The 'couch economy' reflects a shift in U.S. consumer spending, with online transactions growing from 48% in 2019 to 58% in 2026. Driven by mobile shopping, streaming services, food delivery, and pet-related purchases, consumers are increasingly conducting transactions from home rather than visiting physical stores, cementing digital behaviors as lasting habits.
Powerball's jackpot climbed to $232 million for the Saturday, Sept. 12 drawing after no winner matched all six numbers on Wednesday. The winning numbers for Sept. 12 are 14-16-23-58-69 with Powerball 3. The prize has grown since an Illinois ticket won $1.04 billion on Aug. 12.
Many American retirees struggle to transition from saving to spending, with 39% reluctant to use their retirement savings despite financial advisers urging them to. The difficulty stems from lifelong saving habits, fear of outliving their money, and anxiety about watching their portfolio decline, forcing retirees to carefully control spending on a largely fixed income.
Social Security recipients may receive a 3.5% cost-of-living adjustment in 2027, the largest in three years, based on recent inflation data. The increase would add about $70 to average monthly benefit checks, though analysts note that Medicare premiums and other costs have historically offset COLA gains. With Social Security's trust fund predicted to deplete by 2032, policymakers are debating potential changes to the program's solvency.
After years of closures, Denny's is executing a turnaround strategy under new private ownership by TriArtisan Capital Advisors, Treville Capital Group, and Yadav Enterprises. The chain is modernizing through Project Grand Slam, introducing new menus, renovating locations, and launching catering services to rebuild its brand.
Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Mark Takano introduced the Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act to gradually lower the federal overtime threshold from 40 hours to 32 hours per week while protecting workers' pay and benefits. The bill aims to ensure that gains from AI and automation benefit working families rather than just executives, though it faces slim chances of passage with Republican control of Congress.
O'Charley's Restaurant and Bar abruptly closed all locations on September 9, giving employees only 24 hours notice and no severance packages. The 55-year-old chain's shutdown across Tennessee, Ohio, Georgia, and Virginia prompted mixed reactions from workers and customers, ranging from anger over the sudden job loss to nostalgia for decades of family memories tied to the restaurant.
Nintendo launched a major Customer Appreciation Sale offering up to 30% off games and accessories from Sept. 12-26, partially funded by tariff-related refunds the company received. The sale follows legal disputes over Nintendo's tariff-driven price increases on Switch products in 2025 and questions about consumer refund obligations.
Wingstop is launching its first Wing Pass for $27.99, offering 18 weekly watch party bundles with 20 wings each throughout the football season, valued at $400-$500. Only 100 passes will be available for Club Wingstop members starting September 10. The chain is also introducing new Lemon Pepper wing flavors with chili crunch and chili glaze variations.
An estimated $124 trillion will transfer to younger generations over the next two decades, but research shows a third of adult children expect inheritance to cause sibling conflict. Parents and children disagree on fair asset division, timing of financial help, and what constitutes equitable distribution, with emotional complexities around favoritism and past tensions often driving disputes more than the money itself.