The ‘average American’ put a price tag on ‘peace of mind.’ It’s worth a lot.

In 1968, The Beatles released the song “I’m So Tired” from their eponymous White Album, where John Lennon sings about being utterly exasperated. In the chorus, he begs, “I’d give you everything I’ve got for a little peace of mind.” A lot of Americans are feeling just as stressed in 2026 amid political tensions, war, and an unstable economy, which raises the question: How much would the average American pay for peace of mind?

According to a poll taken by TalkResearch in March of 2026, the “average American” would spend $57,000 for security and serenity. Of those polled, the average household income was $79,000 (slightly less than the U.S. median of $84,000), so they’d give up 72% of their yearly earnings just to live without worrying about whether they can make ends meet, while feeling 100% safe.

Americans worry about taking care of the necessities

The poll also revealed that the average American would pay $21,000 a year to never worry about necessities (groceries and medication), $19,800 for complete job security, and $16,400 to never have to be concerned about an unexpected medical bill or copay.

“We exist in an environment defined by economic uncertainty and political instability,” Dr. Jenny Martin, PsyD and founder of Gemstone Wellness, said in a statement. “Peace of mind has become psychologically equated with control, which feels harder and harder to find. When core needs such as healthcare, employment, or transportation feel unpredictable, the nervous system remains in a state of threat. The idea of ‘paying for peace of mind’ reflects a deeper desire to secure safety and predictability—relief from chronic vigilance.”

How far would you go for peace of mind?

The poll shows that many Americans would go to extreme measures to move through the world feeling light and knowing everything is taken care of. It also reveals the things preventing them from achieving peace of mind…and they all seem to be financial. One wonders: if there were a magical lever someone could pull that would take 72% of their earnings but let them sleep like a baby every night for the rest of their lives, how many would actually do it? Would you trade most of your financial freedom for a worry-free existence?

The problem is that it may be impossible to become 100% worry-free. The psychological phenomenon known as the hedonic treadmill or hedonic adaptation suggests that people normalize their improvements in comfort, such as having enough money to get by or being out of a war zone, and then return to a relatively stable baseline. Once our basic needs are met, it’s human nature to find new things to become dissatisfied about, whether that’s status, identity, a sense of meaning, and so on.

The unlikelihood that we can ever be permanently satisfied means we should look for comfort elsewhere. “Sustainable peace of mind is less about removing uncertainty and more about increasing our ability to handle it,” Dr. Martin says. “Research tells us that internal regulation, not external control, is the more reliable way to go.” So, to truly find peace of mind in a world where we can always find things to worry about, the best thing to do is to build it within ourselves.

A single door can open up a world of endless possibilities. For homeowners, the front door of their house is a gateway to financial stability, job security, and better health. Yet for many, that door remains closed. Due to the rising costs of housing, 1 in 3 people around the world wake up without the security of safe, affordable housing.

Since 1976, Habitat for Humanity has made it their mission to unlock and open the door to opportunity for families everywhere, and their efforts have paid off in a big way. Through their work over the past 50 years, more than 65 million people have gained access to new or improved housing, and the movement continues to gain momentum. Since 2011 alone, Habitat for Humanity has expanded access to affordable housing by a hundredfold.

A world where everyone has access to a decent home is becoming a reality, but there’s still much to do. As they celebrate 50 years of building, Habitat for Humanity is inviting people of all backgrounds and talents to be part of what comes next through Let’s Open the Door, a global campaign that builds on this momentum and encourages people everywhere to help expand access to safe, affordable housing for those who need it most. Here’s how the foundation to a better world starts with housing, and how everyone can pitch in to make it happen.

Globally, almost 3 billion people, including 1 in 6 U.S. families, struggle with high costs and other challenges related to housing. A crisis in itself, this also creates larger problems that affect families and communities in unexpected ways. People who lack affordable, stable housing are also more likely to experience financial hardship in other areas of their lives, since a larger share of their income often goes toward rent, utilities, and frequent moves. They are also more likely to experience health problems due to chronic stress or environmental factors, such as mold. Housing insecurity also goes hand-in-hand with unstable employment, since people may need to move further from their jobs or switch jobs altogether to offset the cost of housing.

Affordable homeownership creates a stable foundation for families to thrive, reducing stress and increasing the likelihood for good health and stable employment. Habitat for Humanity builds and repairs homes with individual families, but it also strengthens entire communities as well. The MicroBuild® Initiative, for example, strengthens communities by increasing access to loans for low-income families seeking to build or repair their homes. Habitat ReStore locations provide affordable appliances and building materials to local communities, in addition to creating job and volunteer opportunities that support neighborhood growth.

Everyone can play a part in the fight for housing equity and the pursuit of a better world. Over the past 50 years, Habitat for Humanity has become a leader in global housing thanks to an engaged network of volunteers—but you don’t need to be skilled with a hammer to make a meaningful impact. Building an equitable future means calling on a wide range of people and talents.Here’s how you can get involved in the global housing movement:

Speaking up on social media about the growing housing crisis

Volunteering on a Habitat for Humanity build in your local community

Travel and build with Habitat in the U.S. or in one of 60 countries where we work around the globe

Join the Let’s Open the Door movement and, when you donate, you can create your own personalized door

Shop or donate at your local Habitat ReStore

Every action, big and small, drives a global movement toward a better future. A safe home unlocks opportunity for families and communities alike, but it’s volunteers and other supporters, working together with a shared vision, who can open the door for everyone.

