Financial expert reveals what your partner’s underwear choice says about the state of the economy

A financial expert has shown that the state of the economy can be gained by assessing men’s underwear.

The unusual metric can be an important indicator of the economy health, according to Abby Hall, assistant professor economics at the University of Tampa.

“Your friend or your husband may not only wear holes in his boxers in front of fun,” Hall explained Scripps News.

“It can actually be an indicator for overall economic health.”

This collection of data is called the Men’s Underwear Index.

Hall explained that the index suggests that the sale of men’s underwear often falls in times of financial uncertainty.

This is because of men who wanted to continue their money – and to recognize old underwear a little longer.

But the men’s underwear index is not the only unique size that financing experts use to assess the state of the economy.

A financial expert has shown that the state of the economy can be gained by assessing men’s underwear (Stock Image)

Another used measure is the Baked Beans Index that reflects how cheaper food – such as cans of cans – are purchased during difficult economic moments.

“In the case of a recession, you say that someone has lost his job or that their income is decreasing, people can buy more things such as beans that are relatively cheaper,” Hall said.

A third measure known as the Lipstick Index follows Luxury Buying.

‘The reasoning behind this, economists assume, is that people will buy relatively smaller luxury during economic decline,’ Detailed Hall.

Economist David McWilliams agreed that these measures offer a unique perspective on human behavior and the economy – although they are somewhat unusual indicators.

“The only thing we do is to study this bizarre being that a person is called,” said McWilliams.

“That’s what economy is all about.”

He added: “The more serious we take it, the less likely we will understand the nuances of what’s going on, because people are beautifully irrational.”

The unusual metric can be an important indicator of economy health, according to Abby Hall, assistant professor Economy at the University of Tampa (Stock Image)

Other painful data also indicate America on the way to a recession.

Now 25 percent of American adults use ‘Buy now, pay later’ services for shoppingAccording to a disturbing new poll that suggests that a recession looms up.

The figure has risen sharply from the 14 percent of adults aged 18 to 79, asked the same question in 2024 and the 21 percent who used for groceries in 2023.

A survey among 2,000 adults by Loingbedrijf Lending Tree also discovered that 41 percent of people who buy now had a payment theadline for groceries – seven percent more than the year before.

The data, reported for the first time by CNBC, in April 2025, indicate imminent economic downfall because millions of ordinary Americans are stuck under the weight of rising supermarket prices, with inflation still unburdened.

Large supermarkets, including Kroger, Shaw’s, Ralphs and Whole Foods, let customers pay with the most popular buy now, pay later service – Klarna.