Defaults and Anchors are powerful because they operate on three behavioral principles. They make choices easy. They provide an implicit endorsement. And they endow users with a status quo that they have to actively choose to change. How can you use defaults and anchors to give your users a big nudge toward better outcomes? With Perry Wright of Duke University.

Oh goodness, is that a school bus we just saw rounding the corner? And yet it will be 89 degrees out this afternoon and we’ll be tempted to sit in the backyard pretending It’s June 1, not September 1.

Next week we go back to our regular bi-weekly schedule, starting with an amazing interview with CalSavers’ Katie Selenski on September 8. We’ve also got more behavioral insights from you and a load of states’ updates.

However, in this edition, you can exhale and grab one last lemonade. We are going to ease you into Fall slowly, with very lite fare:

• A very light story that’s only a little bit about retirement savings

• Fresh state metrics cuz, wow!

• States calendars – mark them down

• Some cool Hot Sauce!

• And a pic of the week, just to close us out

It is the dog days of August. Just for you, at the end of this edition, we’re going on a road trip together. And for now, snag yourself something icy and a comfortable chair, possibly in front of a fan. It’s time to catch up on the world of retirement savings innovation:

• Is retirement savings the ultimate ledger for personal financial wellness? This and four more hot topics from Aspen’s Ida Rademacher and Karen Andres

• We are BLOWING UP the state metrics this edition, check it out

• Updates from California, Colorado, Connecticut, and New Jersey

• Anchors Away! Duke’s Perry Wright on these, and defaults

• Hot Sauce! Cool stuff just for you

• Whew! Pix of the week, possibly from your state …