Overall Inflation Rose 3.7% But These Categories Are Still Crushing Consumers

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New inflation data came out today and the overall inflation number rose 3.7% for the past twelve months, keeping pace with the reading from last month.

This is good news, since the goal of the Federal Reserve is to get inflation back down to 2%.

However, when you look at the underlying categories that make up the overall inflation number, you quickly see that most Americans are still getting crushed when it comes to higher prices.

Here is a detailed look at the categories causing the most pain.

#1. Frozen Juice

If you like buying frozen juices, you are getting squeezed by inflation.

Over the past 12 months, this category is up 21.3%.

At this rate, you are better off buying shelf stable or cold juices instead.

#2. Auto Insurance

This one isn’t a shock to most people paying attention.

The cost to insure your car has skyrocketed, up 18.9%.

It used to be if you were a safe driver, didn’t get into accidents or speeding tickets, you were immune to rate increases.

Sadly, this is not the case today.

#3. Baby Food

If you have a baby, you know the cost of baby food and formula is high.

Over the past 12 months, this category increased 9.2%.

This is in addition to the increases from before the past year.

#4. Pet Food

Feeding your furry friend continues to get more expensive.

Pet food prices overall are up 7.6%.

This has led some families to cut back or buy lower quality food in order to survive.

#5. Sporting Events

Tickets to sporting events have always been expensive, but now they are 18.9% more expensive.

It’s getting to the point where most people can’t even afford to take their family to a game.

#6. Car Repair

If the high cost of insuring your car wasn’t bad enough, here comes the cost to repair it.

With new safety features, it is only natural for car repair to be more expensive.

But add in supply chain issues and this raises the cost another 14.9%.

The moral here is to avoid getting into an accident at all costs.

#7. Frozen Vegetables

Another grocery store item that just won’t come down in price.

The good news is some prices on other items have comes down from their high, mainly eggs.

But frozen veggies, something most cost-conscious consumers buy, increased 11.6%.

#8. Rent

There is a lot of talk about home prices out of control.

But rent prices aren’t far behind, rising 7.4% over the past year.

In my area, a small, 2-bedroom apartment goes for over $2,000 a month!

How anyone can afford housing these days is a question I struggle with.

#9. Personal Care Products

If you want to be clean and smell fresh, you’re going to have to pay for it.

Personal care items are up 7.2%.

#10. Gasoline

The good news: Gas prices only rose 3% over the past 12 months.

The bad news: They are on a steady climb higher, so next month, expect this number to be higher.

#11. Food Away From Home

Eating out is getting more expensive by the day.

Remember when Subway offered $5 foot longs?

Now a sub and a soda will run you close to $20!

#12. Alcohol

If you can afford to go to the ball game, you might not be able to afford a beer.

Alcohol drinks away from home rose 6.4%.

You’re better off buying a case and bringing it home and watching the game from there.

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