Inflation and job growth: Why American consumers keep spending

The American consumer keeps spending. How much longer can it last?

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Despite persistent inflation, slowing wage growth and an affordability crisis, spending hasn’t fallen. But this week could bring fresh signs of trouble.

Oct. 12, 2026, 7:15 PM EDT

By Allie Canal

This is a confusing moment for the U.S. economy.

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The American consumer keeps spending. How much longer can it last?

For Subscribers

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAttack on Saudi airport dials up pressure on D.C.

FOR SUBSCRIBERSRepublican attempts to trip up James Talarico keep backfiring

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAnother Hormuz? What to know about the Houthi threat to the Red Sea

FOR SUBSCRIBERSGOP ad buyer mixes up Portlands, spends money meant to help Maine Sen. Susan Collins in Oregon

FOR SUBSCRIBERSJane Doe’s night started with catching up. It ended with a frat party that changed everything.

FOR SUBSCRIBERS‘Trump never cared about us’: Ukraine smarts at U.S. pressure and deal with Putin

FOR SUBSCRIBERSFacing smaller crowds and low approval ratings, Trump tries to rally the base

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAcross both parties, Black candidates look to make history in governor’s races

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAbortion isn’t top of mind for voters, but Democrats are betting it could motivate their base

FOR SUBSCRIBERSFlock ‘false flags’ lead to frightening motorist encounters with police

FOR SUBSCRIBERSInside one country’s ambitious campaign to plant 50 billion trees

FOR SUBSCRIBERSOne year on, Gaza ceasefire exists ‘in name only,’ aid groups say amid near-daily Israeli strikes

FOR SUBSCRIBERSBad blood spills over in the Texas Senate race — and it’s tearing Republicans apart

FOR SUBSCRIBERSOpenAI said it solved hundreds of math problems. The results are dividing mathematicians.

FOR SUBSCRIBERSDaytime Russian strikes on Kyiv shatter residents’ illusion of safety

For Subscribers

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAttack on Saudi airport dials up pressure on D.C.

FOR SUBSCRIBERSRepublican attempts to trip up James Talarico keep backfiring

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAnother Hormuz? What to know about the Houthi threat to the Red Sea

FOR SUBSCRIBERSGOP ad buyer mixes up Portlands, spends money meant to help Maine Sen. Susan Collins in Oregon

FOR SUBSCRIBERSJane Doe’s night started with catching up. It ended with a frat party that changed everything.

FOR SUBSCRIBERS‘Trump never cared about us’: Ukraine smarts at U.S. pressure and deal with Putin

FOR SUBSCRIBERSFacing smaller crowds and low approval ratings, Trump tries to rally the base

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAcross both parties, Black candidates look to make history in governor’s races

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAbortion isn’t top of mind for voters, but Democrats are betting it could motivate their base

FOR SUBSCRIBERSFlock ‘false flags’ lead to frightening motorist encounters with police

FOR SUBSCRIBERSInside one country’s ambitious campaign to plant 50 billion trees

FOR SUBSCRIBERSOne year on, Gaza ceasefire exists ‘in name only,’ aid groups say amid near-daily Israeli strikes

FOR SUBSCRIBERSBad blood spills over in the Texas Senate race — and it’s tearing Republicans apart

FOR SUBSCRIBERSOpenAI said it solved hundreds of math problems. The results are dividing mathematicians.

FOR SUBSCRIBERSDaytime Russian strikes on Kyiv shatter residents’ illusion of safety

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