Why is it so expensive to live??

So, I work hard for my money. Most people do. I cannot understand why the economy is so bad now that it costs too much to just, well, live?

For example:

Gas for the car: I 10 years ago bought my first brand new car (and the only one to date, mind you). I bought a Ford Explorer, which as you all know is an SUV (a.k.a. Gas Guzzler). To fill up my gas tank, it costs me about $73.00. When I bought it, it cost me only $35.00.

Cable TV and Internet: This is a must have, not so much the cable TV, as I try to refrain from getting sucked into the TV vortex.....but my glorious cable internet I simply cannot live without. Remind me of that when I live in my cardboard box! (I betcha i'll still have my laptop and some WiFi somewhere).

Food: It costs so much to eat right. Seriously. I eat poorly (Hamburger Helper, Spaghetti, Tacos) because they are cheaper. HH was just on sale at the local Martins for 10/$10.00!!! The spaghetti sauce I buy is $1.19 (it used to be only $1.00, but it too went up). Taco Dinner mix, $2.50. Now if I were to buy some healthy alternatives like fresh fruit and veggies, we are talking an outrageous fortune! Milk is almost $4.00 a gallon now. I don't have that kind of money. Therefore, the carbs are glued to my butt and I feel like crap. So, any suggestions? It costs less to eat at McDonald's every night than to buy groceries. (I could live on the Sweet Tea alone).

Water, Sewer, Gas, Electric: All this on top of the other, and YES, it too has gone up. Especially water and sewer after all that Hamburger Helper I have been eating ha-ha-ha(TMI!).

Entertainment: The price of going to the movies is $8.50, add small popcorn, candy and a drink and your up to around $50.00! (Well, darn near!). Here is my solution to that: Movie rental boxes are now in the grocery store for $1.00 a night and grab a 12 pack of no-name-brand soda while you are there, then go to the dollar store and buy microwave popcorn and candy. You've spent $10.00 with tax. My yarn habit isn't too expensive. Thanks to 40% off coupons at Jo-Ann's, A.C.Moore and Michaels. Sometimes great yarn and some knitting needles or crochet hooks is all that is needed for entertainment.

Car Insurance, Mortgage, phone bill(s): Well there goes the rest of my money. I don't have any health insurance to speak of.

So, how is there money for anything else in life? I don't have any kids either! Lord forbid something would ever come up as an emergency (sickness, car repair, home repair), I don't know what I'd do. Why does it have to be like this?

I once looked into getting assistance from the Department of Social Services. I am single and working with no children. I was advised that I should quit my job and claim disability (for my depression) and then they (Social Services) would be able to help me. I cannot get cash assistance because I work. I cannot get Utility Assistance because I have no children at the home. I cannot get medical assistance because I am not on disability or over the age of 65. I don't know if I would be eligible for Food Stamps because they take your monthly income and subtract your mortgage and utilities and decide if you can live on the leftovers. They do not consider your car insurance, phone or gas for your car which I deem a necessity. So they only way for my beloved state to begin to help me is if I am lazy, lie about a disability and have a mess of kids. No wonder this country is so screwed up.