Tony Franklins Other Shoe said:

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Who?mikejones! said:

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Its tough when I put 175 dollars in the tank and its not full

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Technically, you could control that by changing autos.

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No doubt. However, I own a small construction business. We have 5 f250s or 350s which we use as intended hauling various items and trailer types.

175 every 4 days for 5 trucks is quite a jump in costs and, no, I can't necessarily pass through the costs so easily.

Not to mention all the crazy shipping charges we're getting.

Doesnt matter. Im still voting for Republicans. But was does matter is it will either get people to change their votes or not vote.

Who?mikejones! said:

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Tony Franklins Other Shoe said:

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Who?mikejones! said:

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Its tough when I put 175 dollars in the tank and its not full

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Technically, you could control that by changing autos.

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No doubt. However, I own a small construction business. We have 5 f250s or 350s which we use as intended hauling various items and trailer types.

175 every 4 days for 5 trucks is quite a jump in costs and, no, I can't necessarily pass through the costs so easily.

Not to mention all the crazy shipping charges we're getting.

Doesnt matter. Im still voting for Republicans. But was does matter is it will either get people to change their votes or not vote.

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There is a reason the phrase is "it's the ECONOMY stupid" and not "it's the GAS PRICES stupid".

They economy is way more complicated than some dip****tery "K" designation. The question is whether enough people are truly "suffering" enough to vote solely on it and then what the alternative is.

Exactly what have the Hate Americans offered as solution ro offset gas prices?

Tell Ukraine to surrender? Supply Iran with nukes? Learn Mandarin? Obey Sharia law or else?

I get you will vote Republican. I suspect when it comes down to casting the ballot most others will reach the logical conclusion you have.

Over_ed said:

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Heineken-Ashi said:

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WestAustinAg said:

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Heineken-Ashi said:

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MouthBQ98 said:

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People have forgotten what a bad economy is even like or have never really experienced one. We've had some hiccups the last 2-3 decades but extreme government intervention and manipulation has blunted the worst effects.

We have an inflation hangover and only moderate growth with a few particular pressures but people perceive it as bad when it could be far worse looking at truly bad economic history

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Not even close.

We have a K-shaped economy. People with cash buying $700k homes that were priced $900k two years ago.

Meanwhile, first time home buyers are literally non-existent. Gone. There is not market. Largest gap between homes available on the market and buyer on record.

The top is maintaining. The bottom is in depression. The middle is slowly declining.

Data that tried to lump it all together is missing the picture. The bottom and middle make up almost the entire country. Sentiment is showing that.

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This is just data manipulation. There are plenty of affordable housing in suburbs and smaller towns. Only the big cities have nonexistent affordable housing. And they have that issue because of govt regulations that keep developers from building.

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Ya tell that to my buddy who bought a new build in a far out suburn for $340k in 2022 and cant sell it for $295k now.

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I think you probably understand that this is largely due to "micro" forces rather than macro. Builders went all in on the growth of Texas; built way too many houses in "far out suburbs". Many have MUD problems. Others have neighborhoods with many partially built houses and unfinished amenities. And the houses tend to be visually unappealing - 2 story on postage-stamp lots that all look the same. Your friend's house may be in this group or not, either way that is the economy he is competing in. It is tough, but I think his example has little to do with K shaped economy.

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That's not at all why the price is lower. The price buyers are willing to pay is lower because this is a buyer cohort relying on high leverage loans. When the cost to service the loan goes up and wages dont go up the same amount, the price of the underlying must come down to meet it. The only reason real estate in general is still elevated is because the top of the K is still paying cash for higher end homes, and because the majority of the sellers in the bottom in the K still haven't hit their breaking point that forces them to drop price to meet the market.. likely because they are locked in to a low rate.

If every seller HAD to sell in a month, real estate would have a massive correction. For now, they don't have to. So we continue onward in a market where sellers outnumber buyers at a historical pace and very few transactions get done at the same time that builders are heavily discounting, heavily concessing, and heavily paying down buyer's rates merely to show product moving during earnings season.

A healthy economy doesn't operate this way. An economy being propped up by a continually narrowing amount of the population does. This is what it looks like before rollover, not before miraculously booming recovery.

WestAustinAg said:

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Heineken-Ashi said:

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WestAustinAg said:

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Heineken-Ashi said:

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MouthBQ98 said:

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People have forgotten what a bad economy is even like or have never really experienced one. We've had some hiccups the last 2-3 decades but extreme government intervention and manipulation has blunted the worst effects.

We have an inflation hangover and only moderate growth with a few particular pressures but people perceive it as bad when it could be far worse looking at truly bad economic history

---

Not even close.

We have a K-shaped economy. People with cash buying $700k homes that were priced $900k two years ago.

Meanwhile, first time home buyers are literally non-existent. Gone. There is not market. Largest gap between homes available on the market and buyer on record.

The top is maintaining. The bottom is in depression. The middle is slowly declining.

Data that tried to lump it all together is missing the picture. The bottom and middle make up almost the entire country. Sentiment is showing that.

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This is just data manipulation. There are plenty of affordable housing in suburbs and smaller towns. Only the big cities have nonexistent affordable housing. And they have that issue because of govt regulations that keep developers from building.

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Ya tell that to my buddy who bought a new build in a far out suburn for $340k in 2022 and cant sell it for $295k now.

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So houses in teh burbs have gotten more affordable. That's awesome for young people...

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The gap between what he wants to sell for and what is buyer is willing to buy for would not only wipe out his equity, but would force him to come to the closing table with significant cash. So he likely won't sell. And the buyer won't find a home because no seller is doing that, at least not yet. Hence why nobody is buying homes.

flown-the-coop said:

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Exactly what have the Hate Americans offered as solution to offset gas prices?

Tell Ukraine to surrender? Supply Iran with nukes? Learn Mandarin? Obey Sharia law or else?

I get you will vote Republican. I suspect when it comes down to casting the ballot most others will reach the logical conclusion you have.

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Not everybody worried about the economy, or gas prices, is a "Hate American". That's an XXLIV nomenclature if ever there was one.

I love America, we've always been great....there is no "again", and am a conservative capitalist. That's why we should have stayed out of Ukraine altogether, assassinated Iranian leaders and keep on doing it (or letting Mossad handle it). For those two forays into idiocy. As to China, a situation of our own creation by overtaxation and over-regulation, we need to gut massively harmful regulations (IB4 a list of silly, ineffectual regulations to date) and cut taxes across the spectrum/board for everyone. To help the economy, GUT spending. Liberal Trump nor Progressive Biden/Harris will/did/would've done that. That's how you bring back mfg, hardcore. Tariffs are liberal idiocy.

As to voting, I voted for a liberal for the first time in Trump because he was "the lesser evil" and the D and L were progressive tards. Never again. He's proven a disappointment in everything but his immigration policy. "Better than Biden!" isn't the brag some think it is. I've voted for the L in the past and will again unless the GOP can actually win my vote. Desantis, Rubio, Vance, Cruz....done. Another liberal in GOP clothing? Hard Pass.

Who?mikejones! said:

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Groceries and gas are what most people consider the economy and is what they feel every week

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Throw in high interest rates also

BigRobSA said:

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jejdag said:

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Did he say he'd get it done in 2 years?

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Im convinced he doesn't understand linear time.



2 weeks to slow the spread
2 weeks to defeat Iran
Etc
Etc

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Or he's just FOS. Neither are a good look.

Gee, government overspending by $2T a year and speculation on our energy makes for a bad economy? Who knew? We are all idiots for accepting this arrangement.

Keep thinking Trump is our problem, that's what is needed to keep it going.

MemphisAg1 said:

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Not setting up well for the midterms if you're a Republican. The odds of a shellacking are growing as we draw nearer to November. It's not the outcome I want but seems increasingly likely. Not sure there's much the R's can do over the next 60 days to change it, expect for a sudden collapse in gas prices and interest rates. Even then, I think the die is already cast in most voters' minds on whether to even show up for the vote and who to vote for (or against). That won't stop Trump and his point men from trying to spin the story even harder, but I don't think anybody is buying it outside of his core followers which are at most 25% of the voting pool.

I of course hope I'm wildly wrong and have to eat crow.

Quote:

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Consumer sentiment plunged in September amid heightened inflation fears, hitting its second lowest level on record on the University of Michigan's monthly survey released Friday.

"Year-ahead expectations for both personal finances and business conditions plunged," survey director Joanne Hsu said. "With a resurgence in fuel prices and trade tensions, consumers anticipate greater pressures on their pocketbooks to come."

The survey's headline index hit a level of 47.8, down 7.5% from the August reading and off 13.2% from a year ago. This was the second lowest reading on record for data going back to 1952 the bottom coming in May as rising prices also jolted the outlook.

---

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/11/consumer-outlook-plunges-in-september-as-inflation-outlook-worsens.html

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Not sure what these people see. We are seeing huge growth and as busy as we've ever been. And next year looks even better.

I've voted for Trump three times…and I am fortunate that I have the economic means to afford $5.75/gallon diesel, $15/pound ribeyes, and other increases in prices

That said, I honestly believe the midterms will be a blood bath for the Republicans. Trump, in my opinion, has lost his base. He doesn't get that it comes down to the economy.

angus55 said:

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MemphisAg1 said:

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Not setting up well for the midterms if you're a Republican. The odds of a shellacking are growing as we draw nearer to November. It's not the outcome I want but seems increasingly likely. Not sure there's much the R's can do over the next 60 days to change it, expect for a sudden collapse in gas prices and interest rates. Even then, I think the die is already cast in most voters' minds on whether to even show up for the vote and who to vote for (or against). That won't stop Trump and his point men from trying to spin the story even harder, but I don't think anybody is buying it outside of his core followers which are at most 25% of the voting pool.

I of course hope I'm wildly wrong and have to eat crow.

Quote:

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Consumer sentiment plunged in September amid heightened inflation fears, hitting its second lowest level on record on the University of Michigan's monthly survey released Friday.

"Year-ahead expectations for both personal finances and business conditions plunged," survey director Joanne Hsu said. "With a resurgence in fuel prices and trade tensions, consumers anticipate greater pressures on their pocketbooks to come."

The survey's headline index hit a level of 47.8, down 7.5% from the August reading and off 13.2% from a year ago. This was the second lowest reading on record for data going back to 1952 the bottom coming in May as rising prices also jolted the outlook.

---

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/11/consumer-outlook-plunges-in-september-as-inflation-outlook-worsens.html

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Not sure what these people see. We are seeing huge growth and as busy as we've ever been. And next year looks even better.

---

You're making my point for me. Some people are doing very well. Others are not, and there's enough of them that they contribute to this consumer outlook that's one of the weakest in history. That has strong implications for the upcoming midterms where the party in power is likely to get a wakeup call.

MemphisAg1 said:

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angus55 said:

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MemphisAg1 said:

---

Not setting up well for the midterms if you're a Republican. The odds of a shellacking are growing as we draw nearer to November. It's not the outcome I want but seems increasingly likely. Not sure there's much the R's can do over the next 60 days to change it, expect for a sudden collapse in gas prices and interest rates. Even then, I think the die is already cast in most voters' minds on whether to even show up for the vote and who to vote for (or against). That won't stop Trump and his point men from trying to spin the story even harder, but I don't think anybody is buying it outside of his core followers which are at most 25% of the voting pool.

I of course hope I'm wildly wrong and have to eat crow.

Quote:

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Consumer sentiment plunged in September amid heightened inflation fears, hitting its second lowest level on record on the University of Michigan's monthly survey released Friday.

"Year-ahead expectations for both personal finances and business conditions plunged," survey director Joanne Hsu said. "With a resurgence in fuel prices and trade tensions, consumers anticipate greater pressures on their pocketbooks to come."

