Brazilians slammed by debt, inflation

Gloomy outlook: A transport company employee drives a vehicle carrying packages that will be delivered to residents in Sao Paulo. Analysts are predicting an economic growth of 0.42% this year for Brazil, down from 2.5% a year ago. — AFP

Sao Paulo: Jussara Romero’s credit card is nearly maxed out, and the sky-high interest payments have left her family struggling to get by.

Still, inflation-battered Brazil’s soaring prices have left the 37-year-old mom little choice when she gets to the cash register, she says: she often breaks out the plastic yet again.