In recent months, the relentless rise in inflation has transformed everyday life into a cycle of anxiety centered on money. Shopping for groceries, affording the essentials, or simply making ends meet has become a near impossible challenge. Living in California, where the cost of living is second highest in the nation, only intensifies these financial struggles. With every passing day, the dream of a comfortable, stress-free life feels increasingly out of reach for myself and countless Americans.

The Cost of Living in California

To grasp the magnitude of the financial challenges at hand, just consider the statistics surrounding a living wage in California. For a single individual with no children, a living wage is calculated at $27.32 per hour or roughly $56,825 per year, based on a standard 40-hour workweek, according to SoFi. The number becomes even more out of reach for families. A couple with three children needs to earn a staggering $113,388 before taxes just to scratch the surface of what is considered a “livable salary”. MIT’s Living Wage calculator shows an expense breakdown for singles, couples with one working person and couples where both work. To see the numbers laid out in this way is not only terrifying but shocking. Such figures highlight the reality that for many, the dream of financial stability feels more like an unattainable fantasy.

The Reality of Parenthood and Work

When faced with these huge numbers, some might quickly suggest that both parents should work to alleviate the financial burden. While this sounds like a straightforward solution, it fails to consider the complexities of real life. Finding steady, safe, and reliable childcare is a nearly impossible task. Especially if you are limited to childcare centers that the county is willing to pay for. Because of this, many parents are met with long wait-lists just to enroll their child. The more children you need childcare for the more difficult it becomes to obtain. Even after-school care options can be sparse, as many centers lack the capacity or resources to provide pickup services.

Additionally, the costs associated with childcare are staggering. For many families, the expense of paying for childcare for even one child can equal or surpass a parent’s paycheck. Therefore making it financially irresponsible for both parents to work outside the home. This predicament forces families to make heart-wrenching decisions about who stays home and who takes on the burden of providing for the family. (That’s a topic for another time)

Grocery Shopping: A Costly Gamble

Grocery shopping presents another monumental hurdle for those already living pay check to pay check. Walking into a store is like being on “The Price Is Right” but with prices that feel more like a cruel joke. Essential items have skyrocketed in cost. At my local Safeway, a jar of peanut butter now often exceeds $8. That’s not even for organic or specialty brands—just the regular Jiffy variety. Fresh fruits and vegetables have become a luxury that requires breaking the bank and buying any kind of meat feels like being robbed unless resorting to canned goods like Spam.

It’s Time for Change

The current cost of living leaves many feeling trapped in a reality where the fear of financial instability looms over them constantly. The United States is often recalled as the “land of opportunity,” yet for many, it has devolved into a “land of poverty and debt.” As expenses rise and wages stagnate, life becomes a never-ending struggle for survival rather than a true pursuit of happiness.

It’s clear that significant and immediate action needs to be taken to address the cost of living crisis. The challenge is that now this has become a systemic issue. It will require the collective efforts from policymakers, businesses, and communities to create a sustainable environment where families can thrive without the constant burden of financial worry.

In a nation endowed with immense resources and potential, it is more important than ever to advocate for changes that will allow everyone to lead fulfilling lives, free from the overwhelming pressures of financial stability.

This song was playing through my head non-stop while writing this.