The survey's headline index hit a level of 47.8, down 7.5% from the August reading and off 13.2% from a year ago. This was the second lowest reading on record for data going back to 1952 the bottom coming in May as rising prices also jolted the outlook.

---

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/11/consumer-outlook-plunges-in-september-as-inflation-outlook-worsens.html

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Not sure what these people see. We are seeing huge growth and as busy as we've ever been. And next year looks even better.

---

You're making my point for me. Some people are doing very well. Others are not, and there's enough of them that they contribute to this consumer outlook that's one of the weakest in history. That has strong implications for the upcoming midterms where the party in power is likely to get a wakeup call.

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who isnt doing well? Has consumer spending decreased? If it has then inflation should be coming down as demand decreases. I think most of this thread is talking points and not steeped in reality outside.

Ragoo said:

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MemphisAg1 said:

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angus55 said:

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MemphisAg1 said:

---

Not setting up well for the midterms if you're a Republican. The odds of a shellacking are growing as we draw nearer to November. It's not the outcome I want but seems increasingly likely. Not sure there's much the R's can do over the next 60 days to change it, expect for a sudden collapse in gas prices and interest rates. Even then, I think the die is already cast in most voters' minds on whether to even show up for the vote and who to vote for (or against). That won't stop Trump and his point men from trying to spin the story even harder, but I don't think anybody is buying it outside of his core followers which are at most 25% of the voting pool.

I of course hope I'm wildly wrong and have to eat crow.

Quote:

---

Consumer sentiment plunged in September amid heightened inflation fears, hitting its second lowest level on record on the University of Michigan's monthly survey released Friday.

"Year-ahead expectations for both personal finances and business conditions plunged," survey director Joanne Hsu said. "With a resurgence in fuel prices and trade tensions, consumers anticipate greater pressures on their pocketbooks to come."

The survey's headline index hit a level of 47.8, down 7.5% from the August reading and off 13.2% from a year ago. This was the second lowest reading on record for data going back to 1952 the bottom coming in May as rising prices also jolted the outlook.

---

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/11/consumer-outlook-plunges-in-september-as-inflation-outlook-worsens.html

---

Not sure what these people see. We are seeing huge growth and as busy as we've ever been. And next year looks even better.

---

You're making my point for me. Some people are doing very well. Others are not, and there's enough of them that they contribute to this consumer outlook that's one of the weakest in history. That has strong implications for the upcoming midterms where the party in power is likely to get a wakeup call.

---

who isnt doing well? Has consumer spending decreased? If it has then inflation should be coming down as demand decreases. I think most of this thread is talking points and not steeped in reality outside.

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My and your posts are talking points, but that consumer survey in the OP is reality on how a broad group of people see things. Republicans can keep rejecting it if they want, but that tin foil hat won't help them in November.

You keep warming about "republicans rejecting it", but as usual people rarely offer any sort of solutions.

<60 days out from the election, there are few convenient levers to pull.

So if people really really really feel they are suffering and can take no more of Trumps terrible horrible everyone is going broke economy, what is being offered as an alternative?



Else, people need to warm a bottle up and vote R. It's the only answer that results in a bright future.

The median household income would barely qualify for the median home value in Houston. The average wage increase is 3.5% which just happens to be the inflation rate.

There is diminishing marginal utility of income. The stock market and 5% interest rates are great if you have a paid off house and no more kids in school. That group has a lot of income to invest.

For the young family after mortgage and after school activities for your kids there's not much left. I don't think of it as K shape where the bottom is dropping, I think of it has flatlining. It's hard to get ahead and just stagnant.

Dan Scott said:

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The median household income would barely qualify for the median home value in Houston. The average wage increase is 3.5% which just happens to be the inflation rate.

There is diminishing marginal utility of income. The stock market and 5% interest rates are great if you have a paid off house and no more kids in school. That group has a lot of income to invest.

