NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - The price of groceries and other goods are at a 39-year high, according to the Department of Labor.
Those on fixed incomes are getting hit by inflation even harder. Retiree Bill Ahlman is disabled, living off Social Security and a small pension from his 40 years working as a teacher.
"There are just a lot of things that I used to enjoy doing that I can't do as much anymore, because I just can't afford things like that," Ahlman said.
He said one of those things was cooking. He said he's always wanted to be a chef, but right now he can't afford the price of groceries.
"When I have a certain amount of money to spend I get a lot less, and I find that I'm passing up a lot of things that I'd like to have, because the prices have gone up so high I just can't afford them all anymore," Ahlman said.
According to the Department of Labor, the consumer price index rose 7 percent in 2021. Ahlman said he's feeling the effects.
"It actually gets worse each year, because whenever we get a raise in our income on Social Security, then the prices go up," Ahlman said.
News 3 reached out to AARP for tips on how to budget on a fixed income. They gave us these tips:
- Seek out cheaper substitutes
- Ease up on energy usage
- Buy in bulk
