Understanding the Disconnect in Consumer Sentiment and Economic Indicators

This chapter explores the disparity between positive economic data and consumer dissatisfaction in the U.S. It highlights historical trends in sentiment among different demographics, particularly focusing on the contrasting perceptions of men and women.

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Does it feel like we’re in a recession? People are constantly discussing layoffs, many Americans are in credit card debt, home ownership seems unachievable, and you probably feel like you should be making more money based on how expensive everything is. But, on the other hand, inflation is down, stocks are up, and unemployment is still (relatively) low. This is what Nicole Lapin would refer to not as a recession but a “vibecession;” it feels like we’re in a recession, even if we aren’t.

As a renowned journalist, author, and money-minded podcast host of Money Rehab, Nicole is one of the best in the industry to come on and explain the state of the American consumer, why they feel so negative toward the economy, and what good news we have going into 2025. Nicole is breaking down exactly why Americans feel so disconnected from our growing economy and the reason consumers are getting frustrated.

But it’s not just bad vibes (okay, enough with the Gen-Z verbiage); there are “bright spots” in the economy that few are paying attention to. These data points come close to proving that we may be out of recession territory and confirm that the Fed did achieve its “soft landing.” Are we on our way to finally feeling good about the economy again?

In This Episode We Cover

Why it feels like we’re in a recession even though the economy is growing

The disconnect between men and women and who’s more optimistic in 2024

Did the Fed actually achieve their soft landing and an inflation rate update

The good news on wage growth (with a BIG caveat)

Rising credit card debt and whether or not this is a precursor to economic crisis

The “bright spots” in the economy that point to some good news for Americans

And So Much More!

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