Are you feeling the inflation happening where you live?

Aside from the supply and labor shortages (seeing a lot of empty shelves at my local Harris Teeter and Costco and hiring signs literally everywhere I go), have you also noticed prices of goods/services increasing?

I read that in hotels, they didn’t change the prices as much but now lo longer offer daily cleaning services.

Inevitable rising costs. Opportunity to trade oil and commodities.

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The answer to your questions is Yes !

I find it interesting that you in the US are noticing the same things as we in the UK and throughout Europe the same issues are happening. More so that this phenomenon is going on as we exit our respective versions of “Lockdown” - so it seems that the low-paid have managed to find other ways of surviving than working the same jobs as before.

Where they have gone is something of a mystery to me - any ideas ?

However on the “Inflation” front - historically inflation is the normal state of affairs and there is much doubt as to whether any monetary system could actually survive long -term without it.

It is true however that different strategies are required by individuals who want to progress financially in a modestly inflationary situation.

Yes, increased prices and noticeable degradation in service levels whether that is face to face or on the telephone.

Three examples from the UK that make Pinocchio look like he has a short nose:

Petrol (gasoline) Up from about £1.10 per litre to £1.39 per litre in a few months (+26%). We do get more litres to the gallon than the US, but the current rack rate is about $1.89 / litre or about $7.20 per US gallon.

Electricity and gas. Our electricity just went up this week from about £0.16 / kWh to £0.24 / kWh. That is not just our provider. It is across the board. It was £0.12 last year. That is a 100% increase. In US terms that is $0.32 / kWh. At least we measure electricity the same way in kWh.

Small TV. This is anecdotal but when I go to Tesco out of town superstore, I always glance at the price of the lowest cost small TV. These had been going down in price for the past decade from about £180 to £100. Now about £125. Not accurate, but an indication of increased price of imported goods. About a 25% increase.

So when you get 0.1% per year interest on cash deposit in your bank account, a 2% yield on large cap shares, and your fiat costs for fuel just went up by between 26% and 100%, I’m not convinced that the published inflation rates of 2% to 3% per year are anything other than fake news.

I used to read a lot on shadowstats.com - but I think there is less there than before without subscription.

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I recently just read you guys are having gas shortages there too! Crazy.

This worries me. Just got gas yesterday and per gallon was something like $3.4. This will for sure be passed on to the consumers. Thinking about trucks and all that.

LOL. That is about £0.65 per litre. The last time it was that price in the UK? 1999.

Year Price per Litre § Price per Gallon (£) Retail
Prices
Index
Petrol Price
in constant terms
(1983=100)
5-year
% increase *

1983 36.7 1.670 83.1 100.0 -
1984 38.7 1.759 87.5 100.0 -
1985 42.8 1.946 92.8 104.3 -
1986 38.2 1.737 96.7 89.4 -
1987 37.8 1.719 100.6 85.0 -
1988 34.7 1.578 104.1 75.4 -5.5
1989 38.4 1.746 112.3 77.4 -0.7
1990 40.2 1.828 121.4 74.9 -6.1
1991 39.5 1.796 131.4 68.0 3.4
1992 40.3 1.832 136.7 66.7 6.6
1993 45.9 2.087 139.3 74.6 32.3
1994 48.9 2.223 133.1 77.6 27.3
1995 50.9 2.314 147.5 78.1 26.6
1996 52.9 2.405 151.5 79.0 33.9
1997 57.9 2.632 155.4 84.3 43.7
1998 60.9 2.769 160.8 85.7 32.7
1999 61.9 2.814 164.1 85.3 26.6
2000 76.9 3.496 168.4 103.3 51.1
2001 77.9 3.541 173.1 101.8 47.2
2002 69.9 3.178 174.5 90.6 20.7
2003 77.9 3.541 179.9 98.0 27.9
2004 77.9 3.541 184.6 95.5 25.8
2005 79.9 3.632 190.5 95.0 3.9
2006 88.9 4.041 195.0 103.2 14.1
2007 87.9 3.996 204.4 97.4 25.6
2008 103.9 4.723 212.1 110.9 33.4
2009 89.9 4.087 211.3 96.2 15.4
2010 111.9 5.087 220.7 114.8 40.1
2011 129.9 5.905 232.5 126.5 46.1
2012 134.1 6.096 240.8 126.1 52.6
2013 138.9 6.314 248.7 126.5 33.7
2014 130.9 5.951 254.8 116.3 45.6
2015 109.9 4.996 257.1 96.8 -1.8
2016 103.9 4.723 261.1 90.0 -20.0
2017 117.9 5.360 269.3 99.1 -12.1
2018 115.9 5.269 278.3 94.3 -16.6
2019 119.9 5.451 285.1 95.1 -8.4
2020 119.9 5.451 292.6 92.7 9.1
2021 123.9 5.632 296.9 94.4 19.2

I’m definitely noticing it and it is worrying me, I confess. :frowning:

Pop - in UK gas means gas for home heating etc, whereas gas in US means petrol (motor fuel) in UK - weird I know but bottom line is no shortage of gas (lpg) in UK just high prices :slight_smile:

Gas (petrol) is heavily taxed in UK unlike US - cost per gallon (litre) is roughly 30% liquid, 70% tax.

Now to smoking - around 80% of cost of a cigarette is tax in UK - so mostly we pay tax on the exhaust smoke from our cars and from the cigar puffers :slight_smile:

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These days I’m just glad I’m not spending money on cigarettes anymore, I quit ages ago.

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Me too. Coming up to my five year anniversary 8Nov2021. :rofl:
Loads ‘a’ money :money_mouth_face:

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Price of the petrol has been on the rise since the start of the year. Other than that, I don’t really pay attention to other stuff.

That’s an interesting question. Actually, the wages here where I live are not high enough for me and the currency is weaker than previous years. That’s why I spend so long looking for jobs because I demand a high enough wage.
Btw, the UK is talking about bringing in trained butchers from abroad to fill in the vacancies in the animal farms. Well, there are already plenty of trained butchers in the UK. I’m talking about the criminals that keep stabbing and shooting people in the streets. "joke" :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

Same as my experience in the UK. The price of fuel is the biggest indicator for sure and one that we are all seeing with it being a big enough hike in the wholesale price that it is putting companies out of business right left and centre. Less competition leads to more mark up from those that survive.

Fuel prices are on the 9th cloud, CPI data says it has to be at 1.4%.

Also clothes and breath that actually smell nice! :smiley:
Congratulations on the anniversary!

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Gas, meats specifically, groceries in general. But going to the store to buy gym clothes, everything seems more expensive. Like $50 for a dry fit short sleeve shirt. $35-40 for some shorts. Expensive!

Ahh! I wouldn’t have known this! Thank you!

That’s crazy. That should be enough incentive to quit smoking lol.

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Love that you’ve memorized the date, too!

I’m guessing you work remote?

Not if you buy them at Costco! :joy:

Nope, I am not good at taking guidance online. I prefer old school style.

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Utility bills have risen a lot too, for me.
I keep wondering if things would get better soon or they’d just keep getting worse. :frowning: