Tough times lie ahead for people's pocketbooks. At least that's what one local economist, Creighton University's Doctor Ernie Goss predicts. If he's right, inflation will be on the rise for the rest of the year.
"I try to drive as little as possible," John Lupien of Omaha said. Rising gas prices have a lot of people trying to save at the pump. "I definitely have been looking at the Chevy Volt as an option," Lupien said.
Even though gas prices have gone up slightly this past week, according to GasBuddy, prices will steadily drop as the summer driving season comes to an end. However, this trend isn't expected to carry across to other costs like people's grocery bills.
"It doesn't surprise me, not at all, not in the least," Lupien said. He wasn't surprised at the predicted increase of prices over the next six months. Lupien says he's already ahead of the curve.
"I'm a lot more careful," Lupien said. "I look to see what's on sale in the meat counter, what's on sale through the aisles. I will shop at two or three different stores instead of one."
Barbara Frohman takes a different approach.
"I'm a terrible shopper because I buy what I want," Frohman said.
However, she does keep a close eye on prices. "Well, I will notice it," Frohman said. "I will notice that prices are rising, but I will probably still buy what I need."
What does bother Frohman, the outlook that there are expected to be no job gains in the next three to six months. "I understand all that and I feel terrible about it and we need to do something about it," Frohman said.
Experts say part of the reason for increasing prices lie with this summer's drought and the economic crisis in Europe. Doctor Ernie Goss says job growth will likely stay flat in Nebraska.
