Comparing the cost of living between 1975 and 2015: You are being lied and fooled when it comes to inflation data and the cost of living.
Inflation is widely misunderstood by the public. Even economists tend to have a hard time coming to a general agreement to the true definition of inflation. When you ask the person on the street what inflation is they usually respond by saying the “price of things going up†which is more of a consequence of […]
The economy chugs along with consumers going into deep credit card debt: Credit card debt surges in top 25 US metro areas according to Equifax data.
Credit card debt is like crack for the American consumer. A cheap alternative to pure spending cocaine but enough to keep you on the hamster wheel of consumption. I recently discussed how credit card debt while remaining subdued since the Great Recession suddenly made a 180 degree turn. Americans are spending money they don’t have […]
You Cannot Afford a $250,000 Home with a $50,000 Household Income!
People are still surprised why new home sales remain anemic and new home building is simply not materializing. The latest Census data shows that the typical new home sold for $281,000. At the same time we also realize that your typical U.S. household is making about $50,000 per year. The reason home sales remain weak […]
Credit card debt makes up for lack of income growth: Credit card debt outstanding back up to $900 billion. Since 1980 household income up 300% while credit card debt up 1,760%.
The middle class started disappearing in earnest in the late 1970s. Massive inflation started eating away at the standard of living for most Americans. Yet much of this was covered up by access to debt. Credit cards, creative mortgages, student loans, and auto debt all allowed Americans to continue acting as if prosperity was only […]