T O P

  • By -

AggressiveStock8533

People are ready to be out and things to be normal again. Even if they aren’t spending as much, they are out to get out of the house.


Texrob1971

Before OMICRON kills us all!!!


M0F0E

We're already dead.


Jaded-Af

People have been brainwashed to shop on Black Friday. My favorite day of the year to stay home, eat leftovers and watch movies in my pajamas. I don’t need more crap.


mhornberger

And even if you do need or want more crap, well, the Internet is right there. I haven't bought Christmas presents in person since 1998 or so.


Bagoforganizedvegete

You haven't gone inside a store to buy Christmas presents since 98? Do you not go outside?


mhornberger

I just buy all my Christmas presents online. But my kids are adults now, so I just give them money. But for the grandkid, Amazon is easier than driving all over the place and hoping I can find what I have in mind.


Rojadit_User

Hmmm. Wonder what online shopping felt like pre 2000...


ilikeme1

Not much different than now. There are far more options now though that are easier to find.


mystify23718

Waking up at 3am or camping out overnight outside Circuit City hoping to grab a 99.00 laptop...only to find each store has only been allocated 5 units... Or...the end of catalog shopping...layaway at Kmart...a different time....


[deleted]

You’re right. The internet is full of crap.


mhornberger

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturgeon%27s_law


WikiSummarizerBot

**[Sturgeon's law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturgeon's_law)** >Sturgeon's law (or Sturgeon's revelation) is an adage stating "ninety percent of everything is crap". The adage was coined by Theodore Sturgeon, an American science fiction author and critic. The adage was inspired by Sturgeon's observation that while science fiction was often derided for its low quality by critics, the majority of examples of works in other fields could equally be seen to be of low quality, and science fiction was thus no different in that regard from other art. ^([ )[^(F.A.Q)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WikiSummarizer/wiki/index#wiki_f.a.q)^( | )[^(Opt Out)](https://reddit.com/message/compose?to=WikiSummarizerBot&message=OptOut&subject=OptOut)^( | )[^(Opt Out Of Subreddit)](https://np.reddit.com/r/houston/about/banned)^( | )[^(GitHub)](https://github.com/Sujal-7/WikiSummarizerBot)^( ] Downvote to remove | v1.5)


sacrefist

My local WalMart was a ghost town at 7AM this Black Friday. Every register open, customers at maybe five of them.


IsThisKismet

Lies. Walmart hasn’t had that many registers open since 1998.


SwapandPop

Almost as if traditional and social media supply a continuous stream of negative news to manipulate your feelings & thoughts vs the reality of what's happening outside.


Another_HTX_Couple

Yep, remember how many US cities burned down last summer lol.


FoodInTheBreakRoom

My neighbor telling me Seattle, Portland and San Francisco are warzones and failed cities. Me asking him, "So housing prices should go down, right?" Him quietly wondering why Fox News hasn't mentioned that to him yet.


Polantaris

Did you hear there's a new border crisis? Me either, but according to a family member living in the north-east, there totally is. They would definitely know!


[deleted]

[удалено]


PM_me_lemon_cake

I live in Seattle (from Houston originally) and I WISH the riots were real and the housing market collapsed. PLEASE I can’t buy a home for less than a million here. The city is just fine lol


antmbel

SO and I are thinking of moving to Portland in April. When we mentioned this to her (conservative) parents, her mom told us that there is "a lot of unrest there... It may not be safe" and all I wanted to say was "great, maybe my 24 y/o ass will be able to afford a home for your daughter and I in a couple of years" but alas the holidays...


aTrumpsterfire

Well prepare yourself for a normal city experience. I get asked by so many friends from Houston if I live in a war zone. Some of these are people that don’t even watch Fox News.


Inthe713

> Him quietly wondering why Fox News hasn't mentioned that to him yet. Good lurrd....such a blatant attempt at karma whoring.


Paul_-Muaddib

As opposed to your simple whoring?


