September's consumer spending figures came in lukewarm—a noticeable shift after several months of robust growth. The data hints that the broader economy might be hitting a rough patch. What's dragging things down? Rising living expenses continue squeezing households, while a cooling labor market is making people think twice before opening their wallets. When paychecks feel less secure and everything costs more, demand naturally takes a hit. Worth watching how this plays out in the coming quarters.