The stress on household finances in coming weeks will be the greatest since the last recession in 2001,

With household finances already under considerable stress, one has to wonder if another round of rate hikes will lead to a more severe cutback in consumer spending.

We can see moisture stress on the trees. If the rains don't come, that will be a disaster because it means what we are having now on the farm will be lost.

With borrowing costs on the rise and the wealth effect from real estate assets diminishing, something has to give.

It's fairly safe to say that the trade deficit may have peaked now that oil prices are falling and the U.S. economy is showing signs of slowing down.

People are going to be less inclined to drive to shopping centers. Instead, they're going to stay at home and if they carry on their usual holiday spending patterns then they will do it more likely online.