For the young family after mortgage and after school activities for your kids there's not much left. I don't think of it as K shape where the bottom is dropping, I think of it has flatlining. It's hard to get ahead and just stagnant.

---

For a young family after mortgage and taking care of your kids there is NOT SUPPOSED to be much left.

I think I see the problem here. Complete sense of entitlement and totally unrealistic expectations in life.

In 2005 I was newly married and a new homeowner on one income and a 5.25% mortgage and was paying off furniture and cashing in points for a honeymoon, driving cars we had in college.

flown-the-coop said:

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Dan Scott said:

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The median household income would barely qualify for the median home value in Houston. The average wage increase is 3.5% which just happens to be the inflation rate.

There is diminishing marginal utility of income. The stock market and 5% interest rates are great if you have a paid off house and no more kids in school. That group has a lot of income to invest.

For the young family after mortgage and after school activities for your kids there's not much left. I don't think of it as K shape where the bottom is dropping, I think of it has flatlining. It's hard to get ahead and just stagnant.

---

For a young family after mortgage and taking care of your kids there is NOT SUPPOSED to be much left.

I think I see the problem here. Complete sense of entitlement and totally unrealistic expectations in life.

In 2005 I was newly married and a new homeowner on one income and a 5.25% mortgage and was paying off furniture and cashing in points for a honeymoon, driving cars we had in college.

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at 25 everyone wants a salary of a 40 year old with nearly 20 yrs experience.

flown-the-coop said:

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Dan Scott said:

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The median household income would barely qualify for the median home value in Houston. The average wage increase is 3.5% which just happens to be the inflation rate.

There is diminishing marginal utility of income. The stock market and 5% interest rates are great if you have a paid off house and no more kids in school. That group has a lot of income to invest.

For the young family after mortgage and after school activities for your kids there's not much left. I don't think of it as K shape where the bottom is dropping, I think of it has flatlining. It's hard to get ahead and just stagnant.

---

For a young family after mortgage and taking care of your kids there is NOT SUPPOSED to be much left.

I think I see the problem here. Complete sense of entitlement and totally unrealistic expectations in life.

In 2005 I was newly married and a new homeowner on one income and a 5.25% mortgage and was paying off furniture and cashing in points for a honeymoon, driving cars we had in college.

---

And the problem is after all that there shouldn't be much left. But now because of an excursion out in Persia, they will probably pay an extra $1K in gasoline. And the argument would be to prevent Iran from a nuclear weapon when a nuclear attack from Iran was nowhere near the top of what concerns them.

What was concerning them more than the very real threat of Iran not just possessing but using a nuclear weapon?

What over the past 6 months has shown you they are quite reasonable poets who just wanted to be left alone?

Jimmy having to choose select baseball and forego sleepaway camp and dad having to keep his 2024 F150 Raptor an extra year seems like a fair trade off not to be vaporized.

To act like Iran was just going to sit over in "Persia" quietly is to show complete denial the last 48 years of history with those degenerate terrorists who pray daily for the destruction of you and I.

Was a nuclear attack form Iran the most concerning thing for you?

Me personally, what keeps me up at night is: Am I being a good dad and husband and how to make time for my family while trying to get my business going at same time, making sure I made the right decision to get out of corporate life and start my own firm, my aging parents.

I'm lucky, I'm not too worried about finances thanks to the bull market but not everybody got as lucky as I did.

A nuclear strike from Iran was nowhere near top of what keeps me up

flown-the-coop said:

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You keep warming about "republicans rejecting it", but as usual people rarely offer any sort of solutions.

<60 days out from the election, there are few convenient levers to pull.

So if people really really really feel they are suffering and can take no more of Trumps terrible horrible everyone is going broke economy, what is being offered as an alternative?



Else, people need to warm a bottle up and vote R. It's the only answer that results in a bright future.

---

You are ignoring the complete fecklessness of most voters who can't think past next week. There doesn't have to be an alternative. People will vote the opposite simply out of boredom.

You can find numerous interviews of people who will say they are voting for the other party just to see what will happen. Our populace is stupid when it comes to politics and translating that to every day life.

