As a mother of two, I’m now worried every time I walk into the supermarket. The organic milk I used to casually add to my cart has had a new price tag slapped on it. For example, a gallon now costs $10.94, a net increase of 70 cents. So I’ve had to switch to regular boxed milk. My kids whisper, “Mom, why don’t you buy the old one?” and I can’t explain. Eggs and bacon are breakfast essentials, but now I have to weigh them against the price tag. Even the bread has been replaced with discounted, near-expiry options, and the taste is much worse.
The worst part is that my plans to upgrade my car have completely fallen through. My family’s MPV should have been replaced long ago; I’m always worried it might break down. But after a couple of trips to dealerships, I’ve found that prices for both new and used cars are ridiculously high. The salesperson explained that raw materials and tariffs are rising, and the automakers can’t do anything about it. But this “helplessness” ultimately falls on us, the average family. Now, when I pick up my kids from school, I can only watch the dashboard, wary of any problems.
Everyday expenses are a trap. Supermarket snacks, laundry detergent, children’s stationery—almost everything is more expensive; even garbage bags have quietly gone up in price. My husband’s salary seems to be increasing, but when it comes in, he can actually buy less. Last week, I wanted to buy my child a new pair of shoes. After comparing prices at several stores, I ultimately chose the cheapest model.
Politicians are always arguing on TV, but no one mentions the challenges we mothers face. Tariffs keep escalating, but in the end, it’s the ordinary people who live on the necessities of life who pay the bill. I just hope prices stabilize soon, so I can stop scrimping and saving for breakfast and a pair of shoes, and feel free to buy my kids what they want.
Hopefully, these days will pass soon!
