There are lot of people right now without a job throughout the USA and other parts of world. California where we live is one of the place that was hit hard in form of unemployment and foreclosures. According to the LA times, California’s unemployment rate is in the double digits, in some regions it is as high as 12%. Click here for the LA times article . It is tough and scary with no prospects of the economy improving anytime soon and foreclosures seem to be rising rapidly. As if, this was not bad enough, many necessary goods are getting expensive during this recession, I wrote about it earlier, please check out, Irony of Recession . Being kind and compassionate with your unemployed friends may help a lot, even if it is hard for you to relate to them. You can help in many ways even if you can not help financially. So, let’s look at a few ways to help them.
In our recent downturn economy, certain things have became more expensive and other things have became cheaper to purchase. Irony is most basic necessities such as food, medicine, education items have become more expensive while, more want items such as electronics, cars have become a little cheaper. Read on and you be the judge!
1. Homes
Although not quite so cheap, house prices have fallen way down in many part of the country, leaving many home owners upside down in their mortgages.
2. Electronics
Electronic gadgets such as flat screen TV, DVD players, camcorders and camera, computer seemed to be getting smaller and cheaper.
3. Clothing
Prices of cheaply made clothes have decreased so much. Many people have to replace their not so well made clothes almost every year. I doubt that it is cost effective in long run.
4. Cars
With recent program “Cash for clunkers” success, car prices seems to be down and making many people believe they can afford newer model of car, and prices of used cars have plunged even more.
5. Air fare
Air fare have decreased but additional fees for baggage, food, seat selections have increased. So it actually makes illusion of reduced price while actual total prices have increased for flying. I even heard that Ryan air planning to make coin operated restrooms!! I am not sure that will go well with most of the travelers.
6. Alternative energy
Although MSN article mentions alternative energy as getting cheap, I am not quite sure if solar panels are affordable for most average people just yet. Yes, there might be discount for having an alternative energy installed, I am not sure it big enough to qualify as a cheap or even affordable for most of us.
7. Toys
Cheaply made plastic toys prices have decreased significantly. However, there are still outrageously priced toys sold in a store such as $200 robotic dinosaur, which can move and roar, does our children need that at all? I think not.
7 things are getting expensive
1. Food/Groceries
Prices of staple food such as corn, rice and wheat have increased so much that many poor people in mexico and iraq and other developing countries can barely feed themselves.
2. Medical care
Despite the health care overhaul, prices of medical care and hospital stay have increased, even before recession began. Some of the service have increased to over 84% in last 10 year since 1999.
3. College education
College tuition have increased to almost 30% since 2006 to 2009. Many middle class parents can barely afford to send their kids to college now.
4. Gas prices
Gas prices always fluctuates, lower during election time and higher during summer and Christmas holiday vacation time. But it has increased over 6% in a few months time period and that is a lot.
5. Garbage/Water/Utility
In our area price of garbage collection and water usage have increased. There is proposed Utility increase again since last increase in 2005. There are no lower rates for people like us, who compost and have only 2 small bags of trash every week. Rain water collection is also not legal without a permit, in many area too.
6. Beer/Alcohol
Another great reason to give up drinking, raising prices of alcoholic beverages. Enough said.
7. Prescription drugs
Price of prescription drugs have increased over 200% since 1990, who knew? I think even with generic prescription price is still going to be high. It is not so great news for people who are on daily or monthly medication plan such as diabetes or cancer.
What did you think? I would love to what has increased or decreased price wise in your area.