Dan Scott said:

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Was a nuclear attack form Iran the most concerning thing for you?

Me personally, what keeps me up at night is: Am I being a good dad and husband and how to make time for my family while trying to get my business going at same time, making sure I made the right decision to get out of corporate life and start my own firm, my aging parents.

I'm lucky, I'm not too worried about finances thanks to the bull market but not everybody got as lucky as I did.

A nuclear strike from Iran was nowhere near top of what keeps me up

---

So that makes it irrelevant? Do you understand the global ramifications of a nuclear strike on Israel or Europe? Do you understand the loss of negotiating power if they go nuclear? Do you see the effects of turbulence in the strait? Energy markets?

And you'd risk that?

flown-the-coop said:

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"Economy is not where we want it to be, lingering conflicts in Iran and Ukraine are heavily impacting the fuel markets, but the fundamentals remain solid, trillions in investment in US manufacturing, and a solid path forward - if you don't shizzle your pants and vote for socialism" / informed, intelligent realists

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You just need to have a media that would be honest and not doom and gloom and chaos at every moment.

YouBet said:

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flown-the-coop said:

---

You keep warming about "republicans rejecting it", but as usual people rarely offer any sort of solutions.

<60 days out from the election, there are few convenient levers to pull.

So if people really really really feel they are suffering and can take no more of Trumps terrible horrible everyone is going broke economy, what is being offered as an alternative?



Else, people need to warm a bottle up and vote R. It's the only answer that results in a bright future.

---

You are ignoring the complete fecklessness of most voters who can't think past next week. There doesn't have to be an alternative. People will vote the opposite simply out of boredom.

You can find numerous interviews of people who will say they are voting for the other party just to see what will happen. Our populace is stupid when it comes to politics and translating that to every day life.

---

Please realize how those "interviews" work. They interview 100 people and find the one who wants to be on camera and says the correct sound bite. It's exponentially worse than polling.

Why would you provide that any credence at all?

And minimum level of common sense and intelligence IQ to vote should be north of 140.

flown-the-coop said:

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YouBet said:

---

flown-the-coop said:

---

You keep warming about "republicans rejecting it", but as usual people rarely offer any sort of solutions.

<60 days out from the election, there are few convenient levers to pull.

So if people really really really feel they are suffering and can take no more of Trumps terrible horrible everyone is going broke economy, what is being offered as an alternative?



Else, people need to warm a bottle up and vote R. It's the only answer that results in a bright future.

---

You are ignoring the complete fecklessness of most voters who can't think past next week. There doesn't have to be an alternative. People will vote the opposite simply out of boredom.

You can find numerous interviews of people who will say they are voting for the other party just to see what will happen. Our populace is stupid when it comes to politics and translating that to every day life.

---

Please realize how those "interviews" work. They interview 100 people and find the one who wants to be on camera and says the correct sound bite. It's exponentially worse than polling.

Why would you provide that any credence at all?

And minimum IQ to vote should be north of 140.

---

Our populace voting for the other party in almost every mid-term regardless of what has actually happened leading up to it is proof of my comments.

Agree on the IQ requirement. I would have more than just that one.

flown-the-coop said:

---

YouBet said:

---

flown-the-coop said:

---

You keep warming about "republicans rejecting it", but as usual people rarely offer any sort of solutions.

<60 days out from the election, there are few convenient levers to pull.

So if people really really really feel they are suffering and can take no more of Trumps terrible horrible everyone is going broke economy, what is being offered as an alternative?



Else, people need to warm a bottle up and vote R. It's the only answer that results in a bright future.

---

You are ignoring the complete fecklessness of most voters who can't think past next week. There doesn't have to be an alternative. People will vote the opposite simply out of boredom.

You can find numerous interviews of people who will say they are voting for the other party just to see what will happen. Our populace is stupid when it comes to politics and translating that to every day life.

---

Please realize how those "interviews" work. They interview 100 people and find the one who wants to be on camera and says the correct sound bite. It's exponentially worse than polling.

Why would you provide that any credence at all?

And minimum IQ to vote should be north of 140.

---

IQ is not a reliable marker for common sense. There are a lot of very intelligent but stupid liberals.

Excellent point. I will ammend my post.

ts5641 said:

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flown-the-coop said:

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"Economy is not where we want it to be, lingering conflicts in Iran and Ukraine are heavily impacting the fuel markets, but the fundamentals remain solid, trillions in investment in US manufacturing, and a solid path forward - if you don't shizzle your pants and vote for socialism" / informed, intelligent realists

---

You just need to have a media that would be honest and not doom and gloom and chaos at every moment.

---

They weren't doom and gloom or creating chaos during Biden. It's just what they do during a GOP president.

Dan Scott said:

---

The median household income would barely qualify for the median home value in Houston. The average wage increase is 3.5% which just happens to be the inflation rate.

There is diminishing marginal utility of income. The stock market and 5% interest rates are great if you have a paid off house and no more kids in school. That group has a lot of income to invest.

For the young family after mortgage and after school activities for your kids there's not much left. I don't think of it as K shape where the bottom is dropping, I think of it has flatlining. It's hard to get ahead and just stagnant.

---

I couldn't afford a house when i got my first job in banking after graduation. I lived in a cheap ass apartment that was an hour from my job and i took a double bus everyday to that job in downtown Houston. It was years before i had saved enough to put 3% down in a house in Pflugerville. I still had to commute 45 minutes to my job everyday. I was poor all throughout my early marriage and first two kids.

That's the way it is anywhere. In Italy 35 year olds don't have homes. They live in apartments. In Canada it's the same. In France it's the same. In the 1950's here it was the same.

You guys have an entitlement problem.

WestAustinAg said:

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Dan Scott said:

---

The median household income would barely qualify for the median home value in Houston. The average wage increase is 3.5% which just happens to be the inflation rate.

There is diminishing marginal utility of income. The stock market and 5% interest rates are great if you have a paid off house and no more kids in school. That group has a lot of income to invest.

For the young family after mortgage and after school activities for your kids there's not much left. I don't think of it as K shape where the bottom is dropping, I think of it has flatlining. It's hard to get ahead and just stagnant.

---

I couldn't afford a house when i got my first job in banking after graduation. I lived in a cheap ass apartment that was an hour from my job and i took a double bus everyday to that job in downtown Houston. It was years before i had saved enough to put 3% down in a house in Pflugerville. I still had to commute 45 minutes to my job everyday. I was poor all throughout my early marriage and first two kids.

That's the way it is anywhere. In Italy 35 year olds don't have homes. They live in apartments. In Canada it's the same. In France it's the same. In the 1950's here it was the same.

You guys have an entitlement problem.

---

The new Trump era of expectations: quit being entitled, you are not better than other countries. Welcome to maga 2.0

So disappointing

Those who fail to adapt will die. Its clear people are being essentially encouraged to invest their money, rather than consume consume consume. Investing a ton will allow you to consume in 4-5 years, if they market continues its trend, and with the way the rules are set up, this looks like it will continue.

flown-the-coop said:

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Dan Scott said:

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The median household income would barely qualify for the median home value in Houston. The average wage increase is 3.5% which just happens to be the inflation rate.

There is diminishing marginal utility of income. The stock market and 5% interest rates are great if you have a paid off house and no more kids in school. That group has a lot of income to invest.

For the young family after mortgage and after school activities for your kids there's not much left. I don't think of it as K shape where the bottom is dropping, I think of it has flatlining. It's hard to get ahead and just stagnant.

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For a young family after mortgage and taking care of your kids there is NOT SUPPOSED to be much left.

I think I see the problem here. Complete sense of entitlement and totally unrealistic expectations in life.

In 2005 I was newly married and a new homeowner on one income and a 5.25% mortgage and was paying off furniture and cashing in points for a honeymoon, driving cars we had in college.

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lol what