March consumer retail spending data came in hotter than expected yesterday – led by surging motor vehicle and parts sales. Up a whopping 5.3% month-over-month, auto and auto parts sales seem to have been impacted by those consumers who wanted to get ahead of looming 25% tariffs that took effect on April 2. Consumers spent […]
Tag: Cost of Living
The Direction of Things to Come? Plunging US Dollar foreshadows more pain for US Households
Yesterday, April 12, marked Record Store Day 2025, so it seemed fitting to borrow the title of legendary East Bay band Crimpshrine’s song The Direction of Things to Come, because, really, ‘where we gonna go from here’? Friday marked the US dollar’s worst collapse in years on the DXY: Exchange, ending the trading day at […]
Trump’s dream of ‘Glory Days’ could be a nightmare for workers and consumers
Central to the Trump Administration’s ongoing tariff mayhem is their fantasy that one of the outcomes of the implemented policies will be to bring back the glory days of American manufacturing. In an April 7 White House article, the Administration wrote, “As he [President Trump] puts into action his bold plan to reverse the decades […]
Awaiting ‘greatness’ … as food insecurity continues to increase
Early on the morning of April 7, President Trump decided, amid a market meltdown and the ongoing financial insecurity being felt by many Americans, to boost morale with the following uplifting post to X: The United States has a chance to do something that should have been done DECADES AGO. Don’t be Weak! Don’t be […]
Cost of living continues to rise as President touts’ success
On April 1, the White House released a presidential message for National Financial Literacy Month 2025. While touting the benefits of Financial Literacy – which indeed is a worthwhile endeavor, the President unashamedly stated, “Upon taking office, I took immediate action to end the cost-of-living crisis…delivering long overdue relief to hardworking American families.” Really? Given […]