Afford Anything First Friday: The Strange Economics of Feeling Poor While Spending More Description:
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Dec 5, 2025 Explore the curious contradiction of soaring retail spending alongside waning consumer confidence. Discover how small businesses are struggling while discount chains thrive in a K-shaped recovery. Learn about shifting shopping behaviors, from early holiday sales to AI-driven deals and buy-now-pay-later options. Dive into essential financial strategies for year-end, including tax-loss harvesting and retirement contributions. Unpack the disconnect between economic growth and everyday feelings of financial strain.
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Fed Faces Decisions Without Key Jobs Data
- The BLS jobs reports were delayed after the shutdown, leaving October entirely missing and November delayed until December 16.
- Paula Pant warns the Fed will meet on Dec 9-10 without official BLS data, forcing decisions with limited information.
Small Businesses Are Losing Jobs Disproportionately
- ADP reported a loss of 32,000 private-sector jobs in November, driven by small businesses.
- Paula Pant notes small-business losses offset gains at midsize and large firms, signaling disproportionate pain for small employers.
Stagnant Hiring Keeps Youth Unemployed
- Hiring has been flat in H2 2025 while layoffs remain low, keeping overall unemployment historically low.
- That stagnation means fewer openings for newcomers, pushing youth unemployment (16–24) above 10%.