Madison Reporter

Inflation has jumped to 7.5%, forcing Americans to struggle to afford even the most basic necessities, according to a recent report by AP News.

Inflation rates in Wisconsin have pushed shoppers into thrift stores for their clothing needs, Spectrum News reports. As prices continue to rise for everyday necessities, people like Aida Clemens from Menasha find themselves in search of a bargain at the nearest Goodwill as opposed to shopping at mainstream stores. Clemons told Spectrum News "it makes a difference" when she's spending so much more on food and gas.

According to AP, the 7.5% jump in consumer prices marks the steepest year-over-year rise since February 1982.

Food, energy, auto and housing costs are among some of the goods and services with accelerated prices from December to January. In January alone, apartment rental costs jumped 0.5%, electricity costs rose 4.2% and used-car prices spiked 1.5%.

As inflation soars to the highest it has been in 40 years, a McLaughlin & Associates poll reveals the year 2022 has brought a greater concern for the economic state of the country when compared to similar polling in 2021. As of January 2022, 31% of voters' greatest concern was said to be U.S. economic issues, while 23% were reportedly more concerned with social issues.

These numbers differ from those reported in March 2021, which saw 25% of surveyed Americans concerned about economic issues and 22% concerned with social issues.

This comes as many consumer-facing companies such as Starbucks and Chipotle have been forced to increase menu prices by as much as 10% to offset the rising product and labor costs. With record-high inflation and economic issues taking the top spot on voters' list of concerns, the same McLaughlin poll found that 57% of voters disapproved of President Joe Biden’s job performance, while only 41% approved.

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers (CPI-U) publicized Feb. 10 states the food index alone rose 6.3%, while the energy index increased by 29.3%. Over that same time period, the 12-month increase for food at home was 6.5% and the index for meats, poultry, fish and eggs took the greatest hit with a 12.5% increase throughout 2021, greatly raising the average American grocery bill.

CNBC reports that the Consumer Price Index is a measure of inflation, which takes into account the cost of dozens of common consumer goods.