I am scratching my head on this one. Of course the consumer is “spending” more—everything costs more.
Do they “deflate” this number by the CPI? I would think that would be the only way to gauge if the consumer is actually spending “more” money.
...if the consumer is actually spending “more” money....
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Observation:
People are stocking up and not just on food. ebikes, generators, winter clothing, supplements, medications, anything one might need in the foreseeable future that will either cost more or be in shortage is being purchased ahead of time.
Everyone can see that the government is determined to starve the people out, to make alternative healthcare vanish, etc, etc.
The admin/legacy state media will spin it as people having excess cash and wantonly spending it on frivolity: “See, all is well as consumers continue to increase their consumption.”
Meanwhile, everyone is trying to prepare. It’s a race between eventually worthless currency and future unmet needs with nothing available to purchase.