As fears of recession loom, the consumer price index up 6.5 percent and inflation at historic highs, funds that Americans saved during the COVID-19 pandemic are nearing depletion.
During the height of the pandemic, Americans were able to save more than $2.7 trillion as businesses shuttered. Investment bank Goldman Sachs estimated that 35 percent of COVID-19 relief funds have already been spent and by the end of 2023, that number will be up to 65 percent.
Lower income households have seen their savings diminish first. Folks that make under $50,000 annually saw their savings slashed by 36 percent compared to people who make between $100,000 and 15,000 who lost just 14 percent of their savings.
The use of credit has surged during this time as well, pushing the credit card debt to a new record of more than $930 billion at the end of 2022. It's a jump of 18 percent from the previous year.
Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen rejected concerns that the U.S. isn't headed for a recession and believes that inflation can be eased.
"You don't have a recession when you have 500,000 jobs and the lowest unemployment rate in more than 50 years. What I see is a path in which inflation is declining significantly, and the economy is remaining strong," she said in an interview with ABC's Good Morning America.
Shark attack survivor Paul de Gelder joins us to talk Navy diving, bull sharks, and his wild return in Air Jaws and more during Discovery’s Shark Week!
Joe Spector, founder of Dutch and Hims & Hers co-founder, joins us to discuss how telehealth is transforming pet care—and what’s next for modern vet medicine.
Exclusive: Behr’s Andy Lopez reveals how ChatHUE, a bold collaboration with Google, is using AI to transform how we explore, choose, and connect with color.
Brian Vendig, President & CIO of MJP Wealth Advisors, joins to break down Q2 bank earnings and what they signal for markets, investors, and the economy ahead.
