Cost of Living & Inflation Crisis

Real wages are falling for the fourth month, with a new paper showing a 9% loss for job-stayers (article 14). Consumer spending is pulling back (article 20). National debt is crowding out private investment, raising rates on mortgages and loans (article 7). State cost-of-living rankings highlight CA, MA, HI as most expensive (article 16). California's budget deficits reveal structural issues (article 12). The Fed rate outlook remains uncertain.