Gas is certainly getting expensive, but food prices are what I've really noticed. It seems like my grocery bill is nearly double what it was a few years back. I think everything is more though, I used to take out 120 bucks every two weeks from my account to live off of, now I'm pulling 200 every two weeks and I can't say I'm buying more than I did before of anything. Actually, I'm probably buying less. And I'm in college, so, I live mad cheap off crap food, I can't imagine when I graduate at the end of the year.
A year and a half ago, I advised my monied friends to buy gold. Those that did are mighty happy. Remember this...if a depression hits, in spite of the economic safeguards built into our economy by the U.S. Gov't. after 1932, people will spend their "excess" cash on means of escape from their perceived plight. They'll buy alcohol (or drugs) in greater degree, as well as other forms of entertainment to take their minds away from the gloom and fears. (Comic books and movies made their hayday during the Great Depression.) This time around, invest in what made huge profits back then...booze.
My generation was born just early enough to see the peak, but late enough to see the beginning of the fall. For those who never known anything but excellence in America, there will be some tough realizations. I agree there will be a rise in drug use, especially beloved alcohol, but also in the new, frighteningly inexpensive, methamphetamines for the poor, and socially acceptable 'pills' for the rich. I weap for the future, but can't ignore that it has already begun. Ice is a staggering problem, alcohol is as big of a train wreck as ever, and I have never seen so much pill abuse as I have this year. The middle and upper class has as many dope fiends as the hood, we can't kid ourselves anymore. Gas and food prices are only the beginning.