boognish_bear said:

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People gonna be working forever

The latest 401k data was released

Here is the median balance by age:

18-24: $2k
25-34: $16k
35-44: $40k
45-54: $68k
55-64: $96k
Over 65: $95k

Saddest thing you’ll see all day 😔

— Barbell Financial 💪🏻💰 (@BarbellFi) February 10, 2026

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Oldbear83 said:

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boognish_bear said:

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People gonna be working forever

The latest 401k data was released

Here is the median balance by age:

18-24: $2k
25-34: $16k
35-44: $40k
45-54: $68k
55-64: $96k
Over 65: $95k

Saddest thing you’ll see all day 😔

— Barbell Financial 💪🏻💰 (@BarbellFi) February 10, 2026

---

Source for the 401k claim? Sorry but only see the tweet from a guy I do not know.

---

Yes, these figures align closely with Vanguard's 2025 "How America Saves" report (data as of 2024), with minor rounding. For instance, under 25 is $1,948 (rounded to $2k), and 65+ is $95,425 (rounded to $95k). Source: Vanguard.

— Grok (@grok) February 10, 2026

boognish_bear said:

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Oldbear83 said:

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boognish_bear said:

---

People gonna be working forever

The latest 401k data was released

Here is the median balance by age:

18-24: $2k
25-34: $16k
35-44: $40k
45-54: $68k
55-64: $96k
Over 65: $95k

Saddest thing you’ll see all day 😔

— Barbell Financial 💪🏻💰 (@BarbellFi) February 10, 2026

---

Source for the 401k claim? Sorry but only see the tweet from a guy I do not know.

---

FWIW...I know ai is not always reliable

Yes, these figures align closely with Vanguard's 2025 "How America Saves" report (data as of 2024), with minor rounding. For instance, under 25 is $1,948 (rounded to $2k), and 65+ is $95,425 (rounded to $95k). Source: Vanguard.

— Grok (@grok) February 10, 2026

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Oldbear83 said:

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boognish_bear said:

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Oldbear83 said:

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boognish_bear said:

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People gonna be working forever

The latest 401k data was released

Here is the median balance by age:

18-24: $2k
25-34: $16k
35-44: $40k
45-54: $68k
55-64: $96k
Over 65: $95k

Saddest thing you’ll see all day 😔

— Barbell Financial 💪🏻💰 (@BarbellFi) February 10, 2026

---

Source for the 401k claim? Sorry but only see the tweet from a guy I do not know.

---

FWIW...I know ai is not always reliable

Yes, these figures align closely with Vanguard's 2025 "How America Saves" report (data as of 2024), with minor rounding. For instance, under 25 is $1,948 (rounded to $2k), and 65+ is $95,425 (rounded to $95k). Source: Vanguard.

— Grok (@grok) February 10, 2026

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Grok is also known for ... errors.

5 Costly Grok 4 Development Mistakes Every AI Engineer Makes (And How to Avoid Them) - Dre Dyson

Analysis of Grok AI's Flaws - by Cat Hat Ethical

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Osodecentx said:

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Jack Bauer said:

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This is a "split screen" economy in many ways.
Stocks at record highs. Dow just topped 50k
Strong GDP growth, fueled by the AI boom and consumption by wealthier Americans.

And then...
The 'hiring recession' -- basically no hiring outside of healthcare
Affordability challenges… pic.twitter.com/mWU6gXMoLl

— Heather Long (@byHeatherLong) February 7, 2026

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Who is Heather Long & what is her expertise? Why should I listen to her?

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boognish_bear said:

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Oldbear83 said:

---

boognish_bear said:

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Oldbear83 said:

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boognish_bear said:

---

People gonna be working forever

The latest 401k data was released

Here is the median balance by age:

18-24: $2k
25-34: $16k
35-44: $40k
45-54: $68k
55-64: $96k
Over 65: $95k

Saddest thing you’ll see all day 😔

— Barbell Financial 💪🏻💰 (@BarbellFi) February 10, 2026

---

Source for the 401k claim? Sorry but only see the tweet from a guy I do not know.

---

FWIW...I know ai is not always reliable

Yes, these figures align closely with Vanguard's 2025 "How America Saves" report (data as of 2024), with minor rounding. For instance, under 25 is $1,948 (rounded to $2k), and 65+ is $95,425 (rounded to $95k). Source: Vanguard.

— Grok (@grok) February 10, 2026

---

Grok is also known for ... errors.

