The Trickle Down Overflows

It's a tried and true method. When prices go up, the Mom and Pop store raises it own prices to secure profits. When oil goes up, the gas stations have to raise the cost per gallon. When wheat goes up, the doughnut maker has to charge more for doughnuts. But what happens when every single business in the country has to pay more for it's various and sundry supplies? What happens when every single business has to charge more for it's products? Where does it all trickle down?

To you, to me, to my Aunt Sylvia. We're the bottom of the barrel. Once the trickle reaches us, it simply pools and spills over. I don't know about you, but I can't tell my boss, "I'm sorry, but milk has gone up again, I simply must have a raise." Well, I could, but it probably wouldn't be the best choice. What do we do when we can't afford the gas it takes to go to work? I hear lots of answers - carpool, use public transportation, buy a car that gets better gas mileage, ride a bike.

I'm a work at home mom, you wouldn't think this issue would affect me. Oh but it does! I can hardly ride a bike to the grocery store. We have no public transportation. All the other mom's on my block work outside the home - no carpooling. Buy another car? I don't think so. We've already quit using one of our vehicles and only use the one that gets the better gas mileage. Our budget is stretched to the max as we struggle to buy groceries and gas. Opening the utility bills has become scary.