Retail economists are painting an interesting picture right now: consumer sentiment looks shaky on the surface, but the underlying fundamentals? Those remain surprisingly solid. It's that classic disconnect we see during uncertain times—people *feel* pessimistic even when their actual financial position isn't dire. This psychological vs. reality gap matters more than most realize, especially when you're trying to gauge where markets might head next. Weak sentiment can drive short-term volatility, but strong fundamentals tend to win out over longer horizons. Worth watching how this plays out in both traditional and crypto markets.