Jason

Just me and my random thoughts.. Part time cynic, Part time optimist. Lover of beer and naps. recreational outdoor enthusiast.

[Jason @MayorOfTheRoy]

Had some help crafting this.... but if you are not in your Ivory tower... it seems things are improving but are they?

No, not clearly better off overall—and for many everyday expenses, it feels (and in some cases is) worse—though real wages and incomes have clawed back some ground since the 2022 inflation peak. The picture is mixed: prices for food, clothing, fuel, utilities, and insurance are higher in nominal terms than in 2022, but cumulative inflation since then (~13–14% overall CPI from 2022 average to April 2026) means we must compare real (inflation-adjusted) changes. Wages have grown faster than inflation in recent years for many, but key categories like insurance and recent energy surges have outpaced that, and consumer sentiment is at record lows despite a resilient economy. Here’s a data-driven breakdown using the latest BLS CPI (April 2026 release), EIA gasoline data, and income figures (all U.S.-focused, as that’s the implied context):Goods (Food, Clothing, etc.)Food: Up noticeably since 2022. The food index rose 3.2% over the 12 months ending April 2026 (food at home +2.9%; food away from home +3.6%). Groceries saw big spikes in 2022–2023 (double-digit annual inflation at times), and cumulative gains since 2022 are in the 15–20%+ range depending on the subcategory (e.g., fruits/vegetables +6.1% last year alone). Real terms: prices have risen faster than overall inflation in the early post-2022 period, though the pace has slowed.

Clothing/Apparel: Up 4.2% over the last 12 months (one of the stronger recent gainers among goods). Apparel was historically deflationary, but post-2022 supply/tariff pressures reversed that. Cumulative since 2022: modestly higher in real terms.

Services (Utilities, Insurance, etc.)Utilities (part of energy services): Tied to the broader energy index, which jumped 17.9% over the 12 months ending April 2026. Electricity and piped gas have contributed to recent residential energy price rises (EIA notes ~9.5% higher in early 2026 vs. prior year in some forecasts). This is a clear real-term increase vs. 2022.

Insurance:Auto/Motor vehicle insurance: Sharply higher. Premiums rose ~46% cumulatively from 2022–2024 due to repair costs, claims, and inflation; recent years have stabilized (+0.2% last 12 months in CPI, with full-coverage forecasts up only ~1% in 2026). Still, you’re paying meaningfully more in real dollars than in 2022.

Health insurance: Continuing upward pressure. Employer-sponsored family premiums averaged ~$27,000 in 2025 (worker share ~$6,850), with 6–7% increases projected for 2026. This outpaces general inflation.

Fuel PricesGasoline: Volatile but currently comparable to or higher than 2022 averages in many months. National average regular unleaded was ~$4.00–$4.06/gallon across 2022 (with a June peak near $5.00). In 2026: dipped as low as ~$2.80–$3.00 early in the year, but surged to $4.16–$4.26 by April and ~$4.33 by late May. Recent energy commodity prices are up 29%+ y/y in spots. Real terms: similar purchasing-power hit as 2022 peaks, with the latest spike erasing earlier 2026 relief.

Overall inflation context: CPI-All Items rose 3.8% over the 12 months to April 2026 (core 2.8%). Cumulative from 2022 annual average (~292.7) to April 2026 (~333) ≈ +13.8%. Food/energy drove early pain; shelter and services have been stickier longer-term.

Are We Better Off? (Wages, Incomes, and Broader Picture)Real (inflation-adjusted) median household income rose from $79,500 in 2022 to $83,730 in 2024 (latest available; +5.3% in chained dollars). Real average hourly earnings have shown small positive growth recently (+0.3% year-over-year through early 2026), with nominal wages outpacing inflation in most quarters since late 2022. Some measures (e.g., median weekly earnings) are above pre-pandemic trends.

Unemployment is low but slightly higher (4.3% in April 2026 vs. ~3.6% average in 2022). GDP growth has been solid.Bottom line: The median American has modestly higher real purchasing power now than in 2022 for broad baskets of goods/services. Wage gains have outrun the recent pace of inflation, and the economy avoided a deep recession. However:Specific pain points (auto insurance +46% early on, food still elevated, utilities/fuel spiking again) hit budgets hard.

