The nation’s wealthiest households are fueling economic growth, while lower- and middle-income families increasingly pull back spending amid financial strain.

Economists compare the economy to a precarious “Jenga tower,” warning it could collapse if stock market declines threaten high-income household wealth.

The wealthy now account for two-thirds of all spending — a record high — while the bottom 80% has shrunk their share significantly.

The surprising resilience of the U.S. economy this year is masking underlying weakness among low- and middle-income households, as higher-income Americans continue to drive growth.

This dichotomy between the haves and have-nots isn’t new, but the economic strain is now bleeding from the lowest earners to the middle class, creating an even starker divi

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