Bouncing Back: How American Families Are Dealing With The New Cost Of Living

Across the U.S., families are facing unprecedented challenges. Even as the country is getting back to work, inflation is still stubbornly high, and many worry about a potential recession. For everyday American families, it means tightening already limited budgets and stretching every dollar to make ends meet. NBC News Senior Business Analyst Stephanie Ruhle meets with two families to learn about their financial and personal struggles and give her advice to help them navigate an uncertain economy. This is the latest episode of "Bouncing Back with Stephanie Ruhle," following stories of individuals on their path to financial stability. Sponsored by Principal.

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[alexsteven.m]

From my analysis, people overpaid for homes even while loan rates were low, I believe there will be a housing catastrophe because these people are in debt. If housing costs continue to drop and, for whatever reason, they can no longer afford the property and it goes into foreclosure, they have no equity since, even if they try to sell, they will not make any money. I believe that many individuals will experience this, especially given the impending mass layoffs and rapidly rising living expenses.

[Misshughestrm]

As a person without kids and not on disability, there's no help

[reachthestars]

My neighbors started stealing my water when I go to work. My water bill has doubled in the last few months. I bought some outside water faucet locks to stop the theft. I guess they decided to deal with the cost of living by becoming common criminals!

[jivefive]

Did Steph remind her that her husband working for Uber means he isnt making any money at all -- while the "money every night" is nice for desperate people, you can easily put 20-40, 000 miles on your car per year doing Uber, accelerating the maintenance costs on that car and necessitating the buying of a new/used car much earlier than you planned?

[wendyway]

Bread machines at thrift stores and yard sales are very cheap. She can make gluten free bread in bigger loaves and way less than buying it. You can also make oat milk very cheaply and save the store pricing.

[carlariggs]

Let's face facts. It takes a two person income to sustain a household. Also, if you are barely making it, have debt, and no emergency fund; reconsider your choice to have a child right away.

[seventhchild]

I Downsized my life since the 2008 RECESSION!...I LIVE my life SIMPLE but nice, DEBT free, Spirtual, constantly live on a budget!...I only have myself and my Pomeranian dog ....I pay my car insurance every 6 pay rent, food, lights, household items each month. Thank God my 2011 Kia RIO is in mint condition, well maintained, just hit about 67, 000 miles, and NO issues!...over the 10 years I've had it, I only had to buy tires, belts, sensor, spark plugs and coil pack, yearly oil changes!...

[solpat]

I have never understood why vacations and Christmas presents are even in peoples minds when they are having a hard time paying bills. We finished paying our mortgage on 24/12/21 and that was our Christmas present to ourselves. Before that we hadn’t had a vacation in over five years.
Never had a credit card in my 50+ years and after getting into debt on $5.000 loan, and paying it off in my early twenties, I vowed no bank was going to get my hard earned cash in those kind of bank fees ever again. My credit score is in the 900’s and hasn’t dipped below that range in over twenty years.
I know it’s hard when you have kids, to not want to give them what they want at Christmas, but if more people sat down with their kids and did research on budgeting and savings tips, instead of the latest expensive gadgets, then a lot of kids would grow up with a healthier attitude towards money. If you give your child an allowance, there apps geared to children that show them about money management and which you can view to see how they are doing. They are never too young to learn these type of life skills.

[rapman]

This woman should be working a job when her husband is off. She can work a couple nights and weekends and let dad take care of the kid. You do what you have to do.

[kittyfeline]

Yes let's get these little tips thanks, we'll just pretend wage inequality doesn't exist, the system isn't stacked against us, and quality of life isn't way down because of it. This has been done to us, don't wonder why violence is up.

[joelincolnlincoln]

Buy a house? He makes minimum wage she doesn't work lol you can't buy a house in Mexico on that income

[jarrodbarkley]

Stop buying useless crap like sandwich cutters. You already had one. It's called a knife.

[amydecker]

I am also gluten free and dairy free. I simply dont eat bread, akd i dont purchase expensive dairy substitutes. Why dont people get this???

[TheVideoGamesHistorian]

Cut the credit cards up, save for everything you want, look for free stuff, look at goods that are imperfect but work, swop clothing with family and friends, buy goods that are reduced in bulk if its something you need and use, have a jar for change, pay with cash,

[kateskeys]

Cutting back on entertainment? Give me a freaking break. Cutting back? This video is really kind of making me sick

[raymondlin]

Sorry, I realized the cost of living when I graduated college and moved out of my parents house. Gasoline reached $1 a gallon and my parents, friends, Co workers flipped out

[joyaustin]

She needs to earn an income. Cooking from scratch and at least working part time. When I see clutter I see money wasted

[JK-uclv]

My son is autistic and so I totally understand her struggle. I wish them good luck and hope they will be able to get through this tough time.

[rickmaurer]

Don't know which is more sad....the pathetic attempt to make these families look poor when they are not or the cry on command financial advisor whose only advise for getting out of poverty is owning a credit card....

[ksmith]

None of these people appear to be starving..and tattoos are a complete waste of money. Those complaining bout being poor always have money for cigarettes, tattoos and highly processed food.