Economists worry that if we expect more inflation we’ll get more inflation.
Wages are also rising but people aren't spending as much.
Unfortunately, even hard data may not help them get a clear picture of what’s going on in this economy.
Consumers tend to overestimate where inflation will be, but if you look at their expectations three years from now, they believe it will slow down.
Inflation has eased in many areas that had temporary spikes, from airfares to used cars. Persistent, underlying inflation is harder to tackle.
The latest data shows inflation is well below its peak of more than 9% a year ago. But there’s a ways to go before the Fed reaches its 2% target.
It’s a spending category that looks at core services other than housing. The Fed says it could be key to understanding the future of inflation.
Will worries about higher costs down the road lead to curtailed spending?
Clogged U.S. ports don’t just mean a longer wait time for you, the consumer. They also mean ripple effects for Chinese exporters.
Inflation’s been hard to find in this economy for years, but what if that changes?
