Pressure on prices

Data is integral to the Fed’s decisions over interest rates in the United States, but with a government shutdown lasting through October, a decision was made without the key monthly jobs report. Fed Chair Jerome Powell said that other economic indicators have kept in line with the Fed’s planned rate cut path, though Powell noted that “risks to employment appear to have risen.”

Over the last 15 years, car payment delinquencies have risen by more than 50%, potentially indicating an incoming recession, according to economists. Numbers from the Consumer Federation of America show that Americans owe a record $1.66 trillion in auto debt, with one senior fellow at the CFA saying vehicle payments are “increasingly becoming an unaffordable burden.”

USPS raised the cost of shipping on Oct. 5, with the new prices to remain in effect until Jan. 18. Prices went up anywhere from 30 cents per item to more than $16 per parcel in some cases, with impacts on Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, Parcel Select and USPS Ground Advantage Services. The fees are reportedly to “help cover extra handling costs.”

Americans still prefer capitalism, but socialism has gained ground over the decades. A poll showed that 54% of Americans had a positive view of capitalism, dipping 6% since 2021. Meanwhile, 39% had a positive view of socialism, up just 1 point from 2021 but 3 points higher than in 2010. Their positive view of big business collapsed from 58% in 2012 to 37% in 2025, and 54% of Americans want the government to spend more for people in need.

The price of a newly built home dropped below that of existing homes in 2024, a trend that has continued in 2025. While builders are cutting prices and offering concessions due to high inventory and shrinking home sizes, existing homeowners are holding firm. Experts say home prices are likely to remain flat, though the median house price fell more than $18,000 between July 2024 and July 2025.

Is love unaffordable? About 72% of young adults say that they spend $0 a month on dating, as higher prices and budgeting concerns take hold. Within the same group, 64% said they cut spending, especially on dining out and grocery shopping. Higher prices are also pushing the status of financial security higher, with respondents saying it would take an annual income of over $587,000 to feel secure.

The short answer? Yes. The long answer? It’s complicated: Through June, prices rose between 2.4% and 2.9%, according to the Consumer Price Index. A rise in inflation also stemmed from a price increase across various industries.

Dollar General is known for lower “dollar” prices, but now even wealthier Americans are choosing to shop there, with CEO Todd Vasos saying the company has seen increased growth among middle- and higher-income customers. He also said that shoppers were cutting back due to higher prices.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell warned for the first time that President Donald Trump’s imposition of tariffs on imported goods could lead to higher inflation and slower economic growth. Trump responded by indicating that he wanted to remove Powell from his position as head of the central bank.

New U.S. Department of Agriculture data showed egg prices dropping 33% from an all-time high of $8.17 to $5.51 per dozen. However, prices remained 50% higher than a year earlier.

In its first decision on interest rates since President Trump returned to office, the Federal Reserve left its benchmark interest rate unchanged – a reflection of persistently high inflation.

Consumer price inflation cooled for the fifth straight month ahead of the 2024 presidential election. The Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, hoped the lower inflation rate would ease voter discontent over high prices that followed the COVID-19 pandemic.

A new poll showed half the country believes President Joe Biden’s policies were not benefitting the middle class – a foreshadowing of problems Biden’s Democratic party would face in the 2024 elections.