Our Price Basket - or Cost Of Living 2008 - 2013 Latest Inflation Update December 2013 Interest Rates, Housing, Food, Gas, Stamps, Dollar Exchange Rate, Dow Jones, Movie Ticket, College Tuition and Wages. We created this page to address two specific needs 1. Providing a comparison for earlier years and 2. As a means of watching how prices and wages react and the effects on inflation, prices and wages when the world comes out of the recession . As you can see we have changed the format to make it easier to read. Hope You Like the new style. To gain an idea of true inflation check 2008 prices to current with our Price Basket Graphic -- Steve
As you can see from our table the overall basket of goods has increased significantly from 2008 to 2013,

Our real world Price basket of goods shows an increase of over 45% from May 2008 to September 2012 far above published inflation figures and I believe reflects how the working class and the middle class have been effected by real world prices and stagnation in wages due to high unemployment, our basket is representative of the goods and services we all use and buy. Obviously different people spend on different amounts and types from our food basket dependent on multiple factors
1. Size of family, 2. Income, but we hope it offers an insight into real world inflation we are all affected by as opposed to government statistics.
Although Our basket of goods shows a slight decrease from 2012 to 2013 other factors including rent, taxes ( local and State ) College Tuition, Cost of a Stamp, Movie Ticket or going out for a meal all affect how much disposable income we have available


Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Realty
House Rent $800.00 $780.00 Aug. $945.00 Aug. $955.00 Aug. $1045.00 Dec. $1195.00
New House Buy $238,880 $232,880 Nov. $268,700 Mar. $202,100 Aug. $263,200 Dec. $289,500
Commodities
Gallon Gas Sep. $3.39 Feb. $2.51 Aug. $2.73 Aug. $3.89 Sep. $3.91 Dec. $3.80
KW Hour Elec Nov. 11.03 ¢ Oct. 11.76 ¢ Sep. 11.97 ¢ Aug. 12.35 ¢ Aug. 13.30 ¢ N / A
Shopping Basket ** Foods Notes and Comments on Brands and Weights at end of table ( Prices Taken in Indianapolis 2013 )
Loaf Bread Jan. $1.68 Aug. $1.77 Feb. $2.49 Aug. $1.98 Sep. $1.88 Dec. $1.98
Lb Potatoes Nov. 32 ¢ Aug. 55 ¢ Feb. 52 ¢ Aug. 60 ¢ Sep. 42 ¢ Dec. 88 ¢
Gal Milk $2.65 $2.69 $2.79 Aug. $3.39 Sep. $2.79 Dec. $4.28
Lb Bacon Dec. $2.96 Aug. $3.19 Jan. $3.22 Aug. $3.98 Sep. $4.48 Dec. $4.98
Doz Eggs Apr. $1.29 Aug. $1.34 Jan. $1.37 Aug. $1.25 Sep. $1.54 Dec. $1.88
24 Pack Coke $5.48 $5.98 $6.98 Aug. $6.98 Sep. $6.98 Dec. $7.18
12 Pack Water $1.90 $1.94 Feb. $2.08 Aug. $2.63 Sep. $2.68 Dec. $2.63
Lb Tomatoes 68 ¢ 75 ¢ Feb. 97 ¢ Aug. $1.59 Sep. $1.79 Dec. $1.12
Lb TasteLikeButter $1.90 $1.94 Dec. $2.28 Aug. $2.68 Sep. $2.68 Dec. $2.49
Lg Cornflakes $2.34 $2.68 Dec. $2.98 Aug. $3.50 Sep. $1.98 Dec. $2.92
Frozen Pizza $2.49 $2.49 Dec. $2.90 Aug. $3.00 Sep. $3.33 Dec. $2.52
5 Lb Bag Sugar $2.68 $2.78 Dec. $3.12 Aug. $2.92 Sep. $2.42 Dec. $2.68
5 Lb Bag Flour $1.97 $2.06 Dec. $2.18 Aug. $3.12 Sep. $2.98 Dec. $2.46
Lb Ground Beef $3.68 $3.99 Dec. $3.78 Aug. $3.78 Sep. $4.78 Dec. $4.68
Tide Soap Powder $5.98 $6.98 Dec. $7.97 Aug. $10.55 Sep. $17.97 Dec. $11.98
Folgers Coffee $5.49 $7.98 Dec. $8.78 Aug. $12.98 Sep. $8.98 Dec. $7.98
Lb Green Grapes $1.85 $2.15 Dec. $2.97 Aug. $1.96 Sep. $1.98 Dec. $2.48
Toilet Paper $3.49 $3.49 Dec. $3.98 Aug. $3.98 Sep. $3.96 Dec. $3.98
