Why It’s Now Easier to Underestimate Your Expenses and Overspend

Many people are spending more than they think and are having a hard time tracking expenses as inflation stays elevated

Photo illustration by Rachel Mendelson/The Wall Street Journal, Pixelsquid (2), iStock (1)

Many people have a gap between what they think they spend and what they actually spend. This gap has widened recently as the financial and psychological effects of higher prices further strain people’s budgets.

Elevated inflation has rippled through American’s wallets for more than a year now. Some have cut back, while others have increased their spending to keep up. Credit-card balances were staying relatively flat for a while, but have jumped higher recently. 

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