(End of the American Dream)—In your opinion, does it feel like we are in the middle of a recession right now? If you feel that way, you are definitely not alone. In fact, as you will see below, most Americans believe that the U.S. is currently experiencing a recession. Large employers have been conducting mass layoffs from coast to coast, the cost of living crisis is absolutely crushing millions upon millions of working families, and the number of business bankruptcies has jumped by more than 40 percent in just one year. Considering all of the economic pain that we are witnessing all around us, it shouldn’t come as any surprise that 59 percent of Americans believe “that the U.S. is currently in a recession”…
And yet, 59% of Americans falsely believe that the U.S. is currently in a recession, according to a recent survey of 2,000 adults by Affirm in June.
Citing higher costs and difficulty making ends meet, most respondents said they think a recession started roughly 15 months ago, in March 2023, and could last until July 2025, Affirm found.
CNBC would like for us to believe that it is “wrong” for Americans to be thinking this way. Even though millions upon millions of Americans are deeply hurting, we are just supposed to pretend that everything is sunshine and lollipops.
They can try to gaslight us all they want, but even the Federal Reserve is admitting that most of the population is “running low on disposable cash”…
Middle- and lower-income Americans are running low on disposable cash and are on track to have less than they were on pace to have before the COVID pandemic disrupted the economy, a study by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco found.
Retailers such as Home Depot are extremely dependent on discretionary spending.
Needless to say, discretionary spending is way down right now, and Home Depot is openly admitting that people are not spending as much on home improvement projects as they once did…
Home Depot says consumers are feeling crummy about the economy, and they’re dishing out less on major home renovation projects.
The home improvement giant, a bellwether of consumer spending and the housing market, lowered its sales expectations for the year. It said customers were spending less on home improvement projects, pressured by higher interest rates and concerns that the economy is getting worse.
Home Depot’s business is closely tied to the housing market, and high interest rates are putting a brake on housing turnover and consumers financing larger projects.
When the economy is booming, Home Depot is usually swimming in cash. But when the economy is struggling, Home Depot really tends to struggle.
To me, this is one of the clearest indications yet of where the economy is heading.
Of course it isn’t just discretionary spending that is down.
At this point, many Americans can’t even afford the basics. In fact, one recent survey discovered that 39 percent of Americans have actually skipped meals just so that they can make their rent or mortgage payments…
39% of Americans say they’ve skipped meals to make housing payments, per Clever Real Estate survey.
And among millennials, that figure rose to 44%. Among Baby Boomers, it was 20%.
Wow.
I had not seen that number before. That is just stunning.
In a desperate attempt to make ends meet, millions upon millions of us are racking up enormous credit card balances, and lots of people are now falling behind…
A growing number of borrowers are falling behind on their monthly credit card payments. Over the last year, roughly 9.1% of credit card balances transitioned into delinquency, the New York Fed reported for the second quarter of 2024. And more middle-income households anticipate struggling with debt payments in the coming months.
In particular, credit card accounts that were opened in 2021, 2022 and 2023 have particularly high rates of delinquency…
Overall delinquencies increased rapidly over the last few years because the credit cards originated in 2021, 2022, and 2023 have gone delinquent much more rapidly than credit cards originated in other years. About 8 percent of credit cards originated in 2016 became delinquent about four years after origination. Meanwhile, the 2021 vintage reached an 8 percent delinquency rate just after 2 years while the 2022 vintage reached 8 percent after less than two years and 2023 has followed 2022 closely so far.
Sadly, a lot more economic pain is on the way, because I am entirely convinced that the cost of living will continue to rise faster than paychecks do.
One recent survey found that the high cost of living is one of the biggest reasons why so many of us consider living in large cities such as Washington D.C., New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco to be undesirable…
The company found that the the nation’s capital, for the second year running, is the one Americans feel the largest distaste for.
According to the findings, 33 percent of respondents said it is one of the top five worst cities in the country, up from 20 percent last year.
65 percent of people said that a high cost of living makes a place undesirable, with New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco also ranking on the list of unfavorable places.
But it isn’t just our large cities that are being absolutely hammered by the current economic climate.
In some areas of the country, it literally looks like the next “Great Depression” has already hit.
For decades, the U.S. experienced an extended period of time when the standard of living was extraordinarily high.
But that was never enough.
We always had to have more, and so we piled up the largest mountain of government debt in the history of the world, the largest mountain of corporate debt in the history of the world, and the largest mountain of consumer debt in the history of the world.
Now those bubbles have started to burst, and as a result our entire system is at risk.
Economic conditions are not great now, but the truth is that what we are experiencing at this moment will be considered rip-roaring prosperity compared to what is eventually coming.
Michael’s new book entitled “Chaos” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com, and you can subscribe to his Substack newsletter at michaeltsnyder.substack.com.
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.
