Americans' refusal to keep paying higher prices may be dealing a final blow to U.S. inflation spike

And the currently highest inflation categories tend to use backward looking data, like shelter. So US consumer inflation has basically been contained. The Fed was right after all: the post pandemic inflation was temporary.

Can't spend what you don't have.

There is a world of difference between inflation going down and prices going down. Most prices will not return to what they were. Wages never keep track. Higher prices = poorer people.

Supply chain breaks, high energy prices, high interest rates and labour shortages were artificially created by governments.

Given the geopolitical outlook, anyone who isn't wealthy should concentrate on maximising their income and reducing their spending. Sell what you don't really need and build your side hustle(s).

Our governments haven't finished damaging trade and the economy. Buckle up and save what you can, whilst you can.

We've always spent just what we needed and seldom splurged. I've heard that most Americans don't spend like that, but we've always spent well below our means. For a long time, we spent less than 1/3rd of our income to live nicely. We don't feel pressure to have "new" stuff every few years like the neighbors. My vehicle is almost 25 yrs old and I expect to get another 10 yrs from it.

COVID had us buying fewer convenience foods (things in boxes) and that has stuck. We don't by crackers or chips - generally we buy things that need to be bagged from a bin and actually look like food from a tree or farm ... er ... except cheese. Around here, cheese is a separate food group.

Side hustles? I suppose stock investing is my "side hustle", if you want to call it that. For the last 15 yrs, it has been paying all our bills while still growing. We don't have traditional jobs. Thanks to my parents for showing me the power of investing young. If you are a parent and you can do 1 thing, teach your kids how to invest in the stock market using value oriented growth stocks. Show them the power of compound interest.

Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it ... he who doesn't ... pays it. Einstein

I get that not everyone is doing well and I feel bad for people working 2-3 jobs trying to keep a roof over their heads. OTOH, perhaps if they'd worked as hard as I did in school, they'd be in a better situation.

There are plenty of well-paying jobs in industries that will train their employees. Those jobs are hot and dirty, but they pay over $100K/yr, which is a reasonable living for someone with just a high school education. Become an HVAC tech or plumber. Of course, with more education, generally you'll get to work in comfort with indoor plumbing and at a comfortable temperature, thanks to the plumbers and HVAC techs.

The worst thing people can do it stay in dead-end jobs. Every month, they are getting older and not learning a new trade that pays more. That's crazy to me. The sooner /younger that is realized, the better their life will be.

When you get very little change from US$20 for a basic take away meal who can blame them!

"While inflation is down, prices are still high, and I think consumers have gotten to the point where they’re just not accepting it.”

deflation or what ?

Take away meals are a luxury. It is an easy way to blow lots of money. Even when I was at my peak earning, I'd bring my lunch to work 4 days a week, along with a thermos full of coffee rather than hit the little cafe and pay $10 for lunch and $3 for a coffee.

There is some deflation with some specific offers by stores, but not really across the wider offers that I've seen. Of course, I see the deflation for things we don't use. ;)

Eggs are back to normal prices, which is good for us.

I'm not really sensitive to fuel costs. We don't drive that much, so the price of a tank seldom matters. I'd guess we spent less than $350 all of 2023 for vehicle fuel. Many people spend $50/week just commuting to/from work for 1 vehicle. That's $2600+/yr.

This same propaganda was printed in my local tv web site in North America. Got anything ORIGINAL to print ?

America is heading for a recession as debt is a major factor for the consumer: