Today’s inflation report showed that both the rent and owner-equivalent rent indexes rose 0.8% in December.

Per the consumer price index, bread and cookies cost more dough because their ingredients do too. Yes, the government tracks cookies.

Prices were up 6.5% over the past year, well above the Fed’s targets but the smallest increase since October 2021. It’s a sign that inflation is easing.

There’s still a long way to go in easing prices, but some economists think inflation has peaked.

How much pain you feel paying your bills depends on what those bills are, and who you are.

Producer prices reflect costs throughout the production process. Prices for raw materials are starting to ease.

Fresh consumer price index data pretty much guarantees a big interest rate hike when the Federal Reserve meets next week.

“Flexible” prices, like those for gas and produce, may not track inflation trends as well their “sticky” counterparts, like shelter and dining out.

Lower prices at the pump are offering some relief from other areas of inflation, like rent and food. But gas prices are a volatile indicator.

Wednesday the government will tell us how much prices changed year over year in July. Inflation was an alarming 9.1% in June.