Rising prices may cost you $100 a month

Don't Waste Your Money

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Forget about all the fighting in Washington, and how much your taxes will be going up in 2013. Many other things are going up in price this New Year, no matter what Congress ultimately works out.
Photographer: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Copyright Getty Images

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Posted: 01/17/2013

By now, you may have heard any number of reports about rising prices in 2013.

We don't have to tell you that many grocery items, for instance, continue to head up in price.

But now we have some specific numbers about how much more the average family will have to pay for food, health care, and more this year.

It's a one two punch facing consumers this year:  Smaller paychecks and higher prices.

How Much You'll Pay

AOL Daily Finance has broken down some of the higher costs we'll all face this year.

   -It starts with food costs, expected to rise 4% this year.  That's another $40 a month for the average family.

   -Next health care premiums: Up $20 a month, if you have a family health plan, on average.

    -Computing and online access: Up $2 a month.

    -Cable TV or satellite service: Up $5 a month (yes, DirecTV and Dish are also raising prices).

This means your total expenses could be $70 a month higher this year.

Doesn't That Stink?

And from the doesn't that stink file, how these higher prices are hitting the same time we will be bringing home less.

The average 2-week paycheck will be $40 smaller, with the social security tax break  expiring.  So for many families, it is a one-two hit. Doesn't that stink?

Combine that with rising prices, and many of us will have to shell out another $100 a month.

So this is a good time to re evaluate your monthly budget, and realize your expenses will be higher this year. 

If it is really making your budget tight, talk with your company's HR department about decreasing your withholding, so you get more in each paycheck, and so you don't waste your money.
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