5 Costly Grok 4 Development Mistakes Every AI Engineer Makes (And How to Avoid Them) - Dre Dyson

Analysis of Grok AI's Flaws - by Cat Hat Ethical

---

Well yeah...I just said that.

Here it is in Vanguard's material. On page 51.

https://corporate.vanguard.com/content/dam/corp/research/pdf/how_america_saves_report_2025.pdf

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Oldbear83 said:

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boognish_bear said:

---

Oldbear83 said:

---

boognish_bear said:

---

Oldbear83 said:

---

boognish_bear said:

---

People gonna be working forever

The latest 401k data was released

Here is the median balance by age:

18-24: $2k
25-34: $16k
35-44: $40k
45-54: $68k
55-64: $96k
Over 65: $95k

Saddest thing you’ll see all day 😔

— Barbell Financial 💪🏻💰 (@BarbellFi) February 10, 2026

---

Source for the 401k claim? Sorry but only see the tweet from a guy I do not know.

---

FWIW...I know ai is not always reliable

Yes, these figures align closely with Vanguard's 2025 "How America Saves" report (data as of 2024), with minor rounding. For instance, under 25 is $1,948 (rounded to $2k), and 65+ is $95,425 (rounded to $95k). Source: Vanguard.

— Grok (@grok) February 10, 2026

---

Grok is also known for ... errors.

5 Costly Grok 4 Development Mistakes Every AI Engineer Makes (And How to Avoid Them) - Dre Dyson

Analysis of Grok AI's Flaws - by Cat Hat Ethical

---

Well yeah...I just said that.

Here it is in Vanguard's material. On page 51.

https://corporate.vanguard.com/content/dam/corp/research/pdf/how_america_saves_report_2025.pdf

---

Thanks Boognish.

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Jack Bauer said:

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Osodecentx said:

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Jack Bauer said:

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This is a "split screen" economy in many ways.
Stocks at record highs. Dow just topped 50k
Strong GDP growth, fueled by the AI boom and consumption by wealthier Americans.

And then...
The 'hiring recession' -- basically no hiring outside of healthcare
Affordability challenges… pic.twitter.com/mWU6gXMoLl

— Heather Long (@byHeatherLong) February 7, 2026

---

Who is Heather Long & what is her expertise? Why should I listen to her?

---

Well if you want to ignore her, you can just look at the graphs.

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🚨BREAKING: Retail sales came in at 0.0% MoM in December, missing expectations of +0.4% and sharply below the +0.6% gain in November.

Sales excl. autos also came in flat at 0.0%, well below the +0.4% estimate.

The control group, which feeds directly into the GDP calculation,… pic.twitter.com/lyeJGkRQOh

— Global Markets Investor (@GlobalMktObserv) February 10, 2026

12.7% of Credit Card Loans are now in Serious Delinquency (90+ Days), the 2nd highest in history 🚨 The only other time the % was higher was the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis 🤯👀 pic.twitter.com/ujqXAFfMQ9

— Barchart (@Barchart) February 11, 2026

First they stop paying credit cards
Then they stop paying their mortgages

Then we see more short sale and foreclosures pic.twitter.com/W9nq0bAmR6

— Jon Brooks (@jonbrooks) February 11, 2026

BREAKING: The US economy added 130,000 jobs in January, crushing expectations of 55,000.

The unemployment rate FELL to 4.3%, below expectations of 4.4%.

This was a much stronger than expected jobs report, all around the board.

The Fed pause will continue.

— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) February 11, 2026

Jack Bauer said:

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Im shocked

BREAKING: The US economy added 130,000 jobs in January, crushing expectations of 55,000.

The unemployment rate FELL to 4.3%, below expectations of 4.4%.

This was a much stronger than expected jobs report, all around the board.

The Fed pause will continue.

— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) February 11, 2026

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BREAKING: US household debt surged +$191 billion in Q4 2025, to record $18.8 trillion.

Total household debt has increased +$4.6 trillion since January 2020.

The surge was driven by mortgage debt, which jumped +$98 billion, to a record $13.2 trillion.

Credit card debt rose +$44… pic.twitter.com/wIqBJHLaa0

— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) February 11, 2026

boognish_bear said:

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BREAKING: US household debt surged +$191 billion in Q4 2025, to record $18.8 trillion.

Total household debt has increased +$4.6 trillion since January 2020.

The surge was driven by mortgage debt, which jumped +$98 billion, to a record $13.2 trillion.

