> I really don't know how folks are getting by with the prices of everything

There is a lot of regional variation in production [1] and income [2][3]. On the whole, real disposable income and savings rates are up [4].

But someone in the midwest (income up, annualized, 7 to 11% Q4 '22 to Q1 '23) or Florida (7.9%) is seeing a very different economic landscape than someone in California (0.7%) or Indiana (-1%) [5].

[1] https://www.bea.gov/news/2023/gross-domestic-product-state-a...

[2] https://www.bea.gov/system/files/rpp1222b_0.png

[3] https://www.bea.gov/data/income-saving/personal-income-count...

[4] https://www.bea.gov/news/2023/personal-income-and-outlays-ju...

[5] https://www.bea.gov/news/2023/gross-domestic-product-state-a...