How Economists (and TikTok) Get a Hint of an Upcoming Recession
So, like, have you seen all the buzz around recession indicators lately? It’s like everyone is talking about it – from the practical stuff like lipstick sales going up and men’s underwear sales going down, to the totally random things like babysitter buns making a comeback. It’s basically all over social media, and we are totally here for it! With the trade war, tariffs, and the rollercoaster stock market, there’s been so much economic uncertainty lately, and it’s kind of a big deal.
Today, let’s dive into the more geeky indicators that economists check out when they’re trying to figure out if a recession is around the corner. It’s like, the question on everybody’s mind these days, right? This episode of Planet Money was put together by James Sneed, edited by Marianne McCune, fact-checked by Sarah McClure, and engineered by Cena Loffredo. Oh, and Alex Goldmark is the big boss around here. If you’re into more Planet Money stuff, check us out on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or sign up for our weekly newsletter. You can listen to us for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the NPR app, or wherever you usually get your podcasts. And hey, if you want to support us and get access to some cool bonus episodes, consider subscribing to Planet Money+ on Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney.
So, like, what’s the deal with those recession indicators, right? It’s like economists have their own secret code to decipher when the next recession might hit. And with all the craziness going on in the economy, it’s more important than ever to keep an eye on these things. Not really sure why this matters, but it’s kind of fascinating to see how all these little signs add up to a bigger picture. Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like we’re all on the edge of our seats waiting to see what happens next. The uncertainty is real, folks. But hey, at least we have TikTok to keep us entertained in the meantime, right?
In the end, it’s all about staying informed and being prepared for whatever comes our way. The economy is like this wild rollercoaster ride, and we’re all just trying to hang on for dear life. So, let’s keep an eye on those lipstick sales, watch out for those men’s underwear trends, and maybe even pay attention to the return of those babysitter buns. Who knows, they might just hold the key to predicting the next big economic downturn. Stay tuned, folks, ’cause things are about to get interesting!
