Everyday Economics
by The Center Square
Latest episode
Nevada Struck Gold? The Inflation Problem Behind the Surplus
Nevada Struck Gold? The Inflation Problem Behind the Surplus
About this podcast
Economist Dr. Orphe Divounguy and Chris Krug join forces to unravel the complexities of global markets, inflation, and everything else you need to know to navigate the economic world around you.
Episodes
The newest 50 of 575 episodes
- Nevada Struck Gold? The Inflation Problem Behind the Surplus · 11 min · Episode 578Nevada collected $1.92 billion in sales tax last fiscal year, up about 8.5% and $113 million more than the state’s own forecasters expected. Headlines say Nevada struck gold with…
- The Fed Held Rates, So Why Is Borrowing Still So Expensive? · 11 min · Episode 577The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady last week, so why aren’t credit card, auto loan, and mortgage rates coming down? On this episode of Everyday Economics, Center…
- Why Luxury Buyers Are Lining Up in Chicago and Jacksonville, but Not Seattle · 14 min · Episode 576The housing market is shut to almost everybody, but at the very top, buyers are still lining up and there aren’t enough homes to sell them. On this episode of Everyday Economics…
- Stuck in Your 3% Mortgage? Here’s What Moving Really Costs in 2026 · 11 min · Episode 575Is this finally a buyer’s market? Not yet, but it’s getting closer. With mortgage rates above 7%, buyers are pulling back, and homeowners locked into 3% rates from 2021 have…
- Should You Buy a Car Now or Wait? Fed Rate Hike Explained · 10 min · Episode 574The Fed raised rates again, but not everyone feels it the same way. Savers and investors may be coming out ahead, while renters, borrowers, and lower-income households are…
- Why High Interest Rates Are Putting Commercial Real Estate Under Pressure · 10 min · Episode 573Higher interest rates are creating a growing challenge for commercial real estate as loans mature and property values fall. On this episode of Everyday Economics, Chris Krug and…
- Americans Are Still Spending— But They’re Trading Down · 11 min · Episode 572Americans are still spending — but they’re changing where and how they spend. Consumer spending is up 4.5% from a year ago, but households are increasingly trading down to…
- Mortgage Rates Hit 7.2%— But Luxury Home Prices Are Still Surging · 12 min · Episode 571Mortgage rates are around 7.2% — and the housing market is increasingly splitting into two very different experiences. PhD economist Orphe Divounguy explains why higher rates are…
- The Fed Just Raised Rates — And America’s “Two-Speed Economy” Is Getting Worse · 11 min · Episode 570The Federal Reserve just raised interest rates for the first time since 2023, bringing the target range to 3.75%–4%. But what does the rate hike actually mean for Americans?…
- The Fed May Raise Rates— But Can the Economy Take It? · 12 min · Episode 569The Federal Reserve faces a major decision this week: raise interest rates or hold them steady as energy prices push inflation higher. Markets are pricing in a strong chance of…
- Trump Promised Lower Prices — What Can a President Actually Control? · 10 min · Episode 568President Trump made promises to lower prices on everything from gas and groceries to electricity, mortgages, prescription drugs and childcare. But how much control does a…
- America Is Spending Billions on AI... Where’s the Productivity Payoff? · 10 min · Episode 567America is pouring money into artificial intelligence — but the productivity gains have yet to fully show up in the economy. Employers added 162,000 jobs in August and…
- The AI Boom Has a $40 Trillion Problem · 11 min · Episode 566The U.S. economy is making a massive bet on artificial intelligence, pouring capital into data centers, chips and power infrastructure — much of it financed with debt. But the…
- Home Builders Are Cutting Prices — But Buyers Still Can’t Afford Homes · 9 min · Episode 565Home builders are cutting prices and offering incentives, but buyers are still struggling to get into the housing market. New home sales fell to a 607,000 annual pace in July…
- The Fed Says the Economy Is Strong but the Data Tell a Different Story. · 12 min · Episode 564The economy may look strong on the surface, but a closer look at the numbers reveals a much narrower and weaker expansion. In his first Jackson Hole speech, Fed Chair Kevin Warsh…
- Waiting to Buy a Home Could Cost You Hundreds More Each Month · 11 min · Episode 563Mortgage rates could remain elevated as the bond market does the Federal Reserve’s work for it, keeping borrowing costs higher for consumers and businesses. Economist Orphe…
- Inflation Is Squeezing American Households and Savings Are Taking the Hit · 8 min · Episode 562American households are feeling the squeeze as inflation continues to push up the cost of everyday life. New personal consumption expenditures data shows income is finally…
- Only AI and Healthcare Are Creating Jobs Right Now · 8 min · Episode 561Job growth has slowed to roughly 34,000 jobs added per month — less than a fifth of the typical expansion-era pace of about 186,000 per month. Ph.D. economist Orphe Divounguy…
- Government Spending Is Costing You: The 3 Ways Washington’s Debt Comes Home · 9 min · Episode 560Government borrowing is never free — and taxpayers ultimately pay the bill. The Center Square publisher Chris Krug and PhD economist Orphe Divounguy break down the three ways…
- The Job Market Is Stuck: Why 23,000 Jobs Were Lost in July · 9 min · Episode 559The U.S. job market isn't collapsing — it's stuck. July payrolls fell by 23,000, while unemployment held at 4.1%. But deeper revisions to May and June erased more than 100,000…
- Illinois Lawmaker Faces House Investigation After Federal Fraud Charges | The States · 49 min · Episode 558Illinois Democratic State Rep. Carol Ammons is facing a bipartisan Illinois House investigation after being federally charged with wire fraud and making false statements, with…
- Fed Holds Rates: Why Homes Keep Getting Less Affordable · 46 min · Episode 557The Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged—but that doesn't mean borrowing is getting any easier. In this episode of Everyday Economics, Greg Bishop sits down with PhD…
- Fed Shocks Markets Why Interest Rate Hikes May Be Back on the Table · 9 min · Episode 556The Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged for a fifth straight meeting—but the real story wasn't the decision itself. It was the message. In this episode of Everyday…
- Will the Fed Raise Interest Rates Again? Inflation, Jobs & the Economy Explained · 8 min · Episode 555Inflation remains one of the biggest financial challenges facing American families, and the Federal Reserve may not be done fighting rising prices. In this episode of Everyday…
- Gas Prices Are Hiding Inflation... But It Won't Last · 9 min · Episode 553Gas prices posted their biggest monthly decline since 2020, giving Americans temporary relief at the pump—but is it enough to keep inflation under control? In this episode of…
- Why Housing Is Still Unaffordable for Millions of Americans · 9 min · Episode 552America remains 4.7 million homes short, leaving millions of families struggling to find affordable housing while home prices remain elevated. In this episode of Everyday…
- Government Spending Could Keep Your Loans Expensive · 9 min · Episode 551The Federal Reserve may not cut interest rates in 2026 after all—and that could have major consequences for taxpayers, homeowners, businesses and anyone carrying debt. In this…
- Why the Housing Market Is Still Frozen in 2026 | Mortgage Rates, Home Sales & Inventory Explained · 8 min · Episode 550The housing market has stabilized—but that doesn't mean it's healthy. In this episode of Everyday Economics, Chris Krug and economist Orphe Divounguy explain why home sales…
- Why the Falling Unemployment Rate Is Misleading | Weak Jobs Report, Fed Strategy & Economy Explained · 10 min · Episode 549June's unemployment rate fell to 4.2%, but does that really mean the U.S. economy is improving? In this episode of Everyday Economics, Chris Krug and economist Orphe Divounguy…
- Record 4th of July Cookout Costs Explained | What's Driving Food Inflation? · 9 min · Episode 548The average 4th of July cookout now costs a record $73.82 for 10 people, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. In this episode of Everyday Economics, Chris Krug and…
- $1 Million Starter Homes? Why Buying a House Is Becoming Impossible in America · 10 min · Episode 547Starter homes now cost $1 million or more in 242 U.S. cities. In this episode of Everyday Economics, Chris Krug and economist Orphe Divounguy explain why home prices have…
- New Fed Chair Kevin Warsh Shakes Up Interest Rate Strategy · 8 min · Episode 546Is the Federal Reserve preparing to raise interest rates? In this episode of Everyday Economics, Chris Krug and economist Orphe Divounguy break down new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's…