Visit habitat.org/open-door to learn more and get involved today.

Certain professions have an inside look at the economy because they’re on the ground floor and see things change firsthand. For example, the advertising business knows that a recession is coming six months ahead of time, and realtors often get a good idea of how the economy is changing before the shock hits everyone else.

Delivery drivers are another group of people who can get a good idea of how the average person is doing. They have more packages to deliver when the economy is doing well and fewer when things take a turn for the worse. That’s why a TikTok by UPS driver Dontay McCauley (@dontaymccauley) has so many views. After delivering Christmas packages, he thinks things are going well for most people at the end of 2024.

@dontaymccauley credit card debt going crazy. #ups #peakseason #Texas #foryoupage ♬ original sound – Dontay McCauley

credit card debt going crazy. #ups #peakseason #Texas #foryoupage

“I thought everybody was broke. I thought we were trending towards a recession, and y’all been complaining all year about finances, and y’all say that until Christmas,” the UPS driver said in a video with over 100,000 views.

“I see y’all actually do got money. And y’all making us pay, for every house got, like, 3, 4 packages. I’m loaded up,” McCauley continued. “Every day I’m going out with 400 packages on this truck, and y’all killing us, man, give us a break. But I thought you ain’t have no money, though?”

Was the U.S. economy good or bad in 2024?

The post received many comments; some said they are having difficulty getting by this year, while others say they are doing pretty well these days. It’s another example of the lukewarm way that people have viewed the U.S. economy since the COVID-19 pandemic subsided.

“Broke as in it costing me a whole helluva lot more to live than it should. I will always have money for Christmas one way or another,” Lisa Marie wrote. “We’re using After Pay. I did LOL,” Juanita added.

“I have been saying this ALL YEAR. Every restaurant, every tourist attraction, special event, and retail store is PACKED most of the time in my small ‘poor’ city,” SteelersGirl wrote. “I said this to my husband a few weeks ago. Everywhere I go, people are buying stuff. Car dealership was packed last week, too. The economy seems ok,” Wiat What wrote.

Another delivery driver chimed in, and she shared McCauley’s sentiment. “USPS here. I have been saying this for the last year,” ChicagoGirl wrote.

Did Americans spend more in 2024 on Christmas?

The confused delivery driver who says that people are saying one thing but spending in another tracks a pre-election poll. Pre-election surveys taken in late 2024 consistently found that a majority of Americans viewed the economy negatively, even as consumer spending remained strong.

Regardless of how individuals feel about the economy, the numbers don’t lie. 2024 was a strong holiday season for retailers. Visa says that spending is up this holiday season 4.8% over 2023. “This holiday shopping season, we’re seeing increasing consumer confidence as people sought out in-store experiences – and went online – to purchase gifts and celebrate the holidays with friends and family,” Wayne Best, chief economist at Visa, said in a statement. This spending growth demonstrates the adaptability of both consumers and retailers and the overall strength of the economy.”

What happened with Christmas spending in 2025?

Despite predictions of a tighter season, 2025 holiday spending still rose 4.2% year over year, according to Visa. Pre-season forecasts had noted inflation, tighter credit, and tariff pressures: Zeta’s research found a 27% drop in shoppers planning to spend $1,000 or more, and those planning to spend less than $100 grew from 32% to 34%. In the end, consumers were more deliberate, but still spending.

This article originally appeared two years ago. It has been updated.

For many, the biggest pain point in American life since the COVID-19 pandemic has been the rising cost of everyday necessities: rent, gas, and groceries. There’s been a perfect storm of government spending, tariffs, wars, labor disruptions, and supply-chain problems that have made costs rise with no end in sight.

It’s easy for the average American to look at their bank balance just a week after payday and wonder where all the money went and whether everyone else is feeling the same budget crunch. It’s normal to question whether you are overpaying for groceries or doing what’s necessary to get by.

How much does the average American spend on groceries?

A recent report by GroceriesTracker found that the average American grocery bill for a family of four is about $1,430, with bills ranging from $950 to $1,760. It arrived at these numbers using the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s official food plan data, which has four tiers of grocery shoppers, ranging from “thrifty” to “liberal.” The average number chosen by GroceriesTracker reflects how much the average American family spends on the moderate tier.

Of course, these numbers can fluctuate wildly based on where you live, whether you’re in the most expensive state, Hawaii, or the most affordable, Mississippi. It also depends on where you shop, whether it’s at a grocery outlet or an organic store. Families with teenagers are also going to spend much more on food than those with kids in elementary school.

Regardless, your grocery budget has probably steadily (and sometimes rapidly) increased since 2017.

US grocery prices have never been more expensive:The average cost of groceries for a family of 4 is now up to a record $1,030/month.This marks a $280 increase since January 2017, when the average family spent $750 a month.In 2021-2022 alone, grocery costs surged by $150.… pic.twitter.com/A0yPFuW6gL— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) November 15, 2025

Will inflation end anytime soon?

Unfortunately, trends suggest we will probably never return to 2020 food costs, but inflation should gradually decline to 2 to 2.5 percent........

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