Tuesday, December 23, 2025
💬 In a few words:
Oh sweetie, people are just miserable about money, even with those fancy economic reports saying things are hunky-dory! It seems all that talk of growth isn't making anyone feel rich at the grocery store, bless their hearts.
More details:
Oh, The Drama! Everyone's Got the Fidgets About Their Pennies!
Well, I never! You won't believe the latest hullabaloo from those fancy folks at The Conference Board, sweetie. It seems everyone's just miserable about money, and it’s got me shaking my head! They say consumer confidence just took another nosedive in December, down 3.8 whole points to a measly 89.1. Can you imagine? That’s five months in a row this confidence thing has been slipping! Heavens to Betsy, it’s like everyone’s decided to wear a perpetual frown when it comes to their wallets.
And get this, darling, even though the big-shot economists are chirping about how the economy "grew faster than expected" last quarter – a whopping 4.3%, they claim! – nobody seems to be feeling it in their own pockets. It’s all just numbers on a page, isn't it? Our friend Yelena (she’s an economist, bless her heart, always knows the scoop) says consumers are simply "feeling worse and worse." And she’s right, especially when everyone’s out doing their holiday shopping, trying to find a deal that isn't highway robbery!
Honestly, What Are These People Thinking?!
Back in my day, we knew how to tighten our belts, but we didn’t walk around moping about every little thing! These young'uns, always glued to their screens, reading every bit of bad news. It's no wonder they're worried about recessions, sweetie; this "outlook" thing has been below the recession signal for eleven months straight! It’s enough to make a girl want to just sit down with a nice cup of chamomile and forget the whole world, truly.
They say the good old economy numbers are "lagged." Lagged! What does that even mean? It sounds like an excuse for why nobody's feeling the supposed "growth." It’s like baking a beautiful pie but then telling everyone they can't have a slice until next year. Utter nonsense! No wonder folks are sighing about the cost of living and even that silly government shutdown mess.
🍵 So, What's the Real Skinny? Let's Spill the Tea!
Alright, let’s get down to brass tacks, because a good gossip session needs facts, doesn't it? Here's what those official reports are saying, according to the Conference Board and those University of Michigan folks:
- Consumer Confidence: Plunged to 89.1 in December, a 3.8-point drop. That’s the fifth consecutive month of decline, marking a truly dour end to the year for people's feelings about finances.
- Current Conditions: Folks are feeling worse about business and the job market. This includes their short-term expectations, which have been below the 'recession ahead' threshold for nearly a year now.
- Economic Growth (the "Good" News): The Commerce Department reported that the U.S. economy actually grew quite nicely in the third quarter, at a 4.3% annualized rate. Driven by robust consumer spending, mind you!
- But Here's the Kicker: That growth momentum seems to have fizzled out already. Yelena Shulyatyeva, a senior U.S. economist, warns us not to get "overexcited" about those GDP numbers. Apparently, the rising cost of living and that brief government kerfuffle have put a damper on things.
- Other Worries: The University of Michigan’s survey echoed the gloomy sentiments, showing people felt more negative about the economy in December compared to last year. Many even believe unemployment will rise, which, heavens, is a thought! The jobless rate is indeed at its highest in four years, even if inflation is cooling a tad at 2.7%.
"There's a big contrast between the actual data, which is lagged, and the more forward-looking index of consumer confidence." — Yelena Shulyatyeva, Economist (She really laid it out for us, bless her!)
It's clear as day, sweetie. People are looking ahead and seeing clouds, not sunshine. The numbers might say one thing about yesterday, but our gut feelings are all about tomorrow!
Honestly, I Just Can't Even Today with All This Worry!
Oh, sweetie, it's enough to make you want to pull up a comfy chair and just fret! All this back-and-forth, the numbers saying one thing, and our neighbors feeling completely different. It’s like trying to bake a soufflé and it just keeps falling, no matter what the recipe says.
We’ve got folks worried about jobs, worried about prices, and all the while, these official reports are saying "Everything's fine, darling!" Well, I never! It just goes to show, you can't always trust what's on paper. You’ve got to trust your gut, and right now, everyone's gut seems to be screaming, "Hold onto your hats, because a slowdown is coming!" Honestly, sometimes I think the world is just upside down. Pass me another cookie, dear, I think I need it!
Grandma's waiting on your verdict
Pour dear Grandma another cup by tapping how this gossip feels. She can't finish her knitting until you whisper your take.