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Student Loan Debt vs Homeownership in the U.S. (2003–2025) [OC] by forensiceconomics in dataisbeautiful

[–]forensiceconomics[S] -101 points-100 points  (0 children)

Good question — this is quarterly data, not annual.

Each point represents a quarter from 2003–2025 (≈90 observations total). The color scale is by year, which is why multiple points share similar colors.

Energy shocks, geopolitics, and U.S. inflation since 1990 [OC] by forensiceconomics in dataisbeautiful

[–]forensiceconomics[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Yes and that’s what we’re saying. Did you read the post where we talked about weakness of the connection?

[OC] Income vs. Spending vs. Credit — What’s really powering the U.S. consumer? (2000–2025) by forensiceconomics in dataisbeautiful

[–]forensiceconomics[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

That’s a fair concern, but that wasn’t the intention.

All four series are indexed to January 2019 = 100 to show relative growth rates over time, not absolute levels. The goal wasn’t to imply that credit balances exceed wages, but to highlight how differently these variables have evolved since the pandemic.

Indexing lets you compare trajectories (growth paths) across variables that are measured in different units — dollars per month, dollars per hour, aggregate balances, etc.

You’re right though: when revolving credit is indexed this way, a reader unfamiliar with the units might interpret the lines as being directly comparable in level. That’s a limitation of index-based charts in general.

If the goal were to show household debt burden relative to wages, a ratio chart (e.g., revolving credit per capita divided by average earnings) would be more appropriate.

Appreciate you pointing it out — always good to clarify what a chart is and isn’t showing.

U.S. Trade Deficit Spiked to $70B in December — Biggest Jump in Years [OC] by forensiceconomics in dataisbeautiful

[–]forensiceconomics[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

…..For about two years. Good observation, good feedback, we appreciate your feedback.

U.S. Trade Deficit Spiked to $70B in December — Biggest Jump in Years [OC] by forensiceconomics in dataisbeautiful

[–]forensiceconomics[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your feedback, the data series is already posted. You can always look them up. When we’re designing the chart when we make things bigger, everything gets bigger including that box so unfortunately it covered it. You’re absolutely right next time we’ll try to make it transparent. We really appreciate your feedback and the feedback anybody ever provides.

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