re: People are shopping and spending money.

Went to three banks today looking for the gift envelopes for cash. All three banks were out.

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Maybe it’s an indication of the way the economy is going or maybe people are maxing out their CC’s, but either way money is being spent

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You're incredibly out of touch if you think this is an indication of a prosperous economy. Trips to the grocery store are a stretch for many. People are spending money because they have no choice. You walk out the door paying $100 for a handful of items. You and I may be be able to afford to suck it up but you have to admit that things are more expensive than they should be.

When I drove to Starbucks about 5:45 a.m. Mon. and Tue. I passed the Wal-Mart parking lot. There were over 150 cars in their lot, waiting for them to open at 6 a.m. I've never seen that before.

My wife and I didn't necessarily have the money to spend, but we spent a good bit more than usual. We feel better about over-extending ourselves because of how things are going for us right now. We're no longer a small emergency away from financial collapse. Honestly, it felt good to be able to spend the money again. We'll have to tighten our spending again for the next month or two to get back to where we were, but it's something we felt was worth it.

It’s FakenewsTech, it’s what he does.

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you have to admit that things are more expensive than they should be.

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What things? Seriously, what do you consider to be more expensive than they "should" be?

The reason I ask is that since 1975, the average inflation rate is about 3.7%. Collectively something that costs $1 in 1975 should cost about $6 today. Here are a few items that we commonly purchase. First column is 1975 price, second is 2025 price and third is 1975 price adjusted for inflation

Gasoline -- .57. -- 2.85 -- 3.41
Milk -- 1.57 -- 3.50 -- 9.40
Eggs dz -- .77 -- 2.39 -- 4.61
HB meat lb -- 1.20 -- 6.30 -- 7.19
wh chicken lb -- .7 -- 2. -- 4.19

In each of these cases the 1975 price for the item adjusted for inflation is greater than the current price. Some cases much higher.

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Credit card debt is in the trillions now and it ain't cause Americans are flush with cash.

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I never understood the reason to go into debt over Christmas then having to pay it off the next couple months. Our family had spending limits. Plus live within your means. I imagine old money families understand that concept well.

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People in America believe they are worse off this year than last, they also believe things are likely to get worse, so they are spending more than ever on Christmas this year(from credit card, cash, loans, whatever)?

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Yeah

You met Americans before?

Americans are hopeless, brainwashed addicts to consumerism. The rich, middle class, poor-doesn't really matter, people are going to be buying shite, doesn't matter if they go into debt for the sake of "Christmas."