Everyday Economics

Mortgage rates could remain elevated as the bond market does the Federal Reserve’s work for it, keeping borrowing costs higher for consumers and businesses. Economist Orphe Divounguy explains what rising Treasury yields mean for mortgage rates, credit cards and the housing market. Homebuyers waiting for lower rates may be paying a price for holding off. Divounguy notes that someone who bought a typical U.S. home when mortgage rates were around 6% in February would have saved roughly $146 a month compared with those who waited. In this episode, we break down why the Fed may leave rates unchanged, how inflation is influencing the bond market, and why trying to time mortgage rates could be a costly strategy. Everyday Economics is brought to you by The Center Square Newswire Service.

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American households are feeling the squeeze as inflation continues to push up the cost of everyday life. New personal consumption expenditures data shows income is finally growing faster than spending, but consumers are still spending more than their inflation-adjusted incomes and drawing down savings to keep up.

In this episode of Everyday Economics, Chris Krug and PhD economist Orphée break down what the latest economic data means for American families — from healthcare and groceries to housing, interest rates and big-ticket purchases.

They also examine how government spending, energy costs, tariffs and higher interest rates are affecting consumers, why housing demand is weakening, and what could happen to the economy heading into the fall and next year.

In this episode:

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#Inflation #Economy #Economics #CostOfLiving #Housing #GovernmentSpending #EverydayEconomics

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Job growth has slowed to roughly 34,000 jobs added per month — less than a fifth of the typical expansion-era pace of about 186,000 per month. Ph.D. economist Orphe Divounguy joins talks with Greg Bishop for Everyday Economics to break down what's driving the slowdown and what to watch for this week, including FOMC meeting minutes due Wednesday. Divounguy notes business investment growth is concentrated in AI-related sectors and data center construction, with hiring outside AI, healthcare, and parts of the Pacific Northwest largely stalled. The hiring rate is at its lowest level since around 2012, and low quit rates suggest workers currently employed are reluctant to switch jobs given limited opportunities elsewhere. Retail sales are up roughly 5% year-over-year, but Divounguy attributes most of that increase to price growth rather than higher real consumer spending, with inflation currently outpacing wage growth. On housing, Divounguy expects building permits to remain at depressed levels due to elevated mortgage rates, though housing starts could tick up as builders work through previously authorized but un-started units. Read more and follow Everyday Economics at thecentersquare.com.

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Government borrowing is never free — and taxpayers ultimately pay the bill. The Center Square publisher Chris Krug and PhD economist Orphe Divounguy break down the three ways government debt can hit American households: higher taxes, higher interest rates and higher inflation. The discussion examines why massive government borrowing can put upward pressure on Treasury yields, mortgage rates, car loans and business borrowing — while rising interest costs consume an increasingly large share of federal spending. Federal spending reached roughly $5.52 trillion, compared with $4.15 trillion in revenue, while interest costs have become one of the largest components of the federal budget. What does America's debt mean for your household, mortgage, business and purchasing power? And can economic growth actually help the country grow its way out of the debt problem? Watch the full discussion to understand how government borrowing can ultimately affect the taxpayer. #GovernmentDebt #Inflation #Taxes #InterestRates #Taxpayers #Economy #FederalDebt #MortgageRates #Finance #economics Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

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The U.S. job market isn't collapsing — it's stuck. July payrolls fell by 23,000, while unemployment held at 4.1%. But deeper revisions to May and June erased more than 100,000 previously reported jobs, raising bigger questions about the strength of the labor market.

On this episode of Everyday Economics, Chris Krug and PhD economist Orphée Divounguy break down what the latest jobs numbers really mean for workers, businesses and the U.S. economy.

They discuss:

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#Economy #JobsReport #LaborMarket #Jobs #Inflation #FederalReserve #AI #Economics

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Illinois Democratic State Rep. Carol Ammons is facing a bipartisan Illinois House investigation after being federally charged with wire fraud and making false statements, with the special committee examining whether there are grounds for discipline or removal while Ammons maintains her innocence.

Ammons and her husband, Aaron Adam Ammons, have pleaded not guilty to the federal charges, with a trial scheduled for September. Prosecutors allege the case involves nonprofit contracts and questions surrounding campaign contributions, while the House committee emphasized that it is not determining guilt or innocence.

