I think everyone should monitor their expenses for a time and try calculating their own CPI. It's a pretty fraught measurement even for the well intentioned, but ultimately it matters most how your own spending is affected. I first calculated my family's CPI in early 2020 and came up with ~7% while the official number was an insanely low 2% I believe. I think the 7% figure was still roughly accurate the last time I tried this, though I'm sure it would have been higher in the '21 - '22 period. Regardless, it's an easy statistic to figure for yourself if you take your biggest monthly expenses and compare them to a period a year ago (assuming you have some financial records.)
I use this when evaluating major investment decisions, before assuming any new debt or making major purchases, etc.. Leaving that calculation to a bureaucratic agency which could care less about your well being just feels a bit irresponsible. Also, everyone's personal circumstance is so different that one generic index falls short of being very useful.
Great idea I think that makes a lot of sense! Thank do out grocery shopping and my wife is shocked when she has to run in and grab something
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One important thing, if you're going to do this test, is that you can't change your habits based on price.
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In practice that makes it hard, but you’re right if you do a true test!
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I guess you don't actually need to keep the same consumption bundle, but you need to get the prices for the stuff you bought in the first month.
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Yeah, I noticed grocery expenses went up drastically, but (for me) that adjustment is moderated quite a lot by shelter due to a low fixed rate mortgage. I can imagine the numbers would be much more volatile if renting or with an adjustable rate mortgage.
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Same we refinanced twice during COVID and got 2.25% on a 15 year. Sorry you guys can blame me for inflation as the Bitcoin rabbit hole taught me they just make up that money they loaned me…
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Not to mention that Ice Cream is now considered a super food!
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