains, “You’re seeing a rise in entrepreneurship and people looking to create the jobs they want and trying to balance it with a more idealized version of their lives instead of sticking with one company for 40 years and retiring to Florida with a comfortable pension.”

Jewelry has played a key role in the lives of countless people for thousands of years. In fact, the oldest known pieces of jewelry ever found were from approximately 100,000 years ago.

Despite its prevalence throughout history, it’s safe to say that jewelry has experienced its fair share of evolutions throughout time, and Iris Apfel’s new collection is certainly proof of the peculiar nature of jewelry design.

Apfel’s Miss Peregrine Collection is tied to the release of Tim Burton’s film adaptation of the well-loved book series, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.

During a first look with People Magazine, Apfel revealed that the collection is colorful and filled with creative textures and whimsy.

HSN approached her to do the collection. She said that she couldn’t have been more excited to create it.

Apfel has long felt that her personal style has meshed well with both Burton’s past work and especially with this new film.

She said she felt particularly excited to work on this collection because of the message that the movie and books send out to young readers and viewers.

“Peculiarities should be celebrated and fostered! What’s the harm in being different?” she said.

Despite the overwhelmingly positive response to the line of jewelry, reviewers haven’t been so warm to the movie itself.

When a book receives a movie adaptation, there’s always a mix of excitement and apprehension from fans of the literature. It’s inevitable that some things will be changed from text to screen, but some thought that Burton’s adaptation of the popular book series fell a little bit flat.

According to one reviewer, it seemed as though Burton’s directing style didn’t mesh well with screenwriter Jane Goldman’s script.

Goldman, who has penned films such as “Stardust,” “Kick-Ass” and “X-Men: First Class” works well with a playful-whimsy style, but Burton’s darker vision seems to have marred the work for some viewers.

Aside from the minor changes, most viewers report having issues with the pacing of the movie, which is ironic because it is in part a movie that deals with time.

Despite issues with Burton’s work, Apfel’s line of jewelry has inspired numerous people to embrace the peculiar.

With any luck, a potential next film will hold as much promise for fans of the book series.

On average, homeowners will spend up to four percent of their home’s value annually on maintenance and repairs. But instead of arming their homes with security systems, they are going the non-conventional route and taking matters into their own hands.

By purchasing guns and taking basic firearms training courses.

In light of the controversial presidential election and each candidate’s opposing views on gun laws, there have been plenty of studies done nationwide to try and get a feel for gun use within the American people.

The results? Older Americans and minorities are more likely to arm themselves with guns, but the reasons vary.

A survey by Harvard and Northeastern Universities show that about 55 million American gun owners are over 55-years-old. A quarter of Americans over 60 own a firearm of some kind, with 14% owning both a long gun and a hand gun.

Additionally, the National Rife Association reports that between 2010 and 2015, there was a whopping 400% increase in people over age 65 taking basic firearm safety courses.

It’s also worth noting that a study conducted by the Crime Prevention Research Center in August found that the amount of right-to-carry permits boomed nationwide, particularly amongst minorities and women. As reported on NRA’sAmerica’s First Freedom, the amount of right-to-carry permits has increased by 161% for women, and 85% for men since 2012.

Even more, the study found that between 2007 and 2015, the number of concealed carry permits issued both federally and on the state level increased by 75% among minorities compared to whites.

So, within the past nine years, the view on gun ownership is changing in America.

Why?

The reasons differ. Some have picked up an interest in hunting, while others have grown up in famililies that were big into gun sports. But for most, they are investing in firearms as a method of protection.

As reported on KY3, the NRA tries to explain this phenomenon,

“We see the increase in older adults enrolling in firearms training courses as an indicator that these citizens believe their personal protection, and the safety of their families and property, is ultimately their responsibility, and are taking the initiative to pursue proper firearms training in order to become empowered to defend themselves legally and responsibly.”

Nick Newman, an owner of a firearms store in Missouri, adds, “The comment that we hear a lot is, this world is crazy today, and things aren’t like they used to be.”

The researchers in these studies all believe these seniors feel vulnerable and must prepare for their personal safety in the only way they know how. They also found that minorities such as women and African Americans, are arming themselves as they are becoming victims of violent crime more and more.

