The Daily Valet. - 8/1/23, Tuesday
✔️ Your Weekend Just Got Longer
Tuesday, August 1st Edition
By Cory Ohlendorf, Valet. Editor
Can you smell it? The wafting cinnamon and nutmeg in the air?
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Today’s Big Story
When Is Your Weekend?
Remote work is changing the meaning of “the weekend” and it’s boosting the economy
Thank goodness for remote work, right? Thanks to this new hybrid formula many of us have adopted, we're getting more done in less time. And it's helped make the case for the four-day workweek a whole lot easier. But if your manager isn't yet on board, show them this new major four-day workweek study, which suggests that when we work a full five days, we spend nearly a whole day doing basically nothing.According to the Wall Street Journal, the longer people worked in new, more efficient ways, the shorter their workweeks became. After six months, workers said they had less burnout, improved health and more job satisfaction, and had cut their average work time by about four hours to 34 hours a week. Those who continued the schedule a full 12 months reduced working times even further, to about 33 hours a week, researchers say.And Fortune reports that it's not only employees who gained from a shorter week; the four-day week was also an organizational win: Revenue increased by 15% over the course of the trial, weighted in accordance with company size. Of course, the employees are the ones getting the most out of it. Logging less hours means more professionals are stretching their weekends beyond the usual Friday night to Sunday night span.By embracing a healthier work-life balance, they're using that extra time to take more trips and spend more on experiences. It amounts to a major structural change to the consumer side of the U.S. economy, which continues to drive a surprisingly resilient expansion. “Fridays and Mondays are no longer huge constraints to what you're going to do on the weekend,” said Thomas LaSalvia, head of commercial real estate economics at Moody's Analytics. “So it really broadens your ability to do quite a bit more from afar than you ever have.”And the numbers back up that point. Last week's GDP figures showed off an economy that's still growing, driven by consumers who are still spending—particularly on services (that is, experiences rather than stuff). After all, if you're not tied to a desk, you don't have to wait till 5pm on Friday to race out the door and make it to your weekend destination. And you don't have to scramble to get back Sunday night and show up at the office the next day. As someone who's happily wrote this very newsletter from hotel rooms and airport lounges, I couldn't agree more.
Checking IN:
Portugal is the latest country to announce a trial of a four-day week. Which countries have embraced it and how’s it going so far?
Despite Legal Trouble, Trump Leads the Pack
The former president leads across nearly every category and region at the moment
Former President Trump is currently dominating his rivals for the Republican presidential nomination, according to a new New York Times/Siena College poll—leading his nearest challenger, Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, by a landslide 37 percentage points among likely primary voters. As for the other candidates, former Vice President Pence, former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley and Sen. Tim Scott each had a paltry 3%.The poll comes as Republicans hold a slight partisan edge over Democrats, which shows that 45% of Americans are Republican or lean-Republican, while 42% are Democrat or lean-Democratic, per Gallup. That's a marked change from when Democrats held a partisan edge over Republicans in 2020, 2018 and 2016, according to the average of Gallup party affiliation polls from those years.Of course, these are still early days. We're less than six months away from the first 2024 primary contest and the debates are about to begin. But Trump's mounting legal troubles—his trials threaten to overlap with the primary season—could pose a threat. But so far, only 17% of likely GOP primary voters believe that Trump committed any serious federal crimes.
Meanwhile:
President Biden is on stronger footing than he was a year ago—but he is neck-and-neck in a possible rematch against Trump.
Partner
How about a free vacation for four, complete with tickets to see a legendary band perform in an iconic Irish music venue?
Europe Now Requires a Visa?
Starting in 2024, an ‘ETIAS’ application (and fee) will be required for U.S. travelers to enter the E.U.
Already thinking about next summer's vacation plans? If Europe is on your shortlist, there could be one extra step to take before boarding that plane. Because American passport holders traveling to 30 European countries will need authorization via the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).Initially meant to come into effect on January 1, 2021, and then delayed again, it will now officially launch in 2024. According to Afar, the European Union decided to implement this new travel authorization program to “protect and strengthen its borders amid mounting terror threats in Europe. By requiring visitors to register, the EU will be able to identify any possible threats or risks associated with travelers coming into these countries before they arrive.”It'll be a “minor hassle, but it's not unusual for countries to have entry requirements like this one,” one travel expert told By the Way. While many are calling this a visa, in truth, ETIAS is more like a travel authorization form. And there will be a fee of 7 euros, or roughly $8, attached to the online application. However, the authorization is valid for three years.
FYI:
This is very similar to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (or ESTA) program that the U.S. implemented in 2008.
Life Is Gourd
Pumpkin Spice Season Is Officially Starting Earlier Every Year
This is either great news or eye-roll-inducing, but as we cross the threshold into August, we have officially entered Pumpkin Spice season. If it feels like every year it creeps up a little earlier, you're absolutely right. Now, while we're still sweating, we're bombarded with pumpkin spice beers, baked goods, coffees and other autumnal treats.Last week, Starbucks' fall menu leaked, confirming that their signature Pumpkin Spice Latte is dropping at the end of the month, along with other seasonal goods like the new “Baked Apple Croissant.” But if you can't wait, dont' worry ... there's plenty of pumpkin already here.Pumpkin Spice Dunkin' Cold Brew Concentrate has already been spotted in stores. Sweet Loren's, a natural cookie dough brand, just rolled out its limited-edition Pumpkin Spice cookie dough and Premier Protein is bringing back their Pumpkin Spice High Protein Shake next week. Even Little Debbie is said to be unveiling an update on their popular mini donuts in a new pumpkin spice variety. I have to admit, those do sound pretty good.
Dig Deeper:
Did you know that the ubiquitous spice blend is more than 223 years old? Food & Wines explores the surprising history of pumpkin spice.
In Other News
Installed just days ago, it lacked proper permits, officials said.
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Partner
Win a Whiskey-Fueled Weekend in Dublin
Keeper’s Heart is giving away an all-inclusive trip for four to go see Wilco in Dublin this fall
Regular readers of Valet. might be familiar with Keeper's Heart whiskey. We've talked about them before—a craft operation in Minneapolis, Minnesota bringing together the best of Irish and American distilling traditions. The buzzed-about bottle combines the unique qualities of Irish grain and pot still whiskeys with American Rye whiskey for a particularly easy-drinking spirit. Of course, what goes better than whiskey and music?Keeper's Heart has teamed up with Wilco to give away an impressive prize package. The American band will be performing in Ireland at Dublin's iconic 3Olympia Theatre in September, so it's a perfect pairing for the brand. The winner can bring along three friends for an all-inclusive trip, including airfare and accommodations, along with a stipend to take care of all your food and transportation while in Dublin. And, we assume, plenty of good whiskey to enjoy before and after the show.
Giveaway:
Shopping
What We’re Buying
A transitional jacket
This jacket is perfect for seasonal transitions and is made of a soft micro rip-stop fabric with bio-washed processing. The back panel is mesh-lined for breathability, and an adjustable drawstring ensures comfort.
Get It:
IPFU track jacket, $205 / $102 by FrizmWORKS
Morning Motto
Keep that bad shit away.
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