Re:US inflation means families are spending $709 more per mo...
by hikingsimulator on Sunday August 13, 2023 @03:52PM
(#37113693)
Disposable income as an aggregate doesn't show a income-level class (my point). Unfortunately having up to date information on economic status given the income level is hard to get.
Re:US inflation means families are spending $709 more per mo...
by twoodfin on Sunday August 13, 2023 @04:37PM
(#37114181)
One reason is that in aggregate it doesn’t matter all that much: The differences between US means and medians for household financial stats are substantial but not overwhelming—and more importantly in this context, largely trend together.
Re:US inflation means families are spending $709 more per mo...
by xyzzy123 on Sunday August 13, 2023 @10:09PM
(#37116684)
If I am reading these graphs correctly, don't they support hikingsimulator's point? The mean has gone up but the median has gone down.
It's a fantastic metric to compare aggregate debt to. It isn't the end of the story, which is why I also cited debt payments to disposable income.
American households are not, in aggregate, in a painful or even deteriorating position with respect to their debt. That doesn't mean many households, or even entire regions, e.g. West [1], aren't in pain.
[1] https://usafacts.org/articles/the-state-of-household-debt-in...