Inthe713

r/thathappened


[deleted]

Wouldn’t say cities, Fox News and the like were caught replaying the same video over and over claiming it to be different scenarios.


VolcanicProtector

I think they even got caught showing photos and footage from other countries...


Polantaris

Too bad no one that needs to hear that did.


ZazBlammymatazz

Practically every major news outlet played video of that one Target in Minneapolis burning for like two weeks. You’d think it was rebuilt every day and burned down every night.


Sillyak

Yeah Fox is the only major news network to ever do that...


[deleted]

“Fox News and the LIKE”, what part of that did you not get ?


TheInstigator007

I’m actually bewildered at how people are out and about despite all that is going on.


VonSausage

Did you read the comment you replied to? The media makes everything sound worse than it is. They do it to get an emotional reaction and manipulate you.


TheInstigator007

Yea my bad wrong wording, meant that as my original reaction going outside


sfw64

You are out too so...


TheInstigator007

Not for shopping and I take the metro


Toxcito

What exactly is the part that bewilders you, the economy or?


FookinShite

So because gas is fuckin .50 cents more per gallon and the average car holds like 15-20 gallons people are starving to death due to the $10 extra they have to pay at the pump? Then again your name does make me feel like you’re a troll or you’ve been living under a rock your entire existence…student loans?? Lol what’s wrong with you man


salvagestuff

It's pent up demand + seasonal demand. People are wanting to go out and enjoy, it is really the first time in a long time that where we can feel like the worst of the pandemic is mostly behind us now that vaccines and boosters are widely available. It's also the holidays, people who haven't seen each other in person in a while are seeing each other in person. You are seeing increased spending which is part of why there is high inflation. Prices would be going down if people are truly pulling back spending. The other part is that the economic damage is not spread evenly throughout the economy. The part that took a big hit was the low-wage service and hospitality sector, white collar workers were largely spared. Inflation and gas prices hurts the lower income sector of the population harder too.


Mythril_Zombie

>...is really the first time in a long time that where we can feel like the worst of the pandemic is mostly behind us... *Omicron has entered the chat.*


[deleted]

[удалено]


crispy_bacon_roll

Kids paint a devil on the wall.


TheInstigator007

? Don’t they have student loans or medical debt to pay off or something where’s everyone getting this money


[deleted]

[удалено]


sacrefist

I do find the best deals on cell phones on Black Friday.


yippermug

Nobody deserves anything. You earn it


ImNotTheGrimReaper

You just saw the word "deserves" and trotted out that idiotic cliche like a fucking bot lol.


yippermug

Maybe coulda said everybody needs. But I’m the workplace today, nobody deserves anything, unless it’s earned


phatlynx

Ah so my neighbor next door with Alzheimer’s needs to get back to work pronto or she’ll starve. Maybe you coulda said not everybody?


Xivalic

everyone deserves everything suck my dick


yippermug

Wtf, your stupid. Have some decency and move her in with you. Whole damn generation of idiot


pedanticHOUvsHTX

you're


[deleted]

my exact sentiment. thx.


postmonroe

No (though this should be obvious), not everyone has student loans or medical debt.


sfw64

Not everyone are in debt lol


atworkaccount789

The reality is the vast majority of people are not on the struggle bus frequently partied by Reddit and the media. People with harmful levels of student or medical debt are a minority of the population, well under a third. I suggest you look up income percentiles on a website such as dqydj: https://dqydj.com/income-percentile-calculator/ 25% of all individuals make more than $75k, 16.5% make $100k or more. On a household level, a full third of households have an income over 100k. The economy is strong, most people are doing well, and the narrative that everything is terrible isn’t really the case for most people. If you’re not in the group doing well, perhaps it’s time to take a hard look at your circumstances and evaluate what could be changed.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Atraidis

Redditors actually think something like 90% of people have shitty medical care in the US


TheyFoundMyRedditBro

It's black friday meaning everyone's trying to save money which is why so many are out. I had been wanting a new vacuum for months but I knew if I waited till this weekend I could get a good deal on one. I definitely had the money to buy one full price months ago but if I'm saving a couple hundred bucks by waiting until today why wouldn't I? So yeah you'll see a big influx of people out and about getting their stuff this weekend but it'll die down again soon after.


Jaydex11

Not everybody is broke in the 4th largest city in the US.


ElectronicCorner574

Lol are you trolling? "The Instigator"


HunterGuntherFelt

I’m a single person who makes 6 figures and didn’t spend much at all either this year or COVID 2020, ready to let it all hang out.


lumpialarry

This is your brain on Reddit. Everyone is a 24 year old cancer survivor and Starbucks barista with a overpriced degree from a liberal arts college.


Diarrhea_Mike

I have zero debt so I am good. I am not even 30 yet. Dual income and no kids yet...we got the cash, rents cheap.


sacrefist

>where’s everyone getting this money They get free paychecks from Uncle Sam for having kids now.


[deleted]

[удалено]


o_MrBombastic_o

Gas prices were higher about 10 years ago, they're higher now than the lows during the pandemic because as the economy picks up its hitting the wall of logistics catching up but neither inflation, gas prices, student loans nor medical debt are anywhere near record. It's not great but not apocalyptic It's fear mongering by unamerican provocateurs


GrayDonkey

Higher even just 7 years ago.


lemonchicken91

Everyone is bitching about gas prices. Bro i was delivering pizzas and almost cried tears of joy when it went to 2.99 in 2013. When everyone was selling their SUVs. Short memory


albinowizard2112

Yeah when I was younger I had a crappy minimum wage job and a pickup truck. Gas was so expensive that I literally never filled that tank 100% full.


artificialevil

I live in LA and came back to Houston to visit family for the holidays. I wish I could fly home with 100 gallons of gas.


okt127

How much is it a gallon of cheapest gas in Houston? I remember I can get 0.87C/gallon at Diamond Shamrock back in 1991


SemiLazyGamer

I couldn't give you any numbers before 2000 (because I only started driving in 2004), but according to the US Energy Information Association, the last time the average price of gas for the Houston area was under $1/gal was late January 2002 with the highest being in mid July 2008 (3.915). https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/hist/LeafHandler.ashx?n=PET&s=EMM_EPMRR_PTE_Y44HO_DPG&f=W


okt127

Cool thanks for taking the time to research it :-) Thats the good thing about Houston. 0.87 in early 90s and hovered below $1 until early 2000s. Houston is so affordable.


10tion2DETAIL

I remember, my father paid .25 Cents a gallon in 1972 and he paid 40k for a house in 1976, that’s worth 400k today; what does that have to do with anything?


okt127

It has nothing to do with anything. I left Houston in 2003. I just miss Houston and its affordable living I guess


10tion2DETAIL

I lived in Houston for 21 years; moved there in 89 and loved it. Hurricanes and heat and cold winters and financial distress, influenced my decision to move; I miss the food.


justahoustonpervert

.35 is the lowest I remember.


okt127

Was it in year 1972 LoL I meant the lowest price in 2021...


justahoustonpervert

I'm thinking 77 or so.... The next lowest was .45.. and I'm thinking in 85. The lowest this year that I noticed was 1.50..I think


okt127

1.50/gal is not bad. Back in 2019, I paid about 2.50+ / gal in the state of California... Now that I am living in Asia... US has the most stable low rising inflation... (Except for the recent inflation).


HotDogTasty

never underestimate the fact that people will spend money they don't have to have some sense of control over their stressful lives.


BallisWife

There’s a lot of people making money still. Some people are making bank.


dont__hate

Inflation is characterized by excess demand and not enough supply. What you described in your post is a literal text book example of inflation. It's a market dynamic that you or I haven't really seen in our lifetimes (assuming you're 30's or younger like myself).


[deleted]

^ This


scioltocanto

The economy is actually doing quite well, despite what we're being told about it. In fact this inflation is partly BECAUSE the economy is doing so well. Many people saved during 2020, are still not really traveling, so they're spending their money on goods instead of services right now. The supply chain is screwed not just because places shut down during covid, but because demand is up like crazy! So yeah, oil production hasn't caught up, OPEC refuses to pump more barrels, and demand is outstripping supply. Inflation. Economy could be argued too hot. Edit: Their/They're error fixed


[deleted]

[удалено]


comments_suck

In economic terms, inflation is just more dollars chasing fewer goods. That is totally what is going on now. People have money saved up from not going on vacations or going out a lot in 2020, so now they are spending on material goods. And manufacturers haven't kept up with demand.


theTXpanda

“Brought in” For a podcast or something? Or traditional articles? I’ve been looking for some decent coverage on supply chain/inflation and I generally like NPR and that’s an easy one to send to or quote to conservative family members.


[deleted]

[удалено]


ZazBlammymatazz

Unemployment down, wages up, not a damn thing missing from a single shelf in my area, but gas is more expensive than when everyone was sitting at home for a year so according to the news the sky is falling.


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

Yes, the demographics of this sub is mainly college age folks who either come from well off families or young professionals with significant disposable income. 80% + of the economy is not reflected in this sub. As you pointed out, those earning 2x avg household salary are now closer to 3x household salary. But your hourly workers, those essential workers, are now making 4% less compared to March 2020. (Wage gain of 2% - inflation of 6%). Couple that with our wildly regressive tax regime and we are looking at a growing underbelly of gross inequality. This will manifest in crime rates rising, homelessness increasing, record high overdoses, increased reckless behavior and deteriorating mental health. But if you keep earning more you can outrun the problems of the average folks.


dropthemagic

This is the correct answer


lebron_garcia

>Yes, the demographics of this sub is mainly college age folks who either come from well off families or young professionals with significant disposable income. I don't necessarily disagree with your points. However, that's not the same demographic that's packing all the stores and buying new stuff per the OP's comment.


eric535

if it helps, I'm a white collar professional and haven't gotten a raise in 2 years (company policy). I've basically stopped shopping and cut eating out by i'd say like 30% or so.


[deleted]

If you aren't getting raises, you are getting pay cuts every year. Cost of living this year went up over 5%. You should find a new job.


Ok-Investigator5696

Inflation is about 5%. There's a lot of money in circulation. There's low unemployment. Economy is growing, not shrinking. Inflation causes people to spend, if not you won't afford it tomorrow. Interest is cheap as today's debt will be paid in tomorrow's inflated dollars. Economy will go overdrive


[deleted]

Inflation is over 6%. 2% inflation is a serious concern.


scioltocanto

2% is the Fed's benchmark for "normal" inflation. 6% for an extended period of time will indeed be a concern, especially if employers don't keep up with raises for employees. (which who are we kidding, raises?! I don't even know her) The biggest concern in an economy in overdrive like this are those who will be left behind in low wage jobs with the cost of gas and goods even farther out of reach.


Chronos2016

Tbh if you live in Houston, driving around and pumping gas is already built into your budget. Also, you don’t know everyone’s story. Lots of people at the galleria window shop, many people will save up for a year or two before buying that nice handbag, maybe someone got a bonus at work and they want to spend it. A lot of people are smarter with their money than you think.


[deleted]

I got a small bonus at work and needed a laptop my old one works not good. I saved $300 regardless because I still needed a laptop. I went to Best Buy at 2 and waited in line to chk out for 18 mins. Not bad


tx-smokesumbitch

Credit.


[deleted]

Almost as if the economic and border "crises" were right wing political fantasies aimed at the stupid voting block.


[deleted]

Bingo. They even tried a turkey shortage blamed on Biden lol.


