Consider This from NPR How much is the war hitting American's bottom line?
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May 5, 2026 
Martha Gimbel, co-founder and executive director of the Budget Lab at Yale, studies household budgets and economic policy. She breaks down why energy costs are so visible and how higher gas prices ripple through everything. She contrasts the “roaring” economy claim with people’s real finances. She outlines housing and inflation pressures and why policy options are limited.
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Why Gas Prices Hit Household Budgets Fast
- Gas and energy are essentials that visibly and widely affect household budgets.
- Martha Gimbel notes people notice gas prices on signs daily and energy costs flow into production of nearly all goods and services.
Roaring Economy Claim Versus Consumer Reality
- The economy is not "roaring" despite low unemployment and steady growth.
- Martha Gimbel says growth is "fine" but consumer sentiment remains low, driven in part by energy costs.
Mortgage Rates Keep Housing Unaffordable
- Housing affordability remains a major pressure point because mortgage rates haven't fallen.
- Martha Gimbel explains mortgage-rate stickiness will keep buying costs high despite hopes for rate cuts.