The Daily Money: Why do consumers feel so dreary?

Good morning! It’s Daniel de Visé with your Daily Money.

Americans should be feeling pretty good about their finances and the economy.

Stocks partly rebounded from last week’s selloff, which was largely triggered by a weak July jobs report, leaving the S&P 500 index 58% above its pre-pandemic level and total household wealth nearly 40% higher. The 4.3% unemployment rate is historically low, despite last month’s rise.

So why do consumers still feel so dreary? Paul Davidson explains.

Disney's universe expands

Disney revealed plans for new "lands" and theme-park experiences last weekend at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim, California, Eve Chen reports.  

D23 is the official Disney fan club, and its biennial exposition serves as a gathering of some of Disney's biggest fans. The company announces new attractions, reveals movie and television projects and generally celebrates the Disney brand. This year's gathering comes at a time when theme-park attendance is slightly down.

Read Eve's story for a full slate of theme-park announcements.

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Finally, here's a popular story from earlier this year that you may have missed. Read it! Share it!

If you think your food bill is high, Medora Lee reports, look at your car insurance. 

Bankrate estimates the national average cost of full-coverage car insurance in 2024 increased by 26% to $2,543, up $529 from a year earlier. That’s six times faster than overall inflation, and more than any food item at the grocery store, including eggs, over the past three years, according to insurance comparison site Jerry. 

And the rise isn't over, analysts say. 

Where does car insurance cost the most?

About The Daily Money

Each weekday, The Daily Money delivers the best consumer and financial news from USA TODAY, breaking down complex events, providing the TLDR version, and explaining how everything from Fed rate changes to bankruptcies impacts you.

Daniel de Visé covers personal finance for USA Today.