However, these individuals have more to worry about than just their home and physical security. Their computers are just as susceptible to threats that can put their personal information at risk. In 2013, there were 82,000 new malware threats per day, and now a new report shows that this number is only increasing.

This new study, released by security corporation Check Point, finds that some form of cyber malware is downloaded every 81 seconds worldwide. They used data from 1,100 corporations and personal computers across the world, and found unsettling results.

Not only is a new threat downloaded less than every two minutes, someone accesses a malicious website every five seconds. A high-risk application is also used every four minutes, and every 32 minutes, a person sends sensitive or private data over the web.

There are undoubtably many security concerns with these unsafe practices, as personal information is incredibly easy to attain over the web. Unfortunately, even though the computer users in the reports knew they were practicing unsafe habits, they didn’t change their behaviors on the Internet.

Overall, these personal threats are severe. They can lead to a host of privacy problems from stolen identities to scams from stolen personal and business data.

According to The Washington Times, upwards of 24,000 couples in the U.S. petitioned for an annulment, but few of them can say that a divorce has cost them $1.14 billion.

Chinese business mogul and creator of the dating app “Grindr” is currently going through a divorce that will cost him roughly $1.14 billion.

According to a statement from his company, Zhou Yahui will have to transfer nearly 300 million shares of his company to his wife, Li Qiong.

The couple’s apparent split is yet another example of the toll divorce can take on the commercial ventures of some of China’s business leaders.

In the most recent court hearing, the Haidian district court in Beijing awarded Ms. Li 70.5 million of Kunlun’s shares.

Looking at the most recent stock prices, those shares are equivalent to approximately $1.14 billion. The equity transfer would make this divorce one of the most expensive in China’s history.

The way equity is handled by business owners in China makes divorces especially costly, although this one may take the cake.

However, recent studies have shown that there may be a season for divorce.

In new research that was presented at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association, Julie Brines, a sociology professor at the University of Washington, and Brian Serafini, a doctoral candidate there, reported “what is believed to be the first quantitative evidence of a seasonal, biannual pattern of filings for divorce.”

The press release reveals that the researchers believe that families use the holidays as an attempt to heal and create a happy atmosphere for themselves.

However, once March rolls around, couples realize that their last-ditch effort has failed. Hence, the spring divorce spike.

August is another month drenched in divorces, believed to be the result of back-to-school season.

According to the researchers, the broader economic climate seems to affect these patterns — the predictable two-spike pattern was disrupted at the height of the recession, for example.

Zhou Yahui’s divorce comes at the tail end of the summer spike, but following the trends hasn’t made his legal battle any less expensive.

However, according to some, he may still come out better off. After the equity transfer, he will still have a majority 35% stake in his company.

While many parents may be concerned about drug use among their teenagers, a new study shows there might not be anything for them to worry about. In fact, the older generations are turning towards recreational marijuana use rather than their children and grandchildren.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report earlier this month that has studied nationwide marijuana use within the past 12 years. The result? A surprising trend that details how older generations are turning to marijuana use at a faster rate than ever before.

Overall, marijuana use among 12- to 17-year-olds actually fell 10% since 2002. Comparatively, middle-aged people between 45 and 55 saw an increase of 50% since 2002, and the statistics only increased from there. Baby boomers saw the most significant increase, those over 65 a whopping 333% increase within the years of the study.

Significant may be the wrong word. The generation between 55 and 64? Their percentage of growth increased by an astonishing 455%.

However, while the baby boomers may have the highest increase, the percentage of the demographic actually using marijuana is incomparable to that of teens. Only 6.1% of those 55 to 64 years and 1.3% of individuals 65 and higher actually report regular marijuana use.

A full 38% of college students on the other hand report using the drug.

Even still, if these trends continue, soon grandparents all over the nation will bypass their grandchildren in using marijuana, no matter what they are using it for.

The CDC believes that these perplexing trends could be the result of the increased legislation and decriminalization of marijuana. As of fall 2015, 23 states including Washington D.C. have legalized marijuana for medical use.

There are many reasons why baby boomers are choosing to take up recreational marijuana use later in life. Some of those reasons include having more disposable income and more free time, along with fewer responsibilities in the workplace. Plus, they use marijuana as a way to cope with the stresses of aging and pain relief. Considering the fact that a whopping 95% of health care costs for older Americans include those for chronic diseases, many baby boomers are utilizing marijuana as a cheaper, more natural method of self-treatment.

An additional study, completed by the University of Michigan, agree with these findings. Titled Monitoring the Future, this 40-year-old study found that 85% of adults in their 50s have used illegal drugs, including marijuana in their lifetimes.

The study also believes that increased use of the drug could be because of a decrease in the stigma surrounding marijuana.

“Despite medical and recreational marijuana legalization sweeping the country, researchers can’t draw a direct line to state laws, said lead investigator Lloyd Johnston to LA Weekly. “What we do know [is that] among young people, there’s quite a dramatic drop in the proportion of them who see heavy marijuana use as dangerous. That, in turn, has changed usage.”

But, this may not be good news for the health of those young marijuana users. The brain doesn’t fully stop developing until age 25, and marijuana can pose some serious health risks for those that use it.

So with the majority of the debate surrounding marijuana revolving on the negative impacts on the health of children, these studies show that our focus could be on their grandparents. While there have been numerous studies done concerning teens, there is little to no insight on the long term affects of the older generations.

One thing that is for sure is that the continued legalization of this drug will bring untold affects to Americans of all ages. For the results, though, we can only wait and see.

In a study looking at 33 states, hospital rates for surgery, which are key factors in determining workers’ compensation rates, vary greatly across the nation.

The “Hospital Outpatient Payment Index: Interstate Variation and Policy Analysis,” covered 33 U.S. states and, with help from the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute, revealed that certain states with set fee schedules have much lower costs for injured workers.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, of the nearly 3 million occupational illnesses and injuries in 2014, wholly 95.1% (2.8 million) were injuries. If the costs for each of these injuries greatly different from state to state so much, the location of these occupations and injuries plays an even more important role.

Insurance Business America reports that the states without a workers’ compensation fee schedule for hospital outpatient reimbursement have costs that are 63% and 150% higher than the average of the states in the median of the study.

“This report found that hospital outpatient payments per surgical episode varied significantly across states,” said Dr. Olesya Fomenko, co-author of the study and WCRI economist.

According to WorkersCompensation.com, public policymakers and hospital stakeholders throughout the country are taking a look at potential reform options after this study.

“We have included a comparison of workers’ compensation hospital outpatient payments and Medicare rates,” said Ramona Tanabe, executive vice president at WCRI. “Medicare rates capture payments to hospital outpatient providers for similar services by a large payor, and the report offers an additional benchmark that helps states better understand their hospital payments.”

The states included in this study are Nebraska, Oregon, Nevada, New Jersey, South Carolina, Alabama, New York, Texas, Virginia, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Missouri, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, California, Kentucky, Colorado, Georgia, Louisiana, Arizona, Kansas, Connecticut, Maryland, Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota, Illinois, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Massachusetts, and Michigan.

Have you changed any of your online passwords lately? It’s probably not a bad idea to do so. Recently, e-mail address and password data from Dropbox, an online collaborative file hosting service, have been leaked from a 2012 data breach.

The data leak has sparked other companies to be cautious about their users’ personal information. Spotify, a music streaming service, recently reset the passwords of an unspecified number of users. Although Spotify released a statement that ensures that their records are still secure, they took precautionary measures. Another site’s data breach may have compromised some of the passwords of Spotify users if they are using the same password for both services.

Dropbox’s data is currently circulating on various sites and has affected an estimated 68 million users.

Opera, a browser, was recently hacked as well, and 1.7 million user passwords were compromised. While having a web browser “remember me” is often an enticing offer, this practice puts your personal information at a higher risk.

Eddie Bauer, Oracle, and BlueCross BlueShield all experienced data breaches in the past month, as well.

Luckily, both sets of stolen passwords were hashed. In other words, they have to be cracked in order to be used and read. Only the simplest passwords will be 100% compromised in most bcrypt hashes.

Multiple sites have been founded to track data breaches by compiling compromised information. Have I been pwned? is one of those sites. If you want to know if your email address has been compromised, you simply type it in. You can also subscribe to notifications just in case your account is compromised in the future.

Only eight percent of Internet users do not recycle passwords, and these individuals are probably at the lowest risk for data compromise. For those who do recycle passwords, you may want to stop now.