Students adjust to high costs of living

INFLATION, page 1 gested that the inflation would not be such a wake-up call for college students if they had experienced it in the past like those of older generations.

“People need these products and everyone is going to buy them so they are still making money,” Young said. “I don’t understand why prices have to be so high; it is bothersome. I try and go around figuring out what places have the cheapest groceries and where to go for gas. I will drive a half an hour away just for the lower prices.”

Inflation has been under control for over two decades.

“For college students, the increases in the cost of oil and gas are probably most noticeable. But the price increase goes beyond the price paid at the pump,” Dr.

Eric Malm, assistant business professor, said. “Oil is an input to many products, so expect to see many other prices starting to rise in the near future.”

The Washington Post points out that prices have increased 9.2 percent since 2006. Daily necessities such as gasoline, groceries, health care and household products are now higher. College students generally do not work at jobs that have annual raises. Their budgets have to stretch to meet the higher prices.

“I feel most students are tighter with their money towards the end of the semester,” Brett Butler, junior secondary education and history major, said. “If you have more money in the fall then you’re more likely to spend it.”

The 21-year-old Butler grew up in a blue-collar family in Allentown, Pa. and he works