I just heard on the teevee that despite Trump, this is a great economy

[meadowlark5]

For whom? I don't feel it. I mean we're not destitute. But gas prices are up, tuition costs for my kids is up, we've received no raises. In my area, if I were looking to buy a house or rent an apartment, those prices are insane.

Who is this economy great for? I know the rich but I'm not being snarky, are any of you feeling the benefits of this economy? If so, can you share what has improved?

[pangaia]

1. Nope.

I am retired but nope.

[Voltaire2]

2. honestly? yes, right now we are in a prolonged boom that started around 2010.

[meadowlark5]

3. But you personally. Are you feeling it?

I suppose if I were a real estate agent, which could be a middle class profession, I would be feeling positive effects over the past 5yrs or so. But I'm not. I'm an office worker and feel nothing. It's all still the same, financially.

[unblock]

4. It's an expansion. The economy is growing.

The first to benefit are always businesses and the rich.

Workers only benefit by it being easier to get and keep a job.

Only late in an expansion do workers start to see wage increases. We're starting to see some of that only very recently, finally.

I expect a good year or two of this if we're lucky, followed by a recession.

[Voltaire2]

7. yup.

We are the tail end of the boom.

[Voltaire2]

5. yes.

But I agree that it really depends on where you live and what sector of the economy you work in. For me, in the northeast, in the tech sector, really it has been a boom economy since the late 70s, with occasional short downturns that mostly affected the value of your 401k and little else. The one exception was the crash of 2008-9 which did affect lots of people in tech.

[leftstreet]

6. 'being not destitute' is what they're telling us is a win

[marylandblue]

8. Aggregate numbers are good

GDP growth is good, unemployment down. But most of the growth is going to the 1% and real wages are not keeping up with inflation, so for the average person, the numbers don't tell the full story.

[MichMary]

9. How is your 401k?

DH retired in December. I have been extremely nervous about the stock market, since we are relying on that for the majority of our retirement income. But, for now, the 401k has been going great guns. (That could change at a moment's notice, but for now, things are good.)

[meadowlark5]

11. Pretty good but frankly, unless it sticks, I don't really use that as a barometer anymore

We make great strides then something takes us back a step or two. We have a long time before we will retire so who knows what it will be when we do. I get sick of how sensitive the stocks are to this idiot tweeter.

I'm asking more about things that have improved in your day to day life. The 401K is future for me, not money in my hands now.

[The Genealogist]

10. I'm doing far better than I ever have, but it has nothing to do with Trump

I was out of work from about the time Obama's first term began til Feb 2012. Finally someone had enough faith in my abilities and willingness to hang around that I got a job. I have since gotten several promotions. My greater success is due to hard work, and having management appreciate my willingness to do the job. NOTHING to do with Trump.

[SCantiGOP]

12. It's great for the investor class

Not good at all for the working class.

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

13. Awful sorry.

dt said wages were too high, remember? Hows your local mall? Any new factories in your area? Hows the mcdonalds job w the kiosks now? Were headed for disaster and the fact the the bigmouth said anything doesnt make it true.

[meadowlark5]

14. I live in a very affluent county - conservative and Christian but one of the most affluent in the US

So the mall is booming. No empty spaces, the place always has people shopping no matter the day or time. I always think, "don't any of these people have jobs? How is this mall always full?"

I live outside the Denver metro area and it appears many here are doing well. I just haven't seen any uptick in anything for us on a day to day basis.

[moondust]

15. Maybe corp TVpipo get bonuses

for pushing "good news" stories when the oligarchs like the way things are going.