Special Report

The Price of This Household Item Is Soaring

blackCAT / E+ via Getty Images

The stock and bond markets have been roiled recently, and the public’s trust in the current administration’s handling of the economy was damaged by a remarkable surge in inflation. Prices of many household items are sharply increasing, and the price of fuel oil is soaring.

The rise in consumer prices has been particularly surprising because, for a decade, prices have risen by less than 2% in some years. The consumer price index rose by 7.5% in January, compared to the same month last year. That was the largest increase since February 1982.

The Federal Reserve has stated it will raise interest rates as many as four times this year in an attempt to bring down inflation. Many experts believe this will be too little too late. 

Harvard economist and former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers has been warning about the problem for months. He recently said, “It’s clear that inflation is the dominant economic problem as seen by the American people. It’s clear that inflation is significantly contributing to distrust in the institutions and to pessimism about the future.” The University of Michigan sentiment index dropped to a recent low in January. The primary worry among those polled was inflation.

As the year wears on, among the most substantial concerns is that consumers will pull in spending, which has been robust even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Price increases erode consumer spending, and this can sharply slow the economy. Consumer spending is about 70% of America’s gross domestic product.

The efforts of the Federal Reserve will result in higher interest rates across a number of areas, including mortgage rates. Historically low rates have helped drive the extraordinary rise in home prices. That, in turn, has increased home equity, which is a major part of the net worths of many people. (This is the city where people are making the most money selling homes.)

Unfortunately, there is a school of thought that high inflation may not end for months, and perhaps much longer.

24/7 Wall St. reviewed the recent Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index report to find the household items with the highest inflation in January. Prices of the items here increased by more than 10% last month compared to January 2021.

Among the shocking surge of prices in January were the cost of fuel and new and used cars, which rose as much as 40% and more. The prices of furniture and food also rose sharply. (With car prices increasing sharply, these are the fastest selling cars in America right now.)

Click here to see the price of this household item is soaring

phubadee / iStock via Getty Images

42. Oranges, including tangerines
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +10.2%

[in-text-ad]

VLG / iStock via Getty Images

41. Ham, excluding canned
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +10.3%

Bill Oxford / iStock via Getty Images

40. Flour and prepared flour mixes
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +10.3%

guppys / iStock via Getty Images

39. Sports vehicles including bicycles
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +10.5%

[in-text-ad-2]

blackCAT / E+ via Getty Images

38. Citrus fruits
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +10.6%

97 / E+ via Getty Images

37. Electricity
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +10.7%

[in-text-ad]

Zephyr18 / iStock via Getty Images

36. Fats and oils
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +10.7%

Juanmonino / iStock via Getty Images

35. Admissions
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +10.8%

Group4 Studio / E+ via Getty Images

34. Motor vehicle body work
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +10.8%

[in-text-ad-2]

filadendron / E+ via Getty Images

33. Women’s dresses
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +11.1%

zoranm / E+ via Getty Images

32. Women’s outerwear
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +11.1%

[in-text-ad]

Kondor83 / iStock via Getty Images

31. Fresh and frozen chicken parts
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +11.6%

Adam Calaitzis / Getty Images

30. Commodities less food and energy commodities
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +11.7%

EXTREME-PHOTOGRAPHER / E+ via Getty Images

29. Outdoor equipment and supplies
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +11.9%

[in-text-ad-2]

RonFullHD / iStock

28. New cars
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +12.0%

jenoche / iStock via Getty Images

27. Breakfast sausage and related products
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +12.0%

[in-text-ad]

shaunl / E+ via Getty Images

26. New trucks
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +12.1%

rep0rter / iStock via Getty Images

25. Crackers, bread, and cracker products
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +12.6%

Milan Krasula / iStock via Getty Images

24. Motor oil, coolant, and fluids
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +12.7%

[in-text-ad-2]

Cavan Images / iStock via Getty Images

23. Fresh fish and seafood
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +12.7%

VLG / iStock via Getty Images

22. Uncooked ground beef
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +13.0%

[in-text-ad]

opengridscheduler / Flickr

21. Eggs
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +13.1%

eclipse_images / E+ via Getty Images

20. Men’s suits, sport coats, and outerwear
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +13.6%

vadimguzhva / iStock via Getty Images

19. Bedroom furniture
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +13.7%

[in-text-ad-2]

SDI Productions / E+ via Getty Images

18. Checking account and other bank services
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +14.4%

4x6 / iStock via Getty Images

17. Pork chops
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +14.5%

[in-text-ad]

Nalin Prutimongkol / iStock via Getty Images

16. Window coverings
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +16.2%

Oleksandra Polishchuk / iStock via Getty Images

15. Furniture and bedding
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +17.0%

gilaxia / iStock via Getty Images

14. Uncooked beef steaks
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +17.1%

[in-text-ad-2]

luoman / iStock via Getty Images

13. Bacon and related products
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +18.1%

wsfurlan / iStock via Getty Images

12. Uncooked beef roasts
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +19.2%

[in-text-ad]

KatarzynaBialasiewicz / iStock via Getty Images

11. Living room, kitchen, and dining room furniture
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +19.9%

DogoraSun / iStock via Getty Images

10. Lodging away from home
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +20.5%

knowlesgallery / iStock via Getty Images

9. Propane, kerosene, and firewood
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +22.6%

[in-text-ad-2]

deepblue4you / E+ via Getty Images

8. Transportation commodities less motor fuel
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +23.4%

Mlenny / E+ via Getty Images

7. Utility (piped) gas service
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +23.9%

[in-text-ad]

Aleksandr Zhurilo / iStock via Getty Images

6. Car and truck rental
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +29.3%

5. Gasoline, unleaded premium
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +35.2%

ChristiTolbert / iStock via Getty Images

4. Gasoline, unleaded midgrade
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +37.1%

[in-text-ad-2]

jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

3. Used cars and trucks
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +40.5%

marekuliasz / iStock via Getty Images

2. Gasoline, unleaded regular
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +40.8%

[in-text-ad]

LoveTheWind / iStock via Getty Images

1. Fuel oil
> Price increase, Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022: +46.5%

Want to Retire Early? Start Here (Sponsor)

Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?

Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.

Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.

 

Have questions about retirement or personal finance? Email us at [email protected]!

By emailing your questions to 24/7 Wall St., you agree to have them published anonymously on 247wallst.com.

By submitting your story, you understand and agree that we may use your story, or versions of it, in all media and platforms, including via third parties.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.