Tim Phillips Show, 9/16/26

Time is money, as the old saying goes, and new research reveals that Americans are willing to pay to get their time back. From takeout to grocery delivery, 97% of Americans have used a convenience service in the last month, according to a FinanceBuzz and Bank of America poll of 2-thousand adults. And while budgets may be tighter these days, more than half (52%) say their convenience spending has gone up in the last five years.

The survey shows that Americans value an hour of free time at $87 on average, but 57% of working adults say that’s more than what they actually earn per hour.

So, what are people willing to splurge on for convenience? The data shows that every month, 85% get takeout meals, 63% get food delivered, 49% order groceries for pickup, half have groceries delivered, and 39% use errand apps or have non-food items delivered from stores.

Picking up takeout happens most often, an average of 4.2 times a month, and having food delivered is second, at an average of three times monthly.

More than half (57%) of those polled say they get takeout or delivery once a week or more.

Not feeling like cooking is the top reason for this (63%), treating themselves or their family is second (58%), followed by not having time to cook (38%).

Grocery orders are also popular, with one in three placing an order for pickup or delivery every week.

Gen Z uses convenience services more than any other generation polled. Nearly three-quarters (72%) have food delivered at least once a month, compared to just 47% of baby boomers.

The average respondent is willing to pay $9.49 in food delivery fees before deciding to pick up the order themselves.

Still, two-thirds (68%) have abandoned a delivery order after seeing the total cost. That number jumps to 78% for Gen Zers.

Overall, 85% pay for at least one convenience membership, spending an average of $22 a month, or $264 a year.

The expense of convenience services also leads a few to be bad tippers, as 22% admit they’ve tipped nothing on a delivery because the meal was expensive or the fees were already high.

While it may cost them a lot, most Americans don’t feel guilty about their convenience spending. A third feel no guilt at all, and another 31% only feel a little.

Source: Finance Buzz

Between hectic schedules, revenge bedtime procrastination, and everyday stress, it’s not surprising that Americans are exhausted. New research from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) finds that more than two-thirds (71.5%) of adults in the U.S. say they felt fatigue on multiple days over the past three months. And it turns out, women and younger people are more likely to be frequently fatigued than men.

According to lead study author and sociologist Natalie A.E. Young, fatigue is “one of the most frequently reported health concerns in primary care visits in the U.S.” But it’s more than just being extra sleepy, researchers explain fatigue is “physical or mental tiredness or exhaustion that does not improve with additional sleep or rest.” It’s often connected to other health problems, difficulty concentrating and those who have fatigue frequently are more likely to experience cognitive difficulties, depression, and anxiety, Young explains.

“So it’s not just that fatigue is common,” she shares. “It’s that fatigue is common and those with fatigue are facing limitations in their daily lives.”

To get a better idea about the general fatigue so many are dealing with, the NCHS surveyed 27-thousand adults nationwide and found:

Nearly three in four felt “very tired or exhausted” at least some days during the last three months.

About one in six experienced frequent fatigue, or feeling very tired or exhausted “most days” or “every day.”

Adults 65 and older have the lowest rate of frequent fatigue at 12.9%, and it’s highest among younger adults ages 18 to 34, at 19.5%.

Women are more likely than men to report having frequent fatigue (20% versus 13%).

Source: NBC News

One-Hit Wonder - PRETTY LITTLE ANGEL EYES  -  CURTIS LEE    1961

#7 IN 1961. Born in Yuma, AZ. The Halos on backing vocals. 

Bad moods happen. Sometimes they pass quickly and other times they seem determined to stick with you all day. Fortunately, there are a few simple things you can do to help turn things around.

Mental health experts say these everyday activities can help shift your mood, calm your nervous system, or just give your brain something pleasant to focus on, and since they’re easy, low-effort, and generally good for you anyway, there’s really no harm in giving them a shot:

Make your bed. A quick accomplishment first thing can create momentum for the rest of the day.

Cook a familiar meal. Repetitive tasks like chopping and stirring can feel calming, while finishing something gives you a sense of accomplishment.

Eat consistently. Keeping blood sugar steady can help prevent irritability and that “hangry” feeling from masquerading as anxiety or stress.

Have a warm drink. Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate can create a sense of comfort and help your body relax.

Rewatch a favorite show or movie. Familiar, predictable entertainment can feel soothing because your brain already knows what’s coming.

Play uplifting music. Even one upbeat song can help shift your emotional state.

Smell something pleasant. Scents like vanilla or rosemary can give your brain something positive to focus on.

Splash your face with cold water. The temperature change can activate the body’s calming, “rest and digest” response.

Sometimes improving your mood is less about fixing everything and more about giving yourself one good moment to build on. That can be enough to get the day moving in a better direction.

Source: Real Simple