January '25 Inflation highest in a year

[disneysteve]

I'm not really expecting tariffs to make consumer goods more affordable.

Correct. Tariffs can't make things more affordable. Tariffs by definition are inflationary.

That's not to say that well thought out, specific, targeted economic sanctions can't be a good thing. They certainly can be, but that's not what is being done or threatened currently.

[Petunia 100]

Another very popular thing regarding the new administration is doing is picking apart federal agencies, budgets, etc. to root out waste and fraud. I don't know too many Americans that wouldn't agree that the federal government and all of its agencies are horribly bloated, way too costly, and waste $$ like crazy. Hopefully they will have some success at seriously reducing the size and cost of the federal government. Time will tell, but I'm more optimistic than I've been in a while regarding these issues.

Rooting out waste and fraud is a great idea. It should begin with a thorough analysis and review of government procurement policy. I'm not sure how waste and fraud can ever be reduced otherwise.

[Petunia 100]

Its funny that egg prices and inflation weren't of any concern a year ago for some, suddenly are.

That is funny. You must know some well-heeled folks.

[Fishindude77]

I'm sure this varies by location, but just noticed today that gas was lowest I'd seen in a while in this area, $2.95. It's been running around $3.15.

[ua_guy]

Gasoline has been on a downward trend for the last two years (as inflation was, until now). Heating fuels are up, though. I think we were all fortunate on the last minute backpedal/panic on instituting Canadian tariffs as a lot of our crude oil that we refine into gas for automobiles comes from them. That would have been unfortunate to see gas approaching $4/gallon in the middle of the country again.

[Jluke]

2.97 at a wholesale club.

3.35 to 3.39 at gas stations.

eastern Pennsylvania

[QuarterMillionMan]

Every time I see $3 gas I have to shake my head. In Los Angeles last night I paid $4.29 and that took effort to find the cheapest price where on average it's $4.49.

[disneysteve]

Every time I see $3 gas I have to shake my head. In Los Angeles last night I paid $4.29 and that took effort to find the cheapest price where on average it's $4.49.

It's been under $3 here for ages. I think it's about $2.79 at BJ's and $2.89 at regular stations.

I drove to and from NC on Monday and Wednesday and it was under $3 along the way as well.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Ouch salt in the wound disneysteve.

[kork13]

Ouch salt in the wound disneysteve.

QMM, California does alot of that to themselves. CA taxes gasoline to an extreme, more than 2-3x that of most other states (68¢/gal vs 20-30¢/gal most other states). Plus I think some municipalities also tack on additional gas taxes.

Distance from gas distilleries (TX/OK, LA/MS/AL, and others) also drives alot of the price differences.

[ua_guy]

QMM, California does alot of that to themselves. CA taxes gasoline to an extreme, more than 2-3x that of most other states (68¢/gal vs 20-30¢/gal most other states). Plus I think some municipalities also tack on additional gas taxes.

Distance from gas distilleries (TX/OK, LA/MS/AL, and others) also drives alot of the price differences.

It also has to do with the blend that California requires. If I'm remembering correctly, they basically run a summer blend fuel all year. Everyone else switches to a winter blend. Summer blends are supposed to help with particulate emissions, and California has a lot of unique geography that collects smog, so they need to keep emissions low. Summer blends are more expensive to make and requires additional refining. Basically, all of Los Angeles, all of the Central valley, and a lot of the desert are areas that naturally collect smog, and it's exacerbated by extremely high population. I was there before the fires this year and the air quality was absolutely horrendous. Think like the scary pictures they used to show of India, as an example of a third world nation that didn't regulate air quality.

Gas was high 3's low 4's for 87/regular in the desert as of January. Not too bad, but not the cheapest out West.

[myrdale]

That is funny. You must know some well-heeled folks.

I'm not sure it has anything to do with their bank account total.

[bjl584]

I haven't personally noticed a difference in prices in my daily life.

My eggs come from a local farm, and they've been $3 a dozen for years.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

crazy. how different gas prices and eggs are. Well heeled? more like some of those folk maybe never price shopped in their lives.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Today I paid $8.79 for a dozen large eggs. The news said we are importing eggs from the country Turkey from now until July. Hope that helps bring down the prices a little.