- Energy Shock, Inflation & the Squeeze on American Households · 10 min · Episode 545In this episode of Everyday Economics, we examine the growing squeeze on the American household as inflation pressures, rising energy prices, and higher interest rates all…
- Is the Housing Market Broken — or Finally Returning to Normal · 12 min · Episode 544In this episode of Everyday Economics, we break down the growing standoff in the U.S. housing market. Inventory is rising in some cities. Prices are softening. Mortgage rates…
- How Government Policy Is Driving Up Housing Costs in America · 12 min · Episode 543In this episode of Everyday Economics, we take a closer look at one of the most overlooked drivers of America’s housing affordability crisis: government policy. Homebuilders say…
- Consumers Keep Spending, Housing Holds Strong... But Economic Cracks Are Showing · 10 min · Episode 542In this episode of Everyday Economics, we break down what the latest consumer spending and housing data are really telling us about the state of the U.S. economy. Retail sales…
- The Hidden Cost of Billion Dollar Data Center Deals · 9 min · Episode 541In this episode of Everyday Economics, we break down the economic reality behind billion-dollar data center deals — and why the headline investment numbers may not mean what…
- Why Rising Gas Prices Could Break the Housing Market · 9 min · Episode 540In this episode of Everyday Economics, we break down the chain reaction starting at the gas pump—and how it’s quietly working its way through the entire economy. March inflation…
- This “Strong” Jobs Report Is Sending a Warning · 10 min · Episode 539Join economist Dr. Orphe Divounguy and Chris Krug as they discuss the Job Market on this episode of Everyday Economics! Everyday Economics is an unrehearsed, free-flow discussion…
- Why Buying a Home Just Got Harder... Again · 12 min · Episode 538Join economist Dr. Orphe Divounguy and Chris Krug as they discuss the Housing Market on this episode of Everyday Economics! Everyday Economics is an unrehearsed, free-flow…
- The Hidden Economic Squeeze No One Is Talking About · 12 min · Episode 537Join economist Dr. Orphe Divounguy and Chris Krug as they discuss the Hidden Economic Squeeze on this episode of Everyday Economics! Everyday Economics is an unrehearsed…
- The U.S. Job Market Just Stalled & It Could Get Worse · 10 min · Episode 536Join economist Dr. Orphe Divounguy and Chris Krug as they discuss the Job Market on this episode of Everyday Economics! Everyday Economics is an unrehearsed, free-flow discussion…
- Record U.S. Debt and Rising Delinquencies & What’s Going On · 10 min · Episode 535Join economist Dr. Orphe Divounguy and Chris Krug as they discuss Rising Delinquencies on this episode of Everyday Economics! Everyday Economics is an unrehearsed, free-flow…
- Weak Job Growth, Rising Prices A Perfect Storm for the Economy · 11 min · Episode 534Join economist Dr. Orphe Divounguy and Chris Krug as they discuss Inflation weak job growth on this episode of Everyday Economics! Everyday Economics is an unrehearsed, free-flow…
- If the Housing Market Is a Leading Indicator for Recession, Then Its Flashing Yellow · 8 min · Episode 533Join economist Dr. Orphe Divounguy and Chris Krug as they discuss warning signs in the housing market, on this episode of Everyday Economics! Everyday Economics is an…
- The Politics of AI at Work: Education, Industry & the Partisan Gap.m · 6 min · Episode 532Join economist Dr. Orphe Divounguy and Chris Krug as they discuss the use of AI, on this episode of Everyday Economics! Everyday Economics is an unrehearsed, free-flow discussion…
- Jobs Are Drying Up, Housing Is Stuck, and the Fed Is Divided... What Comes Next? · 12 min · Episode 531Join economist Dr. Orphe Divounguy and Chris Krug as they discuss what comes next in with the economy, on this episode of Everyday Economics! Everyday Economics is an…
- GDP Is Booming… So Why Does the Labor Market Feel So Weak · 9 min · Episode 530Join economist Dr. Orphe Divounguy and Chris Krug as they discuss Labor Market, on this episode of Everyday Economics! Everyday Economics is an unrehearsed, free-flow discussion…
- The Hottest Housing Markets of 2026— And Why the Northeast Is Back · 11 min · Episode 529Join economist Dr. Orphe Divounguy and Chris Krug as they discuss Housing Markets of 2026, on this episode of Everyday Economics! Everyday Economics is an unrehearsed, free-flow…
- Why the Economic Recovery Isn’t Working for Everyone. · 15 min · Episode 528Join economist Dr. Orphe Divounguy and Chris Krug as they discuss economic recovery, on this episode of Everyday Economics! Everyday Economics is an unrehearsed, free-flow…
