Despite a strong overall economy, consumers’ money is not going as far as it used to. With inflation still a tick above 3%, it's been steady lately, but thanks, largely, to energy costs, it's still higher than expected. That being said, after cutting back, many consumers tell us they're back to shopping, traveling, and spending, because they have to. Watch NBC Bay Area News free wherever you are WATCH HERE WATCH HEREThe latest numbers from the Commerce Department show prices and spending are still rising. Business Professor Caroline Chen says we've gotten used to paying more so we're shopping through it.