As long summer days approach and daylight hours lengthen, surging costs of living continue to darken economic outlooks of U.S. consumers this spring.
From gasoline to groceries to mortgage rates on home loans, common household expenses have risen precipitously since the U.S. and Israel launched major military strikes against Iran nearly three months ago.
Mike Petrakis, founder and CEO of PowerPay, a fintech company that finances home renovations through lender-contractor partnerships, told Scotsman Guide his grocery bill is up roughly 40% from a few years ago.
“Every time we think we’re through a cycle, something else happens,” observed Petrakis. “Pandemic, rising interest rate environment, capacity constraints because of regional bank fail...



