The gap between asset owners and everyone else keeps widening, which is good for older, wealthier households and bad for young workers and first-time buyers.

• Economists are split on whether the economy is splitting apart (K), converging (C), or locking into three separate classes (E) — the evidence points to splitting.
• The typical first-time homebuyer is now 40 years old, up from 28 a few years ago, as mortgage rates, insurance, HOA fees and property taxes all climb together.
• The income needed to afford a starter home has nearly doubled since 2019, while stocks keep hitting records — which mostly helps boomers and Gen X who already own assets.
• Tesla and SpaceX are chasing government contracts and heavy new funding, and fans are cheering driverless cabs and Optimus robots that would replace taxi and delivery jobs.
• The job market is grinding people down: rescinded offers after handshake deals, group "humiliation ritual" interviews, and outright hiring scams.

Outlook: Expect the divide to widen as companies keep automating and housing costs stay out of reach for younger buyers, with private equity pushing into everything from youth sports to national park land.