When you make more but have less to spend because of the increasing cost of living.

The cost of living in the U.S. is rising at its fastest rate in 10 years, according to new data from the Labor Department.

The data, released Friday, revealed that consumer prices increased 2.9 percent in July from the year before, meaning Americans may be earning less than they did at this time last year.

The consumer price index, meanwhile, rose 0.2 percent last month, which analysts largely attributed to rising housing costs, CNBC reported. Annual inflation remained unchanged from June’s pace at 2.9 percent.

If only there was some private consortium of bankers we could pin this phenomenon on, excluding food and gas, of course – no one needs those…

The U.S. central bank has raised rates twice this year, in March and June, and financial markets overwhelmingly expect a hike at the next policy meeting in September.

The Fed currently forecasts a total of four rate rises in 2018, with investors expecting a final nudge upwards of the year in the benchmark overnight lending rate in December.

Ah, well, they know best.