How does the stock market affect me?

If I have no investments in it, does it really affect me? If so, how?

the stock market deals with trading on everything that we as consumers purchase. they can increase or decrease the prices of things by putting the values to household goods. they also deal with the market values of gold, diaminds, and silver. plus, they trade and set the value of currencies.

One statement "$3 or more a gallon for gasoline"

well that ain't true, had u read the stock market crash in 1929? economy didn't recovwer till worldwar II. that's how bad is it, not just if crash but if the economy during bad mean lots of layoff like 9/11 when stock get a huge blow. but if otherhand stock do very well expect higher interst rate for inverstment also mean higher salary. raise.

Yes it affects you. Companies use the capital obtained from "going public" to build up. This allows them to make more stuff, cheaper. It also allows companies to fund the research that brings new products to market.

In other cases, money you may keep in a retirement account (whether you control it or not) could well be invested in the markets.