cost of living

Customer says ‘cheap’ options don’t exist anymore

‘Applebee’s and McDonald’s pretty much cost the same now’: Customer says ‘cheap’ options don’t exist anymore. Here’s why

'It's just shocking to me ... how fast it has happened and how obvious it is.'

On Apr 6, 2024 by Phil West

Woman talking and crying three split

‘$8 an hour isn’t cutting it’: College student says she has to work 4 jobs to pay her rent in viral meltdown

'It’s amazing your working 4 jobs I can’t even get hired for 1.'

On Mar 12, 2024 by Tiffanie Drayton

cities and economic development

‘We need about 10,000 workers a year’: This is how cities are trying to get workers to stay

'We can't just rely on organic growth.'

On Mar 10, 2024 by Braden Bjella

Woman cries because she can’t afford rent after it goes up by $500, has to cut back on eating

‘I can feel my body getting weaker’: Woman cries because she can’t afford rent after it goes up by $500, has to cut back on eating

'I've lost 15 pounds bc I literally cannot afford to eat and I'm down to one meal a day.'

On Feb 16, 2024 by Phil West

Tenant says she’ll have to pick up extra shifts to afford $100 rent increase

‘Life is just one big scam’: Tenant says she’ll have to pick up extra shifts to afford $100 rent increase. She already works 2 jobs

'Rent goes up, but maintenance, upkeep, and property care declines.'

On Feb 15, 2024 by Braden Bjella

Woman has to apply for second job at Rite Aid during lunch break at full-time job

‘Looking for a second job to survive’: Woman has to apply for second job at Rite Aid during lunch break at full-time job

'I'm so nervous I don't even know what to do.'

On Feb 5, 2024 by Stacy Fernandez

Woman in black shirt and glasses speaking to camera. Center frame she holds an envelope with writing on it.

‘We just cannot afford it anymore’: Military mom says she’s still wearing maternity clothes because she can’t afford new wardrobe

'So this is how we support our military families?'

On Oct 10, 2023 by Grace Fowler

Woman says she was financially better off 10 years ago when she made minimum wage. Now she makes almost $100K

Woman says she was financially better off 10 years ago when she made minimum wage. Now she makes almost $100K

‘I can choose saving for retirement OR a house OR kids. Just one.’

On Sep 14, 2023 by Parks Kugle

woman inside of car expressing strong feeling of not being able to make it in life

‘I don’t understand how I make $34 an hour and can’t function‘: Worker who makes $34 an hour says she can’t even pay bills, fill up car to get to work

'I make slightly more and I couldn't survive without my husband's wage.'

On Aug 25, 2023 by Kahron Spearman

worker speaking with caption 'One job is enough!!! right but one thing I do wanna say is I don't give a damn how expensive it gets' (l) worker speaking with caption 'One job is enough!!! I'm not working the second job' (c) worker speaking with caption 'One job is enough!!! because it's to the point now where working 40 hours a week ain't enough' (r)

‘Clocking out then having to clock in somewhere else 30 minutes later is CRAZY’: Worker shares why she won’t get a second job ‘no matter how expensive it gets’

'Y'all not about to have me out here working twice.'

On Aug 9, 2023 by Stacy Fernandez

customer speaking in kitchen pointing to groceries on counter (l) customer looking at receipt (c) groceries on kitchen counter (r)

‘This is barely anything to feed me for a couple days’: Customer reveals what cost him $100 from grocery store

'Im literally shaking from the shock.'

On Jul 13, 2023 by Tiffanie Drayton