By andersd3
on Jun 09, 2008  

I'm expecting my first child in November and was planning on putting money to the side to save for childcare, emergencies, etc. but with the economy moving in the direction that it is moving and with gas prices at an all time high, I can see the effects on my finances. I'm unable to save money and worry about the future of my finances.

By freedomrocks
on Jun 10, 2008  

My boyfriend and I own a pizza shop and are now just barely making it. With prices on some items going up 300%(like flour) and the fact that people just aren't able to eat out as much,our business just isn't really profitable any more. Gas being at $4.oo a gallon has made it very difficult to keep delivery drivers. We are going to have to raise our prices and are worried that customers will get angry and not come back! What can you do?!!

By zukafu
on Jun 10, 2008  

Gas just hit $4/gallon. There goes the raise I just received. I grocery shop once a week, and this week, I noticed an alarming trend. For the past month or so, groceries are going up 20-30 cents per item each week! This has got to stop!

By LRM216
on Jun 10, 2008  

Everything's going up - except the paycheck!! Yikes!

By anais43
on Jun 10, 2008  

Everything just sucks right now, the economy, housing, employment or lack of it..we live paycheck to paycheck as well..it is a scary situation.

By randomgirl
on Jun 10, 2008  

I can't stand to grocery shop anymore! It seems my $30 in between trips have increased to $40- $50 and my weekly stock up trip is costing over or close to $100 for 2 people and a dog. That is crazy! I've learned to live with the gas prices I seem to use less gas now because traffic has slowed down so much, no traffic, no long waits simply sitting and wasting gas, but the increase in groceries is killing me! I heard a joke the other day that relates- Yeah fuel can be made with corn and other cooking oils, so when this is perfected we will have plenty of gas to get us to the grocery, but when we walk in the store the shelfs will be empty. Oh the irony!

By mke1973
on Jun 11, 2008  

Unfortunately, given the easy manipulation of the commodities market, I think we may be in for very uncomfortable financial straits until next year at the earliest. IMHO, it's going to take data showing that the Chinese market is beginning to cool to quench the prevailing excuse for the cost increases--growing demand by the 3rd world. Even though this argument ignores the reality that the largest market for Chinese and other developing world is the US and that decreased spending by US consumers for several quarters or more will have a significant negative impact on those economies, as illustrated earlier this year when certain manufacturing segments in India (primarily affiliated with the garment industry) had to begin laying off employees due to the decreased demand by American consumers. I'm really concerned that by the 4th quarter of this year we'll all be hit with a double or triple whamy of continued fuel cost increases, increased production costs (which haven't been passed along to consumers yet by many manufacturers) and increased need for heating fuel due to weather conditions. When you look at real inflation--the figure that includes food and energy costs unlike the conveniently crafted term of art "core inflation" developed by the Nixon administration to keep the federal government's calculation of the CPI artifically low for purposes of calculating annual cost of living increases for entitlement programs--we're on the edge of reaching double digit inflation. If the commodities markets aren't reigned in and energy costs continue to escalate at the current pace, watch us enter the realm of double digit inflation before the end of summer. The Fed may not begin raising interest rates until after the November election, but I expect to see rates steadily increased beginning at the December meeting. Looks like we could have a repeat of the tough economic times of the late 70's early 80's on our hands.

By LetMeTellYou
on Jun 11, 2008  

Wow, now I'm really depressed. Gas prices are killing me too. I've even started working from home 1 day a week. I hope to make it 2 days a week to really save on gas. My grandmother always wants to talk about the presidential candidates and which one is promising what. What I tell her is this. It doesn't make a damn bit of difference. I don't think any of them are truly going to fix the mess we're in. Just spend our taxes and pass PORK.

By Micia
on Jun 11, 2008  

You guys are still lucky and don't realize it. I come from the socalled Old World, where gasoline prices are 3 times higher and the cost of life is unbearable for everything. Everything costs at least 20% more than here. I feel lucky that I am here!

By julieleaps
on Jun 11, 2008  

The economy in our area is going to take a big turn for the worst here soon...we are in a fairly rural area with a few major employers and one of them is closing in about a month. I really feel for those folks, losing income, trying to sell homes, facing increased expenses. Makes me feel fortunate for the time being - and I guess that's all we every really have, isn't it - just today for which to be grateful for!