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Wed, 14 Oct 2026

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 'It's rough out here': Americans struggle with rising inflation

US inflation continues to rise, and this month the jump was above forecasts. Here's how some are surviving.

* US inflation has risen by 3.7% in the past 12 months, more than economists and Wall Street analysts had forecast.
* High energy prices have driven up the cost of living in America, with diesel prices hitting record highs and gasoline prices rising too.
* A Gallup Economic Confidence Index found that Americans' assessments of current economic conditions and economic outlook were at -40 in September, the lowest since 2022.
* 95% of respondents to a summer survey from The Guardian believed that the US is in an affordability crisis. Some quotes:
* "I have done some incredibly unhinged things to survive." - Kathryn Vaughn, school teacher
* "I was thinking the interest rates would decrease and then I'd be able to purchase a house, but I don't think that's likely now." - Punal Bhavsar
* "For me, it's just like gas prices have got to be under control." - Punal Bhavsar
* "[Ground beef] is almost...not a luxury like steak...but it's just to the point where it's become a luxury; we have to think about it if we're going to purchase it." - Caitlin Green
* "It's rough out here. The cost of everything is insane. Gas to get to work, my insurance costs have gone up, feeding two children and a husband. It's a lot." - Kathryn Vaughn