A report released by the Census Bureau shows that income dropped for U.S. families and more families were living at or below the poverty line in 2010 than in previous years. In fact, 2010 marked the third consecutive year that the poverty rate increased; since 2007, the total has crept up by 2.6 percent.

The Census Bureau further reported that:

• Between 2009 and 2010, the poverty rate increased from 14.3 percent to 15.1 percent.
• Last year, 46.2 million Americans were living in poverty.
• 2010’s numbers mark the highest poverty rate the country has seen since 1993.
• About 16.7 percent of Americans are now either unemployed or “marginally attached to the workforce” (i.e. underemployed).

One interesting side note about these numbers is that the unemployment rate has not changed significantly in the last year, even though the number of people living in poverty has. This suggests, according to sources, that the high unemployment rate has pushed wages down.

Higher Prices

Perhaps contributing to the nation’s rising poverty rate is a steady upward movement of consumer prices. Last month’s numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that the energy index rose 1.2 percent and the food index increased by 0.5 percent, its largest jump since March.

Even without the volatile energy and food price changes, other prices rose 0.2 percent, largely driven by apparel and housing costs.

Saving Money in the Thick of It

So what can a cash-strapped consumer do when times get tough? Spend more carefully, for one thing. Here’s a look at some tips for keeping bills lower, even as prices creep up and income falls.

• Use the freezer. While you might forget leftovers in the fridge, you can store them in all their first-night freshness in the freezer. Bonus: freezing food for later saves time when you defrost it.
• Learn sneaky food-saving recipes. Stale bread can be a real bummer – nobody wants to spend money on something and throw it out. But recipes for bread pudding and homemade croutons are both super-easy ways to rescue stale bread. Soup stocks are a great way to rescue vegetables past their prime.
• Buy in season. Summer’s bounty means prices on produce are often at their lowest in the hot months. To take advantage, stock up and either freeze, dehydrate, or can the extras.
• Check your bills carefully. Small mistakes may end up costing you over the long run. Make sure you’re paying only what you truly owe on bills. And vigilance can help you detect any suspicious activity (like possible identity theft) before it becomes a major problem.
• Downgrade. Cable and Internet services can be pretty costly. If you aren’t watching all your channels or using your Internet for work, consider trimming the extras to save every month.
• Go green. Three small steps can help you save serious money on electric bills. First, unplug electronics when you’re not using them. To make this easier, install surge protectors that you can switch off or unplug easily. Next, replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents, which use less energy and last about ten times longer. Finally, opt for natural light and air whenever possible.

The College Board announced this week that SAT scores among U.S. high school students dropped from last year. While the decrease may not seem significant (the average reading score fell three points, writing fell two points, and math dropped by one), analysts are worried that the dip could be part of a larger trend.

Unfortunately, that trend could have significant long-term impact on the future of the U.S. economy and jobs market.

The Test Score-Employment Link

Here’s a look at why faltering SAT scores are raising some concern among those worried about the long-term recovery of the U.S. economy.

• SAT Benchmark: The College Board, which administers the SAT, has determined that a score of 1550 out of 2400 indicates that a student has a 65 percent chance of earning at least B-minus grades in college and thus of earning a degree.
• Less than half of seniors meeting the benchmark: In 2011, only 43 percent of seniors planning to attend college achieved the benchmark score. This suggests that the majority of those entering college this fall have a less than 65 percent chance of completing school (according to the College Board’s research).
• Unemployment by degree earned: The failure to complete college is troubling considered in the context of current unemployment rates. While the national average hovers around nine percent, that number varies significantly when total education is considered. In 2010, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released numbers indicating that, when the nation’s unemployment rate was at 8.2 percent, the rate for those with a doctoral degree was a mere 1.9 percent; professional degree earners had a 2.4 percent rate; those with masters degrees, 4.0 percent; those with bachelor’s degrees, 5.4 percent; associate degrees, 7.0 percent; some college, 9.2 percent; high school diploma, 10.3 percent; and no high school, 14.9 percent.
• The future of U.S. jobs: Those numbers reflect a trend in the U.S. that involves available jobs becoming more and more skilled. The Secretary of Education has gone on the record saying that most jobs available in the U.S. in the future will be skilled and that education and training are becoming more and more essential to obtaining and keeping employment.

Those who start college and don’t finish may still have to contend with student loans, which are not dischargeable in bankruptcy. Student debt can be especially difficult without the increased earning potential that typically accompanies a completed degree.

Economic Recovery and Employment

Naturally, nobody will insist that the economy has recovered until the unemployment rate has fallen closer to normal levels. Though many analysts say that recovery must start in the housing market, most citizens and politicians pay more attention to employment numbers, because these have a more observably direct impact on citizens.

Part of the worry that the College Board’s numbers spurred comes from overseas: students in China and elsewhere are improving on standardized tests as U.S. students fall behind. This has led some people to worry that, if American workers, students, and schools don’t improve, the country might have to start outsourcing jobs for the highly trained.