The State of The Consumer

Top Headlines 🗞️

Consumer Update

Interest rates, student loans, inflation, debt…the list goes on. Any way you slice it, the consumer is getting hammered. So, let’s talk about it.

Former Walmart CEO Bill Simon thinks that consumers are buckling for the first time in 10 years. Simon adds federal budget wrangling and polarized politics to the ongoing pileup facing consumers.

“For the first time in a long time, there’s reason for the consumer to pause.”

Something will have to give as budgets tighten and Americans deal with the cocktail of headaches mentioned above. After fighting off the 8% inflation of last year, we all have to be wary of what’s to come.

Here’s a little inside tip:

Percentages are a key determining factor in retailer pricing confidence. For instance, instead of advertising a set dollar amount, retailers are offering products at a certain percentage off. If you see percentages instead of prices, odds are there’s a cheaper option out there.

Newsom For President?

California Governor Gavin Newsom has been in the news as of late as some of his decisions have people wondering if he plans on running for president. It won’t be this year as he shut those rumors down last month, but we may see his name in the Democratic hat for 2028.

In the past week, Newsom has signed two significant bills, moving him towards a more “center” position. Makes sense for a politician gearing up for a run at the title of President.

Last week, Newsom vetoed a bill that would decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms. The bill would have allowed those 21 and up to possess the powerful psilocybin as well as DMT and mescaline, substances that have been used in therapy for those suffering from mental health issues.

Sticking with mental health, Newsom also signed the first of a series of bills that could overhaul California’s mental health system. Proponents of this overhaul see a long overdue response to humanitarian issues while the opposed argue that this could overstep civil liberties as people could be confined against their will.

Both of these moves could be considered more “right-wing”, pushing Newsom from the left into the center as an attempt to attract more followers on the right. Never underestimate the true intentions of these politicians, the background of each and every decision made, and the effects on the American people.

Quick Hits 🥊

X Updates Policy

X made an official announcement about changes to their policy and algorithm. Previously, only accounts with over 100,000 followers were considered “newsworthy”, so the algorithm favored them. But everyday citizens like you can capture groundbreaking footage too.

Global Companies Affected in Israel

Many public companies have offices in Tel Aviv, the largest city in Israel. With the war breaking out, airlines halted travel, retail stores closed, and oil producers like Chevron have stopped production. If you are invested in public companies, here is the list of those affected.

Be Careful of Disinformation

X is the global town square. It’s a great place for people to share their ideas, opinions, and news. But be careful out there! With a global conflict, you can’t believe everything you read. The EU is getting concerned about this and tweeted an official letter to Elon about the fake news. Here is a 7 minute deep dive if you want to learn more about all the illegal content.

Where to Park Your Cash

We all want to be financially responsible people that optimize our money, right? With all of the uncertainty in the world, you don’t want to be uncertain about your money. The experts are saying that right now these are the 4 best places to park your cash.

Quote of the Day 💭

Question of the Day 🙋‍♀️

Starting next week, we’re adding a new section where we answer your questions!
Want us to talk about budgeting? Where inflation is heading? How to set up an investment portfolio?

You name it! We got you covered.

Submit a question and we will answer 1 per edition. Click the button below!