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U.S. annual inflation rate drops to 8.5%

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Re: U.S. annual inflation rate drops to 8.5%

#291
Given all of the COVID money, trillion dollar spending bills, supply chain issues, etc have been building up over the last few years, why does inflation ramp up suddenly all at once? Shouldn't it be more gradual?

https://static01.nyt.com/images/2022/08/09/business/inflatio...

It this just purely gas prices? Or does the market just play along as if everything is good then freak out all at once?

Re: U.S. annual inflation rate drops to 8.5%

#292
post #114

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My previous plan was 8c per kWh, it's now 16c per kWh. I live in Texas where you shop for rates. Before you're quick to crap on comments give a little benefit of the doubt.

I wonder, is solar popular in Texas? From my vague memories it is quite sunny there.

Both solar and wind are popular and growing.

Texas generates more wind energy than any other state (in gigawatthours). I'm unsure if any other state has a higher percentage of their total production in wind. Texas is around 20% of total in wind on ongoing basis (and another few percent in solar).

During recent heatwave solar and wind provided nearly 40%, " Several experts told CNN that it's owed in large part to strong performances from wind and solar, which generated 27 gigawatts of electricity during Sunday's peak demand -- close to 40% of the total needed."

Source: https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/14/us/texas-energy-record-solar-...

Re: U.S. annual inflation rate drops to 8.5%

#293

Good news I guess. But my electricity price literally doubled. My house insurance is up 30%. My gas bill is up by a lot. Have you seen the price of oreos? The $5 box at Taco Bell is my splurge and I'm trying to cut back on everything I can.

A Sausage McMuffin and a coke used to cost $2.12 at most locations near me two years ago. Today it varies from $2.95 up to $3.85 (strangely this high value is in Detroit proper where income is lowest vs the burbs). I notice this price varies even at the same locations sometimes, but it's WAY up in general by a solid 50 percent in 2 years.

Are taxes not higher in Detroit for things like fast food? I'm asking since I think Detroit does have the highest property taxes in the state and one of the highest in the country.

Re: U.S. annual inflation rate drops to 8.5%

#294
post #212

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The inflation on food due to high fuel and fertilizer prices won’t really kick in until October -> February during harvest. Next year food will be far higher, largely due to - people skipping fertilizer a second year in a row - the feed price increases from year prior will impact next years meat - much of the cow herds have been reduced due to hay prices skyrocketing (but beef rates staying far lower, due to sell off…

> if Ukraine doesn’t surrender I think you mean if Russia doesn't surrender. If Ukraine was to surrender, we'd have bigger problems than an increase in beef costs. I don't see any universe where Russia wins this war.

I think you should try broadening your media bubble. There's many, many scenarios.

Re: U.S. annual inflation rate drops to 8.5%

#295
post #146

What are the actual metrics they use to measure inflation? My electric bill is 33% higher than previous years, my gas bill is similar. City/Water/Sewer doubled. Trips to the grocery store are up close to 20%, and gasoline doubled. Everything you actually purchase day-to-day is up far more than the inflation benchmarks, so much so it’s beginning to feel like propaganda. I overnight went from thinking “I make good mone…

[deleted]

Re: U.S. annual inflation rate drops to 8.5%

#296
post #134

These inflation numbers, as I assume other flagged posts have already pointed out, are extremely misleading. Does anyone really think that housing, food, gas, or any other major consumer expense has only risen 8.5% since a year ago?

CPI is like GDP CPI collects certain things some people have decided represent the economy as experienced by ordinary people. How well it works in general and for your experience in particular depends on the choice of items in the basket and how well they match your reality. edit: There's a Planet Money series on GDP. I wouldn't be surprised to see a follow-up on CPI soon.

Except that they are constantly changing the basket to be a basket of cheaper goods. It's pretty bold to be so open about it, but that's what they do - it's manipulated.

Re: U.S. annual inflation rate drops to 8.5%

#297

Some random things I've noticed in my personal experience during the last few weeks that are inflated at way above 8.5%: Gasoline (gallon) - 3.00 last summer, 3.75 today (25% increase) Towing a Car (~50mi Round Trip) - 125 last summer, 350 today. (180% increase!) Bag of Dorito's - 4.50 last summer, 6 today (33% increase) Can of Spray Paint - 4.25 last Summer, 6.50 today (54% increase)

Quoted post unavailable.

lmaooooooooo

Re: U.S. annual inflation rate drops to 8.5%

#298

Some random things I've noticed in my personal experience during the last few weeks that are inflated at way above 8.5%: Gasoline (gallon) - 3.00 last summer, 3.75 today (25% increase) Towing a Car (~50mi Round Trip) - 125 last summer, 350 today. (180% increase!) Bag of Dorito's - 4.50 last summer, 6 today (33% increase) Can of Spray Paint - 4.25 last Summer, 6.50 today (54% increase)

It's seems that there are some companies sneaking price increases now that the public is used to price increases!

Re: U.S. annual inflation rate drops to 8.5%

#299

Unless they just redefined inflation. I'll believe it when the prices stop jumping. Also, given that the government is ultimately responsible here. And we pay taxes to the government. You'd think they might cut us some slack on that. Having fucked up and all.

That is not happening unfortunately, ever. They are hiring more people in IRS to shake down working people.

Nah, the IRS is in complete shambles, as anyone who’s had to deal with them over the last couple years can confirm. It seems pretty likely that they’re just trying to unshamble it.

Re: U.S. annual inflation rate drops to 8.5%

#300

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree, it will take some time for EVs to really take off. And the dynamics are difficult to predict. If even 5% of cars become electric, it will really move the needle on the retail gas pricing, which might slow EV adoption, etc. I expect it might go in waves. Although EVs have such a dramatic running cost advantage that as capital costs and range anxieties are addressed, the adoption rate will probably be supply l…

EV growth of the last few years was nothing compared to the increase size of the average car (more SUV and pickup sales in proportion, compared to standard “cars”). So really the EV market is still insignificant and gaz consumption for the average household has gone up, not down.

>gaz consumption for the average household has gone up, not down.

Historical data shows that overall gas consumption is more strongly linked to the frequency of highway travel than to recent changes in car purchases. See:

https://www.statista.com/statistics/188448/total-us-domestic...

There's a drop during the Great Recession, a rapid rise during the recovery, and a roughly flat line during the Trump administration until another crater during the COVID pandemic.

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