the
cpi increased
0.5% this past march (
seasonally adjusted) and is up 2.7% since a year ago (not seasonally adjusted). msnbc has a
piece out this morning listing 13 key consumer items that currently or will cost more. these items are:
- airfare
- chocolate
- coffee
- fast food
- fresh produce
- furniture
- gas
- household products
- insurance
- juice
- packaged foods
- soft drinks
- tires
i believe a little inflation, although annoying, infers a relatively stable economy. however, inflation in an employers' market
- with the unemployment rate still at 8.8% - means employees have little leverage to negotiate for higher pay or the ability to move to another employer. but consumers appear to be spending more, even after adjusting for inflation.
it will interesting how this plays out - i'll guess just have to drink less diet coke, which is probably a good thing. so thank you, inflation.