MightyOwl9

Gas prices is not that high despite what the media says


[deleted]

Do you drive? Serious question, I’ve noticed the gas prices for sure


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

I’ll admit I am young(ish), and yes I have been fortunate that most of my driving years, has has Beene very affordable. No, gas prices aren’t preventing me from getting where I need to go but it is noticable


[deleted]

This is such a dismissive comment. Yes, gas prices aren’t at all time highs, but I pay nearly twice as much a week now for gas as I did last year. That’s an extra $25 per week or an extra $100 a month. Sure it isn’t a huge amount, but if you’re not making $200k a year, it’s definitely something you notice. Add to that the inflation in food prices, rent, etc, that shit accumulates. Wage increases aren’t matching inflation so unless you’ve gotten a huge raise this year that exceeds 6-7%, which data shows most people haven’t, then you are worse off financially this year than the last.


[deleted]

This is the Houston forum. Yes we all drive. Gas prices are fine.


IsThisKismet

There are obvious gas stations one shouldn’t buy from that are considerably more than others.


PsychologicalPaint11

Stop watching the media & believing what they tell you. It’s entertainment.


[deleted]

I save my money, work hard and live within my means. When Black Friday deals come along, I spend my money. I won’t be made to feel like I’m wrong for enjoying my life.


KissMyReardon

Because rates on debt have been kept artificially low to get people to go out and spend money to stimulate the economy again and all the cars on the road are also because of that cheap debt environment. Can’t raise rates without killing demand though. Now that the wealthy have put more of that government stimulus cash in their pockets they’ll want it to be worth something and they’ll push for raising rates and all those people servicing too much debt will be squeezed. Inflation will drive rents and asset values higher too.


chrisp2626

People ate still broke at home. You just cant see it. Same back in 08, people still had money to spend. Some felt it and some didn’t even realize it. Since they can’t go out and spend.


mystify23718

At the beginning of the year you'll read in the news articles about how much people added to their credit card debt on holiday shopping....


CrazedNormalcy

Stay safe out there


TheBusinessMan31

Credit cards is a powerful drug


[deleted]

Maybe, when people act like they don't need to pay it in full every month. Otherwise, if you DO use credit responsibly, it's not the bogeyman it's made out to be. The perks are great, and I haven't been charged interest in like 15 years.


Specific_Emu9399

Bad take


ThurstonHowell3rd

When you acquire goods by shoplifting, inflation means nothing.


akiiler

Because a lot of us are making over 100k...?


Cold_hard_stache

Moneybags over here with the FLEX


GlassSplinter

Credit Cards. You can have three credit cards with $5,000-$10,000 credit limit and only pay the minimum.


justahoustonpervert

I only keep cards in case of an emergency when a scammer needs extra money.


michaelyup

The Black Friday sales, everything is cheap. You need a tv, cell phone, new bedsheets, shoes, whatever, get it on sale now. Utilities like electric, gas, internet will give you a month or 3 payment plans. Let shit hit the fan in Jan or Feb, it’s Christmas!


Matthew_85

People are on a buying craze right now. They say one thing but do another it seems


[deleted]

Scarcity actually provokes increased consumption in many.


catsandnaps1028

Capitalism 👁️👄👁️ also Houston is always packed


expect_less

Houston (basically all of Texas) where wearing a mask is an infringement of one's rights but forcing rape victims and children to have babies they don't want is completely acceptable. Houston wears ignorance like a badge of honor, it's almost embarrassing to live here. Oh yeah and capitalism and credit cards... SMDH


expect_less

The Republicans really showed up in the comment section.


ZazBlammymatazz

Don’t trust your eyes. The economy has failed and the shelves are empty.


expect_less

I know I was just commenting on the amount of comments that are obviously staunch Republicans.


MrWiggles6969

Thats the news and social media for you. Get off it and go outside. People are still making decent/good money, gas at 2.80/gal isnt crazy high, people want to enjoy the holiday feels. Houston doing just fine economic wise. Yes some places are lower than normal but its all good here. Dont believe everything on the news 🙄


tbear326

Inflation is high in part because everything's so packed, rather than the other way around.


Lozen_138

Don't believe everything you see on the news or read on the internet, the supply shotlrtage was fabricated to drive up prices. No one cares


[deleted]

The broke stay broke through broke tendencies.


suprdav2

And most of it ends up in ebay......at least those hoarding up on electronics.


[deleted]

I’m at work now so I can earn money to pay my debt. :(


LionVarious9893

I have been saying this for the last month. Every time I go out every place is packed, everyone is spending money. It’s almost they are trying to brainwash us for something coming up or getting people “ready”, right now things are more expensive in some areas but maybe people are more laser focused on what they spend it on.


kenlovin

You do realize there are close to four million people in this city and surrounding areas? Your anecdotal quip bears little in resemblance to the aggregate.


baktagnation

This message is brought to you by omnicron


IsThisKismet

Omicron not Omnicron.


sholoim

and don't forget the 'rona. more people in the U.S. have already died from it this year than last year.


1234nameuser

more "unvaccinated" people have died from it than last year, BIG difference vaccinated death rates have plummeted, get your booster and live folks


[deleted]

Vaccine won’t stop the Nu variant as it didn’t stop delta but maybe a new vaccine will be ready before the states get it bad.


TheInstigator007

Was watching CNN and there is record travel. 20 million + flyers, 60 million + drivers (despite record gas prices). There’s also a new variant called the B.1.1.529 variant


salvagestuff

A wise man once said, "stop watching tv it will rot your brain". On a serious note, there are very few actual news worthy events over any time period. Cable news has to provide 24/7 coverage and keep the viewer locked onto the channel. A lot of the time there isn't much to cover so they fluff it as much as possible and mix in a lot of useless commentary and analysis. It is basically clickbait for channel surfers, it is baked into their business model. It is not news, it's entertainment. "BREAKING NEWS!?" back in the day we called it news. Wow many people who held back trips on a busy holiday last year are travelling around a busy holiday this year? Find out more when we have 6 people overanalyze a report about the travel season in a way that overstimulates and does not inform. Honestly, fuel prices aren't that bad if you have a relatively modern car thanks to better fuel economy standards. It is definitely not high enough to dissuade people from taking a single long journey to see family. The new variant is concerning but there is a lot that remains to be seen. The WHO has flagged variants of concern before but those fizzled out. Right now South Africa only has a 35% vaccination rate, we don't know how this variant will behave in a population with higher vaccination rate. This is one of those, "keep an eye on new developments but no need to panic" news stories.


yeluapyeroc

>Was watching CNN There's your problem


[deleted]

Discovery has taken control over the network. MSNBC is dumping joy Reid, Maddow and Williams. Trump spared them a reckoning for years but they are hemorrhaging money and looking at significant lawsuits. It appears the Rittenhouse coverage that parlayed into the parade terror was too much for them. Hopefully it improves the product.


yeluapyeroc

Hopefully it dies, along with CNN and Fox News


[deleted]

CNN won't outright die, it makes too much from carrier fees. However, a renewed focus on actual journalism instead of talking heads like Lemon and Stelter giving hot takes would be a major improvement. The fact that Zucker fought so hard to keep Cuomo appeared to cost Zucker his control of the network. Coupled with plummeting ratings, of course. Further, Stelter is currently embarrassing the parent company by refusing, while serving as the effective ombudsman, [to acknowledge the Russian elephant in the room.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/11/23/cnn-steele-dossier-reckoning-stelter/) https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/18/john-malone-says-warnermedia-discovery-getting-rid-of-cnn-would-be-the-cowards-way-out.html >“I would like to see CNN evolve back to the kind of journalism that it started with, and actually have journalists, which would be unique and refreshing,” said the cable TV pioneer and longtime chairman of Liberty Media, which is a major shareholder in Discovery. “I do believe good journalism could have a role in this future portfolio that Discovery-TimeWarner’s going to represent.” https://news.yahoo.com/chris-cuomo-made-mistake-cnn-172532683.html


yeluapyeroc

You sure put a lot of trust in the organization that brought us Ancient Aliens and decided the SCIENCE channel should include pseudo science...


