https://plaineconomy.com/ Plain-language explainers on prices, pay and the economy, with visible calculations and primary sources. en Thu, 15 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT https://plaineconomy.com/fear-and-greed-index/https://plaineconomy.com/fear-and-greed-index/Thu, 15 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTCNN's Fear & Greed Index describes market behaviour. Learn how orders move prices and why extreme fear cannot distinguish a bargain from a crisis. https://plaineconomy.com/what-is-the-vix/https://plaineconomy.com/what-is-the-vix/Thu, 15 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTThe VIX measures expected stock-market swings, not every risk. Two charts explain why a quiet VIX can coexist with rising government bond yields. https://plaineconomy.com/us-economy-before-2026-midterms-in-charts/https://plaineconomy.com/us-economy-before-2026-midterms-in-charts/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTInflation is back at 3.7%, pay is falling behind prices and hiring has nearly stalled. Five charts of official data show the economy voters face on 3 November. https://plaineconomy.com/stock-market-after-midterm-elections/https://plaineconomy.com/stock-market-after-midterm-elections/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTIn all 19 midterms since 1950, the S&P 500 was higher a year after the vote. The midterm-year dip, why the pattern may happen, and what it cannot promise. https://plaineconomy.com/what-the-2026-midterms-could-change-for-the-economy/https://plaineconomy.com/what-the-2026-midterms-could-change-for-the-economy/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTCongress controls budgets, taxes and tariff law, not interest rates or oil prices. A plain guide to what each 2026 midterm outcome could mean for your money. https://plaineconomy.com/do-presidents-lose-seats-in-midterm-elections/https://plaineconomy.com/do-presidents-lose-seats-in-midterm-elections/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTSince 1946 the president's party has lost House seats in 18 of 20 midterm elections. Two charts show the pattern, the two exceptions and the economy's role. https://plaineconomy.com/big-tech-borrowing-ai-bonds/https://plaineconomy.com/big-tech-borrowing-ai-bonds/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTBig Tech is borrowing record sums for AI data centres. How company bonds work, and why the extra interest lenders demand has started to rise. https://plaineconomy.com/why-prices-rise-when-inflation-falls/https://plaineconomy.com/why-prices-rise-when-inflation-falls/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTFalling inflation is not falling prices. A grocery-bill example shows why a slower price rise still makes shopping dearer, and what cheaper would look like. https://plaineconomy.com/real-pay-raise-inflation-example/https://plaineconomy.com/real-pay-raise-inflation-example/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTDid your pay rise beat inflation? A simple monthly budget shows how to work out real pay and buying power, and the three outcomes a pay rise can have. https://plaineconomy.com/nominal-real-gdp-worked-example/https://plaineconomy.com/nominal-real-gdp-worked-example/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTWhat is the difference between nominal and real GDP? A tiny bakery shows how to separate more output from higher prices, step by step.