Chicken Soup $1.89 $1.95 Dec. $2.08 Aug. $2.10 Sep. $1.75 Dec. $1.58
Employment
Wages $40,523 $39,423 Nov. $39,856 Aug. $40,925 Dec. $44,321 NA
Unemployment Jan. 5.4% May. 8.6% Nov. 9.8% Aug. 9.2% Aug. 8.1% Dec. 6.7%
Financials
Fed Base Rate Jan. 4.25% Aug. 1.00% Jan. .25% Aug. .25% Sep. .25% Dec. .25%
Dow Jones Mar. 12,500 Aug. 9,171 Jan. 9,908 Aug. 11,326 Sep. 13,553 Dec. 15,883
Inflation 3.8% 0.4% Nov. 1.1% Jun. 3.1% Jul. 2.6% Dec. 1.5%
CPI Apr 216.632 Apr 213.856 Apr. 218.178 Apr. 224.906 Aug. 233.506 Dec. 233.049
Gold Per Ounce Mar. $820.00 Aug. $953.00 Jan. $1,068.33 Aug. $1,559.95 Aug. $1,677.95 Dec. $1,208.00
Other
Movie Ticket $6.95 $7.18 $7.50 Aug. $8.20 Aug. $8.20 Dec. $10.25
First Class Stamp 42 ¢ 42 ¢ 44 ¢ Aug. 44 ¢ Aug. 45 ¢ Aug. 46 ¢
College Tuition Aug. $6,015 Aug. $6,585 Feb. $7,020 Jan. $7,605 July. $7,695 Dec. $8,893
Wrangler Jeans Mar. $15.98 Aug. $17.68 Sep. $15.77 Dec. $15.77


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*** Note: We try to wait for government published figures whenever possible consequently the last year is often not updated until the later in the year
We have increased the number of food items because that is where many ordinary families notice inflation the most, plus from recent reports many food prices are due to rise because of basic commodity price increases and transport increases ( Gas Prices ).
I have taken the food prices from my local WalMart and will monitor the same items every 2 to 3 months, not super scientific but should provide an idea of real inflation for ordinary people in the long term. Fresh produce prices also rise and fall with the seasons , but I have included them because they still offer indicators to inflation over the long term.
The graphic at the side includes all of the food items included plus 1 gallon of gas, I needed to use only one gallon because gas prices can fluctuate so widely and would distort the figures if more than 1 gallon is included in the basket, I understand in the real world 1 gallon is not ideal.
These figures are also dependent on Special offers by the Shop or the Manufacturer or a combination of both.
Notes for foods
  1. Bread -- Sarah Lee White Bread
  2. Potatoes -- Russets
  3. Milk -- Deans
  4. Bacon -- Hormel -- ( 12 Ounces ) Priced for 16 Ounces
  5. Eggs -- Large Grade A
  6. Coke -- 24 Pack Cans
  7. Water -- 12 Pack Ice Mountain
  8. Tomatoes - Roma
  9. Taste Like Butter --- 15 Ounces
  10. Cornflakes - Large -- 18 Ounces
  11. Pizza -- Jacks Pepperoni
  12. Sugar -- 5 Lb bag
  13. Flour -- 5 Lb Bag
  14. Beef -- Lean Ground
  15. Tide -- 4.37 Lbs
  16. Folgers -- Classic Roast --- 2 Lb 9 Ounces
  17. Grapes --
  18. Toilet Rolls -- Scotts 4 pack
  19. Chicken Soup -- Campbells Cream Of Chicken --- 10.7 Ounces Price For 16 Ounces used
March Prices For Those who are interested
Loaf Bread $2.28
Lb Potatoes 49 ¢
Gal Milk $2.99
Lb Bacon $3.44
Doz Eggs $1.19
24 Pack Coke $6.98
12 Pack Water $2.63
Lb Tomatoes $2.48
Lb TasteLikeButter $2.68
Lg Cornflakes $2.98
Frozen Pizza $2.70
5 Lb Bag Sugar $3.12
5 Lb Bag Flour $2.34
Lb Ground Beef $4.28
Tide Soap Powder $9.98
Folgers Coffee $8.48
Lb Green Grapes $1.96
Toilet Paper $3.98
Chicken Soup $2.10
You can also check out our Foods section where you can check food prices for each decade from the 20's to the 90's including 50's Food Prices, --- 70's Food Prices and the 90's Food Prices with a much wider of variety of prices included.
