NEW YORK (AFP) - After years of low, low prices, fed by near-zero interest rates in a convalescing economy, Americans are waking up to costlier consumer living.

Everyday household staples like diapers, toothpaste, shampoo and dishwashing liquid -- not to mention soft drinks, cookies, chocolate, cat litter and autos -- have all started getting more expensive, a trend expected to continue early next year.