Inflation Jumps As Gas and Housing Costs Rise; Recession Fears Grow

Inflation rose to 3.2% in February, up from 3.1% in January, largely due to increases in gas and shelter prices
The shelter index rose 0.4% and the gasoline index rose 3.8% in February, accounting for 60% of the monthly CPI increase
30-year mortgage rates averaged 6.88% in early March, down slightly from 6.94% in late February but still high historically
Consumer confidence fell in February to 106.7 as recession fears rose again, with the jobs and income expectations index under 80 signaling a likely recession
High inflation and economic uncertainty are causing many Americans to struggle; personal loans can help consolidate and pay off debt at lower interest rates