From dairy to Disney: Prices are on the rise
Whether you're planning a spring break getaway or holing up at home, you'll be hit by rising prices. Beef, milk, gas, airline travel, and even a ticket to Disney World will cost you more than they did last year.
If you drive to work or enjoy milk with your cereal, life is about to get more expensive. Milk prices are up about 30 cents a gallon over the past years. Experts say those prices could rise by as much as 60 cents a gallon over the next few months, probably because of rising demands especially from China. The same time, rough weather makes it more expensive to keep dairy cattle, which brings me to the cattle supply. It's tied to pushing beef prices up at your local supermarket. The Agriculture Department says prices for some cut could hit records this year. And you vegetarians, you will not be spared either, thanks to a severe draught in California. You know, California produces nearly half of all US grower, fruits, nuts, and vegetables. And an economist tells us the draught could push prices up by 10 percent total the prices in the coming months.
Now the prices outside the supermarket are rising as well. Gasoline is up nearly 20 cents a gallon since the beginning of the February, hovering around 3.45 now. Most of the increases are due to the seasonal refinery maitenance. And what's ahead? Well, the experts to gas tell us the average price could hit 3.60 by mid-April. All that means less money to spend elsewhere. Now the good news the gas prices still way off the heights we saw last year, even further from the heights from 2008, when those prices, remember? They touched 4.11 a gallon.
It's not just what you have at home. The price of travel is also on the rise. If you head to the magic kingdom, it could cost you. Disney raised the price of a day-pass to 99 bucks. That's a 4-dollar increase unversial. Atlanta was quick to match, and getting there won't be any cheaper.
Airlines recently kicked off the first round of fare hikes at 2014, with a ten-dollar bump. Then Delta caused a major turbulence, announcing a big change to its frequent flyer program.
Christine Roman, CNN, New York.