The Recession Hates Peanut Butter

“I know you don’t drive in New York…but haven’t you at least noticed the increase in food prices?” my dad asked me. I licked the peanut butter off of the knife in my hand. “Hmm….yeah…come to think about it, my peanut butter WAS more expensive today.”

By Elizabeth

For my own sanity, I find it necessary to pay as little attention to finances as possible. Money was always at the core of the stress in my family growing up and to combat that irrationally frugal gene in me, I try to swing as far into the ever-indulging and financially irresponsible realm as possible. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t noticed.

The recession HAS affected me. I lost my steady job two months ago. While it was disgustingly easy for me to find new jobs to replace that job, I was still a bit shaken. The supposed millionaires I once relied on for my income no longer could afford me…or most of their staff, for that matter. It seems as though the recession affected them, too, and their ability to buy their dog $30 steaks for lunch (I wish I were kidding about that one).

So I found other jobs and kept on trucking. Metaphorically, of course. If I were actually trucking these days, I’d be even poorer.

Luckily, I live in New York City and my father is correct: I don’t need to drive. But gas prices are so exceptionally high these days that even I, the last person on earth who needs to care about such things, stops to glance at the always escalating prices at the Exxon station as I walk to the grocery store.

Ah, the grocery store: the marketplace that broadcasts the recession’s affect on me most boldly. My Kashi granola bars cost more now. Meat costs more. Strawberries. Rice. Bread. Cheese. And peanut butter, oh…peanut butter.

As an artist, I’ve always had to go out of my way to make sure my expenses are covered. After all, the recession certainly hasn’t done the already dwindling music business any favors. While I’m not even considering revisiting my college years with Ramen Noodles, I have noticed the difference the recession has made. Thankfully, I don’t have anyone to provide for other than myself — so this difference has not been tragic.

But will it become tragic? (Tragedy: $5 Skippy Reduced Fat Peanut Butter)