Prices Remain High. Costco Isn't the Answer
Inflation may have eased last month, but it's not time to declare victory. The steps consumers can take to beat sticker shock at the grocery store and beyond.
Stick with these. Photographer: Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The most recent data on inflation shows prices rose last month by the smallest amount since January, but that doesn't mean consumers are in the clear. The debate over whether higher prices will be a temporary phenomenon or here for the long haul continues. In the meantime, shoppers should know there are things they can do to deal with sticker shock.
First, remember that the headline rate - an increase of 0.3% in August from the prior month and 5.3% from a year earlier - is based on the prices of a basket of goods and services a typical consumer buys. But a look at more than 400 items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows some prices surged a lot more than others.