“Feels worse” for many: Consumer sentiment hit a record low in May 2026, with high prices (especially groceries/energy) cited as the top issue—even as gas is cheaper than 2022 peaks in some months and murders/life expectancy improved.

In short: Objectively slightly better for real incomes and employment, but subjectively and in key daily categories (insurance, recent fuel/utilities, cumulative food), most people are not clearly ahead of 2022. It depends on your specific situation—wage growth, location, and whether you’re heavily exposed to insurance/energy. The recovery from 2022’s inflation shock has been real but uneven and incomplete in perception.

[Clay Travis @ClayTravis]

In June of 2022, gas prices averaged over $5 a gallon, inflation was 9.1%, the murder rate was 6.3 per 100k & S&P 500 was 3675. Four years later gas is cheaper, inflation is roughly 3%, the murder rate is 4.0 per 100k, & the S&P 500 is 7600, more than double four years ago.

[Jason @MayorOfTheRoy]

@TDsTake A++ content! Enjoy!

[Jason @MayorOfTheRoy]

The “good” that is a result of the NIL era. We hold these “kids” to a different standard now. (Performance). What isn’t discussed are the many benefits of getting athletes ahead of the learning curve of management and making those funds work for “them” or others. Many beneficiaries won’t make it to the league. How does this help/benefit them?

[Jason @MayorOfTheRoy]

@GerryCallahan Good!

[Jason @MayorOfTheRoy]

@JaretGold Stop. Wish him the best and move on, christ.

[Jason @MayorOfTheRoy]

@ziggakai I’ve never interacted just observed. As a fan. I absolutely loved watching you and your son throughout his journey. Thank you both! Congrats! Good luck and cant wait to see him on Sunday’s and to continue to see his father beam!

[Jason @MayorOfTheRoy]

This is the appropriate reaction.

[Kyle B. @SmallCapChains]

@BasicBluesPod well I mean, we're also basically helping fund Oregon when we promote Nike... soooo there is that

[Jason @MayorOfTheRoy]

@grok @RepSwalwell Thanks. Have a good night

[Jason @MayorOfTheRoy]

@grok @RepSwalwell Got it and concede those points. The question remains why the coordination?

[Jason @MayorOfTheRoy]

@grok @RepSwalwell Im shocked..absolutely shocked

[Jason @MayorOfTheRoy]

@SpeakerPelosi Wait. I was told that was you?! There must’ve been confusion over buy/sell. Deploy/don’t deploy or whatever

[Jason @MayorOfTheRoy]

Hey @grok who was the most famous person to visit my profile? doesn’t need to be a mutual, don’t tag them, just say who it was

[Jason @MayorOfTheRoy]

There will be more firsts. Maybe they are repeated firsts with a spin. When the kiddos move on. Grand babies. The first time you decide to go from all gas no brakes to maybe I put me first so I can experience more firsts, longer than anticipated. (I read comments) I only know your online presence, you’re an amazing human being and can do whatever you set your mind to. Maybe your next first is…you, for those you love. Either way you thank you!

[Jason @MayorOfTheRoy]

@SecKennedy now do, pre-payment review (see @UHC ) before the claim is paid? Requesting records seems like another stall tactic/delay/hindrance in the process, it appears to be every time. Coincidence?! Thank you for your attention in this matter.

[Lauren Lee @laurenlee]

🚨 BREAKING: RFK Jr. Announces Program to END Insurance Pre-Authorization!

“85% of Americans say that they have had delays in health care because of prior authorization. The doctors hate it. It costs them 12 to 15 hours a week filling out forms.”

This is a MASSIVE win for everyday Americans against Big Insurance!

👏

[Jason @MayorOfTheRoy]

@joeroganhq @BridgetPhetasy, especially in these wild times.

[Jason @MayorOfTheRoy]

@DefiyantlyFree @grok analyze this

[Jason @MayorOfTheRoy]

@BSDtweet The actual playing surface is called that. Not the stadium. Jeebus

[Jason @MayorOfTheRoy]

@esaagar No but they are at 5. Just a few short weeks ago that wasn’t possible.