Inflation affects everyone, but it is even more difficult for a teenager to start their life in this current environment. The main things being affected by the inflation are the housing market and the auto market. The auto market is very important to an adult’s daily life because everyone who lives in Metro Detroit needs a vehicle to do almost everything. 

Inflation hasn’t always been this brutal. “1972 Plymouth Duster, bought it for $1,000,” said Jeff Valken, a campus monitor here at Lake Shore. 

1000 dollars for a car in 1972 is now equal to 3225 dollars. Which is nowhere close to the cost of a decent used car right now. This price can be very intimidating considering most high school students can only work 20 hours a week, and for a car with new features, you could be looking at a minimum of $10,000 for your first car.

“Dodge journey, 2010, $7,500,” said Beau Detar, a fellow senior here at Lakeshore. $7,500 for a used car is a normal price if you are looking for a car in good condition. Compared to our previous interviews the price of this car is way more expensive. 

Christopher Gwozdz, a teacher here at Lake Shore, stated. “my first car was a 1986 Buick Regal, and I paid $2,600 for it.” Nowadays $2,600 is not nearly enough to find you a decent running vehicle. If you were to make minimum wage as a teenager which is 10.10/hr. It would take you 258 hours before tax to get that much. That is on top of going to school. 

This is not the only thing affecting teenagers in starting their adult life, inflation also affects the price of everything you look at on a daily basis. This includes gas, oil changes, and general vehicle maintenance and repairs. 

The general cost of living is rising and teenagers are struggling to get the things they need for the rest of their life.