Also, in this episode:

The committee voted to contact the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of Illinois before proceeding further, seeking guidance on whether the state investigation could interfere with the ongoing federal case.

The investigation draws comparisons to the Illinois House's previous special committee examining former Speaker Michael Madigan, who was later convicted on federal corruption charges and sentenced to 7½ years in prison.

The States also examines energy prices and the conflict in Iran, a newly uncovered effort by state attorneys general to coordinate litigation against the Trump administration, and the growing debate over data center expansion and taxpayer costs.

Plus, America's Talking:

California: https://www.thecentersquare.com/california/article_28a745de-6c13-4df1-88df-c0c150193eb7.html

Wisconsin: https://www.thecentersquare.com/wisconsin/article_9cede801-b522-4172-9d2e-b8d50301bfad.html

Georgia: https://www.thecentersquare.com/georgia/article_1db1ef45-8b75-4144-928a-7d670680111a.html

Arizona: https://www.thecentersquare.com/arizona/article_b2a0c25a-f6ef-465c-ad4c-de89ea70d2f3.html

The States delivers taxpayer-focused reporting from around America, powered by The Center Square.

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The Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged—but that doesn't mean borrowing is getting any easier. In this episode of Everyday Economics, Greg Bishop sits down with PhD economist Orphe Divounguy to explain why mortgage rates remain elevated, what it means for first-time homebuyers, businesses looking to expand, and taxpayers navigating an increasingly expensive economy. Topics include: Why mortgage rates remain near 7% The end of the era of cheap money Housing affordability and first-time buyers Why wealthy buyers are still purchasing homes The impact of high borrowing costs on businesses Inflation, jobs, and the Federal Reserve's difficult balancing act What taxpayers should expect if interest rates stay elevated If you're wondering how Federal Reserve policy affects your finances, this breakdown explains the real-world economic consequences. Subscribe for more reporting on economics, government spending, taxes, inflation, and how public policy impacts taxpayers.

#FederalReserve #InterestRates #MortgageRates #HousingMarket #Inflation #Economy #Taxpayer #EverydayEconomics #Finance #FederalReserveNews

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The Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged for a fifth straight meeting—but the real story wasn't the decision itself. It was the message. In this episode of Everyday Economics, Dr. Orphe Divounguy explains why markets reacted so strongly after the Fed abandoned forward guidance, why Treasury yields surged to their highest levels since 2007, and why some Federal Reserve officials are now calling for higher interest rates—not cuts. What does this mean for inflation, taxpayers, businesses, retirees, homebuyers, and anyone saving for retirement? In this video: Why markets sold off after the Fed meeting Inflation risks that refuse to disappear Why three Fed officials wanted rate hikes How government deficits affect interest rates AI investment and its impact on borrowing costs Why volatility hurts workers and retirees What to watch in the upcoming jobs report If inflation remains stubborn, borrowing costs could stay elevated, affecting mortgages, business investment, federal debt, and ultimately taxpayers. Subscribe for more analysis on the economy, government spending, inflation, and the policies affecting your financial future. 

#FederalReserve #Inflation #InterestRates #Economy #FederalReserveMeeting #Taxpayer #Economics #JobsReport #StockMarket #Finance

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Inflation remains one of the biggest financial challenges facing American families, and the Federal Reserve may not be done fighting rising prices. In this episode of Everyday Economics, Greg Bishop and economist Orphe Divounguy, Ph.D. explain why a stronger labor market has shifted the Federal Reserve's focus away from unemployment and back toward inflation.

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Gas prices posted their biggest monthly decline since 2020, giving Americans temporary relief at the pump—but is it enough to keep inflation under control?

In this episode of Everyday Economics, Chris Krug and economist Dr. Orphe Divounguy explain why cheaper gasoline is helping consumers continue spending, why rent prices may be about to rise again, and how Middle East tensions could send energy prices higher. They also discuss what the latest CPI data really means, whether inflation is actually cooling, and why the Federal Reserve may keep interest rates higher for longer.

Topics Covered:

Why gas prices fell

June CPI inflation explained

Will inflation rise again?

Rent prices and the housing market

How oil prices affect everyday costs

Federal Reserve outlook

Consumer spending trends

Everyday Economics analysis

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#Inflation #GasPrices #Economy #CPI #FederalReserve #HousingMarket #ConsumerSpending #OilPrices #InterestRates #EverydayEconomics #TheCenterSquare

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