Here's what some economists are saying: tackling inflation alone won't fix affordability. The real culprit? Wages that haven't kept pace.

Sure, inflation's cooled off big time compared to those wild post-pandemic years. But here's the kicker—millions are still struggling. Why? Because their paychecks simply aren't cutting it anymore.

It's not just about prices coming down. When your income barely budges while everything else climbed during that inflationary surge, you're left holding the bag. The purchasing power gap is real, and it's hitting households hard.

Think about it: even if inflation stabilizes, if wages stay stagnant, affordability remains a pipe dream for most people. That's the missing piece in the whole economic recovery narrative.