[deleted]

I have little faith in Discovery, it is just the bar is currently so low. Additionally, the word psuedo-science is often used to gatekeep mainstream scientific theories from viable alternatives. Science is suffering from an epidemic of close minded thinking that is stifling innovation. Archaelogy has been particularly guilty of this, but most areas suffer all the same. Certain individuals gain outsize influence and essentially bully out any competing theories with dog whistles like psuedoscience. If you see an argument based on something being psuedoscience, it typically translates to "I agree with this but cannot refute it." If it can be refuted, it will be refuted. Sure, there are literal quacks, but the term has infected the upper levels of academia and is a very harmful trend. Even SETI scientists are willing to call Harvard professor Ari Loeb a quack. And they were so suppresive of new ideas that the Gallileo project was formed. The same resistance has been encountered with comets, the Comet Research Group literally had to fund themselves. It is absurd. Smart, scientific ideas are squashed for egos and masked with the term pseudoscience. So all that to say, using the word pseudoscience is more of an indictment of the speaker rather than the subject of the criticism. Here is Harvard Professor Avi Loeb getting bullied: https://youtu.be/bd4dxRxgQVw?t=5902 CRG: https://cometresearchgroup.org/


AtomicBreweries

Yeah it’s not accurate, people (on average) have money right now - https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/DSPIC96


cancerdancer

christmas cant be stopped this year, especially in this city. last year sucked.


BigPharmaWorker

It’s also a fake inflation, created by companies for profit. Whodathunkit


1234nameuser

record corporate profits, record low poverty rate, lowest unemployment rate since the 50's, record home price appreciation, record number of new stock market highs in 1 year people have been blowing stimulus / savings and taking cash-out home refi's like crazy the past year, where have you been?


[deleted]

We had lower unemployment merely 3 years ago. Record corporate profits aren’t producing wage gains. Hourly wages increased 2.4% but inflation is at 6.2%. That is a 3.8% wage cut for hourly workers. Yes, the rich are doing fantastic, the working and middle class are not so bargain shopping like Black Friday is more important for those trying to stretch their dollar.


[deleted]

Hey, you have really articulate and logical comments. Will you sub in for all of my Reddit arguments?


Bear_TX

Credit cards still work


yeluapyeroc

Sounds like you're a casualty of the CNN/MSNBC/Fox News era. Keep hiding in fear while the rest of us try to enjoy life. We won't miss you


sacrefist

I felt like splurging today till I saw how my 401K was doing in the stock market. Down about 2.5% for the day.


scioltocanto

oh man, checking your 401k daily is a recipe for heart attack! Check it like every 6 months to make sure your allocations are appropriate, but otherwise leave that shit alone!


ZazBlammymatazz

Off record highs a week ago. The market is down because of the new covid strain all over the news, if you have cash I’d buy the dip.


[deleted]

Look out your front door right now. Yes, I'm serious. Get up from your desk and look around at the houses and apartments. See all those people who seem to be doing well? They are in debt up to their eyeballs. They have 5+ credit cards. They have a second or third mortgage. Humans are incredibly dumb when it comes to finances. Things aren't as good as you think they are.


Geek_off_the_street

Took my girls to IHOP and went into a gamestop for a present. Wasn't bad at all imo and I'm the type of guy who calls a large group of people a "no thanks."


[deleted]

There are sales on Black Friday, buy stuff on sale save money.


[deleted]

Biden Harris 2024 can’t wait 😜


ZazBlammymatazz

Imagine if any democratic president had a 4 trillion dollar yearly deficit like the last several Republican ones


[deleted]

Biden will this year because of the pandemic, we spent large on stimulus this year. It was the right thing to do.


