Inflation is at a 40-year high with no indication of slowing. People are feeling the lower buying power of the USD as one in five Americans now run out of liquid funds before payday, according to a survey by Salary Finance as reported by CNBC. Over three-quarters stated that they have been feeling the effects of inflation this past year. Around 20% of the 3,000 respondents said that they run out of money between paychecks, marking a 15% uptick since 2021.
Around 25% are finding it difficult to afford essential items such as food, gas, and health care. The price of automobiles is at an all-time high due to the chip shortage, and gas prices seem to rise daily. One-third polled cannot afford to put any money toward savings, and those who can likely are contributing less.
Without savings, the possibility of homeownership is out of reach for many. Housing prices increased over 7.02% since 2020, according to the Labor Department, but that is factoring in prices across the board. In reality, any desirable area costs more.
Although wages have increased around 5%, the cost of living surpasses any additional funds. Let’s not forget that taxes have not decreased either and those in charge are continuously planning to spend money on agendas that do not promote the taxpayers’ quality of life. Gone are the days when lower to middle-income Americans could work hard and afford a comfortable life; people are simply trying to stay afloat.
(Fed Chair Powell admitting inflation was no longer “transitory” in November 2021)
