The inflation fight has mostly spared workers so far. That may be changing as the Federal Reserve pushes ahead with rate hikes.
Retirees face a different kind of pressure. Fixed incomes lose ground when prices climb faster than expected.
The affordability agenda is gaining attention among policymakers. Housing, health care and food costs now dominate household budgets.
A boring job market has hidden costs. Workers gain stability but lose leverage on wages and career moves.
These forces are starting to intersect. Higher rates, strained savings and cautious hiring could reshape household finances this year.
Markets are watching for signs of fatigue. Consumer spending and wage growth remain key indicators to track.
The path ahead depends on how quickly inflation cools. A painful adjustment may prove unavoidable if price pressures persist.
