It is officially as of today the Marie and Twinet presidency. While 42 million Americans go without critically important food assistance and millions more struggle with huge increases in the cost of everything from rent to healthcare to what Donald Trump himself describes as quote the grocery. The president who was elected in large part because of the price of eggs and Donald Trump's promise over and over and over again that he would bring the prices down says, "Well, let them eat well done steak. " Here's ...

McDonald’s remains in a rough patch as it struggles to shake a concerning pattern of customer behavior at its restaurants. In McDonald’s third-quarter earnings report for 2025, it revealed that its U.S. comparable sales increased 2.4% year over year, which was “primarily driven by positive check growth.” However, according to recent data from Placer.ai, customer visits to McDonald’s same-store locations dropped by 4% during the quarter, compared to the same time period last year. The decrease in consume ...

Core Insights - A significant percentage of retirees are concerned about the impact of rising prices on their financial security, with 84% wishing to better protect their savings from inflation [2][4] - The Schroders survey indicates that 62% of retired Americans are uncertain about the longevity of their savings, while 45% report higher-than-expected expenses in retirement [4] Group 1: Retirement Concerns - 71% of retirees are unsure about optimal spending and income-generating strategies [3] - 86% express concern over healthcare costs in retirement, with an average of 15% of monthly income spent on these expenses [14][15] - Nearly 20% of older Americans have returned to the labor force for personal or economic reasons [4] Group 2: Investment Strategies - Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS) are suggested as a way to add inflation-resistant assets to portfolios [1] - Dividend-growing equities and annuities are also recommended to bolster fixed income sources against rising prices [5] - First National Realty Partners (FNRP) offers accredited investors access to grocery-anchored commercial properties, allowing diversification without landlord responsibilities [7][8] Group 3: Financial Planning and Support - The 4% rule is a traditional retirement withdrawal strategy, but alternative flexible approaches are available [10] - Financial advisors can provide valuable guidance for creating sustainable income strategies in retirement [11][17] - Long-term care insurance options are available to help manage healthcare costs and protect retirement funds [15][16]

Key Points The typical American has less than $40,000 saved for retirement in a 401(k). If you want to boost your savings, be strategic with your spending, especially when it comes to big expenses. Also make sure you're not leaving any free 401(k) dollars on the table. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Last year, the National Institute on Retirement Security reported that 79% of Americans feel there's a broad retirement crisis. And 55% said they're worried they ...

Core Insights - The Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2026 is set at 2.8%, translating to an average increase of $56 per month, but this modest increase may not alleviate deeper concerns regarding the program's sustainability and purchasing power [2][4]. Group 1: Concerns Among Retirees - Many retirees express that the annual COLAs do not keep pace with their actual living costs, particularly in areas like healthcare and housing, leading to a sentiment that the 2.8% increase is insufficient [5]. - A significant portion of middle-class Americans, particularly those in their 50s and 60s, fear that Social Security benefits may be reduced or cease to exist, with 39% expressing this concern despite the COLA [3][4]. Group 2: Retirement Planning Strategies - Experts recommend stress-testing retirement plans to assess the impact of potential reductions in Social Security benefits, emphasizing the importance of having a written retirement plan [6]. - Delaying Social Security claims can increase permanent benefits, which may help mitigate future financial uncertainties related to policy changes or inflation [6]. - Building non-Social Security income through maximizing retirement account contributions and diversifying income streams is advised to enhance financial resilience in retirement [6].

Economic Concerns - Rising cost of living, groceries, and essential family needs are a growing concern for individuals [1] - Affordability is a significant problem, with constituents struggling to afford groceries, rent, and other necessities [3][4] - Some individuals are maxing out their credit cards to cover monthly expenses [4] Political Implications - Public figures acknowledge that grocery and energy prices remain high, contradicting claims of low inflation [2] - Cracks are appearing within a major political coalition, indicating potential divisions [4] - Voter discontent is leading to significant defeats for a particular political party [5] Government Spending & Public Perception - Concerns arise regarding government spending habits amidst economic struggles faced by the population [5]

RT Luke Gromen (@LukeGromen)@1PeterMitchell @DavidBCollum Only crash that fixes that is not a crash in stocks.If you want to stop the inflation, you have to stop the deficits. If you want to stop the deficits, you have to stop the spending. If you want to stop the spending, there's only one thing you can cut that matters: https://t.co/1YIPfuky6E ...

Spending & Saving Habits - Gen Z's overall spending decreased by 13% between January and April due to cost of living challenges, economic uncertainty, and inflation [1] - Gen Z is building emergency accounts to buffer potential job loss, aiming for a few hundred to a couple thousand dollars in savings [3] Employment Concerns - Gen Z is not only afraid of losing their jobs but even more afraid of not finding another one [2] - AI is contributing to Gen Z's concerns about getting a job, getting promoted, and gaining responsibilities, especially in the first year or two after college [12][13][14] Financial Outlook & Support - Over 60% of Gen Z supports universal basic income [15] - A majority of Gen Z does not believe they will ever be able to afford to retire [15][18] - Parents of Gen Z are increasingly under financial stress, impacting their ability to support their Gen Z children [5] Generational Differences & Workplace - There's a dislocation within Gen Z, with some members progressing while others struggle, creating challenges [7][8] - The industry believes Gen Z is miscast, as over 70% believe being a loyal employee means working at least one year at an employer [21]

Economic Policy & Reality - The report highlights a discrepancy between the Trump administration's claims of economic improvement and the lived experiences of many Americans, particularly regarding the rising cost of living and groceries [1][8] - The analysis points out that Trump's alleged 25% reduction in Thanksgiving meal costs is based on a basket with half as many items compared to the previous year, suggesting a policy of "make do with less" [1] - The report suggests that rising costs are impacting everyday Americans, with some maxing out credit cards to afford monthly expenses [1] Political Implications - The report indicates a potential split within the Republican party, with figures like Marjorie Taylor Green publicly acknowledging the issue of high grocery prices, contradicting the administration's narrative [1][6] - The analysis suggests that voter discontent over economic issues contributed to Republican defeats in recent elections [1] - The report posits that the Democratic party is favored in the upcoming midterms due to the president's economic policies being misaligned with both conservative principles and economic reality [2] Trump Administration's Response - The report criticizes the Trump administration's response to economic concerns, highlighting instances of alleged misinformation and insensitivity, such as building a ballroom while people struggle with food costs [1][11][12] - The report mentions Trump's claim of a 25% reduction in the cost of Thanksgiving, which is fact-checked and found to be misleading [1][9] - The report suggests that tariffs implemented by the Trump administration are contributing to inflation [5][6]

Economic Conditions - The equity markets are experiencing a recovery based on hopes that a government shutdown may end soon, although the situation remains at a stalemate [1] - Economic indicators such as ADP numbers have shown flat growth over the last three months, and there has been a significant increase in layoffs, indicating a halt in the job market [2][3] - The relative price performance of cyclical sectors in the S&P 500 has fallen to its lowest levels in 35 years since the government shutdown, suggesting continued weakening economic conditions [5] Inflation and Market Signals - The relative price of material stocks has plummeted since the shutdown, indicating a strong correlation with CPI inflation, and inflation-sensitive stock prices have also declined [6] - Market signals suggest a continued weakening trend since the shutdown, with expectations that the Federal Reserve will continue easing policies well into 2026 as inflation subsides [7] Investment Strategies - The current economic slowdown is expected to prompt broad easing from both monetary and fiscal authorities, which is already reflected in lower short rates, bond yields, and a weaker dollar [9] - There are signs of better performance in high beta stocks, small caps, micro caps, and international stocks, indicating potential leadership in these areas due to policy changes [10][11]