How Much things cost today ( Updated February 9th 2010 ) The Cost alongside in blue was from our last update Average Cost of new house ( 2009 ) $232,880 2008- $238,880
Average Cost for house rent( 2009 ) $780.00 per month 2008- $800.00
Average wages per year ( 2009 ) $39,423 2008- $40,523
Cost of a gallon of Gas ( February 1st 2010 ) $2.73 August 2009- $2.51
Average Cost C per kilowatt hour Electricity ( October 2009 ) $11.76 C ( April 2009 ) $11.59
A 20 ounce loaf of Bread ( January 2010 ) $2.27 ( February 2010 ) $2.49
A LB of Bacon ( January 2010 ) $3.22 A LB of Russet Potatoes ( January 2010 ) $0.52 Dozen Eggs ( January 2010 ) $1.37 Movie Ticket ( 2009 ) $7,50 College Tuition State ( February 2010 ) $7,020 + Most States have raised tuition fees for 2009 - 2010 by between 5 and 15% ( August 2009 ) $6,585
First Class Stamp ( February 2010 ) $0.44 ( August 2009 ) $0.42
Consumer Price Index ( December 1st 2010 ) 215.263 ( July 1st 2009 ) 215.693
Money Matters
Current Fed Base Interest Rate ( january 1st 2010 ) .25% Current Inflation Rate ( December 1st 2009 ) 0.03% ( July 1st 2009 ) 215.693
Dow Jones ( January 9th 2011 ) 9,908 ( August 2009 ) 9,171
Price Of Gold Per Ounce ( January 9th 2010 ) $1068.33 ( August 1st 2009 ) $953.00
Price Barrel Of Oil ( February 1st 2010 ) $77.62 US Dollar Exchange Rate Euro ( February 9th 2010 ) 1.26750 ( August 1st 2009 ) 1.426
US Dollar Exchange Rate Pound ( February 9th 2010 ) 1.56.09 ( August 1st 2009 ) 1.672
Unemployment Rate ( January 2010 ) 10.1% ( November 2009 ) 10.2%
Only those goods, services or items that have changed since last update ( May ) are included below with original prices. I will try to update each 3 months and leave earlier figures below to provide comparison data

How Much things cost With Earlier Older Prices Only Prices that have changed included Average Cost of new house ( 2008 ) $238,880 Average Cost for house rent( 2008 ) $800.00 per month Average wages per year ( 2008 ) $40,523 Cost of a gallon of Gas ( August 2009 ) $2.51 Average Cost C per kilowatt hour Electricity ( April 2009 ) 11.59 C A 20 ounce loaf of Bread ( August 2009 ) $1.77 A LB of Bacon ( August 2009 ) $3.19 A LB of Russet Potatoes ( August 2009 ) $0.55 Dozen Eggs ( August 2009 ) $1.34 Movie Ticket ( 2009 ) $7,18 College Tuition State ( August 2009 ) $6,585 + Most States have raised tuition fees for 2009 - 2010 by between 5 and 15% First Class Stamp ( August 2009 ) $0.42 Consumer Price Index ( July 1st 2009 ) 215.693 Money Matters
Current Fed Base Interest Rate ( August 1st 2009 ) 1% Current Inflation Rate ( July 1st 2009 ) -1.43% Dow Jones ( August 1st 2009 ) 9,171 Price Of Gold Per Ounce ( August 1st 2009 ) $953.00 Price Barrel Of Oil ( August 1st 2009 ) $69.45 US Dollar Exchange Rate Euro ( August 1st 2009 ) 1.426 US Dollar Exchange Rate Pound ( August 1st 2009 ) 1.672 Unemployment Rate ( November 2009 ) 10.2% Average Cost New Car ( 2008 ) $27,958 Average Cost C per kilowatt hour Electricity ( Jan 2009 ) 11.03 C A loaf of Bread ( 2009 ) $2.79 A LB of Bacon ( 2009 ) $2.99 A LB of Potatoes ( 2009 ) $0.32 Dozen Eggs ( 2009 ) $1.89 College Tuition State ( 2009 ) $6,585 First Class Stamp ( 2009 ) $0.42 Consumer Price Index ( May 1st 2009 ) 213.240 Money Matters
Current Inflation Rate ( May 1st 2009 ) 0.38% Dow Jones ( May 1st 2009 ) 8,168 Price Of Gold Per Ounce ( May 1st 2009 ) $885.30 Price Barrel Of Oil ( May 6th 2009 ) $56.47 US Dollar Exchange Rate Euro ( May 1st 2009 ) 1.327 US Dollar Exchange Rate Pound ( May 1st 2009 ) 1.485 Unemployment Rate ( May 1st 2009 ) 8.6% Unemployment Rate ( July 1st 2009 ) 9.7% If You Would Like to see other things added to our Current Price Basket Please Let Us Know ( target 20 items for our shopping basket ) Please Help If I have screwed up with current prices or rates let me know any mistakes Thanks Steve
Whenever possible prices have been taken from Government statistics, any help with links to better and more up to date information will be appreciated , Please remember to join to make a comment or help keep this information up to date. The Comments are like all comments on The People History moderated. If you want to give examples of what you are really paying in the shops in your area please do, it will make interesting reading for our other visitors (( Steve Webmaster The People History )). I will try to update the information every three months) only prices that have changed in the earlier quarter. Prices for LB's of food stuffs are difficult to get perfectly correct because it does depend on the quantity / Quality and where purchased ( State Tax etc ) but I think it is still a worthwhile exercise.