One of the investment world's notable voices is flagging a concerning outlook for the American economy. As we head into year-end, expect a modest recession to take hold, dragging stock prices lower in its wake. The real squeeze? Average earners are getting crushed by the cost of living—groceries, rent, utilities, everything's up. When household budgets tighten that much, consumer spending tanks, and that's the fuel that keeps markets humming. This kind of economic headwind typically sends investors scrambling, reshuffling portfolios and looking for alternative assets. Interesting times ahead for anyone holding traditional equities or thinking about diversification.