Consumer

Economic Growth in America’s “Two-Tiered Society”

by Wolf Richter •  • Comments Off on Economic Growth in America’s “Two-Tiered Society”

It’s been glorious: global M&A in Q2 soared 47% to $1 trillion, highest since 2007, just before the financial crisis. But in California, 30% of the people making less than $40k were in worse financial shape than last year, despite all the bubbles around them.

Investment Bank: The End Of US Economic Growth

by Wolf Richter •  • Comments Off on Investment Bank: The End Of US Economic Growth

“We fear that, once the effects of monetary stimulus disappear in the US, the weakness of the economy due to income inequalities may suddenly be revealed.”

The Art of Deception in Advertising

by Contributor •  • Comments Off on The Art of Deception in Advertising

By Alex Hillsberg and David Adelman: The tricks that ads use to fools us would be hilarious, if it weren’t so serious. These photos of ads and reality will make you laugh, squirm, and gnash your teeth all at the same time.

QE, Bailouts, And Families Struggling to Buy Food

by Wolf Richter •  • Comments Off on QE, Bailouts, And Families Struggling to Buy Food

It was a very basic question: Have there been times when you did not have enough money to buy the food you or your family needed? In wealthy countries, the percentages should be small, and given all the money-printing, it should be zero, you’d think.

Coffee – The Craziest Chart Of The Year Already

by Wolf Richter •  • Comments Off on Coffee – The Craziest Chart Of The Year Already

I’m a coffee lover, and this is getting personal: our latte, espresso, or just plain good coffee is going to bite fiercely into our already mauled pocket book. In one crazy chart.

California Housing Bubble: Now Even Teachers Can No Longer Afford To Buy A Home

by Wolf Richter •  • Comments Off on California Housing Bubble: Now Even Teachers Can No Longer Afford To Buy A Home

Teachers are a symbol of the middle class. In California, they earn on average $69,300 annually, fifth highest in the country. Not exactly a pittance. But it is a ludicrous pittance if they’re trying to buy a home.

Walmart International: Lousy Economies ‘Everywhere We Operate’

by Wolf Richter •  • Comments Off on Walmart International: Lousy Economies ‘Everywhere We Operate’

With over 6,400 stores in 26 countries outside the US, Walmart International has smacked into the same problems Walmart has encountered in the US: it’s tough out there.

The Young Subprime Debt-Slave Generation

by Wolf Richter •  • Comments Off on The Young Subprime Debt-Slave Generation

Rising household debt would be a hopeful sign that consumers are again living beyond their means, finally spending money they don’t have in a heroic effort to stimulate Wall Street, corporate earnings, and the Fed’s self-esteem. So we jubilate. We’ve waited for it too long.

We Are Sleepwalking Towards A Cashless Society

by Don Quijones •  • Comments Off on We Are Sleepwalking Towards A Cashless Society

By Don Quijones: Governments are seeking to reduce cash transactions. The reasons are obvious: as most countries struggle to rein in public spending, governments are frantically surveying their surroundings for anything of value to steal or pawn.