Bad ‘vibes’ may be having a bigger impact on the economy now

• There has been a disconnect in recent years between the so-called soft economic data and the hard data as weak readings on consumer confidence didn’t always translate to lower payrolls or GDP. But that may be changing as key buffers that propped up spending are disappearing, according to NerdWallet senior economist Elizabeth Renter.

Americans used to say one thing about their feelings on the economy and do something else with their actual dollars. But that may be changing.