Peter's Blog

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs! SchiffGold Friday Gold Wrap Aug. 5, 2022

Jobs are on everybody’s mind as the July employment report comes out. Will the labor market show more cracks? Or will it give the pundits more room to spin the idea that we’re not really in a recession? In this episode of the Friday Gold Wrap, host Mike Maharrey talks about the labor market and […]

American Consumers Added to Record Debt Level in May

American consumers added to their record levels of debt in May as they continue to struggle to make ends meet in this inflationary environment. Americans increased their debt load by $22.35 billion in May, according to the latest data from the Federal Reserve. That represents a 5.9% annual increase.

As Prices Rise Americans Turning to Their Credit Cards

Prices keep rising faster than wages. The stimulus checks are long gone. Savings are being depleted. How is the average American supposed to make ends meet? The only option is to charge it. And that’s exactly what Americans are doing.

Consumer Debt Grew at Fastest Pace in 5 Years in 2021

American consumers ran up more debt in December, wrapping up a year in which consumer debt increase at the fastest pace in five years. This could prove problematic for the Federal Reserve as it contemplates raising interest rates.

Consumer Debt Charts Biggest Gain in 20 Years

The Federal Reserve is talking about raising interest rates. Well, that’s going to be a big problem for American consumers who are running up debt at a torrid pace. This is yet another reason why the Fed can’t do what it’s claiming it will do. Consumer debt jumped 11% year-on-year in November, according to the […]

I See Red! SchiffGold Friday Gold Wrap Dec. 10, 2021

Pretty much everybody now expects the Federal Reserve to go to war against inflation, but the central bank has a problem not many people seem to be talking about – an economy buried under debt. In this episode of the Friday Gold Wrap podcast, host Mike Maharrey talks about consumer debt levels and their ramifications. […]

I See Red! Consumer Debt Jumped Again in October

American consumers piled on more debt in October as inflation continues to squeeze their pocketbooks. Consumer debt grew by $16.9 billion, an annual increase of 4.6% (seasonally adjusted), according to the latest data released by the Federal Reserve. That raised total consumer debt to over $4.38 trillion.

As Prices Rise, Americans Turning to Credit Cards

American consumers piled on more debt in September as higher prices squeezed wallets. Consumer credit grew by $29.9 billion in September, bringing the total to $4.37 trillion, according to the latest data from the Federal Reserve. The increase in consumer debt nearly doubled the consensus estimate of a $15.5 billion increase.

American Consumers Continue to Run up Credit Card Debt

Consumer borrowing has slowed somewhat from the record level we saw in June, but Americans continue to pile on the debt. Consumer debt grew by $14.4 billion in August to $4.35 trillion, according to the latest data from the Federal Reserve. That represents a 4% increase. This follows on the heels of a 4.8% increase in […]

Household Debt Charts Biggest Increase Since 2007

With the stimulus checks long ago spent, Americans have gone back to buying things the old-fashioned way – on credit. Household debt surged by $313 billion in the second quarter to nearly $15 trillion, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York Household Debt and Credit Report. It was the biggest quarterly dollar increase […]