From the grocery store to the gas station, consumers are facing some unpleasant surprises at the till. World events have triggered a big jump in the cost of oil and gas, and according to the United Nations, that could further destabilize already volatile world food markets. For canadians, the average cost of basic necessities has been climbing steadily for months, with some items well beyond historic highs. The National looks at why prices are rocketing and how consumers can become savvy shoppers.

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