This year, inflation hit record highs. From eggs and beef, to gas and heating oil, many people are feeling the pinch of high prices this holiday season. Vermont Public heard from some of you about changes you're making because of those costs.
We’ll start with Doreen Caputo, from Brattleboro:
"I didn’t celebrate Thanksgiving and I won’t do anything for Christmas. I’m sure if I really tried I could, but it’s definitely a lot harder. I also noticed, even though I saved up Christmas money, a couple hundred dollars, because of all the other things I needed, I’m just not able to do too much… I’m a single, disabled woman who is almost four years in recovery. So I don’t have a lot of friends and family, but I was reunited with my son, and I’m definitely not able to do for him what I would like to, nor for anybody else that I feel deserves something nice for Christmas.”
Next is Matthew Lefluer:
“Hello, my name is Matthew Lefluer. For me, the holiday season is travel accessibility and the cost of rising gas and other needs with accessibility. Needs are on the rise. People with empathy can empathize. People with disabilities around Vermont suffer these needs during the holiday Christmas.”
And last is Ellie Mesler from Milton:
"So, how inflation is affecting my cherished traditions is that I’ve sat back and said, 'What’s so cherished about them, and what can’t be changed? And how can I work to not fight inflation, but what does that mean? And what can I do to help my neighbors and be more connected to my community in that way?' So I’m not going to the grocery store, I’m checking out my farmers — what do they have in their meat case; what kind of vegetables traditionally; and do I really need blueberries, or should I be eating squash? So those types of things are now going to be what I’m going to call my cherished traditions. What can I cherish, just what’s around me, and not look much further than that? And also, just to be appreciative of what I have again. I’m not going to fight inflation, I’m just going to try to work with it.”
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