Question

E-shaped' economy is now replacing a K-shaped economy in 2026!

The middle class is 'spending in a nervous way' now.

Spending behaviors among middle class Americans is where you start to see signs of the affordability crisis.

They’re still spending on their necessities and some discretionary categories, but “the middle class is treading water so they can still pay their bills,”.

This economy is currently referred to as the “Costco economy,” referencing consumers who aren’t necessarily in a full-blown panic yet, but are increasingly shopping at discount and wholesale retailers like Costco and Walmart to get the most bang for their buck.

“They’re obviously spending in a nervous way,” “They feel they need to stretch every dollar they feel they need to buy in bulk, to do whatever they can [to save].”

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/06/e-shaped-economy-replacing-k-shape-2026.html

Answer 1

Some say the economy is doing pretty good, but to me I don't think it really is doing all that great.

There's been lots of job losses and jobs being replaced with AI and robots lately and currently I still have my job, but I'm also one of those that are cutting back on spending on things.

I'm only buying the necessary things like food, toilet paper, soap etc to get by.

Anything else that is not really needed, I hold off on.

Even now I'm eating less to save money as food has gone up as well.

I can believe it that others have cut back on spending for now as well as I'm one of them myself.

I can't wait until Donald Trump gets out of office as he has really messed up the economy and has made the economy and the USA much worse than what Joe Biden was doing.

As much as I hated Joe Biden as President, I would rather see him back in office than have this Donald Trump or more fitting "Donald Dump".

I can't wait until Donald Trump leaves office and I'm also waiting on his big beautiful obituary and I will be celebrating.

Answer 2

I'm also cutting back on spending on things that I normally would buy and want.

However due to the economy being uncertain and being uncertain if I will still have my job, I am only buying what is needed.

Groceries are even getting more expensive and taking more of my income to eat less food than what I used to eat.

Answer 3

The economy is indeed in bad shape right now.

I've heard Donald Trump saying that the economy is doing good.

Yeah the economy is doing good for him and his billionaire and other rich friends and people.

However for us poorer people and those working and living paycheck to paycheck, the economy is doing terrible and it's likely to get worse.

I'm another one of those people who are not spending as much as I used to and only spending money on the necessities.