Latest / Wages and Prices with Fexingo: Cost of Living, Pay Raises, and Workers' Purchasing Power
Why Your Raise Is Finally Beating the Cost of a Cup of Coffee
In this episode of Wages and Prices, Lucas and Luna break down a surprising inflation milestone: for the first time in three years, the average hourly wage in the private sector—now $37.60—has outpaced the rise in coffee prices. Using data from the June 2026 jobs report, they explore how the 'latte effect' has flipped, what it means for consumer sentiment, and why this single commodity tells a bigger story about real wage growth. They also discuss the labor force participation rate drop and what that means for future pay raises. A focused, relatable look at the economics behind your…
The skinny
The skinny isn't ready yet — notes appear once the transcript is processed.