Credit card debt rose +$44… pic.twitter.com/wIqBJHLaa0

— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) February 11, 2026

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If you exclude Healthcare jobs, the U.S. Labor Market has declined for 24 months. Everything is not fine. pic.twitter.com/BRNrf5fII7

— Kevin Malone (@Malone_Wealth) February 12, 2026

Price changes over last year (January CPI report)
Gas Utilities: +9.8%
Electricity: +6.3%
Food away from home: +4.0%
Medical Care: +3.9%
Shelter: +3.0%
Overall CPI: +2.4%
Food at home: +2.1%
Transportation: +1.3%
New Cars: +0.4%
Used Cars: -2.0%
Fuel Oil: -4.2%
Gasoline: -7.5%

— Charlie Bilello (@charliebilello) February 13, 2026

The CPI 'food at home' category, which is essentially groceries, is up by 30.8% from its pre-pandemic level pic.twitter.com/sX25ZJeOpj

— Kevin Gordon (@KevRGordon) February 13, 2026

Texas hasn't run out of crawfish, but we are experiencing a shortage of the workers who harvest them. Policy has led to fewer visas, more fear and half-full coolers. https://t.co/CXhlOeOndc

— KHOU 11 News Houston (@KHOU) February 13, 2026

Am I the only one that still doesn’t understand why a data center soaking up more energy makes my bill go up?

Seems like they should be separate bills lol

— The Always Losing Taxpayer (@DontttcareeeUSA) February 13, 2026

Wendy's is planning to close several hundred restaurants this year pic.twitter.com/HO3bSPgJj5

— Dallas Texas TV (@DallasTexasTV) February 13, 2026

JUST IN: 🇺🇸 U.S. cattle herds shrink to smallest since early 1950s, pushing beef prices up by 15% at grocery stores in past year. pic.twitter.com/YaR9RmuMAJ

— Whale Insider (@WhaleInsider) February 14, 2026

boognish_bear said:

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JUST IN: 🇺🇸 U.S. cattle herds shrink to smallest since early 1950s, pushing beef prices up by 15% at grocery stores in past year. pic.twitter.com/YaR9RmuMAJ

— Whale Insider (@WhaleInsider) February 14, 2026

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boognish_bear said:

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Wendy's is planning to close several hundred restaurants this year pic.twitter.com/HO3bSPgJj5

— Dallas Texas TV (@DallasTexasTV) February 13, 2026

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Sid Miller warns high beef prices and low cattle herds threaten Texas barbecue, urging an “America First” beef policy to protect pitmasters and families. https://t.co/Rqbz5Ykvu8

— KHOU 11 News Houston (@KHOU) February 16, 2026

4th and Inches said:

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boognish_bear said:

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JUST IN: 🇺🇸 U.S. cattle herds shrink to smallest since early 1950s, pushing beef prices up by 15% at grocery stores in past year. pic.twitter.com/YaR9RmuMAJ

— Whale Insider (@WhaleInsider) February 14, 2026

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boognish_bear said:

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Wendy's is planning to close several hundred restaurants this year pic.twitter.com/HO3bSPgJj5

— Dallas Texas TV (@DallasTexasTV) February 13, 2026

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Wendys askin wheres the beef?

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Trump's policies are having an effect.

36% of illegals have stopped participating in welfare programs

42% have avoided applying for a welfare program.

Even 11% of legal immigrants (who also should not get welfare!) have dropped out of a program.

(KFF study link:… pic.twitter.com/vWovw0Uauq

— White Papers Policy Institute (@WhitePapersPol) February 17, 2026

Literally we are watching the whole fast food/casual dining industry collapse because the middle class has zero disposable income.

See Wendy’s ☠️ https://t.co/Pzeh0kLG37

— QE Infinity (@StealthQE4) February 18, 2026

Oldbear83 said:

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I have not been to a Red Lobster restaurant in at least 30 years.

That's not a Trump problem, it's an 'ignoring your customer base' problem.

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Jobless claims are once again LOWER than expected under President Trump.

CNBC: “These are really low by history standards..."

🔥 pic.twitter.com/IDiQsQYvZt

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) February 19, 2026

The US economy is now reliant on older Americans like never before:

Americans aged 55+ now represent 45.3% of all US consumer spending, the highest in at least 28 years.

This is nearly DOUBLE the ~28.0% seen in the early 2000s.

By comparison, those aged 54 and younger are down… pic.twitter.com/tK8IxHmekD

— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) February 19, 2026