A recent episode of the “Anti-Social” podcast featured Mark Hamrick, Senior Economic Analyst at Bankrate, offering insights into the current state of the U.S. economy and consumer sentiment. Drawing on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Bankrate’s proprietary research, Hamrick highlighted growing financial pessimism among Americans. A 2025 survey revealed that only 34% of respondents expect their financial situation to improve in 2026—the lowest level since the survey began in 2018. Meanwhile, 33% anticipate a decline, and the remainder foresee no change. He attributed this outlook to ongoing inflation and a perceived lack of effective policy response from federal leaders. n nDespite this widespread concern, Hamrick emphasized the underlying strength of American household finances. He noted that balance sheets are in better shape than they have been in years, providing a buffer against economic volatility. He expressed particular optimism for younger demographics, especially members of Generation Z, who are positioned for upward mobility and may see financial improvement in the near term. n nOn the labor front, the national unemployment rate stands at 4.6%, the highest since 2021. However, Hamrick stressed that this figure remains far below the 15% peak seen during the 2020 economic shutdown. The relatively stable job market offers some reassurance, though challenges persist in key areas like housing. n nAffordability in the housing sector remains a major concern. While rental prices have started to ease nationwide, home prices continue to rise, pushing ownership out of reach for many. The average age of a first-time homebuyer has now reached 40, reflecting long-term affordability pressures. Hamrick underscored the distinction between inflation rates and actual price levels: even if inflation slows, high costs still weigh heavily on household budgets. n nHe offered several practical recommendations for improving financial resilience. First, building an emergency fund is critical—fewer than half of Americans can cover a $1,000 unexpected expense. Automating savings from payroll deductions can help establish this safety net. Second, he advised prioritizing the repayment of high-interest debt, particularly credit card balances, which carry steep costs when carried month-to-month. Third, he recommended using high-yield savings accounts, which currently offer around 4% annual returns—significantly better than traditional accounts yielding just 0.5%. n
— News Original —nPODCAST: Analyst delves into home prices, consumer unease about U.S. economynA national economic analyst shared a nuanced view of the turbulent U.S. economy during and end-of-year episode of the “Anti-Social” podcast. Mark Hamrick, a Senior Economic Analyst with Bankrate, cited recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Bankrate’s own research. n nHamrick discussed a recent Bankrate survey revealing that only 34% of Americans believe their finances will improve in 2026—a figure he said was “the worst it’s ever been” since the survey began in 2018. The data showed that 33% of respondents believe their finances will get worse, while the remaining third expect no change. Hamrick attributed this pessimism to “persistent inflation” and a perceived “lack thereof on the part of elected officials in Washington.” n nDespite the somber survey results, Hamrick highlighted several areas for potential improvement. n nHe pointed to the structural resilience of American households, noting, “the good news is that American households and their balance sheets have been in the best shape that they’ve been in quite some time.” He specifically expressed optimism for younger workers, stating, “Members of Generation Z… are those who would tend to be most upwardly mobile with their personal finances and they likely do have a reasonable prospect for improvement in the coming year.” n nAddressing the labor market, Hamrick referenced the BLS figure of a 4.6% unemployment rate, noting that while the rate has ticked up to its highest level since 2021, it “is a far cry away from the nearly 15% in 2020 when the economy was shut down.” n nHowever, Hamrick cautioned that housing remains a primary “pain point” for affordability. n n“Rents have begun to come down across the country, but home price is not,” Hamrick said, adding that the average age of a new home buyer has risen to 40. He concluded that while the rate of inflation may slow, consumers still feel the weight of high costs: “inflation is one thing, price levels are another.” n nMark Hamrick’s Financial Tips n nPrioritize Emergency Savings: Hamrick noted that most Americans lack a safety net. “Number one is just simply to prioritize emergency savings… fewer than half can pay an emergency expense of $1,000 n nAutomate Savings: To build that cushion, he suggested: “We advise automating your savings having it come out of your payroll check on a regular basis.” n nHigh-Yield Accounts: He pointed out that money should be working harder: “Yields on high yield savings accounts… can still give you an annual return of 4 percent… it’s better than keeping it in the average account which pays about one half of one percent.” n nTarget High-Cost Debt: Regarding credit cards, he warned: “The second point is to pay down high cost debt… allowing that debt to roll over on a month over month basis, you’re paying a steep cost for that credit card debt.” n nInvest in Local News for Your Town. Your Gift is tax-deductible
