The cost of everything, across the board, has gone sky high since the pandemic. How the average person with a few kids is making it in today’s economy is tough. I believe a lot of people are swimming in debt.
Yep, oil, gas, filters, mower blades, belts, everything associated with mowers and small engines, AND everything else we buy has gone ape-ship crazy. I went to Burger King last evening and got a chicken sandwich meal and an extra order of fries for the wife. It cost me over $17. I can remember not too long ago that I could get the same thing for about $10 (and with much better and more polite service). I can tell you how at least one grandkid is making it. She and the great-granddaughter (and twin boys on the way) are living with Grandpa and Grandma. She makes $56k per year and can't afford $1200/mo rent (or mortgage), utilities, insurance, property taxes, car payment, food, clothing, gasoline, groceries, and especially babysitting. The going rate for babysitting is $25 per day, or $500 per month, and it would be $1500/mo starting in February when her twins arrive. So, they have lived with us for the past 3 years. Grandpa pays the utilities and other such expenses associated with a place to live, and Grandma (and Grandpa) babysit 24/7, Granddaughter pays some of the additional expenses incurred due to them living here, but far from all of them. And of course, Grandpa has a mower and weedeater to keep the property looking nice, for which I buy all the gasoline and consumables, do all the maintenance on it as well as the family vehicles, and of course I do the mowing. Fortunately, we are able to do it. We own our home and are completely debt free. But, we are in our 70's and on fixed income. This is the last thing I imagined retirement to be. But, when the 3 year old GGK crawls up on my lap and gives me a big hug and kiss, then falls asleep on my shoulder, it's worth it.
