The last comment was something to point out.
The current administration keeps talking about wages going up. And patting themselves on the back for it as if they personally did it.
But the problem is it only went up for non skilled labor and entry level people, but inflation made those raises pointless as they are still where they were before the increase.
And for people like me who worked hard to become skilled labor and finally making a decent living the inflation in essence decreased my pay. Last year I was finally glad I was making comfortable wages when I took my new job, now it's like I never left my old job because inflation and gas prices took away all my new earnings. So now I am smarter, more responsible, more weight on my shoulders at work for nothing gained.
I can't even afford to drive to see my grandma every Sunday like I used to because the gas puts me over budget. I used to see her every Sunday, now it's once a month. And that hurts me and it angers me because I love her more than anyone else. She tries to give me gas money but I can't take it because she is 93 and not swimming in cash.