In continued disdain for Trump’s economic policies and their subsequent upheaval, American consumers remain wary of what is to come. The median forecast for May consumer confidence was 53.5, representing a slight increase from the April 2025 sentiment number of 52.20. However, consumer confidence plunged to an almost record low of just 50.80 points in […]
Tag: Cost of Living
Housing – and life – continues to get more expensive for American families
Daily household costs continue to increase for American families as shown in today’s Consumer Price Index data release from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. While headline CPI came in at an increase of 0.2 percent, housing costs – including energy costs – increased at an even higher rate of inflation. Given that the average […]
Trump’s promised economic ‘boom’ looking more like a bust
Often quoted on the campaign trail, then presidential candidate Donald Trump promised American voters that, if elected, the country would see an economic “boom like no other.” Well, Trump’s promised boom is looking increasingly like a big bust. Yesterday, S&P released its flash PMI Index and business sentiment survey, and the downward trends should make the Administration take […]
Pre-tariff panic buying drives the auto sector as consumers look to avoid Trump’s chaos
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 […]
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 […]