[Young]

First of all I'd like to point out that this needs to be looked at in different areas. Elderly couples, widowed/single Elderly, middle aged married, Middle aged W/S, single young adults, married young adults, single parent young adults....I'll also add that sometimes any of these can become responsible for an Elderly person or a child as well.

Now i shall start a List i hope others will help me with this, but here goes things that i have witnessed going up in price at an alarming rate.

Gasoline was $1.58 LY, Now $1.94

Milk was $1.98 LY, Now $3.95

Medicine atleast 10%

College Tuition about 5%

Cigs were $2.75 LY, Now $$3.75

Movie ticket was $7.25 LY, Now $8

Beef is up 2 lb was $3.58 LY, Now $4.95

Ice Cream was $2.15 a Pint LY, Now $2.85

Dow Chemical up 40%...contributes to cleaning supplies

Power bill average $41.99 LY, Now $58.36

3 books for college $210 LY, same class New books this year $318

Now using my calculator, average cost of Living Here is up...just based on the above mentioned items counting the book desparity and dividing it by 6, power increase, cleaning supplies, 2 pints of ice cream, 8 lb's of beef, 2 movies, 15 packs of cigs, college tuition increase divided by 6, Medicine based on my worst doctors visit by price this year divided by 3, 4 gallons of Milk, and 60 Gallons of fuel....Per month it costs me $142.76 more to Live than it did last year....and i'm making a quarter more an Hour, at 38 hours a week which yes that means i'm one of 48 Million Americans without Healthcare, My salary is up $38 dollars a month...the offset is $104.76 & to be Honest i stopped smoking...Cigs so that saves me $56.75 a Month...so i'm really only paying $48 more per month this year over last year.

$48 that i don't have and have to borrow or add onto at 16%, unless i don't get sick.....I have to occasionally give stuff up that i need, not to mention stuff you want, and i don't remember when i last bought new clothes.

Per Year that increase is $576

Now when i have to give up something its simple or i'm able to adjust and i have family...but what about those who don't have family or are raising children alone...i can't even imagine all the extra costs, and Our Elderly :(

When they must choose because of lack of funds, they have no place to turn...and that is just sick.

Please add on any items you have seen jump in price and feel free to make your own estimate on your cost of living and see if your in as bad a shape as me....not that i included everything.....but i used what i have seen increase in...that i know i use, be more detailed if you'd like.