Sometimes it's necessary to format a chart on a year over year percent change basis in order to see what the story is. And other times you can simply analyze the nominal data and get a handle on the trend. Real personal disposable income is one of those times. Real income is really dropping.
Real personal disposable income peaked in 2008 at over $34,000 per capita. It is now at $32,731 per capita. Soon it will be at $30K. Real income is trending lower.
But the stock market is up so even though we're getting poorer, thanks to Ben we actually feel wealthier. Isn't that great?
The charts...
