Behind Rosy Economic Data, Americans Struggle to Make Ends Meet

Monica Lomax, a 59-year-old resident of Elkridge, Maryland, has been feeling the pinch of rising costs. She’s had to tighten her budget, especially for groceries and clothing. Now, her shopping trips are primarily for essentials, a necessary adjustment in her life to manage the financial squeeze. “I was thinking about purchasing or downsizing into another home. But because the interest rates are still high, I’ve put that off,” she told The Epoch Times. Many Americans like Ms. Lomax are putting off major life plans due to high inflation. Moving to a new home, buying new furniture, or booking a vacation now seem like distant dreams....