Inflation affecting college students

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One of the main storylines so far this year for Americans is inflation and the effects it is having on people across the United States.

Since providing support to Ukraine by helping to fund its war efforts, Americans have seen all kinds of increases in prices when it comes to groceries, gas and services rendered.

One of the groups it seems to be affecting the most is your everyday college student. College students from all over have been speaking out on how they are struggling to get by because of the cost of living — which started skyrocketing in 2022 and is continuing through the first three months of 2023.

Melvin Jordan, a grad student at Florida A&M from Jacksonville, has experienced first hand what it feels like juggling new budgeting and money management strategies because of inflation.

“Prior to inflation being an issue, I had good money management — or at least I believe that I did,” Jordan said. “After living in this new inflation-driven economy, I realized that I wasn’t as good at it as I thought. I’ve been trying to do better and work more hours but being a full-time grad student only allows me to do so much.”

Instead of dropping classes to work more hours, Jordan found he had to cut out certain expenses so he could stay on track academically.

Jordan Cash, a second-year student from Palm Beach, experienced some of the same struggles although with a twist.

“Coming to college, my family and I always knew it was going to be tough, especially after the whole coronavirus pandemic situation,” Cash said. “What we weren’t expecting was a possible recession to happen. My parents take care of most of my college expenses although since inflation took over I had to find a job because I didn’t want to burden my parents with the rise of my living costs.”

With Cash taking on a job as a sophomore, he has experienced the hardship of late nights in the library to finish work and early mornings to attend classes.

“I want to make my parents proud being a first generation college student, so I’ll do what it takes, you know,” Cash said. “Hopefully, it doesn’t last much longer.”

President Biden had high hopes for dealing with inflation rates in January although not much progress has been made.

“Do I take any blame for inflation? No,” Biden said in an article in the Washington Times. “It was already there when I got here, man.”

Although, when Biden came in, the inflation rate stood at a low 1.4% and over his first two years as president it has averaged 6.2%, according to the Washington Times.