Why Americans’ ‘YOLO’ spending spree baffles economists

BBC (12/01/2023)
  • Despite high interest rates, inflation, and shrinking savings, US spending has perplexed economists by surging, as evidenced by the recent 9.6% year-over-year increase in Cyber Monday sales.
  • Consumer spending growth accounted for most of the 4.9% increase in Q3 GDP.
  • This growth largely derives from the “unprecedented” increase in accumulated US household savings following government pandemic stimulus programs.
  • However, this trend will eventually reverse as student loan repayments resume and growing credit card debt limit future spending power.