In recent years of 2021 and 2022, inflation has risen to its highest point since the 1980s.

Since the pandemic, prices are starting to increase more and more, leaving people confused and nervous about their personal and financial lives. The gas price raise has been one of the most obvious examples of inflation. The gas raise has affected anyone driving to work or school, which is the majority of people in the United States.

According to NBC News, the largest spike in prices has been prevalent in grocery stores, car repair shops, and of course, gasoline. People are in distress because they’re having to pay far more for their simple necessities. According to the website Bankrate savings, there are ways to learn how to strategize and divide up one’s spending in different ways during inflation. Being smart with money is very important to not forget, especially for high school students about to go to college.

“I try to set budgets with my paycheck so that way I’m not eating out too often or shopping online too often so that I can have money for more important things in the future,” said senior Celia Palamalayil.

People can start setting up budgets and holding back on buying non essential items. The high grocery store prices are a big stressor considering most adults go shopping weekly.

“I have been trying to buy the cheaper options in grocery stores,” said community member Diane Keefe.

There are ways to work around the high inflation so you can save some cash. Carpooling is a helpful way to save gas and money while getting to socialize with friends.

“I just try to carpool with people and not take any unnecessary trips, things like that,” said senior Nevena Ecerg.

Corporations have been hit hard by inflation. Because of the pandemic, many people started attending work online. According to Pew Research Center, from October 2020 to January 2022, the number of people who have started to choose to work from home has nearly doubled, from 36 percent to 61 percent. Working from home has helped those who once had far commutes to work, but inflation still affects the corporations greatly.

“Inflation has affected the supply chain at my job, and it’s harder to buy things and harder to get products to our customers as efficiently,” Keefe said.

Teens that drive to school are coping with heavy gas-related expenses. Rising prices are affecting everyone’s finances negatively. It is important to know about the economic state of our country.

“It affects us all, no matter the age, and since we’re teenagers, we are starting to pay for a lot more of our things. And some people pay for their own gas, and you don’t want to be paying too much,” Ecerg said.

With school starting up again, students are starting to use up more gas.

“I’m going to and from school for different extracurriculars and before and after school events… so I do have to fill my tank up more,” Palamalayil said.