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Even as real wages rebound, low-income households are playing catch-up

Aug 22, 2023
Average hourly earnings are now rising faster than prices. But two years of high inflation have left many low-income people in a financial hole.
Inflation can take a heavier toll on low-income workers because a large proportion of their pay goes toward necessities like food.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

Are vaccinations getting people to spend? Maybe not yet.

May 24, 2021
Wall Street Journal reporter Sarah Chaney Cambon notes that unvaccinated people are outspending the vaccinated.
Customers inside a bar in North Hollywood. In order to enter, they must provide proof of vaccination.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

People are ready to spend money on experiences again

Mar 29, 2021
There is a lot of pent-up demand for experiences after a year of isolation.
An employee arranges merchandise at a store in the Downtown Disney District shopping area outside of Disneyland last summer. Disney California Adventure Park partially reopened for a ticketed shopping and dining event.
Derek Lee/Disneyland Resort via Getty Images

Job losses indicate we are in a "she-cession"

May 28, 2020
Women are disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic when it comes to jobs.
Two servers at a reopened restaurant in Las Vegas. The jobs that have been lost recently,  like servers and retail clerks, are mostly done by women.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Worker productivity declined for first time in four years

Nov 6, 2019
No, it's not because of social media or politics.
One economist said we're stuck in the slow lane when it comes to productivity.
Chaloner Woods/Getty Images