The Daily Valet. - 9/1/23, Friday
✔️ Coming Up a Little Short?
A programming note ... we will be off on Monday, in observance of Labor Day. We'll see you back here on Tuesday.
Friday, September 1st Edition
By Cory Ohlendorf, Valet. Editor
Wow! September came quick, didn't it?
Presented by
Today’s Big Story
Living Paycheck to Paycheck
It’s the American way. Here's what researchers say is to blame.
This probably isn't all that shocking: About 61% of Americans are currently living paycheck to paycheck—an issue that impacts both low-wage and high-income families alike, according to new research from LendingClub.Low-wage earners are most likely to live paycheck to paycheck, with almost eight in 10 consumers earning less than $50,000 a year unable to cover their future bills until their next paycheck arrives. But this is somewhat surprising: The research found that even about 40% of high-income Americans (or those earning more than $100,000 a year) say they're in the same position.According to the study's findings, city dwellers—most of whom fall within higher income brackets—are especially feeling the brunt of this financial pressure. Over 70% of Americans admit to being stressed about finances, according to a separate CNBC Your Money Financial Confidence Survey conducted in March, largely due to inflation, rising interest rates and a lack of savings.Such a situation is viewed as financially risky because it means those households don't have enough savings to tide them over in case of an emergency, indicating that they are unable to cover their upcoming bills until their next payday. But despite the crunch, Axios reports that many are still spending robustly. “If it continues, that dynamic will prevent a recession from taking hold, though at the cost of leaving household balance sheets more fragile.”According to CBS News, inflation is partly to blame, with consumers still grappling with higher prices — although prices have cooled since hitting a 40-year high of 9.1% last June. But many paycheck-to-paycheck consumers admit that the non-essential spending is impacting their financial stability: items such as travel, eating out and streaming services. Then again, when times are tough, those little luxuries are what get us through it, right?
Meanwhile:
The U.S. economy grew more slowly in the second quarter than previously estimated.
McConnell Is ‘Medically Clear’ to Do Job
health scares have prompted new questions over his leadership position
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is “medically clear” to continue with his schedule, the attending physician to Congress said Thursday, a day after the Kentucky Senator suffered his second public incident of freezing up in five weeks, prompting questions about his health that his aides have declined to address.According to the Washington Post, the current class of lawmakers is one of the oldest in history, with an overall median age of 59. The median age of senators is 65, the highest on record. In the House, the median age has hovered between 57 and 58 for the past decade, higher than in any year before that period.Meanwhile, a handful of GOP senators are weighing whether to force a fraught internal debate about their leadership's future after McConnell's incidents. Apparently, it takes just five Republican senators to force a special conference meeting, which is the most direct way to have a specific discussion about the minority leader after his public pause. But Politico says his health is a touchy subject: The 81-year-old, the longest-serving party leader in Senate history, doesn't like to discuss it.
Nationwide Alert Coming
FEMA & FCC Test Nationwide Alert To Cellular Devices, TVs & Radios In October
Next month, the mother of all emergency alerts will occur in the U.S., but don't be alarmed, it's only a test. We're giving you a heads up because it will basically broadcast on every single electronic device you own. While most Americans are now used to local alerts from police or municipal officials, they'll receive something a little different on October 4th. At 2:20 p.m. ET, every television, radio and cellphone in the United States will awaken and broadcast something along the lines of: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”The test is intended to make sure that the alert system is ready to warn the public in the event of emergencies, particularly those that have a national impact, FEMA said in a statement.
FYI:
Should the Oct. 4 test be preempted by other significant events, the back-up date is Oct. 11.
A Weekend Pairing
‘One Piece’ + a Whiskey Highball
Eiichiro Oda's One Piece is undoubtedly one of the biggest and most important manga of all time, an epic tale with vast world-building and an intricate sense of history and lore. It's also Netflix's latest live-action adaptation. And if you've been following along, you know they don't have the best track record.But Mashable says that, against all odds, this one succeeds. “It's an unabashedly fun watch and actually delivers on the promise of its source material, thanks to big stylistic swings and an instantly memorable crew of characters.” Daring crews of pirates roam the globe in search of the One Piece—a treasure hidden by the long-gone King of the Pirates, Gold Rogers. Whoever finds it will inherit Rogers' title, making it the most valuable commodity in the four seas. As you might expect, the road to the One Piece is a treacherous one. Polygon says it works because the show expertly toes the line between realism and cartoonish fantasy. And that especially includes our main character, Monkey D. Luffy's moveable buffoonery and impossibly stretchy powers.
Pair It With
What else could you pair with this but a proper Japanese highball. As Thrillist points out, the deceptively simple drink is more art than cocktail. All you need is some good ice, a bottle of Japanese whiskey and some soda water. Personally, I like it finished with a twist of lemon, but that’s up to you.
Also Worth a Watch:
In Other News
A breakthrough that could reinvigorate the slow-moving counteroffensive.
Have you heard about ...
Partner
Better Basics at the Best Price
Fresh Clean Threads offers comfortable daily essentials with no unnecessary markups
Fresh Clean Threads set out in 2015 to create high-quality and stylish T-shirts, hoodies and other staples. No frills, no unnecessary markups, just comfortable daily essentials that are soft, durable and affordable. For Labor Day, they're offering a special discount—20% off sitewide w/code GET20 and if you spend $120 or more, you can boost that discount to 30% (w/code GET30). So the more you buy, the more you save.
Best sellers T-shirt pack and Club FCT membership, $129 / $71.52
Fall essential v-neck T-shirts, $110 / $70.40 (for 5-pack)
Tall black crew-neck T-shirt, $22 / $17.50
Best sellers tall polos, $135 / $92 (for 5-pack)
Best sellers long-sleeve crew-neck T-shirts, $125 / $84 (for 5-pack)
STart Saving:
Shopping
What We’re Buying
Running shoes
Nike is offering up to 50% off on a wide range of sneakers and performance wear over this holiday weekend. Grab a pair of Free Runs for under $100.
Get It:
Free Run 2018 sneaker, $120 / $83.97 by Nike
Partner
Save Your Ass, Save Your Money
IT'S TIME TO MAKE THE SWITCH
Best-selling Classic 3.0 bidet attachment, $129 / $77.40 w/code LABORSPRAY
You've no doubt heard of TUSHY. They've sold over a million of the brand's signature bidet attachments for your toilet. And if you haven't upgraded your bathroom with one yet ... well, what are waiting for? It's hygienic, easy to use and now, available with an impressive discount. Pick up a bidet or bundle for 40% off with the code LABORSPRAY, now through September 11.
Warm water Spa 3.0 bidet attachment, $159 / $95.40
Premium electric Ace bidet seat, $599 / $359.40
Bidet attachment and ottoman bundle, $198 / $118.80
Start Saving:
Morning Motto
It’s going to be a good month.
▾
Follow:
Share today’s motto:
