How the Great Recession Haunts Today’s Economy

From Wendy’s closures to Marriott-affiliated hotel evictions, the U.S. economy is showing signs of deep distress. This post breaks down 15 critical indicators—including rising debt, falling credit scores, and homelessness—and offers teachable takeaways for women travelers, entrepreneurs, and everyday families. Learn how to reframe luxury as resilience and build financial literacy in uncertain times

Duchess DJ Love

So how is today’s economy? Let’s take a look. When fast food chains are shuttering, luxury hotels are evicting guests, and credit scores are falling for the first time in a decade—this isn’t just a downturn. It’s a wake-up call.

Plus a Bonus Sign That Hits Luxury Travelers Where It Hurts by Duchess DJ Love | GallivantingLikeARoyal.com

A shopping cart with the phrase 'INFLATION IS HERE' overlaying the image, set against a blurred background of a gas station. This is today's economy

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The 15 Warning Signs
Bonus Sign: Marriott’s Sonder Eviction Scandal
Teachable Takeaway
Call to Action

The headlines say “resilient.” But behind closed doors, families are rationing prescriptions, skipping meals, and praying their rent doesn’t rise again. This isn’t just inflation—it’s a full-body economic ache. Here are 15 signs (plus one luxury gut-punch) that America’s economy is in its worst shape since 2008.

💔 15 Signs America’s Economy Is In Its Worst Shape Since the Great Recession

📉 The 15 Warning Signs in Today’s Economy

Credit Card Debt Hits Record Highs: U.S. balances have surpassed $1.3 trillion, with APRs over 20%.
Credit Scores Are Dropping: For the first time in a decade, average FICO scores are falling.
Auto Loan Delinquencies Surging: Repos are rising, especially among Gen Z and millennials.
Retail Apocalypse 2.0 (Wendy’s Closures): Wendy’s is shutting down hundreds of locations due to slumping sales.
Food Bank Lines Stretching: Even middle-income families are turning to food pantries.
Renters on the Brink: Over 50% of renters spend more than 30% of income on housing.
Mass Layoffs: Tech, retail, and manufacturing sectors are cutting jobs at scale.
Real Wages Falling Behind Inflation: Many workers are earning less in real terms than five years ago.
Small Business Closures: High interest rates and low spending are crushing entrepreneurs.
Homelessness Rising: Major cities report double-digit increases in unhoused populations.
Bank Failures: Regional banks like Silicon Valley Bank collapsed in 2025.
Student Loan Payments Resume: Millions face monthly payments again, tightening budgets.
Consumer Confidence Hits Lows: Americans feel worse about finances than during COVID lockdowns.
Healthcare Costs Skyrocketing: Families are skipping care due to unaffordable premiums.
Luxury Spending Shrinks: Except for the ultra-rich, most Americans are cutting back.

A deserted urban street scene in the rain, featuring a closed Wendy's restaurant with a 'Permanently Closed' sign and a nearby hotel displaying a 'Hotel Closed' poster due to Sonder's bankruptcy. — An empty city street features closed businesses, with a permanently closed Wendy’s and a Marriott hotel sign displaying ‘Sonder Bankruptcy – All Operations Ceased.’

💼 Bonus Sign: Marriott’s Sonder Eviction Scandal

What happened: Sonder, a boutique brand under Marriott Bonvoy, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in late 2025. Guests were given less than 24 hours to vacate.

Why it matters: This wasn’t a no-name motel. Travelers booked through Marriott expecting Bonvoy standards—only to be left scrambling mid-vacation.

Teachable Moment: Luxury isn’t about thread count—it’s about resilience, transparency, and trust. Always have a backup plan, a flexible mindset, and a ritual that doesn’t depend on someone else’s bottom line.

🧠 Final Takeaway

This isn’t just a recession—it’s a reckoning. When everyday rituals like breakfast at First Watch or a road trip to the Carolinas feel out of reach, it’s time to reframe luxury as resilience. Financial literacy isn’t optional—it’s survival. And entrepreneurship? It’s the new safety net.