January 12, 2026

Post-holiday consumer spending and the growing use of buy now pay later services raise questions about household finances and economic momentum. The discussion explores debt pressures alongside signs of resilience in jobs and income growth, while also highlighting domestic chip manufacturing and the role of government involvement. Mark Minnella, Seth Udinski, and Sam Case also discuss considerations around lump sum investing, including goals, timeframes, and risk tolerance. Become a Financial Issues Partner today! For $132 a year, you get full access to our stock picks, asset allocation models, and so much more. Join right here! If you believe in and want to support the work of FISM, donate securely today. Today's show is sponsored by Pre-Born. Learn how you can save the lives of babies, and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, by visiting Preborn.com/shana for more.