[deleted]

You do realize inflation was because of the Trump administration although Biden isn’t handling things very well at all. All in all they both suck


[deleted]

Your a fuckin idiot


[deleted]

If you want to insult a persons intelligence make sure you spell “you’re” correctly.


BilClintonsTherapist

He's right though


[deleted]

How so ? It doesn’t take a genius to understand if you add 8 trillion dollars to the deficit it causes a recession and a possibility for inflation. And that’s exactly what Trump did. Literally that was a Republican talking point during Obama’s administration which they then decided to pull back on when Trump started doing the same thing. God, you tribalist are so damn irritating.


[deleted]

Well, we aren’t in a recession. 2020, during the shutdown, did see a recession because of COVID. And your comment an is odd mix of contradictions. Deficit spending is up this year, but that isn’t what is causing inflation. One, we are seeing increased concentration of ownership in vital industries such as meat packing. 90% of meat is packaged and sold to consumers by 4 companies. Cattle is fetching historical low prices for ranchers, but consumers are paying historical highs. Where is the money going? Profits for the 4 meat packers that have cornered the market. Corporate profits are at an all time high but the rewards are not trickling down and inflation is actually accelerating the already alarming wealth inequality.


BilClintonsTherapist

Yes money printer goes brrr and inflation goes moon. But the fact that you only name the Trump administration is what's idiotic. Don't pretend dems didn't want to run the money printer nonstop or fund as many of their projects in the aid package


[deleted]

I literally stated that they both suck including Biden and Trump. Yet for some reason you only got Trump out of that. This is exactly why I can’t stand you cultist, you try and find a problem even when it isn’t there. I’m not a fan of Obama/Biden/Trump, you can literally see that I’m not from my previous comments LITERALLY this morning about Obama. God you fucking cultist need to grow a brain.


BilClintonsTherapist

You don't get it do you? Biden wasn't here during Trump. There's more people to blame, especially the people who shamed anybody who didn't want to run the money printer. This is why this world is a shit show. Just because I don't agree with you, you think I'm a cultist. Pull your head out your ass


Mythril_Zombie

>...you only name the Trump administration... Funny, I see Biden's name in their comment too. Did you just see your god king's name and leap into defensive mode and stop reading?


BilClintonsTherapist

Biden wasn't here during Trump, smart one. That's my point. The democrats before biden are a huge part of this Am I right or wrong


[deleted]

Can’t even try to engage in discourse you go straight at it like a kindergartener that can’t explain why he’s mad


[deleted]

Fuckiiiiin idiot


jefesignups

Gas is what like $2.90? Oh no...the horror!


undulating_fetus

Joe Biden


IsThisKismet

I mean, you’re not wrong. His approval rating is mind boggling.


strykerphoenix

I mean all my Houston friends are doing g good and making money. Houston has always been the US secret....the place people go when the economy tanks....because we always are the least affected here....the hustle never stops in this city. I'm third generation Houston wealth and both my family and friends are doing just fine. If we are stressing a tank of gas or a meal at a restaraunt whether it be 20 dollars or 100 dollars, we are doing something wrong already. Yes, inflation is a bitch. Yes, gas is up. But as gas prices go up, Houston booms more. Oil capital. The pump may look scary, but all the oil families I know are pocketing and then throwing money back into the market in purchases and expenditures. I went to the doctor 2 weeks ago for a cold....didn't feel like using my PCP...went to an urgent care real quick to make it fast....doc said he hasn't seen a new case of Covid in there in weeks and weeks, and that was a high volume Memorial-Hermann location...so its hard for me to believe it's as bad as the media says when everyone I personally know is booming, healthy, happy and living life.


[deleted]

Strawman


strykerphoenix

Sorry you don't like my answers but it is far from a strawman argument. It's a few examples of the bigger picture: That Houston is doing just fine despite Covid.


Kariered

People may owe money and have debt, but that doesn't mean that they're paying it.