Elizabeth Ayoola

And that all makes for some confusion and stress, whether you're just a casual news watcher or an economist or podcast host at NerdWallet.

I personally feel like there are a few kinds of chaos going on right now. So on one hand, we have everything around tariffs. We've talked about that a few times on the show now. They're on, then they're off, then they're on again. And then the second element of chaos is the stock market. And some of that is tied to the tariffs. But again, we're having just these really wild swings.

I personally feel like there are a few kinds of chaos going on right now. So on one hand, we have everything around tariffs. We've talked about that a few times on the show now. They're on, then they're off, then they're on again. And then the second element of chaos is the stock market. And some of that is tied to the tariffs. But again, we're having just these really wild swings.

I personally feel like there are a few kinds of chaos going on right now. So on one hand, we have everything around tariffs. We've talked about that a few times on the show now. They're on, then they're off, then they're on again. And then the second element of chaos is the stock market. And some of that is tied to the tariffs. But again, we're having just these really wild swings.

And then, of course, we're watching for how all of this is affecting prices and inflation. And a few months ago, inflation was coming down. But now who knows what's going to happen? Liz, does all of this seem about right?

And then, of course, we're watching for how all of this is affecting prices and inflation. And a few months ago, inflation was coming down. But now who knows what's going to happen? Liz, does all of this seem about right?

And then, of course, we're watching for how all of this is affecting prices and inflation. And a few months ago, inflation was coming down. But now who knows what's going to happen? Liz, does all of this seem about right?

Absolutely. The economic policies, whether it's the tariffs or things that impact government spending, such as doge cuts and the spending bill, these all have the potential to have significant impacts on the economy, both immediately and for months and potentially years to come.

Absolutely. The economic policies, whether it's the tariffs or things that impact government spending, such as doge cuts and the spending bill, these all have the potential to have significant impacts on the economy, both immediately and for months and potentially years to come.

Absolutely. The economic policies, whether it's the tariffs or things that impact government spending, such as doge cuts and the spending bill, these all have the potential to have significant impacts on the economy, both immediately and for months and potentially years to come.

Merely talking about these things can move the markets, and we're seeing the stock market react pretty quickly and dramatically to those things. In the short term, these policies and merely talking about them can impact investments and how we spend and save. In the midterm, they can also impact prices and supply.

Merely talking about these things can move the markets, and we're seeing the stock market react pretty quickly and dramatically to those things. In the short term, these policies and merely talking about them can impact investments and how we spend and save. In the midterm, they can also impact prices and supply.

Merely talking about these things can move the markets, and we're seeing the stock market react pretty quickly and dramatically to those things. In the short term, these policies and merely talking about them can impact investments and how we spend and save. In the midterm, they can also impact prices and supply.

And down the road, on a broad scale, they could change global trade patterns, industry, domestic and abroad, labor markets, election outcomes, and so much more. And that's just at a high level. At a household level, it could change your home buying or vacation plans this year. the work you're doing in five years from now, or what your children decide to be when they grow up.

And down the road, on a broad scale, they could change global trade patterns, industry, domestic and abroad, labor markets, election outcomes, and so much more. And that's just at a high level. At a household level, it could change your home buying or vacation plans this year. the work you're doing in five years from now, or what your children decide to be when they grow up.

And down the road, on a broad scale, they could change global trade patterns, industry, domestic and abroad, labor markets, election outcomes, and so much more. And that's just at a high level. At a household level, it could change your home buying or vacation plans this year. the work you're doing in five years from now, or what your children decide to be when they grow up.

It feels like we're at a tennis match, Liz, with our heads bobbing from one side to another, and then we get bonked on the head with a ball. The whiplash is really tough to deal with.

It feels like we're at a tennis match, Liz, with our heads bobbing from one side to another, and then we get bonked on the head with a ball. The whiplash is really tough to deal with.

It feels like we're at a tennis match, Liz, with our heads bobbing from one side to another, and then we get bonked on the head with a ball. The whiplash is really tough to deal with.

Oh, seriously, Elizabeth. I think if you're someone who watches the headlines, whether for work or just because you want to stay informed, it can be very overwhelming. And I think many of us hold the sentiment that at least some of the policy changes or communications surrounding them would be laughable if they weren't so serious.