Everyday Economics

The 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 remain stuck near historic lows despite expectations for a stronger 2026 housing market. They discuss why Americans aren't moving, how weak job growth is slowing housing demand, the impact of mortgage rate lock-in, rising rent...

June'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 break down why the latest jobs report may be sending mixed signals. They discuss weak private-sector hiring, shrinking labor force participation, healthcare-driven job growth, downward payroll revisions, and what the new F...

The 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 economist Orphe Divounguy break down why barbecue costs continue to rise, what's happening with beef, eggs, potato salad and fireworks, and why Americans continue spending despite higher prices and persistent inflation. T...

Starter 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 skyrocketed, why the trend is spreading beyond the coasts, and how housing shortages, zoning restrictions, and mortgage rates are reshaping the market. Plus, why rent growth is finally slowing in some cities and what it means for...

Is 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 first meeting, the latest Fed statement, the dot plot forecast, inflation concerns, and what it all means for interest rates, jobs, consumer spending, and the U.S. economy. Learn why Fed officials are divided and what could...

In 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 collide at once. Oil shocks near the Strait of Hormuz, tariff-driven price increases, and rising borrowing costs are putting pressure on businesses and consumers alike — while the Federal Reserve faces increasingly difficult cho...

In 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 remain high. And millions of homeowners are locked into ultra-low 3% mortgages they don’t want to give up. The result? A housing market that feels frozen — with buyers waiting for prices to fall and sellers refusing to move....

In 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 government fees, permitting costs, and local regulations are adding tens of thousands — even more than $100,000 — to the cost of a new home before construction even begins. We unpack where those costs come from, how they a...

In 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 rose in March and pending home sales posted one of their strongest months in years — but beneath the surface, the picture is more fragile than the headlines suggest. Inflation is still eating into household budgets, higher g...

In 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 taxpayers think they do. States across the country are offering massive tax incentives to attract data centers, AI infrastructure, and other large-scale tech projects. Governors call it economic development, but does the math...

In 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 data shows prices rising again, driven largely by a sharp spike in gas prices. But this isn’t typical inflation. It’s a supply shock, and that changes everything. The Federal Reserve has limited tools to respond, and the c...

Join 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 of the economic news shaping the day. The thoughts expressed by the hosts are theirs, unedited, and not necessarily the views of their respective organizations. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-new...

Join 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 discussion of the economic news shaping the day. The thoughts expressed by the hosts are theirs, unedited, and not necessarily the views of their respective organizations. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin...

Join 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, free-flow discussion of the economic news shaping the day. The thoughts expressed by the hosts are theirs, unedited, and not necessarily the views of their respective organizations.   Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.c...

Join 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 of the economic news shaping the day. The thoughts expressed by the hosts are theirs, unedited, and not necessarily the views of their respective organizations. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-new...

Join 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 discussion of the economic news shaping the day. The thoughts expressed by the hosts are theirs, unedited, and not necessarily the views of their respective organizations.   Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/fran...

Join 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 discussion of the economic news shaping the day. The thoughts expressed by the hosts are theirs, unedited, and not necessarily the views of their respective organizations.  Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/...

Join 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 unrehearsed, free-flow discussion of the economic news shaping the day. The thoughts expressed by the hosts are theirs, unedited, and not necessarily the views of their respective organizations.  Support this podcast: https://secure....

Join 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 of the economic news shaping the day. The thoughts expressed by the hosts are theirs, unedited, and not necessarily the views of their respective organizations. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-new...

Join 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 unrehearsed, free-flow discussion of the economic news shaping the day. The thoughts expressed by the hosts are theirs, unedited, and not necessarily the views of their respective organizations. Support this podcast: https://secure.a...

Join 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 of the economic news shaping the day. The thoughts expressed by the hosts are theirs, unedited, and not necessarily the views of their respective organizations. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news...

Join 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 discussion of the economic news shaping the day. The thoughts expressed by the hosts are theirs, unedited, and not necessarily the views of their respective organizations.   Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/...

Join 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 discussion of the economic news shaping the day. The thoughts expressed by the hosts are theirs, unedited, and not necessarily the views of their respective organizations. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin...

Join economist Dr. Orphe Divounguy and Chris Krug as they discuss the economic costs of discrimination, the progress that has been made, and some problems that persist on this episode of Everyday Economics! Everyday Economics is an unrehearsed, free-flow discussion of the economic news shaping the day. The thoughts expressed by the hosts are theirs, unedited, and not necessarily the views of their...

Join economist Dr. Orphe Divounguy and Chris Krug as they discuss the regime change in Venezuela on this episode of Everyday Economics! Everyday Economics is an unrehearsed, free-flow discussion of the economic news shaping the day. The thoughts expressed by the hosts are theirs, unedited, and not necessarily the views of their respective organizations. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot....